Stu Quackenbush // Rockford Campus // March 22, 2026

SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 23:32-38

REMINDERS

Sojourner – A Modern Easter Drama

A modern young traveler embarks on a pilgrimage through unfamiliar territory. What is the mysterious future destination? Amid adventure, humor, and retro fun–what crises lie in the path? Is it wise to engage with the presence of a fellow sojourner?

Join us on a suspenseful journey through the cultural and moral challenges of recent decades, mirrored by Biblical events of 2,000 years ago.

Check out the website for more details.

 

You can keep up with all our current news and events through our online bulletin.

See the events page on the website for more updates.

 

TOGETHER IN LIFE

What childhood memories do you have of celebrating the Easter season?

Which did you continue as you grew up and left home?

What new traditions have you started on your own?

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

Read Luke 23:32-38

KEY QUESTION: What do you believe about God’s heart of forgiveness toward you?

 

“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”

Good news for weary sinners: our first call on our lives is not a list of things to do, but rather an invitation to worship.

 

THE CRUCIFIXION

• Have you thought much about the physical reality of the crucifixion?
• Why does thinking about the pain of the crucifixion actually help us understand Jesus’ forgiveness better?
• In what way does Jesus demonstrate fruits of the Spirit in this moment?

 

FATHER FORGIVE

• John MacArthur writes of Jesus remaining God and one with the trinity, “Yes, but now as our sin-bearer, He was taking our place, dying in our stead, having surrendered every divine prerogative, including His own life, on our behalf. He hung there before God as a representative of sinful humanity. And so He appealed to the Father to forgive the transgressors.”
  • Jesus begins the ministry of intercession to submit to the Father for forgiveness rather than directly forgiving the sins Himself.
• How does Jesus’ submission to the Father mimic the way we also submit to Him?
• What do you think it means for Jesus to be “Lord” of your life?

 

THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO

• Jesus is not saying that the sin did not matter – He’s saying they don’t fully understand what it is they are doing and the full weight of their sin.
• Have you ever experienced the weight of sin over the course of time where in one moment, you could not see the impact, but in another moment later on, you discovered new layers of the pain? What was that like?
• In what ways does Jesus’ prayer here inform the way you can forgive in the midst of your own layered, delayed pain?

 

“EVEN THIS”

• For even the worst sins of our lives, for even the patterns we have habitually returned to “even this” God can forgive.
• What have you done you feel that God cannot forgive?
• How does this belief reveal our pride?

 

FORGIVENESS

“Forgiveness means refusing to make them pay for what they did.” – Timothy Keller

• Forgiveness is not…
  • Tolerating sin
  • Ignoring Anger (or other emotions)
  • Waiting til you feel ready
• Forgiveness even when…
  • It’s not fair
  • They don’t ask for it
  • You are in pain

What thoughts do you have about this?

 

TOGETHER IN PRAYER & ACTION

• Trust that you have been forgiven.
  • Believe in God’s Word and rest in the endless grace you have been given through Jesus’s death and resurrection.
• Extend forgiveness.
  • Identify one person you need to forgive and spend time in prayer asking God to change your heart.