This small group discussion guide draws directly from the sermon “Showcase - What Jesus REALLY Said About Hell | Pastor Josh Howerton | Full Worship Experience” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.
Small Group Discussion Guide
"What Did Jesus Say About Hell and the Afterlife?"
Luke 16:19–31 | Investigating Jesus Series
A Note to Facilitators: This week's sermon addressed one of the most serious and sensitive topics in Scripture. Your group may include people at very different places spiritually — some who have followed Jesus for decades, some who are brand new, and possibly some who are still deciding. Create a safe, grace-filled space where honest questions are welcome. You don't need to have all the answers. Your job is to guide conversation, not deliver a lecture. Trust the Holy Spirit to do the deep work.
OVERVIEW
In this message from Luke 16, Pastor Josh walked through Jesus' own teaching about hell and the afterlife — one of the most sobering yet important topics in all of Scripture. Jesus' parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus reveals that hell is real, conscious, and eternal, while also showing that God deeply desires for every person to be saved. The sermon challenged both believers and seekers to take eternity seriously and to live with urgency about sharing the hope of Jesus with the people around them.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
A Quick Note on Tone: This is a heavy topic. The goal of tonight's discussion isn't to frighten anyone or win arguments — it's to honestly explore what Jesus actually taught, and to let that truth shape how we live and love the people around us. Lean into grace and honesty together.
Estimated Total Time: 75–90 minutes
SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER
(5–10 minutes)
Choose one of the following to open your time together:
Option A (Lighter):
"What's a topic you remember being totally off-limits when you were growing up — something nobody talked about at the dinner table or in church? Why do you think it was avoided?"
Option B (More Direct):
"Before Sunday's message, how comfortable were you with the topic of hell — and where did your ideas about it mostly come from?"
[Leader Tip]: Don't rush this section. Letting people laugh or share something personal early in the meeting builds trust and makes the deeper questions feel safer later. Either option works well — choose based on your group's personality.
SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING
(5–10 minutes)
Have someone read the following passage aloud. Encourage the group to listen for something that surprises them, challenges them, or raises a question.
Luke 16:19–31 (NIV)
"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.
The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'
But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.'
He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'
Abraham replied, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.'
'No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.'
He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.'"
Supporting Passage — John 14:6 (NIV)
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
Supporting Passage — 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."
Supporting Passage — John 3:16–17 (NIV)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
Brief Context for Facilitators to Share:
This parable is unique because Jesus names the poor man — Lazarus — which is unusual in parables and may signal this is more than a fictional story. The name Lazarus literally means "God helps." The rich man's wealth and religious heritage (he calls Abraham "Father") gave him every reason to think he was spiritually secure — but Jesus reveals that outward blessing and religious identity are not the same as genuine faith and compassion.
SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(30–45 minutes)
Work through as many questions as time allows. You don't need to cover every question — follow the conversation where the Spirit leads. Questions are organized from lighter/observational to deeper/personal.
THEME A: Engaging the Message
(Opening Observations — 8–10 minutes)
Question 1:
What was one thing from Sunday's message that stood out to you, surprised you, or stayed with you throughout the week? It could be something that challenged you, confused you, or encouraged you.
[Leader Tip]: This is a great "entry point" question — there's no wrong answer. It helps you gauge where people are and what resonated most. If the group is quiet, share your own honest reaction first to model vulnerability.
Question 2:
Pastor Josh mentioned that Jesus talks about hell, judgment, or punishment more than any other teacher in the Bible — and that roughly half of his parables touch on these themes. Why do you think this surprises so many people? What picture of Jesus did you grow up with, and how does that compare to what you're seeing in Luke 16?
THEME B: What Jesus Actually Taught
(Biblical Exploration — 10–12 minutes)
Question 3:
Looking at the parable in Luke 16, what details does Jesus include about the rich man's experience in hell — and what do those details tell us about what Jesus believed hell to be like? What words or images stand out to you most?
[Leader Tip]: Look for answers like: torment, fire, consciousness, memory, separation, permanence (the chasm), and the inability to cross over. Guide the group to stay close to the text rather than jumping immediately to personal opinions. The goal here is observation before application.
Question 4:
The sermon addressed six common views about hell — naturalism, universalism, reincarnationism, annihilationism, purgatory, and what Jesus actually taught. Without needing to remember all six labels, which of these ways of thinking have you personally encountered — in your family, your culture, your school, or even your own mind? How did Sunday's message interact with those ideas?
[Leader Tip]: This question invites honest sharing about where people are actually coming from. Don't rush to correct wrong views — let people name them. The discussion itself will do much of the work. If someone holds a view that differs from the sermon, ask gently: "What does the passage in Luke 16 say about that?"
Question 5:
The parable ends with Abraham saying that even if someone rose from the dead, those who reject Scripture won't be convinced. Jesus was about to rise from the dead — and many still didn't believe. What does this tell us about the relationship between evidence, Scripture, and genuine faith? What does it take for someone to actually change their mind about eternity?
THEME C: God's Heart and Our Response
(Heart & Application — 12–15 minutes)
Question 6:
Pastor Josh made a striking statement: "God doesn't send people to hell — people choose it based on a lifetime of choices." He also quoted Ezekiel 33:11, where God says, "Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?" How does holding both of these truths together — God's holiness and God's love — change the way you think about hell?
Question 7:
The rich man in the parable, while in hell, desperately wanted someone to warn his five brothers. Pastor Josh used this to challenge believers about urgency in sharing their faith. Who are the "five brothers" in your life — people you care about who don't yet know Jesus? What makes it hard to talk to them about faith?
[Leader Tip]: This can be an emotionally tender question, especially for people who have lost loved ones or who have family members far from God. Allow space for grief, not just action steps. Affirm that the desire to see people saved is itself a gift from God.
Question 8:
The sermon included this quote from a condemned man named Charles Peace: "If I believed what you and the Church of God say that you believe, even if England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would walk over it on hands and knees to save one soul from an eternal hell." What does it say about us when someone outside the faith seems to grasp the weight of our beliefs more than we do? What would it look like for your life to reflect that kind of urgency — without being pushy or preachy?
Question 9:
Pastor Josh said: "It is only those who are aware of God's wrath that end up amazed by God's mercy." Think about the worship songs at the beginning of the service — "You Called My Name," "Christ Is My Firm Foundation," "Great Are You Lord." How does understanding what we've been saved from change the way you experience worship or express gratitude to God?
[Leader Tip]: This question bridges the sermon to the worship experience and helps the group see that theology and worship are deeply connected. If group members can recall lyrics from the songs, invite them to share which lines hit differently now.
THEME D: For Those Still Exploring
(Gentle Invitation — 5 minutes, optional)
Question 10 (Optional — use if appropriate for your group):
The sermon ended with an invitation to trust Jesus. Whether you made that decision on Sunday, made it years ago, or are still figuring things out — what questions do you still have about eternity, Jesus, or what it means to follow him? This is a safe place to ask them.
[Leader Tip]: Only use this question if your group includes people who are not yet believers, or if the Spirit is clearly prompting it. Don't force it — but don't avoid it either. If someone shares a genuine question, resist the urge to immediately answer it. Ask the group: "Does anyone want to respond to that?" Let community do the work.
SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION
(10–15 minutes)
Choose 2–3 of the following questions for individual reflection. You can answer silently, journal, or share with the group — whatever fits your group's culture.
1. Honest Self-Assessment:
On a scale of 1–10, how much does the reality of eternity actually shape the daily decisions you make — how you spend your time, who you invest in, what you prioritize? What would it look like to move that number up by even one point this week?
2. The People in Your Life:
Think of one specific person in your life who doesn't know Jesus. What is one small, genuine, non-weird step you could take this week to deepen your relationship with them or open a door for a spiritual conversation?
3. Your Own Faith:
The parable shows that religious background and outward blessing are not the same as genuine saving faith. When you're honest with yourself, what is your faith actually resting on? Is it a relationship with Jesus — or something else (church attendance, being a good person, family heritage, etc.)?
4. Responding to the Message:
Is there a lie about hell or eternity that you've been believing — even subtly — that Sunday's message exposed? What would it mean to replace that lie with what Jesus actually said?
5. Church Community:
Easter is coming — a week when thousands of people who don't normally attend church will show up. Pastor Josh asked everyone to consider serving for just one week. Is there a way God might be calling you to participate in reaching people this Easter, even in a small way?
SECTION 5: THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
Choose one of the following to carry into your week:
🔵 For New Believers or Those Exploring: Read John 3:1–21 this week — the full conversation where Jesus explains what it means to be "born again" and why he came. Write down one question it raises for you and bring it back to the group.
🟢 For Growing Believers: Identify one person in your life who doesn't know Jesus. Pray for them by name every day this week. Then take one small step — send a text, grab coffee, invite them to Easter services.
🟡 For Mature Believers or Leaders: Read C.S. Lewis's The Great Divorce (it's short!) or look up Tim Keller's sermon "Hell: Isn't the God of Christianity an Angry Judge?" and reflect on how you'd explain the reality of hell to someone you love in a way that's truthful and grace-filled.
🔴 For Everyone: If you haven't yet, sign up to serve one week at Easter. Text EASTER to 20411 for service times, or fill out the volunteer card you received on Sunday.
SECTION 6: PRAYER FOCUS
(5–10 minutes)
Close your time together in prayer. Here are suggested prayer topics — feel free to invite group members to pray aloud for one another.
Pray Together For:
Gratitude — Thank God that he didn't leave us without a way out. Thank Jesus for the cross — that he stands at the entrance of hell and says, "Over my dead body."
The People We Love — Lift up by name the people in your group's lives who don't yet know Jesus. Ask God to soften hearts, open doors, and give each of us courage and compassion.
Urgency Without Fear — Ask God to give your group a holy urgency about eternity — not a spirit of fear or guilt, but a deep, love-driven desire to share the hope you've been given.
Easter — Pray for the thousands of people who will walk through the doors of your church for Easter services. Ask God to move powerfully and that many would cross the line of faith.
Honesty and Openness — If anyone in the group is still wrestling with questions about Jesus or eternity, pray that God would meet them in their honest searching.
Suggested Closing Prayer (for facilitators who want a guide):
"Father, thank you for not leaving us in the dark about eternity. Thank you that you love us enough to tell us the truth, and that the truth is: there is a way out — and his name is Jesus. Give us eyes to see the people around us the way you see them. Give us courage to speak, love to listen, and faith to trust that you are working even when we can't see it. We don't want to waste this life. Use us. For your glory and for the good of the people you've placed in our lives. Amen."
SECTION 7: OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE
(For groups with extra time or who want to go further)
Deep Dive Question 1 — Theological Exploration:
The sermon described hell at its core as "eternal separation from God." Pastor Josh made the point that for someone who has spent their whole life running from God, heaven itself might feel like a kind of hell — because heaven is full of the presence of God. How does this reframe the way you think about salvation? What does it mean that being "saved" isn't just about escaping punishment, but about being restored to a relationship with God?
Further reading: C.S. Lewis, The Great Divorce; Romans 1:18–25
Deep Dive Question 2 — Cultural Engagement:
The sermon argued that Satan's primary strategy around the topic of hell is to make people doubt it exists — so that non-Christians feel no urgency to respond to Jesus, and Christians feel no urgency to share him. Where do you see this strategy playing out in our culture today — in media, education, social norms, or even in the church? How do we speak truthfully about hell without becoming the kind of angry, fearful Christianity that turns people away?
Further reading: Matthew 10:28; Romans 2:1–11; 1 Peter 3:15–16
Deep Dive Question 3 — Personal History:
Pastor Josh shared that he grew up in a church context where hell was talked about — sometimes in ways that felt more like fear-mongering than genuine love. Many people carry wounds from religious environments that used hell as a weapon of control. How do we hold onto the truth of what Jesus taught while also being sensitive to people who've been spiritually hurt? How does the character of God — his patience, his grief over the lost, his sacrifice — change the way we talk about this topic?
Further reading: Ezekiel 33:11; Luke 15:1–7 (The Lost Sheep); 2 Corinthians 5:11–21
FACILITATOR QUICK REFERENCE
| Section | Time |
|---|---|
| Icebreaker | 5–10 min |
| Scripture Reading | 5–10 min |
| Discussion Questions | 30–45 min |
| Personal Application | 10–15 min |
| Prayer Focus | 5–10 min |
| Total | 55–90 min |
If Your Group Gets Stuck, Try These:
- "What part of this passage is hardest for you to accept — and why?"
- "What would you say to a friend who told you they don't believe in hell?"
- "How does this message change — or not change — how you'll live this week?"
If Discussion Gets Too Heated:
Gently redirect with: "These are really important questions. Let's make sure we keep coming back to what Jesus actually said in this passage — that's our anchor tonight."
If Someone Shares That They're Not Sure Where They Stand with Jesus:
Don't rush them or pressure them. Affirm their honesty: "That's a really important thing to be thinking about. We're glad you're here and asking these questions." Follow up personally after the meeting.
This guide was prepared for small group use based on the sermon "What Did Jesus Say About Hell and the Afterlife?" from the Investigating Jesus series at Lake Pointe Church.
Scripture quotations are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.