Grace Group Guide — When Recognition Dawns
John 20:1-18 (CEB) · Witnesses · April 5, 2026 (Easter)
Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb before dawn, expecting only grief. The risen Jesus stands before her, but she mistakes him for the gardener — until he speaks her name and everything changes.
New to Grace Groups? Grace Groups are small communities of 6–8 people who meet weekly to grow deeper in faith and support each other. They’re a place to be honest about your faith journey and watch over each other in love — not a Bible study, not a therapy group, not a place to fix each other’s problems. The format is simple, the conversation is real, and over time, these become the people who know your story. Every meeting follows the same five-part rhythm below.
1. Center
Open with prayer or a moment of silence. Take a breath. Let the week fall away.
“Risen Christ, you call us by name just as you called Mary in the garden. Open our eyes to see you where we least expect you. Give us the courage to share what we’ve seen. Amen.”
2. Soul Tending
Check in with where you are spiritually — not where you think you should be. These five areas can help you find your way into the conversation. Pick the one or two that feel most alive — or most stuck — right now.
Prayers — How is your prayer life? What are you reading or listening to?
Presence — How has worship or being with other Christians shaped your week?
Gifts — Where are you giving your time, money, or energy?
Service — Where are you serving? What does that look like right now?
Witness — Where have you shared your faith or lived it out loud?
This week’s scripture is about recognition — seeing the risen Christ where we least expect it. As you check in, consider:
Where has grief or disappointment narrowed what you’re willing to hope for?
When has someone calling you by name — really seeing you — changed how you felt?
What “good news” have you stopped expecting in your life right now?
3. God Sightings
Share something from this week where you noticed God moving — in your life, in someone else’s, or in the world around you. Big or small, it counts.
Where have you encountered God “out of context” — somewhere you weren’t looking?
When has a moment of recognition surprised you this week?
Where have you seen new life breaking through in a place that felt finished?
4. Growing in Grace
Name something you’re carrying — a decision, a fear, a next step you’ve been avoiding. The group isn’t here to fix it. Just to hear it, sit with you in it, and pray.
What would it look like to tell someone “I have seen the Lord” this week?
Who in your life needs an invitation to experience the risen Christ?
Where is the risen Christ speaking your name that you haven’t turned to hear yet?
5. Close
Pray for each other before you leave.
Each person shares one prayer need in a sentence. Then someone in the group prays for them out loud. Keep it simple: “God, I pray for [name]…” and one or two sentences is plenty.
Go in peace, carrying Mary’s testimony: “I have seen the Lord.” Watch for the risen Christ this week — and when you see him, tell someone.