This small group discussion guide draws directly from Drew Reding's sermon “Follow-Up Materials - Initial Analysis” 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
"Broken to Beloved" Sermon Series
Week: What Comes First — Forgiveness or Repentance?
Based on Luke 23:32-43
A Note to Facilitators: Welcome! This guide is designed to work for groups of all sizes and experience levels. You don't need to be a theological expert to lead a great discussion — your job is simply to create space for honest conversation and let the Holy Spirit work. Feel free to skip questions that don't fit your group, spend more time where conversation flows naturally, and adapt the language to fit your context. Estimated times are suggestions, not rules.
OVERVIEW
(For Facilitator Reference — not meant to be read aloud)
This week's sermon, part of the "Broken to Beloved" Lenten series, focused on one of the most powerful scenes in all of Scripture: Jesus on the cross, praying for his enemies and offering eternal hope to a dying criminal. Pastor Drew wrestled with the question: What comes first — repentance or forgiveness? Through Luke 23:32-43, we discovered that when it comes to our enemies, forgiveness comes before repentance — we extend it freely, even before it's asked for. But when it comes to our relationship with God, repentance comes before forgiveness, and it leads to salvation. The sermon called us to three responses: pray for our enemies, don't let our pain prevent us from showing mercy, and come to Jesus simply, humbly, and desperately — just like the criminal on the cross.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
Suggested Total Time: 60–90 minutes Key Scripture: Luke 23:32-43 Central Question of the Week: What comes first — forgiveness or repentance? This Week's Theme: Forgiveness, mercy, and coming to Jesus just as we are
SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER
(5–10 minutes)
Start here to help everyone relax and ease into the conversation. There are no wrong answers — this is just a fun way to get people talking.
Icebreaker Question:
"Think about a time when someone did something kind or generous for you that you absolutely did not deserve. What happened, and how did it make you feel?"
Alternative Icebreaker (for groups that prefer lighter openers):
"Pastor Drew opened the sermon with the classic 'chicken or the egg' question. What's another unsolvable debate that you secretly have a strong opinion about?"
SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING
(5 minutes)
Have someone read the passage aloud, or invite two or three people to read it together in sections. Encourage the group to listen for something that surprises, challenges, or moves them.
Luke 23:32-43 (ESV)
"Two others, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him. And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' And they cast lots to divide his garments. And the people stood by watching, but the rulers scoffed at him, saying, 'He saved others; let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, his Chosen One!' The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine and saying, 'If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!' There was also an inscription over him, 'This is the King of the Jews.'
One of the criminals who were hanged railed at him, saying, 'Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!' But the other rebuked him, saying, 'Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong.' And he said, 'Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.' And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"
A Little Context:
This scene takes place at the very end of Jesus' life. He has been beaten, mocked, and nailed to a cross — one of the most brutal forms of execution ever devised. The word "excruciating" actually comes from the Latin ex cruce, meaning "from the cross" — the pain was so severe that a new word had to be invented to describe it. In the middle of that unimaginable suffering, Jesus speaks words of forgiveness and offers hope to a dying man. It is one of the most stunning moments in all of human history.
SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(30–45 minutes)
Work through as many questions as time allows. Questions are organized from lighter and observational to deeper and more personal. You don't need to cover every question — follow the conversation where it leads.
THEME A: What We See in the Text
Start here — these questions help the group engage with the passage before moving to application.
Question 1 (Observational — 3-5 minutes)
"As the passage was read, what word, phrase, or moment stood out to you most? Why do you think that particular thing caught your attention?"
[Leader Tip]: This is a great opening question because there's no wrong answer — everyone can share something different. If the group is quiet, share your own observation first to model vulnerability and get the conversation going.
Question 2 (Observational/Interpretive — 5 minutes)
"In this passage, we see two very different criminals responding to Jesus in two very different ways. What do you notice about the contrast between them? What do you think made the difference?"
[Leader Tip]: Encourage the group to look closely at the text. One criminal mocks Jesus and demands a rescue; the other acknowledges his guilt, defends Jesus, and simply asks to be remembered. The difference isn't knowledge or theology — it's humility and honest self-awareness.
Follow-up if discussion stalls:
"What did the second criminal seem to understand about himself — and about Jesus — that the first one didn't?"
Question 3 (Interpretive — 5 minutes)
"Pastor Drew pointed out that Jesus' prayer — 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do' — wasn't a blanket declaration of salvation for the soldiers. What do you think Jesus was doing in that moment? What does it tell us about his character that he prayed for his enemies while being tortured?"
