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

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Aim to please God through giving yourself, not serving yourself.

I. What God condemns: self-serving fakery (20:45-47)

II. What God commends: self-giving faith (21:1-4)

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 20:45-21:4

1. This passage teaches that God condemns self-serving fakery (20:45-47). We can all be tempted to pretend (“to act in the presence of certain people in ways we would never act in their absence.”). Are there particular circumstances or people around whom you can find yourself tempted toward pretending to be someone you are not? Why do you think that is?

2. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day made an outward appearance of loving God and living for him, but in reality, they were only loving and serving themselves. Why do you think we can tend to clearly see this in others (and be troubled by it), and yet often fail to see aspects of this in our own hearts?

3. Are there aspects of your life (e.g., your job, your education, your life experience, etc.) that can, if you are honest, incline you to think you are in some way superior to others? Please share.

4. How can we guard our own hearts and help one another in fighting this temptation (of #3 above)?

5. It was said in the sermon, “Hypocrisy isn’t unique to Christianity. But Christianity is unique in its resources to fight hypocrisy.” What does this mean? What are some of the hypocrisy-fighting resources available to us as believers? How might we use these resources to their fullest potential?

6. This passage teaches that God commends self-giving faith. (21:1-4) In what sense was the widow’s offering an act of loving, self-giving faith? What might acts of loving, self-giving faith look like for you?

7. We who are members of CrossWay have, on our membership applications, committed ourselves to using our “God-given gifts, time, energy, and wealth to support this local church.” How would you assess yourself? Are you doing what you said you would do? If there is room for growth, what might be a good next step in pursuing that?

8. What might be some ways for us to assess if our giving is sacrificial in nature, or merely “out of (our) abundance”?

9. Read 2 Corinthians 8:9: “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” How does (should) the self-giving of Jesus for our sakes motivate our own self-giving for God’s purposes in the world?

Prayer

Discussion Questions:

Sermon Overview

Receive the Christ and receive the resurrection.

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 20:27-44

1. There are aspects of life in this broken world that can cause us to long for “the resurrection.” What would be some of those things for you?

2. In this passage, Jesus is confronted by some “who deny that there is a resurrection.” (v. 27) There are some who do the same thing today. How important is belief in the resurrection from the dead for true, biblical Christianity? Support your answer. (Please read 1 Cor. 15:12-20, to see the apostle Paul’s answer to this question.)

3. This passage teaches us that human marriage will not be a part of the age to come in the new heavens and the new earth. How does that land on you?

4. Human marriage points beyond itself to the marriage of Christ and his bride, the church. Why is the marriage we will enjoy for all eternity something worth looking forward to? In what ways will it be better than even the best of human marriages?

5. It is good to live with all our might while we do live, and it is good to eagerly long for the day when we enter our eternal home. What might it look like to live well now, and yet long with eager anticipation for the resurrection?

6. There are many today who (as did the Sadducees) think Jesus is little more than a “good teacher” (v. 28). Why is it not a viable option for us (or anyone else) to see Jesus as simply a good teacher (and nothing more)? How might we respond to those who see Jesus this way?

7. What is Jesus’ line of reasoning in support of the resurrection from “the passage about the bush” (v. 37)?

8. What is the significance for us that Jesus (“the Christ,” v. 41) is both David’s son and David’s Lord?

9. How might the truths from this passage help you grow in your love for Christ and in your pursuit of a life that is pleasing to him?

Prayer