The Gospels • Set 8
Discussion & Heart Check Questions
Small group discussion questions and accountability tools designed to help disciples grow in their love for God, connect with others, serve others, and share the gospel.
These questions were created to accompany The Gospels Discipleship Journal, but they can also be used by any small group, discipleship group, family, or individual studying these passages.
This Set’s Big Idea
Jesus reveals His authority, welcomes repentant sinners, confronts unbelief, and calls people to receive His word with faithful and fruitful hearts.
As you read, watch how Jesus heals, raises the dead, answers John’s doubts, forgives a sinful woman, confronts hard hearts, redefines true family, and teaches that the condition of the heart determines how people respond to God’s Word.
How to Use These Questions
These questions are a guide, not a script. You do not need to answer every question. The goal is to help your group engage Scripture, encourage one another, and take a clear next step of obedience.
Before meeting, encourage everyone to complete the set’s readings and record at least one observation and one application from the passage using PETS or another preferred Bible study method.
Suggested Small Group Meeting Flow
Use this as a flexible guide for a 1–1.5 hour weekly gathering. Adjust as needed for your group.
Meet up, catch up, and reconnect from the week.
Open in prayer and ask God to use His Word.
Share PETS insights from the week’s readings. Let everyone share briefly.
Discuss selected passage questions. The facilitator should choose a few, not all.
Use a few Heart Check questions for honest accountability and encouragement.
Share prayer requests, praises, and close in prayer.
Leader Tips
- You do not need to answer every question.
- Choose the questions most relevant to your group.
- Focus on application, not just information.
- Encourage everyone to participate, but do not force anyone to share.
- Leave enough time for prayer and honest encouragement.
This Set’s Readings
- Luke 7:1–17 — The Centurion’s Faith and Jesus Raises a Widow’s Son
- Luke 7:18–35 — Jesus Answers John’s Question and Confronts Unbelief
- Luke 7:36–8:3 — A Sinful Woman Forgiven and Women Who Supported Jesus’ Ministry
- Matthew 12:22–50 — Jesus Confronts Hard Hearts and Redefines True Family
- Matthew 13:1–23 — The Parable of the Sower
The Gospels • Set 8
Small Group Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
- Have you ever had a moment when your expectations were challenged, but it helped you see something more clearly?
Digging Into the Text
- What stands out to you about the centurion’s faith in Luke 7:1–10?
- Jesus raises a widow’s son in Luke 7:11–17. What does this miracle reveal about His compassion and authority?
- John the Baptist wrestled with questions while in prison. What can we learn from the way Jesus responded to John’s doubts?
- Why do you think some people rejected both John’s message and Jesus’ ministry?
- In Luke 7:36–50, what contrast do you see between Simon the Pharisee and the sinful woman?
- Jesus says, “Her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown.” What does this teach us about forgiveness, gratitude, and love?
- In Matthew 12, Jesus’ opponents witness His power but still harden their hearts. What warnings should we take from their response?
- In the Parable of the Sower, what do the different soils reveal about the ways people respond to God’s Word?
Leader Note
These passages repeatedly show different responses to Jesus: humble faith, honest questions, grateful love, hard-hearted resistance, and fruitful reception of God’s Word. Help your group focus not only on what Jesus does, but also on how people respond to Him.
Love God
- What truth about Jesus’ authority, compassion, or forgiveness encouraged you most this week?
- Where do you need to bring honest questions or doubts to Jesus instead of hiding them?
- How does remembering how much you have been forgiven deepen your love for Christ?
Connect with Others
- How can we become a group where people can honestly bring questions, doubts, and struggles to Jesus?
- Is there anyone you have looked down on like Simon looked down on the sinful woman?
- How can this group help one another receive God’s Word with humble and fruitful hearts?
Serve Others
- Jesus moved toward the grieving widow with compassion. Who might God be calling you to notice, comfort, or serve this week?
- What is one practical way you can show mercy to someone who is hurting, questioning, or overlooked?
Share the Gospel
- How can the forgiveness shown in Luke 7 help us explain the good news of Jesus?
- Who is one person you can pray for and move toward with the hope of Jesus this week?
Closing Challenge
Jesus reveals His authority, welcomes repentant sinners, confronts unbelief, and calls people to receive His word with faithful and fruitful hearts.
Across these readings, the question is not only what Jesus reveals about Himself, but what kind of heart we bring before Him.
Which “soil” best describes the condition of your heart toward God’s Word right now, and what needs to change?
Small Group Accountability
Weekly Heart Check
How to Use These Questions
These questions are meant to help the group move beyond information and into honest discipleship. Use them with grace, humility, and confidentiality. The goal is not shame, but spiritual growth as we help one another follow Jesus.
Love God
- How has your time in God’s Word been this week?
- What did these readings teach you about Jesus?
- Have you brought your doubts, questions, grief, or needs honestly to Jesus?
- How has God’s Word been taking root in your heart this week?
Connect with Others
- Have your relationships reflected humility, compassion, forgiveness, and love this week?
- Is there anyone you need to forgive, encourage, confess to, pray for, or reconcile with?
- Have you judged someone harshly instead of seeing them through the mercy of Jesus?
Serve Others
- How have you used your time, gifts, or resources to serve others this week?
- Is fear, pride, busyness, or spiritual hardness keeping you from showing compassion?
Share the Gospel
- Did your words, attitude, love, or actions point anyone toward Jesus this week?
- If so, what happened?
- If not, who is one person you can intentionally pray for and move toward this week?
Honest Accountability
- What doubt, fear, sin, distraction, hard-heartedness, or hidden struggle has been most difficult this week?
- Is there anything hidden that needs to be brought into the light?
- What is one thing you need prayer for today?
Leader Reminder: The goal is not simply to study different responses to Jesus, but to respond personally with humble faith, honest dependence, grateful love, repentance, fruitful hearing, and gospel witness.
Continue studying: Return to The Gospels Set 8 Study Resources
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