Message: The Crucifixion
Series: Life Starts at Death
Text: Luke 23:26-43
Small Group Study Guide
March 12-13, 2016
Study Guide by: Jason Kolar
CONNECT (5-10 min)
Leaders Note: The purpose of this time is to help the members of the group grow in relationships with one another so all
people in the group know they matter. Spend some time discovering what is happening in the lives of your group members.
GROW – Review the Message Summary (30-45 min)
Leaders Note: The goal of this section is to apply the truth of the message (not teach) so each participant is familiar with
John’s message from Sunday morning. Good facilitators “share the leadership”. If your group has been meeting at least 812 weeks you should have an “apprentice”. This would be a good section for your apprentice to facilitate.
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Sermon Summary: (ask a member to read the sermon summary)
In Luke 23:26-43, Jesus was crucified on a cross that was a symbol of defeat and shame. He was brutally
beaten to the point where he couldn’t carry his own cross. He was publicly humiliated and was mocked by
the guards, the religious leaders, and those who walked by. But even through this defeat and shame Jesus
changed the symbol of the cross into a symbol of hope and salvation.
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Here is the outline from the teaching on Sunday
A Symbol of defeat (23:26-34)
 Jesus was LED AWAY (v.26a)
 Simon INVOLUNTARILY becomes the MODEL disciple (v.26)
 Jesus is FOLLOWED by MOURNERS (v.27)
 Jesus REDIRECTS their mourning (vv.28-31)
 Jesus is CRUCIFIED (vv.32-34)
 Jesus is PUBLICLY RIDICULED (v.34)
A Symbol of shame (23:34b-43)
 Jesus is MOCKED (vv.35-39)
A Symbol of Salvation (23:34; 40-43)
 Jesus offers his ENEMIES PEACE with God (v.34)
 One criminal ADMITS his own sin; acknowledged the INNOCENCE of Jesus and confessed his NEED for
Jesus (vv.40-42)
 Jesus makes the cross a SYMBOL of HOPE (v.43)
Bottom Line: The cross is a symbol of defeat and shame – but Jesus made it a symbol of salvation and hope.
Discussion Questions
1. What stood out most to you from the sermon this week? What does the text of Luke 22:26-43 teach?
2. What did the cross symbolize before Jesus? And how did he change it?
3. What is the difference between regret and repentance? Has there been times in your life you’ve
regretted something but not repented of it?
4. Have you ever felt defeated and shamed? How can the cross bring you to repentance and hope?
5. How (as a group or individually) can we bring this amazing truth of Jesus Christ to those who are not yet
living a Jesus-Centered Life?
6. What has God revealed to you? What are you going to do about it? Do you need any accountability from
the group?
PRAYER GUIDE: 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting (15-20 min)
Ends of
Earth
(global)
Samaria
(broader)
Jerusalem – Immediate Context
Pray for family members, close friends, yourself, and those
who need Jesus.
Pray for healing and forgiveness of broken relationships.
Pray for your enemies.
Judea
(local)
Jerusalem
(immediate)
Pray for the Christian Organization Frontiers
Innovation and technology are wonderful things, and
when paired with the Gospel, can often spread
quicker and to more places than was once possible.
Two tools of merged innovation, technology, and
Gospel are deployed and at work around the world.
Frontiers is a Christian organization that seeks to
reach the “Muslim people groups who don’t know
Jesus Christ.” Through various social media platforms
(Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp), they are
engaging thousands of Muslims with the truth of the
Gospel.
-
Global Outlook Newsletter (Feb 2016)
Judea – Local Context
Pray for Crosspoint Church (Timberlake Rd, Altavista,
Downtown campus).
Pray for spiritual protection, healthy marriages, and
Kingdom advancement.
Pray for your city, coworkers, and those who need Jesus.
Pray for the sick, the poor, widows and orphans, the
grieving, the marginalized, and the victimized in your area.
Samaria – Broader Context
Pray for racial healing.
Pray for state/national leaders and upcoming elections.
Pray for greater Kingdom advancement and spiritual revival
of God’s people.
Ends of the Earth – Global Context
Pray for unreached people groups, missionaries,
and the persecuted church.
Pray for God’s redemptive work in global issues.
Throughout The Week: (Optional)
(Leaders Note: Share these optional exercises for further study and growth with your group. Encourage parents with
children to use the parent guides as a family.)
MONDAY: Review the text
Read: Luke 23:26-43
What truth did God reveal to you from this text and from the sermon this past week?
TUESDAY: Beware of confusing REGRET with REPENTANCE
Read: 2 Corinthians 7:10-11
What is the difference between Godly grief and worldly grief? Have you just regretted any sin recently? Was
there a turn to Jesus? If not take some time to pray to the Lord and go through the Circle life-shape. If you don’t
know the life-shape this could be a great time to get with someone who does and go through this together.
WEDNESDAY: Beware of thinking that INDIFFERENCE about Jesus is safe
Read: Romans 3:10-18; Philippians 2:9-11
What does the passage in Romans tell us about our innate sinfulness? What does the passage in Philippians tell
us about Christ’s innate Lordship? How do these two truths demands a response? Have you been indifferent
about one of these? How has that affected your life? How can you begin to recognize these and pursue living a
Jesus-centered life?
THURSDAY: Watch out for GREED!
Read: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15
We learned that greed is Idolatry (according to Colossians 3:5). After reading 2 Corinthians 8:1-15, how are you
handling your finances and resources? Write out why the church in Macedonia gave beyond their means. Which
one of those do you need to repent and believe? Is there a need that God is asking you to fill? We get the
privilege to take part in helping the saints!
FRIDAY: Live on the OTHER SIDE of the GRAVE
Read: Romans 6:6; Galatians 5:22-24; Galatians 6:14
What has been crucified? Why? Fruit now comes out of your life because you are dead to sin! So now we can
live on the other side of the grave boasting in the Cross. Why can you boast in the cross? In what ways has God
taken your shame, sin, and defeat and brought you to salvation and hope? Praise Him!
SATURDAY: Spend time today praying for the prayer requests of your small group members. Pray for the leaders
who will be leading us in musical worship and delivering God’s word. Are there certain people that the Lord has
laid on your heart to pray for their salvation? Are there people you can have a conversation about God with this
weekend?