Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Live out your freedom from condemnation and sin by the power of the Spirit.

Digging Deeper

Read Romans 8:1-13

1. There are many precious and encouraging truths in this passage. Which one do you find most encouraging? Why?

2. What point of application that Pastor Brett made from this text did you find most relevant to your life? Why?

3. If you are a follower of Jesus, you have the Holy Spirit. What is a situation you are facing/anticipate facing where it would be good to keep this in mind?

4. What does “putting to death the deeds of the body” (8:13) mean?

5. God calls us to depend on the Spirit’s power to pursue a righteous life. Is there an area of your life you’d like to see growth in? What would it look like to depend on the Spirit and his power for this area?

6. Our pursuit of holiness is to be done out of a joyful response to what God has done for us. What might that look like for you?

7. One aspect of “putting to death the deeds of the body” by the Spirit’s power has to do with where we set our minds (vv. 5-6). What things occupy your mental bandwidth? What do you daydream about?

8. To what extent is meditating on truth from God’s Word a part of your thought life? How might we grow in this, and help each other in the process?

9. We are to put sin to death, not partially but completely. Is there an area(s) of your life in which you are perhaps seeking merely to limit sin, rather than put it to death (once and for all)? How might you move toward a more killing of sin in your life? What would help you in this?

10. We pursue holiness with the confident hope that those who put sin to death by the Spirit’s power “will live.” Does this reality motivate you? How so?

Discussion Questions:

Sermon Overview

Everyone who believes in Jesus has been born of the Spirit and has eternal life.

Digging Deeper

Read John 3:1-15

1. Ezekiel 36:25-27 reads as follows: “I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.”

How does this passage help us understand what Jesus is saying in John 3?

2. What is spiritual birth according to this passage?

3. Jesus calls Nicodemus (as well as you and me) to believe in him. What are some of the reasons we should trust Jesus (from this passage)?

4. In John 3:14-15, Jesus points us back to Numbers 21:4-9. How does the story in Numbers help us better grasp the gospel?

5. How is it better that a relationship with God and eternal life are based on God’s initiating new birth rather than something else, like living a good life or being religious, etc?

6. If you follow Jesus, when you reflect on the fact that you didn’t cause your own spiritual birth, how does that affect your gratitude or humility before God?

7. How might we grow in awe, wonder, and gratitude for this unmerited gift of God’s grace?

8. What fears or hesitations do you have about sharing your faith? How does this passage challenge or encourage you?

9. Pastor Brett reminded us that because new birth is something God does, he can save even those who seem hard and far from him! The salvation of others does not depend on our persuasiveness or others' perceived openness. Does this encourage you? Does this spur you in your witness to unbelieving family members, neighbors, or co-workers? Why or why not? Please share.

10. This passage calls those who have not yet placed their trust in Christ to see their need for what he has done, and trust him alone for entry into God’s kingdom. How might you use this story as you interact with those who don’t know Jesus?

11. If someone were to say, “I’m trying to live a good life to get into heaven,” how would you use this passage to respond?

Prayer

Discussion Questions:

Sermon Overview

Align your life with the real Jesus.

#1: Align your trust with the astonishing power of Jesus (vv. 37-43a)

#2: Align your priorities with the perplexing priority of Jesus (vv. 43b-45)

#3: Align your relationships with the unconventional people of Jesus. (vv. 46-50)

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 9:37-50

1. What circumstances make it challenging for you to trust in Jesus? (e.g., work, family, parenting, health, future, money, etc).

2. What would it look like to deeply trust in Jesus' astonishing power for that circumstance? As a group, consider if there are passages that relate.

3. Since exploring or following Jesus, what has surprised you about who he is?

4. Jesus was compassionate with the needs in front of him without losing sight of his primary mission to save sinners through his death and resurrection. What needs are in the world around you that God may be calling you to address?

5. The priority of Jesus' life was to go to the cross and die. What priority does the gospel of Jesus have in your life? How does it show up?

6. Are there other things in your life that you find can, at times, replace the gospel of Jesus as your first priority? Please share.

