The Kingdom of God
Small Group Guide: The Kingdom of God
Mark 1:14-15 | Gospel of Mark Series
Opening Prayer & Icebreaker (10 minutes)
Icebreaker Question:
Share a "kairos moment" from your life—a moment where time seemed to stand still because something significant was happening (wedding, birth of a child, major decision, etc.). How did that moment change you?
Scripture Reading (5 minutes)
Have someone read Mark 1:14-15 aloud:
"After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God. The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe this good news."
Key Takeaways
Kairos Time vs. Chronos Time: Jesus announces a special moment in time—not just "what time is it?" but "what moment are we living in?"
The Kingdom of God: God's effective reign where His will is lived out in real people and real life—not a physical place, but wherever God's will is done.
The Crown Problem: We all try to be kings and queens of our own kingdoms, responsible for protection, provision, purpose, and meaning—which leads to exhaustion and conflict.
Repentance Redefined: Not feeling bad for a certain amount of time, but recognizing a bigger, better reality and changing your mind to align with it.
Grace-Based Invitation: Jesus invites us into His kingdom first; repentance is our response to remove whatever stops us from clinging to His good news.
Discussion Questions (30-40 minutes)
Understanding the Message
What stood out to you most from this sermon? Was there a phrase, concept, or idea that caught your attention?
Pastor Mike talked about the difference between chronos (clock time) and kairos (opportune time). Why do you think Jesus began his message with "the time is fulfilled"? What was he trying to communicate?
How would you explain "the kingdom of God" to someone who has never heard that phrase before? What does it mean practically?
Personal Reflection
Pastor Mike described how we all have our own "kingdoms"—areas where we want our will to be done. What does your personal kingdom look like? Where do you most want control in your life?
When you think about being king or queen of your own kingdom, which responsibility weighs on you most?
Jesus says, "Repent and believe the good news." What is one thing you might need to "repent" of (turn away from or change your mind about) in order to fully embrace the good news of God's kingdom?
Going Deeper
The sermon mentioned that Jesus will never force us to follow Him—He invites us but leaves the choice to us. How does this understanding of God's character affect your relationship with Him?
Pastor Mike said that repentance isn't about feeling bad for a certain amount of time, but about seeing a better reality and adjusting to it. How does this definition change your understanding of repentance?
Read Ephesians 2:8-9 together.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
How does grace relate to Jesus's invitation into the kingdom? What's the difference between earning entry and responding to an invitation?
Application
What "crown" might still be on your head that's stopping you from embracing God's kingdom? What would it look like practically to take that crown off this week?
As we continue through the Gospel of Mark, how can you read with "kingdom lenses"—watching for how people respond to Jesus's invitation and what obstacles keep them from following Him?
Practical Application (10 minutes)
This Week's Challenge:
Choose one of the following to practice this week:
What is their "kingdom"?
What's stopping them from following Jesus?
Do they repent (change their mind) and believe?
What can I learn from their response?
Prayer Time (10-15 minutes)
Guided Prayer Prompts:
Thanksgiving: Thank God for being a good King who invites us into His kingdom with grace.
Confession: Confess areas where you've been trying to maintain your own kingdom rather than trusting God's reign.
Petition: Ask God to reveal what obstacles are keeping you from fully embracing His good news.
Intercession: Pray for each other regarding specific "crowns" or areas of control that need to be surrendered.
Closing
Memory Verse for the Week:
"The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe this good news." — Mark 1:15
Reminder: Come ready next week to discuss what you learned as you read Mark with "kingdom lenses."
Leader Notes
Be sensitive to the fact that "repentance" may be a loaded word for some group members. Emphasize the grace-based invitation aspect.
Encourage vulnerability but don't force anyone to share their personal "kingdoms" if they're not comfortable.
The concept of surrendering control can be threatening—create a safe space for honest wrestling with this idea.
Consider having extra time for prayer, as this topic often surfaces deep personal struggles with control and trust.
Mark 1:14-15 | Gospel of Mark Series
Opening Prayer & Icebreaker (10 minutes)
Icebreaker Question:
Share a "kairos moment" from your life—a moment where time seemed to stand still because something significant was happening (wedding, birth of a child, major decision, etc.). How did that moment change you?
