Small Group Sermon-Based Study Guide
April 27, 2014
Jackson Free Methodist Church
2829 Park Drive, Jackson, MI
(517) 784-3133
Series: When Love Speaks
Speaker: Pastor Jason Engle
Date: April 20, 2014
Topic: Trust
Primary Texts: Luke 23:34-47
Memory verse review: 1 Corinthians 1:18
Review: Last Sunday Pastor Jason spoke about Victory. We looked beyond “THE
GOOD LIFE” to “A BETTER LIFE.” We often settle for less because we don’t know
there is something better.
Read: Luke 23:34-47
Reflect: Two were executed with Jesus. Crucifixion was a common form of execution
developed by the Romans (following the Assyrian form of the execution called
“impalement”). Jesus went on the cross around 9 AM in the morning, and died about 3
PM in afternoon on the Jewish feast of the Passover. In all of this, Jesus demonstrated
that we can trust the Father who loves us as Jesus trusted the Father.
Respond: What was the written notice above Jesus that was the reason for his
execution?
Do you believe this was a valid reason to be executed either by Jewish or Roman Law?
Why do you suppose this reason was used by Pilate?
What were some of the differences between execution of Jesus and of many others that
made the centurion notice something different about Jesus’s execution?
Reflect: Pastor Jason made three statements about our Father, applying what Jesus
went through, to our life. Our Father loves us. Our Father can be trusted. Our Father
can handle anything.
Respond: We were told by Pastor Jason some empty things we trust: media, popular
culture, myself, other people. Have you ever trusted in any of these things (or similar
things such as money, popularity, fame, success)? What were the results?
Why can’t any of these “empty things” deliver what they seem to promise?
Reflect: We were told it is much better to entrust your future to someone (or something)
that has your best interest at heart; knows everything about you; is perfect; and never
lie to you. The only one that qualifies for this is God.
Respond: Some truth we hear (especially about our self) we often don’t like to hear
when we first hear it. Why do you suppose this is?
Give an example or two of a truth you did not like to hear at first.
Read & Reflect: John 8:31-32
We must be set free by the truth. What bold statement did Jesus make about being
free? Give an example or two in your life where you have experienced this.
What group of people did he make this statement (promise) to? Why this group?
Respond: Why is it good news to believe the Father can handle anything I give Him?
We were to consider the natural question: How big are God’s hands? They are big
enough to bless me. They scarred to never forget me. They are strong enough to
protect me.
Read: Zechariah 12:10?
Respond: What does the Bible say about the scarred hands of Jesus when He returns
in Zechariah 12:10 and how will His people respond to that?
Rubber Meets the Road: We are all challenged to trust in God no matter what life
throws at us. Life is not always “fair”. It is sometimes experienced in a loss of a job,
marriage difficulties, storms in our life or anxiety about the future. The phrase “In God
we trust” has appeared on American coins since 1864 and on currency since 1957.
Give at lase one area where you need to trust the Lord more in your life.
Reach Out to God: Please remember that we all need help on trusting in God, and in
trusting in God more than we do. It shows in our worry, behavior and choices. Two
main ways we learn to experience God and gain more trust in Him is regular (daily)
prayer time and in studying God’s word. Sometimes the best prayer is screaming
“Help!” God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)