7. How can we help one another guard against this?

8. The disciples were seeking greatness by comparing themselves to one another. Jesus offers greatness by means of a relationship with him. Why is the latter avenue for greatness far better?

9. True greatness involves humble service to all out of obedience to Jesus. Does this characterize your life? If so, how? If not, what would it look like to grow?

10. The disciples were hesitant about other people joining their tribe (see vv. 49-50). Are there ways you can feel territorial as you look at other Christians?

11. Do you look at other Christians or ministries or churches with a prideful eye of skepticism? If so, don't name anyone in particular, but share how Jesus' words in verse 50 can be a help to you.

Prayer

Discussion Questions:

Week of: May 11, 2025 // Sermon Text: Luke 9:28-36

Sermon Overview

Because Jesus is God's saving Son, believe and obey his words above all.

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 9:28-36

Exploring the Passage

1. Throughout the book of Luke, the question “Who is this (Jesus)?” has been asked repeatedly. In the passage today, we read an answer. Who answers, and how does he answer?

2. What happens in v. 29? Why is it important?

3. What do Moses and Elijah (v.30) represent? Why is this significant?

4. In verse 31, the word “departure” could be translated “exodus.” What gets highlighted in seeing Jesus’ saving work as a new exodus?

On Momentary Spiritual Highs

5. The mountaintop experience of seeing Jesus transfigured was meant to be a temporary experience, even though Peter wanted to keep it going. Are there moments or seasons of your spiritual life you wish to get back to but may have been intended by God to be a temporary encouragement on the journey of faith?

Listening to God’s Voice

6. Who are the leading voices that occupy your attention? Think in terms of what you listen to, read, and watch.

7. How do these voices compare to the space you give to hear Jesus’ voice?

8. What are some of the indicators for you that you are listening to those other voices more than you should (more than Jesus’ voice)?

9. What would it (or does it) look like for you to make time and space to devotedly listen to God’s Son?

10. Pastor Brett encouraged us to listen to Jesus’ words about (1) who he is, (2) what he has done, (3) how to follow him, and (4) the future. In which of these areas do you most need to do more attentive listening?

11. What might it look like for you to guard the priority of Jesus’ voice above all other voices?

12. How might we help one another make Jesus’ voice the one we make it our priority to hear, trust, and obey?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Follow Jesus the suffering King into the greater gain of his kingdom.

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 9:18-27.

1. Imagine Jesus standing before you today and asking, “Who do you say that I am?” How would you answer that question?

2. Jesus describes himself as the “Son of Man” in verse 26. It was a title used in the Old Testament to mean human. With that, read Daniel 7:13-14, which expands the term. Using that background, what did Jesus mean when he said he was the “Son of Man.”

3. In Luke 9:24, Jesus says, “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” What does it look like to lose your life for the sake of Christ?

4. What’s one area of your life where you’re more self-centered than Christ-centered?

5. How can this group encourage you to become more Christ-centered in that area?

6. Who have you seen “lose their life” for the sake of Jesus? What did (or does) that look like for them?

7. What hope does this passage give us when we feel like we’re losing out in this world because we’re following Christ?

8. In what ways would following Jesus now be unpopular or met with opposition?

9. Read Galatians 2:20 and Titus 2:11-14. How do the truths in these passages empower us to take up our cross and follow Christ?

10. The whole notion of taking up your cross and following Jesus may seem crazy to those who don’t trust in Jesus. If an unbelieving friend or family member were to ask why you’ve chosen to deny yourself and follow Christ, what would you say to them?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Jesus is able to abundantly provide for his sent and opposed followers.

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 9:1-17

1. For Jesus’ disciples in this passage, what was the job he gave them to do?

2. As Jesus’ followers, we are called not only to receive the Kingdom of God, but also to proclaim it (9:2). In other words, God wants, not only to extend his grace to us, but also use us, as instruments in his hand, to extend that grace to others. How often do you think about God’s desire and purpose to use you (“send you out”) in this world? What are some of the contexts in which you believe God has sent you and wants to use you? What might intentionality in those contexts look like for you?

3. Why do you think Jesus instructed his disciples not to take anything with them (vs. 3)?

4. Opposition was part of being a disciple of Jesus (see verse 5). Have you faced opposition for being a follower of Jesus? If so, what was it like?

