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