There are seven types of story that come up again and again across every time and culture. This term we’ll explore those stories, consider what they tell us about our humanity, and how they help us understand the true story of Jesus.
Today, we’re thinking about Comedy stories.
Ask for a volunteer to pray a short prayer that however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d know him better as a result of your time together.
Ready for Impact (10 minutes)
Ask group members:
- Share a story of when you realised something for the first time that everybody else already knew. (This could be funny or serious!)
Impacted by the Word - Part One (10 minutes)
This video tells the folktale of Ugbala and Okeke, a story which follows a classic comedy shape: confusion and difficulty, a moment of clarity, and a happy-ever-after.
Download this video to watch offline or read the transcript here.
- A 2022 study in the US showed that comedies are the most popular type of film. Why do you think this might be?
- If reality is a story, how confident are you that the story will end happily?
Impacted by the Word - Part Two (15 minutes)
Ask for a volunteer to read Luke 24:13-35.
This video will help your group better understand the confusion and revelation that comes as the risen Jesus meets these disciples on the road.
Download this video to watch offline or read the transcript here.
- Looking at verses 13-24, how do you think these two disciples are feeling?
- What do verses 19-21 suggest about their expectations of Jesus?
- Can you understand these disciples’ disappointment?
- Jesus had told the disciples many times that he would die and rise again (Luke verse 9:22, 18:32-33). Why do you think they’re still so crushed by Jesus’ death?
- How might you have responded to these disciples? How does that contrast to how Jesus responds?
As Jesus walks with these men, he does a Bible study with them. And he reveals to them the plan of God, shown throughout scripture.
Isaiah 53 may have been one of the places Jesus took these disciples. Ask group member to read Isaiah 53 verses 5-6 and 10 aloud.
- In what ways does Isaiah show us why the Messiah ‘had to suffer these things and then enter his glory’ (Luke 24:26)?
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians that if Jesus did not rise from the dead then Christianity falls apart and Christians are ‘most to be pitied’ (1 Corinthians 15:16-19). The physical resurrection of Jesus is the lynch-pin of history.
As well as the testimony of scripture, there is good evidence to back up the claim that Jesus rose from the dead. One helpful summary can be found here.
It’s unclear why the disciples did not recognise Jesus. Perhaps these men were supernaturally kept from recognising Jesus until they had heard the scriptures and seen him break bread. The Greek word for ‘prevented’, kratein, means ‘to control or restrain’, suggesting something outside of themselves prevented them from recognising Jesus.
However, there could be a mix of ‘natural’ causes at play. After all, the disciples were not expecting to see Jesus. Jesus may also have deliberately concealed his appearance, and it is possible that his post-resurrection body may have looked slightly different to his pre-resurrection body.
Impacting Our Hearts (10 minutes)
As these disciples realise why Jesus had to die and rise, their hearts ‘burn within them’ (verse 32), they find hope again.
- What are some of the things that make students feel helpless?
- Which of these struggles do you most identify with?
- How does Luke’s account of the resurrection cause our own hearts to find hope?
Jesus’ death and resurrection wasn’t a failure. It was part of his plan to renew the entire world.
Spend some time praying together that increasingly you’d know a similar hope to that of the disciples as Jesus walked with them.
If you’re able to sing in your group time, why not consider some of the following songs: Resurrection Power, Christ our Hope, Trading my Sorrows (Yes Lord).
Impacting the University (15 minutes)
Comedies emphasise that – however difficult and frustrating things are – a happy-ever-after is never ultimately out of reach.
Knowing the promise of a happy-ever-after for the universe changes everything. Knowing the end of the story, with Jesus we can live with hope, even in life's darkest moments.
Here are some difficulties that students are facing at the moment:
- Lack of opportunities beyond university
- Cost of living
- Mental health struggles
- (as you prepare the study, feel free to add any of your own).
As a group pick one of the above then fill in the table below:
| As individuals | As a group | |
|---|---|---|
| Practical ways we can show our hope in Jesus | ||
| Ways we might speak about our hope in Jesus |
- Make a plan. Which of the group activities could you commit to doing together over the next two weeks?
Ask God to help you as individuals, and as a group, be those who bring hope to those around you.
Wrap-up – TACOS 🌮
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!