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Group Outline

scripture

Luke 24:14-16, 25-35 (NIV)

"14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him."

"25 He said to them, 'How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?' 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. 28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, "Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over." So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?' 33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, 'It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.' 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread."



KEY MESSAGE TAKEAWAYS

  1. Jesus is closer than you think - He walks with us even when we don't recognize Him.

  2. Information without interpretation - They didn't lack information about Scripture; they lacked proper interpretation.


  3. Burning hearts can still walk the wrong direction - Passion and emotion don't automatically equal obedience.

  4. Fire reveals what the heart is made of - The same fire that softens wax hardens clay. Fire doesn't automatically soften hearts; it reveals what they're made of.

  5. Jesus waits to be invited - He won't force His presence on us; we must invite Him to stay.
  1. Jesus is closer than you think - He walks with us even when we don't recognize Him.

  2. Information without interpretation - They didn't lack information about Scripture; they lacked proper interpretation.

  3. Burning hearts can still walk the wrong direction - Passion and emotion don't automatically equal obedience.

  4. Fire reveals what the heart is made of - The same fire that softens wax hardens clay. Fire doesn't automatically soften hearts; it reveals what they're made of.

  5. Jesus waits to be invited - He won't force His presence on us; we must invite Him to stay.
  1. Jesus is closer than you think - He walks with us even when we don't recognize Him.

  2. Information without interpretation - They didn't lack information about Scripture; they lacked proper interpretation.

  3. Burning hearts can still walk the wrong direction - Passion and emotion don't automatically equal obedience.

  4. Fire reveals what the heart is made of - The same fire that softens wax hardens clay. Fire doesn't automatically soften hearts; it reveals what they're made of.

  5. Jesus waits to be invited - He won't force His presence on us; we must invite Him to stay.

Discussion Questions

  1. In what ways might you be so focused on what has happened to you that you are missing what God is doing in and through you right now?

  2. What conversations are you having about your situation, and are they rooted in faith or fear? How might changing your narrative change your direction?

  3. In what ways has disappointment over unmet expectations caused your heart to harden rather than soften toward God?

  4. How are you choosing to finish your story from this day forward, regardless of how it began or what setbacks you have faced?

  1. What questions are you asking God right now that might be keeping you from taking the next step He's revealing to you?

  2. When have you felt like God was absent from your life, only to later realize He was simply unnoticed during that season?

  3. Jesus asks them, "What things?" even though He already knew what happened. Why do you think Jesus asked questions instead of immediately correcting them?

  4. How might sharing your testimony of God's faithfulness strengthen someone else who is currently walking through disappointment?

As a whole Group or in smaller pairings of 3-4 share a prayer request and pray for one another.