Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Because Jesus was raised as he predicted, you can trust all his promises.

Digging Deeper

1. When you think about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, what questions arise in your mind?

2. Why is it important to see (and believe) that Jesus’ resurrection is both true and meaningful? What is lost if we abandon either of these?

3. Please read: Luke 24:6–7 “He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” It was noted in the sermon that, in verse 6, the angels don’t tell the women to remember that Jesus said the Son of Man would be delivered, killed, and raised—but that he must be delivered, killed, and raised. It had to happen. Why? Why did it have to happen?

4. How does Luke 19:10 (“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”) help us arrive at a solid answer to #3 above?

5. What are some of the historical details Luke provides for us, his readers, so that “we may have certainty” regarding the historical truthfulness of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead?

6. Jesus predicted (promised) that he would rise from the dead, and then he did what he said he would do: he rose from the dead. Does this fact strengthen your confidence that he will do the other things he has promised to do as well? How so?

7. Jesus claimed that he could forgive sins (sins ultimately done against God). How does Jesus’ resurrection from the dead help us trust that through him we truly can find forgiveness for our sin, guilt, and rebellion against God?

8. Jesus promises eternal life to those who trust him. How does his resurrection help us believe this promise?

9. Jesus has promised to come again to take his own to himself. How does his resurrection help us believe he will do what he has said in this regard?

10. Was there anything in particular from this sermon that helped you once again to marvel at the majesty of Jesus in his triumphant resurrection victory over sin, Satan, and the grave? Please share.

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Recognize and depend on the King who saves through dying.

Digging Deeper

Jesus speaks four times in this passage, and each time he does so, he reveals something about himself and his accomplishment on the cross. Jesus’ first words in this passage reveal his authority: the condemned is in control (vv. 26-31).

1. Jesus is the one with all authority, even when he is weak. He is in complete control, even when he has been condemned to die. How does knowing these things are true help us rely on him?

The second time Jesus speaks in this passage, he reveals his mercy: the crucified prays for his killers (vv. 32-34).

2. For some of us, it can be hard to move beyond a particular sin(s) we have done in the past. We struggle to believe that God could actually forgive us for that, and actually love us and accept us. How does Jesus's act of forgiving those who were crucifying him shape your understanding of His willingness to forgive you for what you have done? Please share.

3. At times, we can find it difficult to forgive others. In this passage, Jesus provides help for us by giving us an example to follow (of forgiving one’s enemies). But he gives us far more forgiveness-enabling help than that. What else in this passage do we need to be mindful of when we are struggling to forgive another person?

The third time Jesus speaks in this passage, he reveals his generosity: paradise is freely given to criminals (vv. 35-43)

4. It was pointed out in the sermon that even though the criminal put his faith in Christ, his circumstances did not change. He was still crucified for his crime. But his suffering was no doubt transformed by the knowledge that he had been forgiven of his sin and now had the hope of paradise with Jesus. How have you seen these realities (the forgiveness of sin and the hope of eternal life) transform your perspective on and experience of suffering/?

5. How might the story of the criminal on the cross trusting in Christ give us hope and courage to continue to pray for the salvation of those in our lives who have thus far been resistant to God’s work in their lives?

The fourth time Jesus speaks in this passage, he reveals his victory: he reconciles through bearing wrath (vv. 44-49)

6. Jesus has fully and completely satisfied the wrath of God that we deserved. This was his glorious victory - on our behalf! Because of this, we can now be reconciled to God through faith in Christ. How can we help each other never forget these precious realities, but instead continue to grow in amazement, wonder, gratefulness, and delight in what Christ has done on our behalf?

Our Response:

7. One of the ways we can rightly respond to this passage is by recognizing Jesus - seeing him for who he truly is. Is there a particular moment(s) in your life when God enabled you to see Christ more clearly for who he really is? What effect did that have on your life? Please share.

8. Another way we can rightly respond to this passage is by relying on Jesus. We can all be tempted to rely on our own “good” deeds, and our own (perceived) goodness / righteousness apart from Christ. Why is forsaking any and all sense of our own goodness / righteousness a key and necessary part of what it means to rely on (trust in) Christ alone for our acceptance before God?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Jesus, the guiltless, was condemned so that the guilty could go free.

