Can We Trust God With That?
Ben Johnson – March 15, 2026
Mark 14:32-42 (NLT) – They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Then Jesus left them again and prayed the same prayer as before. When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. And they didn’t know what to say.
When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!”
Surrender is NOT clinging to CONTROL;
it is transferring TRUST.
Simplifying Surrender…
1. Surrender is HONEST – Surrender begins when I give God the truth of my heart; my fears, my doubts, my struggles, and stop pretending I have it all together.
Mark 14:34 & 26 (NLT) – My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death… take this cup of suffering away from me…
2. Surrender is TRUSTING – Surrender is choosing to hand over control, believing that God sees what I cannot, and trusting Him to work all things for my good even when I don’t understand the path.
Psalm 37:7a (GWT) – Surrender yourself to the Lord, and wait patiently for him…
3. Surrender is STRENGTHENING – Surrender strengthens me because when I align my will with God’s, He renews my strength and lifts me to rise above my trials with courage and hope.
Isaiah 40:31 (NLT) - But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
I release total CONTROL knowing a surrendered life is a FREE life.
Life Group Discussion & Questions
BREAKING THE ICE: What is something in life you wish you had more control over? If you could control one thing in life permanently (traffic, weather, sleep, sports outcomes, etc.), what would it be?
DIGGING IN: Have someone read Mark 14:32–42 out loud.
1. Jesus said: “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.” Why do you think people sometimes feel like they need to hide their struggles from God or others? What’s one area of life that’s hard for you to be fully honest with God right now?
2. Jesus said: “Not my will, but yours.” Where do you feel most tempted to cling to control right now? Why is it so hard for us to release control in certain areas of life?
3. Jesus said: “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you.” How does surrender actually lead to strength rather than weakness? When have you seen God give someone strength in a difficult season?
Surrender is not clinging to control; it is transferring trust. It’s opening your hands and letting God take what you’ve been holding so tightly. It’s transferring your fears, your plans, your “what-ifs” to the One who sees, knows, and loves you perfectly. Today, release them. Trust Him. Let His strength carry you forward.
BRINGING IT HOME: Before you end your time together, take a few moments to pray for each other. Share the things you may be clinging to and ask God to help you trust Him with those areas of your life. And if you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, today could be that moment. As a group, take time to talk about what it means to trust Him as Savior and Lord, and invite anyone who is ready to begin that relationship with Him in prayer.