The Gospels • Set 9
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 teaches that God’s kingdom is priceless, growing, and certain, while revealing His authority over sickness, storms, demons, death, and despair.
As you read, watch how Jesus describes the hidden and priceless value of the kingdom, confronts unbelief, calms the storm, delivers the oppressed, heals the suffering, and raises the dead.
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
- Mark 4:21–29 — Lamp Under a Basket and the Growing Seed
- Matthew 13:24–43 — Wheat, Weeds, Mustard Seed, Leaven, and the Kingdom
- Matthew 13:44–58 — Hidden Treasure, Pearl, Net, and Rejection at Nazareth
- Matthew 8:14–34 — Healings, Cost of Following, Storm, and Demons
- Mark 5:21–43 — Jairus’ Daughter and the Woman with the Issue of Blood
The Gospels • Set 9
Small Group Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
- Have you ever discovered something was far more valuable than you first realized? What changed your perspective?
Digging Into the Text
- What do the parables in Mark 4 and Matthew 13 teach us about the way God’s kingdom grows?
- Why do you think Jesus compares the kingdom to treasure and a pearl of great value?
- What does the parable of the wheat and weeds teach us about patience, judgment, and trusting God’s timing?
- In Matthew 13:53–58, Jesus is rejected in His hometown. Why can familiarity sometimes make people resistant to Jesus?
- In Matthew 8, Jesus shows authority over sickness, storms, and demons. Which scene stands out to you most, and why?
- What does Jesus calming the storm teach us about fear and faith?
- In Mark 5, both Jairus and the suffering woman come to Jesus in desperation. What do their stories teach us about faith?
- Across these readings, how do Jesus’ parables and miracles work together to reveal who He is?
Leader Note
This set brings together kingdom teaching and kingdom power. Jesus teaches that the kingdom may seem hidden, small, or slow-growing, but it is priceless and certain. Then He demonstrates that the King has authority over sickness, creation, evil, uncleanness, and death itself.
Love God
- What truth about Jesus’ authority encouraged or challenged you most this week?
- Where do you need to treasure God’s kingdom above comfort, approval, control, or earthly security?
- How does Jesus’ power over sickness, storms, demons, and death deepen your worship?
Connect with Others
- Who has helped you trust Jesus during a fearful or desperate season?
- How can this group encourage one another to trust God when His kingdom seems hidden or slow-growing?
- Is there anyone in your life who needs you to patiently walk with them toward Jesus?
Serve Others
- Who around you is hurting, afraid, isolated, or desperate and may need Christlike compassion this week?
- What is one practical way you can serve someone who is waiting on God or walking through suffering?
Share the Gospel
- How can the priceless value of God’s kingdom shape the way we talk about Jesus with others?
- Who is one person you can pray for and move toward with the hope of Jesus this week?
Closing Challenge
Jesus teaches that God’s kingdom is priceless, growing, and certain, while revealing His authority over sickness, storms, demons, death, and despair.
The kingdom is worth everything, and the King is worthy of our trust.
What is one area where Jesus is calling you to treasure His kingdom more deeply or trust His authority more fully this week?
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 and His kingdom?
- Have you treated God’s kingdom as priceless, or has something else captured your heart?
- Where are fear, desperation, or unbelief keeping you from trusting Jesus’ authority?
Connect with Others
- Have your relationships reflected patience, faith, compassion, and encouragement this week?
- Is there anyone you need to encourage, forgive, reconcile with, or pray for?
- Have you allowed others to walk with you through fear, suffering, or waiting?
Serve Others
- How have you used your time, gifts, or resources to serve others this week?
- Is comfort, fear, busyness, or self-protection keeping you from serving someone in need?
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 fear, unbelief, suffering, temptation, or misplaced treasure 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 talk about the value of the kingdom, but to treasure Christ more deeply, trust His authority more fully, and move toward others with patient, compassionate faith.
Continue studying: Return to The Gospels Set 9 Study Resources
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