Sermon Based Group Homework
For the message on February 23, 2020
Passage: Luke 23:27-37
QUICK REVIEW
This Sunday, Casey kicked off our new series, The Final Hours. In this series, we will look at the important things Jesus said from the cross during His final six hours alive. In the message, Casey reminded us that we have options when it comes to handling our guilt, but the only good option is to receive Christ’s forgiveness. Looking back at the message, what’s one thing that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
When you were a kid, did you ever tell your parents that you were innocent of doing something you were guilty of doing? Did they ever find out?
LET’S GO DEEPER
1. When Jesus offered forgiveness from the cross, most scholars believe His words were directed to the Jews and all who participated in His death. How did His words reflect teachings of His to His disciples in the passage below?
Luke 6:27-28 (ESV)
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.
According to Paul, if the Jews had known what they were really doing, would they have done it? (see verse below)
1 Corinthians 2:8 (ESV)
8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
In Peter’s sermon at Pentecost, he pointed to his fellow Jews and said, “You nailed him to the cross and murdered him” (Acts 2:23). According to the following verse, what indication do we have that many of the Jews who crucified Jesus, finally understood their guilt and need for His forgiveness?
Acts 2:41 (ESV)
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.
From the questions and verses above, what can we learn about the nature of God’s love?
2. Of the different ways to bury guilt – rationalizing, minimizing, and lowering your standards – discuss which can be the most damaging personally.
3. It has been said, “A problem well-named is a problem half-solved.” Do you agree? Why?
4. What do the following two passages tell us regarding the best way to handle our past shame and guilt?
Proverbs 28:13 (ESV)
13 Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
Psalm 32:3-5 (ESV)
3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
5. In the following passage, did Jesus want to condemn the woman for her sin or set her free from sin? What evidence can you point to?
John 8:2-11 (ESV)
2 Early in the morning he came again to the temple. All the people came to him, and he sat down and taught them. 3 The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst 4 they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. 5 Now in the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” 6 This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. 7 And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. 9 But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. 10 Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” 11 She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
Based on the this account, how do you think Jesus will respond to your guilt and shame when you bring it to Him?
TAKE IT HOME
1. What is your biggest takeaway from this sermon and study?
2. Do you have any prayer requests for your group?
Prayer Requests:
