Discussion Guide: The Victorious King
The Unseen Realm | Week 3
Primary Scriptures: Mark 1:14–28; Colossians 2:13–15; Ephesians 1:19–23; Matthew 28:18–20
Desired Takeaway
Jesus is not simply our Savior who forgives our sins. He is the victorious King who has defeated sin, death, and the powers of darkness—and who invites us to live under his reign and participate in his kingdom.
Throughout his life, death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus confronts and defeats everything that has enslaved God's creation. His victory is not merely a future hope; it changes how we live today.
The goal is for participants to move beyond simply believing things about Jesus toward living with confidence in his victory, surrendering to his authority, and participating in his mission.
Just as importantly, we want people to encounter the heart of this King. The one who has all authority in heaven and earth is also the one who loves us, knows our burdens, and invites us into freedom.
Icebreaker — Choose One
Discussion Questions
1. Lean In
We often think of Jesus as our Savior, teacher, friend, or example. Those are important ways Scripture describes him.
But the New Testament also makes an enormous claim: Jesus is Lord. He is the victorious King over all creation.
Leader note: Don't rush to tell people which picture is correct. Each reveals something important about Jesus. The goal is to explore whether our understanding of Jesus has become too small and whether we have room for the full picture Scripture gives us.
2. Look Down
Read Colossians 2:13–15 and Hebrews 2:14–15 together.
Both passages describe Jesus' death in language that goes beyond forgiveness.
Paul says Jesus canceled our debt and disarmed the rulers and authorities. Hebrews says Jesus entered death to destroy the one who held the power of death and free people enslaved by its fear.
Leader note: The key is to help people see that forgiveness and victory are not competing explanations of the cross. Both belong to the larger story of what Jesus accomplished. Jesus didn't simply come to help us manage life in a broken world. He came to rescue and restore his creation.
3. Look Out
When we think about kings and conquerors, we usually imagine people who gain power through strength, force, dominance, or defeating their enemies. But Jesus' victory looks remarkably different.
He confronts evil by healing the sick, restoring the excluded, feeding the hungry, forgiving sinners, and setting captives free. Then he defeats sin, death, and the powers of darkness through self-giving love, the cross, and the resurrection.
Leader note: A central idea worth exploring is that Jesus doesn't advance his kingdom by destroying his human enemies, but by turning enemies into family. This has enormous implications for how we treat people with whom we disagree, how we respond to hostility, and how we understand the church's mission.
4. Look In
After his resurrection, Jesus announces in Matthew 28:18, “I've received all authority in heaven and on earth.”
Jesus isn't simply asking us to admire his victory. He's inviting us to become his apprentices—people who learn to live every part of life under his good authority.
But knowing Jesus is King and actually living as though Jesus is King aren't always the same thing.
Leader note: This is where the conversation moves from theology into personal transformation. Avoid turning it into a question about trying harder to obey. Explore what people believe about Jesus' character. Sometimes our resistance to surrender reveals that we aren't entirely convinced his reign is good or that he can be trusted with the things we most value.
5. Live It Out
Read Matthew 28:18–20.
After announcing that all authority in heaven and earth belongs to him, Jesus sends his followers to make disciples of all nations.
The victorious King advances his kingdom not through violence or coercion, but through ordinary people who have given him their allegiance and are helping others learn his way of life.
Leader note: The goal isn't to leave people with a vague challenge to “live for the King.” Help them identify a concrete way their life can become a sign of Jesus' kingdom. Remember that the King who defeated evil did so through self-giving love, not domination.
Optional Exercises for the Week
1. Behold Your King
Spend 10 minutes each day this week reading or reflecting on one of these passages:
“What does this reveal about who Jesus is? What would change if I lived today believing this is really true?”
Spend a few moments responding to Jesus in prayer, gratitude, or worship.
2. Practice Living Under His Reign
Choose one area of your life where you tend to hold tightly to control—your finances, career, relationships, habits, reputation, or future.
Each morning, begin by praying:
“Jesus, you are King over this part of my life too. Teach me to trust you and live your way today.”
Then identify one small action that reflects trust in Jesus' leadership rather than your own desire for control.
3. Reflect the King's Victory
Jesus confronted darkness by bringing healing, freedom, forgiveness, and restoration.
Identify one situation where you can respond in a way that reflects his kingdom.
Rather than retaliating, forgive. Rather than withdrawing, move toward someone in love. Rather than ignoring suffering, serve someone who needs help.
Ask: “How would Jesus live in this situation if he were me?”
Then take a concrete step.
Prayer Prompt
Begin with a moment of silence.
Invite the group to reflect on the places where they feel afraid, defeated, overwhelmed, or unable to change. Encourage them to bring those places honestly before Jesus.
Then pray:
Jesus, you are the victorious King. You entered our broken world, confronted the powers of darkness, carried our sin to the cross, and defeated death through your resurrection. You now reign above every power and authority.
Forgive us when we've made you too small—when we've treated you as someone who exists merely to improve our lives rather than the King who invites us to participate in yours.
Teach us to trust your authority because we know your heart. Free us from the things that enslave us. Give us courage where we are fearful, hope where we are discouraged, and strength to live faithfully under your reign.
Help us embody your kingdom in the way we love, forgive, serve, and make disciples. May our lives point people toward the true King who came not to destroy his enemies, but to rescue them.
Amen.
Primary Scriptures: Mark 1:14–28; Colossians 2:13–15; Ephesians 1:19–23; Matthew 28:18–20
Desired Takeaway
Jesus is not simply our Savior who forgives our sins. He is the victorious King who has defeated sin, death, and the powers of darkness—and who invites us to live under his reign and participate in his kingdom.
Throughout his life, death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus confronts and defeats everything that has enslaved God's creation. His victory is not merely a future hope; it changes how we live today.
The goal is for participants to move beyond simply believing things about Jesus toward living with confidence in his victory, surrendering to his authority, and participating in his mission.
Just as importantly, we want people to encounter the heart of this King. The one who has all authority in heaven and earth is also the one who loves us, knows our burdens, and invites us into freedom.
Icebreaker — Choose One
- If you could spend a day with any fictional character, who would you choose?
- What's a time you were completely surprised by how a story or movie ended?
Discussion Questions
1. Lean In
We often think of Jesus as our Savior, teacher, friend, or example. Those are important ways Scripture describes him.
But the New Testament also makes an enormous claim: Jesus is Lord. He is the victorious King over all creation.
- When you think about Jesus, which picture tends to shape your relationship with him the most—Savior, teacher, friend, King, ancient dude, or something else? How does that picture influence the way you relate to him?
- Possible follow-up: What feelings or assumptions come up when you think of Jesus as a conquering King? How does that compare with the Jesus we encounter in the Gospels?
Leader note: Don't rush to tell people which picture is correct. Each reveals something important about Jesus. The goal is to explore whether our understanding of Jesus has become too small and whether we have room for the full picture Scripture gives us.
2. Look Down
Read Colossians 2:13–15 and Hebrews 2:14–15 together.
Both passages describe Jesus' death in language that goes beyond forgiveness.
Paul says Jesus canceled our debt and disarmed the rulers and authorities. Hebrews says Jesus entered death to destroy the one who held the power of death and free people enslaved by its fear.
- What stands out to you about the way these passages describe what Jesus accomplished? How does this expand or challenge your understanding of the cross?
- Possible follow-up: What do you find significant about the fact that Jesus defeats his enemies not by avoiding suffering and death, but by willingly entering into them?
Leader note: The key is to help people see that forgiveness and victory are not competing explanations of the cross. Both belong to the larger story of what Jesus accomplished. Jesus didn't simply come to help us manage life in a broken world. He came to rescue and restore his creation.
3. Look Out
When we think about kings and conquerors, we usually imagine people who gain power through strength, force, dominance, or defeating their enemies. But Jesus' victory looks remarkably different.
He confronts evil by healing the sick, restoring the excluded, feeding the hungry, forgiving sinners, and setting captives free. Then he defeats sin, death, and the powers of darkness through self-giving love, the cross, and the resurrection.
- How does Jesus' way of exercising power compare with the way our culture typically understands power, success, and victory? Where do you see those competing visions of power playing out in everyday life?
- Possible follow-up: What might change about how Christians approach conflict, leadership, or people who oppose them if we took Jesus' way of victory seriously?
