Session 12

Dead (Mark 15:33-39)

33 When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three Jesus cried out with a loud voice, ‘“Eloi, Eloi, lem?’ ‘sabachth?ni?’” which is translated, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” 35 When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “See, he’s calling for Elijah.”

36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, fixed it on a stick, offered him a drink, and said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down.” 37 Jesus let out a loud cry and breathed his last. 38 Then the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 When the centurion, who was standing opposite him, saw the way he breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

emphasize:

Jesus was in complete control of His last moments.

List:

build a timeline of what went on while Jesus was on the cross.
Highlight the darkness and the curtain being torn.

Ask:

• How did these two events symbolize Jesus’s work on the cross?

Review:

Lead the group to examine the memory verse, Mark 15:39.
Talk about why the centurion believed Jesus was God’s Son.
Note that this was another instance of Mark revealing God’s inclusion of Gentiles in His plan of salvation.

Ask:

• How did Jesus show grace to those who witnessed His death?
• How does He show grace to us today?

Explain:

Review the Plan of Salvation on the inside cover.
Affirm that you will be available to talk with anyone who wants to know more about Jesus’s sacrifice and His offer of salvation.

CHALLENGE

Summarize:

Review these points from this week’s Bible passage:

• People can know with confidence that Jesus is the Messiah.
• People can be assured that Jesus has the power to save.
• People’s sins are forgiven because Jesus died on the cross.

Discuss:

Lead the group to talk about the Apply the Text questions (p. 103).
Point out the Key Doctrine of “Salvation” on page 103.
Invite a volunteer to read Acts 4:12 and discuss why Jesus is the only way to have a relationship with God the Father.

Pray:

Encourage adults to pray as individuals for a few moments,
thanking Jesus for going to the cross for them.
Close in prayer, asking God to help each person to embrace the power of the cross and to live in a way that points others toward Him.

AFTER THE SESSION

Reinforce the session by reflecting on the grace you have received through Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. Contact the group through email or text, reminding them that salvation only comes through faith in Jesus Christ.