Investigating Jesus | Week 6
Week 6 - Wide Open
Jesus didn't ask for people to just believe in him. He invited people to follow him.
Discussion Questions:
On the evening of June 17, 2015, Dylann Roof walked into the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where Myra Thompson was leading a Bible Study. He wasn’t known to any of the twelve attending the study, but he had been welcomed by all. He sat quietly as Myra shared. An hour later, as they finished in prayer, and while everyone else’s eyes were closed, Roof took out his concealed gun and opened fire, killing 8 of the 12 church members, including Myra Thompson, the pastor’s wife.
Read Rev. Anthony Thompson’s courtroom speech to Dylann Roof, who murdered his wife.
‘Son, I forgive you. My family forgives you.’”
What emotions does it evoke? Why?
Luke 23:33–43
When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”
There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the Jews.
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
What are some characteristics about Jesus that Luke was trying to highlight in this passage?
How do you justify accepting the forgiveness of God while resisting the Lordship of Christ?
Are you more of an admirer than a follower?
If so, what’s keeping you from going all-in?
Luke 9:24–25
For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?
4. What keywords stand out to you?
Would you say your faith is costing you anything presently? If so, what? If not, should it be?
5. We all fall short in at least one area of our lives. While we and those around us need grace, we can't neglect that hypocrisy is a big reason Christianity is not taken seriously by those outside the faith.
What's one way you're currently being a hypocrite?
With the help of God and others, how could you change that?