GHOSTED

• Which is the best ghost movie: “Ghost,” “Casper the Friendly Ghost,” “Ghostbusters,” “The Sixth Sense,” “Poltergeist,” or “Beetlejuice”?

• See if your group can solve these ghost riddles:
  • What kind of music do ghosts like? (Rhythm and boos.)
  • A ghost’s house has all the usual rooms except for one — which room is missing? (The living room.)
  • What kind of makeup do ghosts wear? (Ma-scare-a.)
  • Ghosts can only wear this kind of shoes — what are they? (Boooooots.)

• Jesus disappeared in front of the disciples. If you suddenly disappeared, where’s the first place (besides your home) your family or friends would look for you?

Ask eGroup members to share their favorite points from the sermon, what spoke to them, a phrase or moment from the sermon they related to the most, or questions they have. If members have a hard time recalling the sermon, talk through your notes and share your favorite points.

• When you “ghost” someone, it means you end your relationship with them by suddenly stopping all communication. Have you ever ghosted (or been ghosted by) someone?

• Read Acts 1:1-9. If you were one of the disciples, would you have felt ghosted by Jesus? Share about a time when you felt ghosted by God. (When was it? What happened? How did you respond? How did God bring you through it?)

• Where God’s presence is, there is also power — but welcoming His presence is different than just acknowledging it. What does that mean to you? Talk about some ways we might “acknowledge” God’s presence without actually welcoming Him.

• Read John 2:1-11.  Jesus’ mother didn’t just acknowledge Jesus’ presence — she directly involved Him. What does it look like to involve Jesus in our lives? (How do we invite Jesus so we can be led by Him? How are these different than “acknowledging” His presence?)
  • Read these passages and talk about what these people did to invite Jesus’ presence and how they responded to His presence:
  • Mark 2:1-5
  • John 11:17-27
  • Luke 5:1-5

• Some things might not feel good to us, but they’re good for us. (John 16:7) How can God’s absence actually be more powerful than feeling His presence? (Faith is born in the absence of answers. Challenge your group to share their own experiences and to think about the different ways we can choose to respond when we feel like God is absent — for example, we might be more likely to seek Him by reading the Word.)
  • Look at Acts 1:7. Why do we feel like we need answers for our faith to grow? Based on Hebrews 11:1, how would we actually stretch and grow our faith? (Encourage your group to talk about specific ways.)

• Because of Jesus’ “absence,” He is in us — and there’s now power in OUR presence. How have you been gifted in your sphere of influence to use the power of your presence? (How has God positioned you to make a difference by using His power in you?)

• Pastor Steven said Jewish people would usually travel around Samaria rather than go through it. We all have “some area” we’re avoiding in our lives that God wants to work through. What’s your “some area”? How do you need to go through it instead of around it? (How could God use that to reach others?)

This week, invite God’s presence, and let Him help you go through your “some area.” Share with your group how you experience the power of His presence or absence.

Ask eGroup members to share any prayer requests they have. Record any notes or prayer requests to pray for members during the week.

Jesus, we’re so grateful to have You in us. We invite Your presence — take over every area of our hearts and lives. This week, help us experience the power of Your presence and the power of your absence. Use it to grow our faith and to let others see us in the way we live as Your witnesses. In Your name, amen.