Sermon Study Guide | Series: I Am | Sermon: With You in the Garden
Scripture: Luke 22:39-44 | Date: April 5, 2026

We’ve developed a daily devotional reading plan for this series on YouVersion

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If you’d like to dig deeper take a look at our Series Resource Page

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

Think about a time when life felt dark, confusing, or disappointing; when you came in expecting very little from God, church, or the people around you.

Maybe it was a season of grief, burnout, skepticism, or just emotional numbness. What did that moment feel like for you? Looking back, what did you need the most in that situation?
Share with your group

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

Read John 20:1–18 together and discuss:

• John makes a point to tell us that Mary came to the tomb “while it was still dark.” Why does that detail matter? What does darkness represent in this story?
  
  
• Mary assumes the worst when she sees the stone rolled away. Why do you think grief so often trains us to expect more loss instead of hope?
  
  
• Peter and John saw the empty tomb and went home, but Mary stayed. What do you think kept her there?
  
  
• Mary was standing near the risen Jesus and still mistook Him for the gardener. Where do people today tend to look for salvation, meaning, or identity while missing Jesus standing right in front of them?
  
  
• Jesus changes everything for Mary with one word: her name. What does that reveal about the heart of Jesus?
  
  
• Why is it significant that Jesus’ first resurrection appearance in John is not to a crowd or a powerful leader, but to a grieving woman in a garden?
  
  
• Consider the phrase:, “Stop looking for a religion. Start listening for your name.” What is the difference between those two approaches?
  
  
• Where do you most resonate with this passage right now: the darkness, the grief, the confusion, the searching, the recognition, or the response?

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

• Schedule some quiet moments this week to sit with John 20:11–16 and imagine Jesus meeting you personally in your current season. Write down what you think you need Him to speak over you in this season of life.
  
  • Identify one area where you have been expecting a “corpse” , something dead, hopeless, or beyond repair. Pray honestly about it and invite Jesus to meet you there.
    
    
• Practice a listening prayer each day by asking, “Jesus, what do You want me to hear from You today?” Sit in silence for a few minutes and pay attention.
  
  
• Share with one trusted person where you feel “in the dark” right now instead of carrying it alone.
  
  
• Invite someone to join you at Alpha on April 21st. Think of a friend or family member who is curious, skeptical, or spiritually tired; don’t just tell them to go; go with them.
  
  • 2026 | Spring Alpha FAQ

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

Jesus, thank you that you do not stay distant from us in our grief, confusion, or disappointment.
Thank you that the resurrection is personal, that you come near to people in the dark and call them by name. For those of us who feel weary, skeptical, numb, or afraid, help us hear your voice again. Meet us in the places where we expected nothing, and remind us that our story is not over. Give us the courage to trust you, the honesty to bring you our questions, and the hope to follow you into new life. Amen.

If you have feedback on this guide or ideas that would help your group engage more deeply, we’d love to hear from you. Your insight helps us continue growing as a church that wrestles honestly and walks faithfully together. Contact msummers@menlo.church

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