The Gospels • Set 19
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 calls people to believe in the light, respond to God with genuine obedience, love Him wholeheartedly, give with sincere devotion, and live faithfully prepared for His return.
As you read, watch how Jesus speaks about His coming death, confronts empty claims of obedience, answers attempts to trap Him, identifies love for God and neighbor as the greatest commands, honors sacrificial giving, and teaches His disciples to remain ready and faithful.
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 passages 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 12:20–50 — Jesus Speaks About His Death and Calls People to Walk in the Light
- Matthew 21:28–46 — Genuine Obedience and the Rejection of God’s Son
- Luke 20:20–40 — Jesus Answers Questions About Caesar and the Resurrection
- Mark 12:28–44 — The Greatest Commandments and the Widow’s Offering
- Matthew 25:1–30 — The Ten Bridesmaids and the Faithful Servants
The Gospels • Set 19
Small Group Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
- Have you ever prepared for something important long before it happened? What motivated you to stay ready?
Digging Into the Text
- In John 12, Jesus compares His death to a grain of wheat falling into the ground. What does this picture reveal about His mission and the way His followers are called to live?
- Jesus tells people to walk in the light while they still have the opportunity. What does it mean to believe in and walk in the light?
- John says some leaders believed in Jesus but would not confess Him because they loved human praise more than God’s praise. What warning does this give us about fear, reputation, and genuine discipleship?
- In the parable of the two sons, which son truly obeyed the father? What does this teach us about the difference between words and obedience?
- What does the parable of the wicked tenants reveal about humanity’s rejection of God’s authority and God’s Son?
- Jesus said to give Caesar what belongs to Caesar and give God what belongs to God. What belongs to God, and how should that shape the way we live?
- What does Jesus’ answer to the Sadducees teach us about the resurrection, eternal life, and the power of God?
- Why do you think Jesus identified loving God and loving our neighbor as the greatest commandments?
- How are love for God and love for others connected? Why is it impossible to separate them in faithful discipleship?
- What impressed Jesus about the widow’s offering even though the amount she gave was small?
- What does the parable of the ten bridesmaids teach us about spiritual readiness and the danger of assuming there will always be more time?
- What does the parable of the servants teach us about fear, faithfulness, responsibility, and using what God has entrusted to us?
- Across these readings, what is the difference between religious appearance and genuine faithfulness?
Leader Note
Throughout these passages, Jesus exposes the difference between appearance and authenticity. Some people speak obediently but do not obey. Religious leaders know Scripture yet reject God’s Son. Some believe privately but fear public identification with Jesus. The widow quietly demonstrates wholehearted devotion, while the faithful servants actively use what their master entrusted to them.
Encourage your group to examine not only what they profess, but whether their lives demonstrate genuine love, obedience, generosity, stewardship, and readiness. The question is not simply whether we know the right words, but whether we are walking in the light and faithfully responding to the King.
Love God
- What truth about Jesus’ identity, sacrifice, authority, or promised return encouraged or challenged you most this week?
- Are there any areas where you say the right things about God but are resisting actual obedience?
- What would it look like for you to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength this week?
Connect with Others
- How has your love for God been expressed in the way you treat the people around you?
- Is there someone you have found difficult to love, forgive, encourage, or serve?
- How can this group help one another remain spiritually awake, faithful, and prepared for Christ’s return?
Serve Others
- What time, gift, opportunity, relationship, or resource has God entrusted to you that you need to use more faithfully?
- Has fear, comparison, insecurity, or desire for comfort caused you to bury something God intended you to use?
Share the Gospel
- Jesus calls people to believe in the light while there is still opportunity. How should that urgency shape the way we share the gospel?
- Who is one person you can intentionally pray for and point toward Jesus this week?
Closing Challenge
Jesus calls people to believe in the light, respond to God with genuine obedience, love Him wholeheartedly, give with sincere devotion, and live faithfully prepared for His return.
One son spoke respectfully but did not obey. Religious leaders knew Scripture but rejected God’s Son. Some believed but feared human opinion. A widow quietly gave everything she had. Faithful servants used what their master entrusted to them, while another buried his opportunity in fear.
If Jesus examined your life today, would He find genuine faithfulness or merely religious activity? What needs to change?
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 love God, obey His Word, serve faithfully, and live ready for Christ’s return.
Love God
- How has your time in God’s Word and prayer been this week?
- What did these readings reveal to you about Jesus?
- Have your actions matched what you say you believe?
- Have fear of people, desire for approval, or love of comfort kept you from openly following Jesus?
Connect with Others
- Have your relationships reflected love, humility, faithfulness, and compassion this week?
- Is there anyone you need to forgive, encourage, reconcile with, or serve?
- Have you claimed to love God while withholding love from someone around you?
Serve Others
- How have you used your time, gifts, opportunities, or resources to serve God and others this week?
- Have fear, laziness, busyness, or insecurity caused you to bury what God entrusted to you?
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 this week?
Honest Accountability
- What hypocrisy, fear, pride, selfishness, laziness, greed, or hidden sin has been most difficult this week?
- Is there any act of obedience you know God is calling you to take but you continue to delay?
- How can this group specifically pray for you today?
Leader Reminder: Keep pointing the group toward genuine faithfulness rather than religious appearance. Jesus calls His disciples to walk in the light, obey rather than merely speak, love God and others wholeheartedly, give with sincere devotion, use what He has entrusted to them, and remain ready for His return.
Continue studying: Return to The Gospels Set 19 Study Resources
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