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 23:1-25

Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, and yet chose his job over justice. How might we respond when faced with situations like Pilate’s?

How does it affect you to hear that you are “guilty”? Why is it hard to apply this idea to ourselves?

"Under all our sins is the fundamental sin of not keeping God always first.” How can you grow in this as a believer?

Barabbas going free is a picture of what God has accomplished for us in the guiltless Christ being condemned, while we are set free. Listen to the song “I Am Barabbas” by Josiah Queen, and discuss how it impacts you: https://open.spotify.com/track/3GPaQ3dloevmilym0a1V3O?si=2ed9d78d19d945c1.

Have different people read the following passages: 1 Peter 3:18, Colossians 2:21-22, Revelation 1:5b. How are we like Barabbas?

Christianity isn’t fundamentally about doing better for yourself, but receiving what Christ has done for you. How and why can we receive what Christ has done without making that a “work” which we have to do?

Sermon applications: Trust, Praise, and Follow him

How can we communicate the goodness of receiving what Christ has done to people who tend to view Christianity as works-based (non-Christians, legalists, etc.) without going too far in the other direction?

How could we grow in viewing ourselves not by what we’ve accomplished, but by what Christ has accomplished?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

By remaining true in mistreatment, Jesus now reigns–and enables us to be true.

I. Jesus’ words prove true in Peter’s failure (vv. 54-62)

II. Jesus’ words prove true in his mistreatment (vv. 63-65)

III. Jesus himself proves true—and now he reigns over all (vv. 66-71)

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 22:54-71

1. How have you been tempted to act like Peter and downplay your faith when it is tested by others? How might you respond differently?

2. Peter’s story didn’t end that night. One day in the future, he would die, remaining true to his faith - crucified upside down, according to tradition. How does this reassure you to move forward when you fail?

3. In vv. 63-65, Jesus doesn’t fight back even when being brutally - and unjustly - beaten. What does this show about his character? What does this show about how we are to handle injustice?

4. The chief priests and scribes think they are “putting Jesus on trial,” but it’s the other way around. How should they have responded when Jesus says, “But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God” (v. 69)?

5. Jesus submitted even to death on a cross. What would it look like for you to die to yourself and thereby deny yourself, instead of denying Him?

6. Jesus now sits in full authority over the entire universe at the right hand of the Father. God has sent his “Holy Spirit to help us live openly, consistently, joyfully for Jesus, regardless of the cost.” How do these truths help you live true to God this week?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Rejoice and rest in Jesus' devotion to his Father's will and our salvation.

I. He was strengthened by submitting (vv. 39-46)

II. He conquered by surrendering (vv. 47-53)

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 22:39-53

1. In the first section of our passage, we see that Jesus was strengthened by submitting (vv. 39-46). How do the two identical commands to “pray that you will not fall into temptation” (v. 40b & v. 46b) help us understand what this section is about?

2. Read Isaiah 51:17 and Jeremiah 25:15-16. What is “the cup” in Luke 22:42 that Jesus asks his Father to remove?

3. In vv. 39-46 Jesus shows us how to face temptation. But “before it’s something he did for our example, it’s something he did for our salvation.” What’s at stake for us in understanding this?

4. Is there currently an area of your life where you sense God may be testing you? What truth(s) from this passage might help you endure and remain faithful?

5. In the second section, we see that Jesus was victorious by surrendering (vv. 47-53). What do we see in the text that shows us Jesus is in complete control as he interacts with Judas, his disciples, and his enemies?

6. “Jesus surrendered to the power of darkness so that we could be delivered from it and be brought forever into his kingdom.” (see Heb. 2:14 & Col. 1:13). What implications does this have for how we live our lives, with darkness yet remaining in the world and darkness yet remaining in our hearts?

7. What would it look like for you to rejoice in Jesus’ devotion to his Father’s will and our salvation?

8. What would it look like for you to rest in Jesus’ devotion to his Father’s will and our salvation? Is there an area of your life in which you are not resting in what Christ has done for you?

9. What from this passage could you share with an unbeliever that might help him or her better understand the person of Jesus and what he came to do for sinners?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Persevere in trusting and imitating Jesus in the hope of reigning with Jesus.