5. How does Jesus’ ultimate opposition at the cross transform any and all opposition we may face for him?

6. The feeding of the 5,000 is almost identical to an account of Elijah feeding a large number of people with little to start (read 2 Kings 4:42-44). What do these similar stories tell us about Jesus?

7. Among other things (like protecting and leading), good shepherds provide for their sheep (cf. Ps. 23:1-4). Jesus calls himself the Good Shepherd (John 10:11). As we have seen, miracles are signs that point beyond themselves. What does this “sign” of abundant provision (“…and they all ate and were satisfied.” v.17) tell us about who Jesus is, and about what those who trust him to be their Good Shepherd can expect from him?

8. It has been said that our hearts are “idol factories.” Sadly, we often take the good things God has created for us to enjoy and turn them into substitute / counterfeit gods; things to which we look for provision, protection, and guidance. To what extent are you aware of this propensity to create counterfeit gods in your own heart? What are some of the things that can draw your devotion or love? How might we (together) help one another put our idols to death?

9. Where in life right now are you in faith that God will provide for you?

10. What would it look like to confidently believe that God is an abundant provider?

11. How can this group be an encouragement to you as you wait on the Lord to provide?

12. Where in life right now do you sense God calling you to step out in dependence on him?

13. How can this group be an encouragement to you as you consider taking a spiritual risk?

Prayer

Sermon Overview

Jesus alone has the authority to give life, so trust him.

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 8:40-56

1. The situation with Jairus’s daughter went from desperate to (seemingly) hopeless. And yet, because of who Jesus is, the one who has the authority to give life, things were not actually hopeless after all. Has there been a situation(s) in your life where you were tempted to feel that things are hopeless? How did God use that situation in your life? Please share.

2. How would you counsel a follower of Jesus who has confided in you that he or she is feeling hopeless? How might this passage, and what it reveals about Jesus, bring encouragement? What other passages or truths from God’s Word might you point them to?

3. What connection does this story have to our celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead?

4. This passage calls us to trust Jesus (the only one with authority to give life) to give us life. What might that sort of trust look like for us? What might be some signs that we are not trusting Jesus as we ought?

5. In what sense do those who trust in Christ have eternal life already (see John 3:36 & 17:3)? What does this mean? What does that look like?

6. How should the reality of a future resurrection life (in heaven) affect how we live now? To what extent would you say your hope of heaven is affecting the way you live on a regular basis? How might we (help one another) grow in this?

7. In 1 Corinthians 15:17-19 we read, “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” What is at stake for us in Christ’s resurrection from the dead? Practically speaking, what might it look like for us to live in light of it?

8. For those of us in Christ, Jesus has brought us life. He wants to bring that life to others, and he wants to use us (his people) to make that happen. Who in your life does not yet know the life that Jesus offers? How might you share this story with them, and/or point them to Christ’s power to save and to give (eternal) life?

Prayer

Discussion Questions

Sermon Overview

Jesus is God's Son who subdues and saves.

Digging Deeper

Read Luke 8:22-39

1. The big idea from this passage is that “Jesus is God's Son who subdues and saves.” Where do we see this in the text?

2. Jesus both falls asleep in vs 23 and then commands the winds and waves in verse 24. What can we conclude about Jesus from these two verses?

3. What do these passages show us about caring for others who are facing storms in their lives?

4. Are there particular circumstances (e.g. relational struggles, financial problems, physical ailments, etc.), in which you find your heart has a harder time trusting Jesus as you ought? Please share.

5. Do you have a story from your own life in which you witnessed Jesus’ power to subdue and save? Please share.

6. Having had his life completely liberated, restored and transformed by Jesus, the former demoniac wants (not surprisingly) to be with Jesus. Practically speaking, what might a pursuit of “being with Jesus” look like for us in our everyday ordinary lives?

7. Who is someone in your life who does not yet know Jesus in a saving way? When and where could you (with God’s help), make an opportunity to tell them “how much Jesus has done for you”?

8. How could this passage help us grow in being a family of disciples on mission?

Prayer