The Gospels • Set 17
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 Himself as the resurrection and the life, calls His disciples to grateful faith and persistent prayer, welcomes the humble, and teaches that entering God’s kingdom requires wholehearted trust rather than self-reliance.
As you read, watch how Jesus raises Lazarus, calls people to recognize the kingdom, honors gratitude and humble faith, teaches persistence in prayer, welcomes children, upholds God’s design for marriage, and confronts the false security of wealth and self-righteousness.
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.
Connect, catch up, and celebrate how God worked during the week.
Pray and invite the Holy Spirit to teach through His Word.
Share PETS observations and applications from the week’s readings.
Work through selected discussion questions together.
Use Heart Check questions for honest accountability and encouragement.
Share prayer requests and close by praying for one another.
Leader Tips
- You do not need to answer every question.
- Select the questions that best fit your group.
- Keep the discussion centered on Jesus and practical obedience.
- Encourage everyone to participate, but never pressure anyone to speak.
- Leave time for accountability and prayer.
This Set’s Readings
- John 11:17–57 — Jesus Raises Lazarus and Reveals Himself as the Resurrection and the Life
- Luke 17:11–37 — Gratitude, the Kingdom of God, and the Coming of the Son of Man
- Luke 18:1–14 — Persistent Prayer and Humble Dependence on God’s Mercy
- Matthew 19:1–15 — Marriage, Faithfulness, and Receiving the Kingdom Like a Child
- Mark 10:17–31 — The Rich Man and the Cost of Wholehearted Discipleship
The Gospels • Set 17
Small Group Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
- What is something you once thought you could not live without but later realized was not nearly as important as you imagined?
Digging Into the Text
- In John 11, Jesus tells Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life.” What does this reveal about who Jesus is and the hope He offers?
- Jesus knew He would raise Lazarus, yet He still wept with those who were grieving. What does this teach us about His compassion and His response to human suffering?
- People responded differently after Lazarus was raised. Some believed in Jesus, while others reported Him to the religious leaders. Why can the same evidence lead people to very different conclusions?
- Ten men were healed in Luke 17, but only one returned to thank Jesus. What does the grateful Samaritan teach us about recognizing grace rather than simply receiving benefits?
- Jesus says the kingdom of God is already among them, yet He also speaks about the future coming of the Son of Man. How should this shape the way disciples live today?
- What does the persistent widow teach us about prayer, discouragement, and continuing to trust God when answers seem delayed?
- What contrast do you see between the Pharisee and the tax collector in Luke 18? Why did Jesus say the tax collector went home justified?
- In Matthew 19, how does Jesus’ teaching about marriage reflect God’s original design, covenant faithfulness, and the seriousness of discipleship?
- Why do you think Jesus says people must receive the kingdom of God like little children?
- The rich man appeared moral, sincere, and spiritually interested, yet he walked away sorrowful. What did his response reveal about the true condition of his heart?
- Across these readings, what is the difference between trusting Jesus and trusting our own goodness, possessions, status, understanding, or control?
Leader Note
Although these passages cover several different events, they all point toward one central truth: Jesus calls people to trust Him completely. Martha must trust Him before she sees Lazarus raised. The grateful leper returns in faith while nine others continue on their way. The widow refuses to stop praying. The tax collector depends on God’s mercy instead of his own righteousness. Children receive the kingdom with simple trust, while the rich man walks away because he cannot surrender what he loves most.
Help your group ask not only, “Do I believe in Jesus?” but also, “What am I still trusting instead of Him?” Genuine faith does not merely agree with truths about Jesus. It receives His mercy, rests in His power, persists in prayer, responds with gratitude, and surrenders whatever competes with Him.
Love God
- What truth about Jesus as the resurrection and the life encouraged or challenged you most this week?
- Where are you tempted to rely on yourself instead of trusting Christ completely?
- How is Jesus inviting you to grow in humble faith, persistent prayer, gratitude, or wholehearted surrender?
Connect with Others
- Jesus entered Mary and Martha’s grief with compassion and hope. How can you walk alongside someone who is hurting this week?
- Are pride, comparison, self-righteousness, or resentment affecting any of your relationships?
- How can this group encourage one another to keep trusting God when answers seem delayed?
Serve Others
- Jesus welcomed children, honored the humble, and cared for those others overlooked. Who can you intentionally notice, encourage, or serve this week?
- Is there something God has entrusted to you—your time, gifts, possessions, or influence—that you can use more intentionally for His kingdom?
Share the Gospel
- How does Jesus’ claim to be “the resurrection and the life” give hope to people facing fear, grief, uncertainty, or death?
- Who is one person you can intentionally pray for and point toward the hope found in Christ this week?
Closing Challenge
Jesus alone is the resurrection and the life. Every passage in this set asks the same question: Will you trust Him completely?
Martha trusted Jesus before seeing the miracle. One healed leper returned with gratitude. A persistent widow refused to stop praying. A tax collector depended entirely on God’s mercy. Children received the kingdom with open hands. The rich young ruler walked away because he trusted his possessions more than Christ.
Where is Jesus inviting you to exchange self-reliance for wholehearted trust this week?
Small Group Accountability
Weekly Heart Check
How to Use These Questions
These questions are designed to move the conversation beyond information and into transformation. Answer honestly, listen well, pray for one another, and remember that the goal is not perfection, but growing together as disciples who increasingly trust and follow Jesus.
Love God
- How has your time with God been this week?
- What did these readings teach you about Jesus?
- Have you continued bringing your needs to God in persistent prayer, or have discouragement and delay caused you to give up?
- Are you trusting Jesus more than your own abilities, possessions, reputation, or plans?
Connect with Others
- Have your relationships reflected humility, gratitude, patience, and compassion this week?
- Is there anyone you need to forgive, encourage, reconcile with, or support?
- Have pride or self-righteousness affected the way you see or treat someone else?
Serve Others
- How have you used your time, gifts, possessions, or resources to serve others this week?
- Have comfort, busyness, fear, or attachment to possessions kept you from serving faithfully?
Share the Gospel
- Did you have an opportunity to point someone toward Jesus this week?
- If so, what happened?
- If not, who is one person you can intentionally pray for and move toward with the hope of Christ?
Honest Accountability
- What fear, pride, greed, self-reliance, unbelief, or hidden sin has been your greatest struggle this week?
- Is there anything Jesus is asking you to surrender that you continue to hold onto?
- How can this group specifically pray for you today?
Leader Reminder: Keep pointing the group back to Jesus. Every passage this week invites us away from self-reliance and toward wholehearted trust in Christ. Encourage honest conversation, celebrate God’s grace, and remind one another that the Christian life is not about earning God’s favor but following the One who is the resurrection, the life, and the Good Shepherd.
Continue studying: Return to The Gospels Set 17 Study Resources
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