For the next 4 weeks we are going to ask the same questions for each scripture reading. If you have been doing the If:Equip bible study this will be familiar to you. (for more info on If:Equip click here) Each week we will ask “If you believe this is true…What does this mean about God? You? The world?” We will be reading through the Easter story, the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What better time to really ask ourselves “if I believe this is true what does this really mean?”

Read Matthew 27:1-31

When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. 2 And they bound him and led him away and delivered him over to Pilate the governor.

3 Then when Judas, his betrayer, saw that Jesus was condemned, he changed his mind and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, 4 saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” They said, “What is that to us? See to it yourself.” 5 And throwing down the pieces of silver into the temple, he departed, and he went and hanged himself. 6 But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said, “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 So they took counsel and bought with them the potter's field as a burial place for strangers. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord directed me.”

11 Now Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus said, “You have said so.” 12 But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he gave no answer. 13 Then Pilate said to him, “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?” 14 But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge, so that the governor was greatly amazed.

15 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. 17 So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release for you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. 19 Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much because of him today in a dream.” 20 Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor again said to them, “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said, “Barabbas.” 22 Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” They all said, “Let him be crucified!” 23 And he said, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they shouted all the more, “Let him be crucified!”

24 So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man's blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 And all the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 Then he released for them Barabbas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified.

27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor's headquarters, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. 28 And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him, they mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 And they spit on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

If you believe this is true…What does this mean about God? You? The world?

Discussion Group Leader Roles

Personal Characteristics:

• Demonstrates a growing personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Shows sensitivity to and an understanding of the needs of mothers of preschoolers.
• Shows warmth and acceptance to women from every background, demonstrating discretion about the personal lives of others.
• Able to be deliberate and organized about planning social events.
• Shares her testimony comfortable with others on appropriate occasions and knows how to lead another to Christ.

Positional Responsibilities:

• Committed to praying for the women placed in her small group.
• Facilitates discussion during group time (Try and keep is positive).
• Calls each woman in small group prior to each MOPS meetings to:
• Listen and build friendships (always willing to listen).
• Provide business and answer any questions.

• Attend monthly group leader meetings.
• Prepare and organize a social calendar for your group, with two activity per month.  Make social activities a priority. 
• Pray for an opportunity to share Christ with a non-believer, and take it when it comes.
• Understand and support/participate in MOPS activities (Spa Day…).
• Coordinate meals for moms in need (guidelines is four meals per event)
• Promote an atmosphere of safety and confidentiality for your group.
• Be available to the moms in your small group, help them connect and feel comfortable.
• Recognize birthdays within your small group.
• Call the moms if they miss a meeting, send them a newsletter or papers that were handed out at the meeting.
• Pray for your co-leader, you are their support!

Verse of the Week: 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Read 2 Corinthians 12:8-9

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

When we are weak & when we fail, God is strong…and so is His Grace. How can you exalt God in your weakness this week? 

Steering Leadership Roles

        As the Coordinator, you set the tone by preparing your leaders, planning your meetings and welcoming moms.  You help develop your MOPS groups' story and want every mom's story to include knowing Jesus.

   As the DGL Team Leaders, it's your responsibility to train and encourage Discussion Group Leaders to ask those great questions and lead those transparent discussions. Create a safe place for them while they create that same kind of place for moms in your group. 

As the Finance Leader, you can do magical things with a calculator and a few spare minutes. Spreadsheets make you happy and your group reveres your way with numbers. You keep the group, and it's leaders, on track.  

 You are a Hospitality leader.  Hugs and brunch may be your native language. You know that a cozy atmosphere and a yummy meal have the power to heal. Good food, cute decorations are what you do. The moment a woman walks through the door of your MOPS group she feels that you have created a place especially for her. The tone you set welcomes women and keeps them coming back!

      As the Publicity leader, your creative efforts and sparkly words help to spread the word about all of the fun to be had at MOPS. You also help spread the vision of MOPS throughout the church that supports your MOPS group. There are moms who are secretly hoping for a group of women to share life with so get out your mega phone and make someone’s day.  

     You are a Service leader, making the world a better place one project at time. Your gift to your group is making connections between need and plenty. Each of your efforts to ease the suffering of another changes the world in profound ways.   

You are a Special Events Leader; you welcome each woman with a warm smile.  The tone you set is one of love and acceptance.  Your zeal for life promotes a fun atmosphere for all MOPS moms.  You are the fun guru helping sponsor family fun activities for your MOPS group.  You organization skills are put to the test every year as you put together the annual MOPS Spa Day.

       You are a MOPPETS leader, Kids are some of your favorite people and you believe that the best lessons involve play dough and finger paint. Letting kids know that God loves them makes your day. 

        As the Creative Activities Leader the local craft store is on your speed dial and you thank God every day for the invention of Modge Podge. Creating comes naturally to you and you thrive on finding new ways to help your MOPS group make beautiful things together. 

For more information on all of the positions please click here. 

Verse of the Week: Ephesians 2:8-10

Read Ephesians 2:8-10

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Grace is a gift of God. How have you seen this in your life?

Verse of the Week: John 8:12 & 1 Peter 2:9

Read John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Read 1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

What does it mean to follow Jesus out of darkness?

Verse of the Week: John 6:35-51

Read John 6:35-51

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”

So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them,“Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

What does it look like for Jesus to be our “bread of life” and the only thing that satisfies?