GROWTH QUESTION #1
Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?
MERCY AT THE CROSS
MEETING AGENDA
- OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
- GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
- ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
- TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
- GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
- CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.
GROWTH QUESTION #2
What did you learn from this week’s sermon?
GROWTH QUESTION #3
What was your most important accomplishment this week?
TODAY’S PASSAGE:
Luke 23:32-43 (NLT)
Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. 35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”
39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” 43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.
opening question
What did you learn from what we just read?
truth #1
JESUS HAS MERCY FOR US, EVEN IN OUR LOWEST MOMENTS (V. 32-38)
- As Jesus hung on the cross, He was mocked, rejected, beaten, and humiliated by the people around Him.
- The religious leaders mocked Him. The soldiers mocked Him. Even one of the criminals crucified beside Him mocked Him.
- Yet instead of responding with anger, Jesus responded with mercy.
- Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”
- This shows us the heart of God. Even in suffering, Jesus was still thinking about the salvation and forgiveness of others.
Ephesians 4:32 (NLT) - “Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”
- Many times, our natural response when people hurt us is revenge, bitterness, or anger. But Jesus demonstrates a completely different spirit. He teaches us that mercy is stronger than hatred.
- Because Jesus has forgiven us, we are also called to forgive others.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
Why do you think forgiveness can be so difficult when we’ve been deeply hurt by someone?
truth #2
EVERY PERSON MUST CHOOSE HOW THEY WILL RESPOND TO JESUS (V. 39-42)
- Both criminals were close to Jesus. Both heard Him speak. Both saw the same events taking place. Yet they responded in completely different ways.
- One criminal mocked Jesus and demanded that Jesus save him physically. He wanted rescue from consequences, but he did not truly repent.
- The other criminal recognized his own sinfulness. He admitted that he deserved judgment and acknowledged that Jesus was innocent.
- Then he turned to Jesus in faith and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
Romans 10:9 (NLT) - “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
- This reminds us that being near spiritual things is not enough. Every person must personally decide whether they will reject Jesus or surrender to Him.
- Salvation begins when we humble ourselves, repent of sin, and place our faith in Jesus Christ.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
What do you think made the second criminal respond differently than the first?
truth #3
NO ONE IS TOO FAR GONE FOR GOD’S GRACE (V. 43)
- Jesus responded to the criminal with incredible mercy: “Today you will be with me in paradise.”
- This man had lived a sinful life. He had broken the law and was suffering the consequences of his actions. Yet in his final moments, he turned to Jesus in genuine faith and received forgiveness and salvation.
- This reveals the power of God’s grace.
- No one is beyond the reach of Jesus.
- No past is too broken.
- No life is too sinful for God to redeem.
- The thief on the cross could not earn salvation through good works. He could only receive it by faith.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) - “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God.”
- At the same time, this story is not teaching us to delay repentance or take God’s grace lightly. The thief responded to Jesus with genuine humility and repentance.
- God’s grace is meant to transform our lives, not give us permission to continue living in sin.
Romans 6:1-2 (NLT) - “Should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not!”
- True salvation always leads to a changed heart.
interactive QUESTION
What does the story of the thief on the cross teach us about the grace and mercy of Jesus?
closing QUESTION
What is one thing you learned from today’s lesson that you will apply this week?
GIVING
Giving generously ensures that we will have all that we need and that we become channels through which God's abundance flows to the lives of others.
2 Corinthians 9:8 (NLT)
And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.
Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.
PRAY
QUESTION #1
Who are you praying for to be saved?
QUESTION #2
Who can you invite to the next meeting?
QUESTION #3
What are your prayer requests?