THEME B: The Big Question — Forgiveness and Repentance
Question 4 (Interpretive — 5-7 minutes)
"Pastor Drew tackled the question: What comes first — repentance or forgiveness? He landed on two different answers depending on the situation. In your own words, how would you explain his conclusion to someone who wasn't at the service?"
[Leader Tip]: The key distinction from the sermon is this: When it comes to our enemies, we extend forgiveness before they repent — it frees us and may open the door for their transformation. When it comes to God, repentance comes before forgiveness and leads to salvation. Don't rush past this — it's the theological heart of the sermon. If the group seems confused, re-read the passage together and walk through it slowly.
A helpful summary to share if needed:
- Toward our enemies: Forgiveness before repentance — we offer it freely, as Jesus did for the soldiers.
- Toward God: Repentance before forgiveness — we come humbly, as the criminal did, acknowledging our need.
Question 5 (Personal — 5-7 minutes)
"Has there ever been a time when you found it genuinely difficult to forgive someone who hadn't apologized or asked for forgiveness? What made it hard — and what, if anything, helped you move toward forgiveness?"
[Leader Tip]: This question can surface real pain. Create a safe, non-pressured environment. Remind the group that forgiveness doesn't mean pretending something didn't hurt or that there are no consequences — it means releasing the debt, for our own freedom. If someone shares something heavy, acknowledge it with grace before moving on.
Question 6 (Interpretive/Application — 5 minutes)
"Pastor Drew said that when we forgive our enemies before they've repented, it 'frees us and hopefully helps them.' He even pointed to the centurion as an example — someone who witnessed Jesus' response and was transformed by it. What do you think that means practically? How might our willingness to forgive affect the people around us, even if they never know we've forgiven them?"
THEME C: Coming to Jesus Like the Criminal
Question 7 (Personal — 5-7 minutes)
"The criminal on the cross had no impressive credentials — no Bible knowledge, no church attendance, no perfect theology. He simply said, 'Jesus, remember me.' Pastor Drew called us to come to Jesus the same way: simply, humbly, desperately. What do you think gets in the way of people — maybe even us — coming to Jesus that simply?"
[Leader Tip]: This question often surfaces things like pride, shame, feeling like we need to "clean ourselves up first," or the belief that we have to understand everything before we can believe. All of these are worth exploring. Affirm that the criminal's prayer is one of the most beautiful and complete prayers in Scripture — and Jesus answered it immediately.
Question 8 (Personal/Application — 5 minutes)
"Pastor Drew mentioned that sometimes we find ourselves praying for the 'wrong Jesus' — the one who swoops in and rescues us from the consequences of our own choices, rather than the one who walks with us through hard things and saves us for eternity. Can you relate to that? What does it look like to reorient your expectations of Jesus when life gets hard?"
Question 9 (Community — 5 minutes)
"Pastor Drew said, 'Don't allow your pain to prevent you from extending mercy.' Think about a season of pain in your life — physical, emotional, relational. How did that pain affect your ability to be present for others or to extend grace? What helped you (or what do you wish had helped you) stay open-hearted during that time?"
SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION
(10–15 minutes)
These questions are for individual reflection. You can share them with the group and invite people to respond, or use them as a journaling exercise. Some people may prefer to keep their responses private — that's okay.
Invite the group to sit quietly for 1-2 minutes before sharing, to give everyone space to reflect.
Reflection Question 1:
"Is there someone in your life right now who has hurt you and hasn't asked for forgiveness? What would it look like — even just as a first step — to begin praying for them this week, the way Jesus prayed for his enemies?"
Reflection Question 2:
"The criminal came to Jesus with nothing but honesty and need. If you were to come before Jesus right now, simply and honestly, what would you say? What burden would you lay down? What would you ask him to remember about you?"
Reflection Question 3:
"Pastor Drew said the Lenten season should be less about what we're giving up and more about why — about recognizing the gift God gave us through Jesus. As Easter approaches, what is one specific way you want to intentionally make space to receive and reflect on that gift this week?"
Reflection Question 4 (Optional — for groups with more time):
"This sermon is part of a series called 'Broken to Beloved.' Where do you find yourself in that journey right now? Do you feel more 'broken' in this season, or are you experiencing what it means to be 'beloved'? What would help you take a step forward?"
✅ THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
Choose one — or all three if you're feeling bold:
Pray for an enemy. Identify one person who has hurt you and hasn't apologized. Pray for them — not for them to change or to face consequences, but simply for their wellbeing — every day this week.
