Agony in the Cup
March 30, 2025
The Story: Jesus’ Prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane – Mark 14:32-42
Powerful words and phrases in this story:
- Gethsemane: (vs. 32)
- Deeply distressed and troubled (vs. 33)
- My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death (vs. 34)
- Abba Father, everything is possible for you (vs. 36)
- Take this cup from me” (vs. 36)
- Yet not my will, but Thy Will be done (vs. 36)
- Here comes my betrayer (vs. 42)
The War Jesus was engaged with: Agony in the Jesus’ Cup at Gethsemane (a study in Christology)
The War in my soul: where I will be defeated
- My Past
- My Present
- My Future
The Merciful Peace I can NOW find
Digging Deeper: For group discussion and personal reflection:
Christology is a term we use for the “theological understanding of who Jesus Christ is.” This story is loaded with Christology lessons. But it must lead us to a greater understanding of what Christ did for me. In the end I must still face with the same question: Who do I Say that Jesus is?”
- Read the Story slowly and carefully of Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane from Mark 14:32-42. Work through any words or phrases that stand out to you.
- Retell the story as a group in your own words.
- Discuss the significance of these three locations and events we know from the Bible.
- What happened in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve?
- What happened in the Wilderness where Jesus spent 40 days at the beginning of His ministry?
- What happened in the Garden of Gethsemane and how do they compare with those?
- What is the importance of the phrase… “my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (14:34). Read this phrase from other English translations as well. Why was He overwhelmed?
- Discuss the powerful verse, 14:36, and what this teaches us about Christ… then what this teaches about what Christ did for us.
- Is there a “War in my soul?” — and how have I tried to find relief from it?
- Who do I say that Jesus is, and what does this change about the war in me? (in other words, how does the theology of who Christ is change the war in my soul?)
- What can Christ do to change the war in others around you?
LifeWay Church Calendar:
- Sunday April 6: Community Prayer Walking
- Tuesday April 8: All Church Easter Season Prayer meeting – 7pm at the Church
- Saturday April 12: Church Property clean-up day – 9am to noon
- Thursday April 17: Seder Passover meal – “Christ in the Passover”
- Good Friday April 18: In Home Communion Gatherings
- Sunday April 20: Easter Resurrection Worship
- Post Easter: Sunday May 18 – Meet Tim & Cassie Kim in service and lunch to follow