Steve Welch // Rockford Campus // March 15, 2026

SERMON DISCUSSION GUIDE

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: Luke 23:32-43

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.

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TOGETHER IN LIFE

This Easter season, we’re encouraging everyone to think of some friends, co-workers, neighbors, teammates, workout buddies or anyone you know to be invitational. Invite to come to church, to the Easter drama, and especially into relationship with Jesus.

As you consider being invitational: Share with your group…

• What was an experience you’ve had of being invited to something unfamiliar or new and you replied YES!
• What was it like? Were you nervous, excited, confused? Did you hesitate? Or were you “sold” right away?
• What made the invitation something that made you want to say YES to?
• Does inviting someone to join you for something come naturally? Or is it a challenge? Why do you think that is so?

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

Read Luke 23:32-43

KEY QUESTION: How does the story of the criminals on the cross impact your understanding of Jesus’ love for you?

QUESTIONS

3 Key People: The 1st Criminal, The 2nd Criminal, and Jesus

• The 1st Criminal
  • What did he say about Jesus?
  • What did this reflect about his heart?
  • How did this deny God?
  • In what ways do you see people (perhaps yourself) struggle like the 1st criminal?
• The 2nd Criminal
  • What did he say to the other criminal? To Jesus?
  • What did this reflect about his heart?
  • How did this show his trust in Jesus?
  • In what ways does this encourage you to trust in Jesus?
• Jesus
  • What was his response to the 2nd criminal?
  • “I tell you the truth”: What lie do you think the 1st criminal believed about Jesus?
    • How does Jesus shatter this lie?
  • “Today”: How does the idea of “today” change your current circumstances?
    • Imagine you were suddenly given a week off of work TODAY, all expenses paid vacation to anywhere in the world. All of your responsibilities at work were taken care of by your team there. all of the arrangements were made at your home for everything to be all set for you to just drop everything and leave TODAY.
    • How would this shape the way you think about the week ahead? The troubles of today?
  • “You”: Have you personally trusted Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life?
    • What does it mean that Jesus is your Lord?
    • What does it mean that Jesus is your Savior?
  • “With Me”: Why is this promise so significant?
    • In what ways does Jesus’ promise give you peace and hope?
  • “in Paradise”
    • What visions come to mind as you think of “paradise”
    • Read 1 Corinthians 2:9. How does this inform your view of “Paradise”?

TOGETHER IN PRAYER & ACTION

• Imagine God thinking about you. What do you assume about how he thinks and feels about you?
• DO NOT LET ANYTHING stand in the way of fully embracing the unrelenting love of God in Christ.
• Let that glorious truth move you to respond in surrender.
  • What obstacles tend to get in your way of believing in God’s love for you?
  • Confess it to God and a trusted friend.
  • Commit to praying for each other in this area over the next week.
  • Check back in with each other.
• Pray that our church would be filled with people who live every day into this truth and help others to do the same.
• Pray for those people whose names were written on our Prayer Cards – that they would come to surrender to Jesus, just like the 2nd criminal.