Come simply. Set aside 5-10 minutes this week to sit quietly before God and pray the criminal's prayer in your own words: "Jesus, remember me." Let that be enough.
Prepare your heart for Easter. Read through the Holy Week story (Palm Sunday through Resurrection) in Luke chapters 19-24 before Easter Sunday. Let it be more than familiar — let it be fresh.
SECTION 5: PRAYER FOCUS
(5–10 minutes)
Close your time together in prayer. Here are some suggested focus areas based on the sermon. You can invite different people to pray for each one, or have one person pray through them all.
Suggested Prayer Topics:
Gratitude — Thank God for the "divine trade" at the center of Easter: his son's life for our salvation, his righteousness for our sin, his death for our life.
Forgiveness — Ask God to give your group the grace to forgive those who have hurt you — even before they ask. Pray for freedom from bitterness and resentment.
Humility — Pray that each person in your group would have the courage to come before God simply, honestly, and without pretense — like the criminal on the cross.
Enemies — Pray specifically for people who are difficult to love. Ask God to soften your heart toward them and to work in their lives.
The Church and Community — As the pastor prayed on Sunday, lift up your church, your community, and your nation — that revival would come, and that people would find their way back to the one thing that makes sense.
Those in Need — Pray for those in your group and church family who are facing health challenges, financial hardship, or spiritual struggle. You don't have to name names — God knows every need.
Optional Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that we are people on this side of the cross — that it is already finished, already accomplished. Thank you for reaching into this world and saving even wretched sinners like us. Help us to come before you day after day, humbly, simply, desperately in need of your mercy. And help us to extend that same mercy to the people around us. We pray this in your Son's holy name. Amen.
SECTION 6: OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE
(For groups wanting to go further — 15-20 additional minutes)
These questions are for groups with more time or theological curiosity. They're not required — use them if your group wants to dig deeper.
Deep Dive Question 1:
"Luke 23:34 records Jesus saying, 'Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.' Interestingly, some early manuscripts of Luke don't include this verse — it's one of the most discussed textual questions in the New Testament. But whether or not you're familiar with that debate, the bigger question is this: What does it mean that Jesus interceded for people who were actively sinning against him? How does this connect to what the New Testament says about Jesus as our ongoing intercessor before the Father? (See also Hebrews 7:25 and Romans 8:34.)"
Deep Dive Question 2:
"The sermon touched on the disciples' confusion — they expected a conquering Messiah who would overthrow Rome, not a suffering servant who would die on a cross. This misunderstanding is rooted in how they interpreted Old Testament prophecy. Why do you think God chose to fulfill the Messiah prophecies through suffering and sacrifice rather than military conquest? What does that tell us about the nature of God's kingdom and God's power?"
Related Scriptures for exploration:
- Isaiah 53:3-6 (the Suffering Servant)
- Philippians 2:5-11 (the humility of Christ)
- John 18:36 ("My kingdom is not of this world")
Deep Dive Question 3:
"The sermon series is called 'Broken to Beloved.' The criminal on the cross is perhaps the most extreme example of this journey in all of Scripture — a condemned man, moments from death, who receives the promise of paradise. What does his story tell us about the limits (or lack of limits) of God's grace? Are there people or situations where you find it hard to believe that grace could really reach that far? How does the criminal's story challenge or comfort you in that?"
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Related Scripture Passages for Personal Study This Week:
| Passage | Theme |
|---|---|
| Psalm 55:22 | "Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you" (referenced in the invocation) |
| Luke 9:51 | "He steadfastly set his face toward Jerusalem" (referenced in the sermon) |
| Isaiah 53:3-6 | The Suffering Servant prophecy |
| Romans 5:6-8 | "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" |
| Hebrews 12:2 | Jesus, "who for the joy set before him endured the cross" |
| Matthew 18:21-22 | Jesus on forgiving others — "seventy times seven" |
| Colossians 3:13 | "Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you" |
Looking Ahead: Next Sunday is Palm Sunday — the beginning of Holy Week. The sermon series continues through Easter. Consider reading Luke 19:28-44 (the Triumphal Entry) before Sunday to prepare your heart for the week ahead.
"Cast your burden on the Lord and he will sustain you." — Psalm 55:22
Guide prepared for Grace Church Small Groups "Broken to Beloved" Lenten Series Week of [Insert Date]
Permission granted to print and distribute for small group use within your congregation.