Astounded Us

Small Groups

Fellowship — Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or small groups, recall something that utterly astonished you. What was it? What happened? What was the consequence of whatever happened?

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Luke 24:13-35.

• The Preaching Notes (4/19/2026) repeat the refrain, “on that same day,” and point out that being resurrected seems like a sufficient accomplishment for one day, but there was more! Look back at Luke 24:1-12 to review what happened on that day. Who was where? What did they do? What interactions took place and between whom? If you had been among Jesus’ inner circle, how would you have been processing the events of that day up to this point?
   
• Then, two other disciples, Cleopas and his companion, were walking away from the events in Jerusalem when a stranger appeared and asked about what had been happening. They were astonished that anyone would have to ask, but they answered the question, becoming among the earliest witnesses and testifiers to the Resurrection. If you had been one of the travelers, what stories would you have talked about your experience with Jesus? What, for you, exemplifies Jesus’ life and ministry the best? How does this influence your life, day by day?
   
• Cleopas and his companion testified to Jesus’ life and ministry with some sense of yearning: “We had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel,” not realizing that he had already redeemed even more than Israel. What sort of unfulfilled yearning accompanies your faith? What do you hope for when you pray, study scripture, and converse with God? Do you believe that those hopes can be realized? How would you know?
   
• Then Jesus testified to them, and their eyes were opened! Have you ever had a spiritual awakening or dramatic point of clarity in your faith (or anything else)? What happened? What changed, if anything? How has your life and faith transformed over time?
   
• The two travelers, when enlightened, turned right around and went back to Jerusalem, even though it would have taken about two hours to get there, and the day was nearly over. What is so important to you that you would do such a thing? How can your own being and doing in the service of Christ match these two believers?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:

Dear God, we often travel the highway of life without seeing the signposts or recognizing fellow believers along the way. Sharpen our attention to see with clarity the guidance of the Spirit, the gifts of love of the people around us, and the hurts of the world we might assuage. We ask this in the name and the power of Jesus, the Christ. Amen.