Grace Group Guide — When the King is Crowned
John 19:16b-22 (CEB) · Witnesses · March 29, 2026
Pilate orders a public notice posted on Jesus’s cross — “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews” — written in three languages so everyone can read it. The chief priests protest, but Pilate refuses to change a word.
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.
“God of every language, we gather knowing that our lives are signs others read. Give us honesty about what we’re proclaiming, and courage to tell the truth. 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 what our lives proclaim. As you check in, consider:
When has your daily life proclaimed something different from what you actually believe?
Where do you find it hardest to be open about your faith?
What “language” — words, actions, or presence — comes most naturally to you?
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 seen someone’s simple invitation open a door for another person?
When has a small act of faithfulness pointed someone toward God?
Where have you noticed truth getting proclaimed through an unlikely source?
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.
Who is one person you could invite to worship this Easter?
What honest word about your faith have you been holding back?
Where is God calling you to translate love into someone else’s language?
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.
What I’ve written, I’ve written. Now carry that message — not carved in wood, but written in the daily language of your life.