Week 6 – Fall 2026
LIFE GROUPS – WEEK 6
SERMON – Justice Coleman
ICE BREAKER:
Why do the deepest wounds often come from the people we love and trust the most?
SCRIPTURE:
Mark 3:20-21 NLT
20 One time Jesus entered a house, and the crowds began to gather again. Soon he and his disciples couldn’t even find time to eat. 21 When his family heard what was happening, they tried to take him away. “He’s out of his mind,” they said.
Mark 3:31-35 NLT
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. They stood outside and sent word for him to come out and talk with them. 32 There was a crowd sitting around Jesus, and someone said, “Your mother and your brothers are outside asking for you.”
33 Jesus replied, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” 34 Then he looked at those around him and said, “Look, these are my mother and brothers. 35 Anyone who does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
Hebrews 12:15 NLT
Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
Mark 11:25 NLT
25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Observation Questions
- Read Mark 3:20–21 and 3:31–35. What does Jesus’ family’s attempt to take control of Him reveal about how they viewed Him and His ministry?
- What is significant about Jesus’ response to His family, and how does He redefine what it means to belong?
Understanding Questions
- Jesus didn’t stop to defend Himself or demand that His family understand Him. What does this teach us about the relationship between our pride, our need to be right, and our ability to forgive?
- Hebrews 12:15 warns that bitterness can grow and corrupt many. How can an unresolved offense against one person eventually poison our relationships with people who never hurt us?
Application Questions
- Pastor Justice described three ways we water bitterness: replaying, rehearsing, and recruiting. How might these habits keep us emotionally attached to an offense even when we say we’ve forgiven someone?
- Is there a relationship where your desire for an apology, vindication, or closure is keeping you from moving forward? What would it look like to release that offense without allowing rejection to isolate you from others?
Next Steps & Prayer
- Ask God to expose any hidden bitterness, help us surrender our need to be right, and give us the courage to forgive and remain open to meaningful relationships.
Bible Reading Plan
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Day 1: Mark 15
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Day 2: Mark 16
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Day 3: Matthew 1
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Day 4: Matthew 2
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Day 5: Matthew 3
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Day 6: Matthew 4
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Day 7: Matthew 5
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