Leader note: A central idea worth exploring is that Jesus doesn't advance his kingdom by destroying his human enemies, but by turning enemies into family. This has enormous implications for how we treat people with whom we disagree, how we respond to hostility, and how we understand the church's mission.
4. Look In
After his resurrection, Jesus announces in Matthew 28:18, “I've received all authority in heaven and on earth.”
Jesus isn't simply asking us to admire his victory. He's inviting us to become his apprentices—people who learn to live every part of life under his good authority.
But knowing Jesus is King and actually living as though Jesus is King aren't always the same thing.
- Is there an area of your life where you find it easier to believe in Jesus than to actually trust his authority? What makes it difficult to surrender that part of your life to him?
- Possible follow-up: How might your willingness to trust Jesus' authority change if you truly believed that the King who reigns over all creation also knows you deeply and loves you completely?
Leader note: This is where the conversation moves from theology into personal transformation. Avoid turning it into a question about trying harder to obey. Explore what people believe about Jesus' character. Sometimes our resistance to surrender reveals that we aren't entirely convinced his reign is good or that he can be trusted with the things we most value.
5. Live It Out
Read Matthew 28:18–20.
After announcing that all authority in heaven and earth belongs to him, Jesus sends his followers to make disciples of all nations.
The victorious King advances his kingdom not through violence or coercion, but through ordinary people who have given him their allegiance and are helping others learn his way of life.
- If we really believed that Jesus has defeated the powers of darkness and now reigns as King, what might look different about the way we live as his people—in our relationships, workplaces, neighborhoods, and community?
- Make it practical: What's one place in your life where you could intentionally reflect the victory and reign of Jesus this week?
- That might mean choosing forgiveness over revenge, love over hostility, courage over fear, generosity over self-protection, or helping someone take a step toward Jesus.
Leader note: The goal isn't to leave people with a vague challenge to “live for the King.” Help them identify a concrete way their life can become a sign of Jesus' kingdom. Remember that the King who defeated evil did so through self-giving love, not domination.
Optional Exercises for the Week
1. Behold Your King
Spend 10 minutes each day this week reading or reflecting on one of these passages:
- Monday: Mark 1:14–28
- Tuesday: Matthew 12:22–29
- Wednesday: Colossians 2:13–15
- Thursday: Hebrews 2:14–15
- Friday: 1 Corinthians 15:20–28
- Saturday: Ephesians 1:19–23
- Sunday: Matthew 28:18–20
“What does this reveal about who Jesus is? What would change if I lived today believing this is really true?”
Spend a few moments responding to Jesus in prayer, gratitude, or worship.
2. Practice Living Under His Reign
Choose one area of your life where you tend to hold tightly to control—your finances, career, relationships, habits, reputation, or future.
Each morning, begin by praying:
“Jesus, you are King over this part of my life too. Teach me to trust you and live your way today.”
Then identify one small action that reflects trust in Jesus' leadership rather than your own desire for control.
3. Reflect the King's Victory
Jesus confronted darkness by bringing healing, freedom, forgiveness, and restoration.
Identify one situation where you can respond in a way that reflects his kingdom.
Rather than retaliating, forgive. Rather than withdrawing, move toward someone in love. Rather than ignoring suffering, serve someone who needs help.
Ask: “How would Jesus live in this situation if he were me?”
Then take a concrete step.
Prayer Prompt
Begin with a moment of silence.
Invite the group to reflect on the places where they feel afraid, defeated, overwhelmed, or unable to change. Encourage them to bring those places honestly before Jesus.
Then pray:
Jesus, you are the victorious King. You entered our broken world, confronted the powers of darkness, carried our sin to the cross, and defeated death through your resurrection. You now reign above every power and authority.
Forgive us when we've made you too small—when we've treated you as someone who exists merely to improve our lives rather than the King who invites us to participate in yours.
Teach us to trust your authority because we know your heart. Free us from the things that enslave us. Give us courage where we are fearful, hope where we are discouraged, and strength to live faithfully under your reign.
Help us embody your kingdom in the way we love, forgive, serve, and make disciples. May our lives point people toward the true King who came not to destroy his enemies, but to rescue them.
Amen.