Community Group Questions: October 5th-October 11th
Luke 23:35-43
35 And the people stood by, watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!” 36 The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 There was also an inscription over him, “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
39 One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 But the other rebuked him, saying, “Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Key Takeaways:
- Jesus was mocked by various groups during His crucifixion, but their mockery ironically proclaimed His true identity and mission.
- One criminal recognized Jesus' innocence and kingship, casting himself on Christ's mercy.
- Salvation comes through recognizing our sinfulness, Jesus' perfection, and trusting in His mercy.
- Jesus promises immediate, personal, and eternal presence with Him to those who believe.
Discussion Questions:
Practical Application:
Closing Prayer/Thoughts:
- How do the mockeries directed at Jesus actually reveal truths about His identity and mission?
- Why do you think one criminal recognized Jesus for who He was while the other didn't? What does this teach us about faith?
- The sermon mentions people wanting a "Jesus that simply benefits them." How might we be guilty of this in our own lives?
- Discuss the significance of Jesus' promise to the repentant criminal: "Today you will be with me in paradise." What does this reveal about God's grace?
- How does the criminal's confession of his own guilt and recognition of Jesus' innocence mirror the gospel message?
- How can we balance the ideas that "none might despair" and "none might presume" when it comes to salvation?
Practical Application:
- Identify one person in your life who needs to hear about "the God who saves." Commit to praying for an opportunity to share with them this month.
Closing Prayer/Thoughts:
- Thank God for His grace in saving us. Ask for His help in living out the truths discussed and in sharing the gospel with others.
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