I. Jesus redefines greatness as serving like him (vv. 24-27)

II. Jesus redirects our hope to reigning with him (vv. 28-30)

III. Jesus reframes success as repentance toward him (vv. 31-34)

IV. Jesus resets our expectations to rejection like him (vv. 35-38)

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 22:24-38

Jesus redefines greatness as serving like him (vv. 24-27)

1. What might be some indicators that our concept of the nature of greatness has been shaped by the world more than we might want to admit?

2. What is one way you can find yourself tempted to use authority to serve yourself, rather than those around you?

3. How can we guard against that?

Jesus redirects our hope to reigning with him (vv. 28-30)

4. What in this life do you find yourself tempted to put your hope in?

5. Why is that a bad idea?

6. Practically speaking, what might it look like for the hope of our hearts to be directed toward reigning with Christ?

Jesus reframes success as repentance toward him (vv. 31-34)

7. What does it mean to say that success in the Christian life is repentance?

8. Where do we see this in the text (vv. 31-34)?

9. What is at stake here? In other words, what are the consequences of failing to understand this truth?

Jesus resets our expectations to rejection like him (vv. 35-38)

10. Is it our expectation that, like the One we follow, in this life, we will need to endure suffering for the Gospel? If not, why not?

11. In v. 37, Jesus says that he fulfills Isaiah 53:12: “And he was numbered with the transgressors.” (v. 37). How does Jesus’ death in the place of sinners (like you and me) make possible what he is calling us to in this passage? In other words, how does Christ’s substitutionary sacrifice for us enable us to live out what he is calling for in the four reorientations highlighted in this passage?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Jesus’ physical suffering and death are God’s appointed sacrifice that saves all who receive him.

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 22:1-23

1. Read the story of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread in Exodus 12:1-20. What similarities are there in the Passover account to this passage? How does Jesus fit as the Passover lamb?

2. Judas betrayed Jesus for money. Why do you think this detail was included in Luke, and what does it say about human nature?

3. Verses 7-13 show that Jesus knew the details of the Passover meal in advance and directed his disciples to carry them out. Where else have we seen this sort of interaction? What does it tell us about Jesus and his plan?

4. A great irony of this passage is that the first Lord’s Supper was held in the presence of Judas Iscariot. What do you think this teaches us? How does this influence our engagement with those who oppose and wound us?

5. How does this passage move us to more wonder and gratitude for Jesus?

6. What is your experience like when we take communion? What goes through your mind and heart?

7. The next time we will take communion together as a church is Sunday, March 8. What from this passage can we use to prepare our hearts next time we celebrate communion together?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

While you wait for Jesus’ return, remain watchful.

I. Expect deception, and watch with discernment (vv. 8-9)

II. Expect opposition, and watch for provision (vv. 10-19)

III. Expect distress, and watch with anticipation (vv. 20-28)

IV. Expect distraction, and watch through prayer (vv. 29-36)

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 21:5-38

1. The first thing Jesus says about the temple - the Jews’ most sacred and holy space - is “Don’t get too attached to this.” How do you think that would have landed with his hearers? About what in your life would you dislike hearing Jesus say, “Don’t get too attached to this”?

2. For some of us, it can be easy to get concerned that world events will usher in the apocalypse. How do we guard against catastrophic thinking about the end times and trust God’s timing?

3. What sort of opposition have you personally faced for your faith, and how can you use this as an opportunity to bear witness to Christ? Jesus says he will “give you a mouth and wisdom, which none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict” (21:15).

4. Jesus says that when signs of the end take place, believers don’t have to tremble because their redemption is drawing near. How does this truth particularly encourage you today?

5. What does it mean that redemption has been fully accomplished, but not yet fully applied? What aspects of future redemption might we be able to look forward to?

6. Take something that is distressing you now (or has distressed you in the past). How can you use this distress to deepen your anticipation for the life to come? Help each other work this out.

7. What distractions do you need to watch for in yourself? What can we watch for in one another?

8. We’ve all experienced things that pull us away from prayer. What steps can you take today to fight what keeps you from prayer?

9. In a world of distractions, what practices (including prayer) can help us stay focused on what matters?

Prayer