Luke 23:32-43 “Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. 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.’”

First Cross = ______________________

Second Cross = ___________________

Isaiah 53:6 “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way...”

Third Cross = ____________________

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

Encounters Thieves

Andy Averill Apri l 8th & 9th, 2017

Jesus ____________________ us

Jesus makes us ____________________

Small Group Discussion Questions

The Thieves

In this series we are looking at people who had encounters with Jesus in the last week of his life. Through the lens of these encounters we are able to look into the lives of individuals who had been changed by Jesus. Not everyone reacted the same way. Mary, showered Jesus with unadulterated devotion. Judas, hoping to force Jesus into action, was willing to betray him.

History looks at these two people in completely different lights. One, remembered forever for her acts of love and the other known only for his final act of betrayal. The message this week focuses on two unnamed individuals. Together they are known as the thieves on the cross.

Icebreaker

If you had this week to live over again, would you change anything? If so, what would that be?

Discussion Questions

1. What was the main take away from the message for you this week?

2. Why were the rulers of the synagogue fearful of Jesus?

Scripture

Read Luke 23:32-43

1. How do you view the crucifixion: Necessary evil? Cruel and unusual punishment? Sacrifice for sin? Triumph over injustice? Why?

2. When did the meaning of the death of Jesus begin to make sense to you? How would you explain the crucifixion to a non- Christian friend?

3. Who in this account do you identify with most? With least? Why?

4. How do people today similarly reflect the profound misunderstanding expressed in verse 35?

5. What aspects of the gospel message do you see in verses 40- 43?

Thieves

1. What lessons can we learn from the thief who defends Jesus

a. He connected with Jesus (how can we connect with Jesus?)

b. He shared Jesus’ pain (our instinct is to avoid pain/Jesus suffered deliberately)

c. He shared Jesus’ shame (our instinct is to protect our reputations/Jesus humbled himself)

d. Read Philippians 2:8

e. He shared Jesus’ rejection (our instinct is to announce our innocence/Jesus suffered in silence)

2. The thief connects with us

a. You’re never too bad to recover from your past

b. Read Luke 23:34

c. You’re never good enough to secure your future

d. You’re never too late to respond in the present

Take time in group and on your own to reflect on the meaning of the three crosses this week.

• The cross of rejection

• The cross of acceptance

• The cross of reconciliation

Pray