Scripture Reading (5 minutes)
Have someone read Mark 1:14-15 aloud:
"After John was arrested, Jesus went to Galilee proclaiming the good news of God. The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe this good news."
Key Takeaways
Kairos Time vs. Chronos Time: Jesus announces a special moment in time—not just "what time is it?" but "what moment are we living in?"
The Kingdom of God: God's effective reign where His will is lived out in real people and real life—not a physical place, but wherever God's will is done.
The Crown Problem: We all try to be kings and queens of our own kingdoms, responsible for protection, provision, purpose, and meaning—which leads to exhaustion and conflict.
Repentance Redefined: Not feeling bad for a certain amount of time, but recognizing a bigger, better reality and changing your mind to align with it.
Grace-Based Invitation: Jesus invites us into His kingdom first; repentance is our response to remove whatever stops us from clinging to His good news.
Discussion Questions (30-40 minutes)
Understanding the Message
What stood out to you most from this sermon? Was there a phrase, concept, or idea that caught your attention?
Pastor Mike talked about the difference between chronos (clock time) and kairos (opportune time). Why do you think Jesus began his message with "the time is fulfilled"? What was he trying to communicate?
How would you explain "the kingdom of God" to someone who has never heard that phrase before? What does it mean practically?
Personal Reflection
Pastor Mike described how we all have our own "kingdoms"—areas where we want our will to be done. What does your personal kingdom look like? Where do you most want control in your life?
When you think about being king or queen of your own kingdom, which responsibility weighs on you most?
- Protection (seeing others as threats)
- Provision (stress, burnout, exhaustion)
- Purpose (searching for meaning and satisfaction)
- Expansion (competition with others)
Jesus says, "Repent and believe the good news." What is one thing you might need to "repent" of (turn away from or change your mind about) in order to fully embrace the good news of God's kingdom?
Going Deeper
The sermon mentioned that Jesus will never force us to follow Him—He invites us but leaves the choice to us. How does this understanding of God's character affect your relationship with Him?
Pastor Mike said that repentance isn't about feeling bad for a certain amount of time, but about seeing a better reality and adjusting to it. How does this definition change your understanding of repentance?
Read Ephesians 2:8-9 together.
"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."
How does grace relate to Jesus's invitation into the kingdom? What's the difference between earning entry and responding to an invitation?
Application
What "crown" might still be on your head that's stopping you from embracing God's kingdom? What would it look like practically to take that crown off this week?
As we continue through the Gospel of Mark, how can you read with "kingdom lenses"—watching for how people respond to Jesus's invitation and what obstacles keep them from following Him?
Practical Application (10 minutes)
This Week's Challenge:
Choose one of the following to practice this week:
- Option 1: Kingdom Inventory
- Option 2: Repentance Practice
- Option 3: Gospel Reading with Kingdom Lenses
What is their "kingdom"?
What's stopping them from following Jesus?
Do they repent (change their mind) and believe?
What can I learn from their response?
Prayer Time (10-15 minutes)
Guided Prayer Prompts:
Thanksgiving: Thank God for being a good King who invites us into His kingdom with grace.
Confession: Confess areas where you've been trying to maintain your own kingdom rather than trusting God's reign.
Petition: Ask God to reveal what obstacles are keeping you from fully embracing His good news.
Intercession: Pray for each other regarding specific "crowns" or areas of control that need to be surrendered.
Closing
Memory Verse for the Week:
"The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe this good news." — Mark 1:15
Reminder: Come ready next week to discuss what you learned as you read Mark with "kingdom lenses."
Leader Notes
Be sensitive to the fact that "repentance" may be a loaded word for some group members. Emphasize the grace-based invitation aspect.
Encourage vulnerability but don't force anyone to share their personal "kingdoms" if they're not comfortable.
The concept of surrendering control can be threatening—create a safe space for honest wrestling with this idea.
Consider having extra time for prayer, as this topic often surfaces deep personal struggles with control and trust.
Posted in Follow The King