Catch up on how things have been over the past week (over drinks and snacks if possible), taking time to let any new members introduce themselves. Then ask group members:
This term, we’re exploring some of the meals Jesus shared. Not only will this help us get to know Jesus better, we’ll see how the way he shared meals can teach us a lot as we experience student life today.
Ask for a volunteer to read Luke 24:13-35 to the group, praying a short prayer that, however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d know him better as a result of your time together.
Download this video to watch offline.
“Moses and all the Prophets” was a Jewish way of referring to the Old Testament.
As Jesus meets the disciples on the road to Emmaus, they reveal how disappointed they were: they had hoped he would accomplish the redemption of Israel. But Jesus goes through the whole canon of the Old Testament (not just specific predictions!) to explain how all of Israel’s story led to him, the Messiah, and how his death and resurrection were in fact the way God had kept all his promises. Jesus is the whole point, purpose and destination of all of the Old Testament story.
There are some brilliant Bible overviews that can help those less familiar with this idea get to grips with the Bible’s big story. A great place to start is Mike Cain’s article: Have You Got the Whole Story?
As Jesus opened the ancient Scriptures that they knew so well, the disciples' hearts ‘burned within them’ as they saw that everything had been pointing towards him and the fact he had to die (verse 32).
If you are a Christian, think back to when first understood the good news of Jesus or of a time when your faith fell into place - perhaps you had a similar feeling of fresh revelation.
When they finally realise that the risen Jesus is with them, these disciples run to spread the news.
Read Isaiah 9:2-7. It’s one of the famous predictions of the birth of the Messiah from the Old Testament.
Christmas is a great opportunity to invite friends in to hear about Jesus. You might find that people are more open to an invitation to a Carol Service or a Christmas event than they have been for anything else this year!
Spend some time praying for people at your university, and for your friends, to encounter Jesus during the Christmas period.
Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.
Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.
Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?
Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.
See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or just hanging out in the meantime!
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