NT260 • Set 18
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 NT260 Discipleship Journal, but they can also be used by any small group, discipleship group, family, Sunday School class, one-on-one discipleship relationship, or individual studying John 18–21 and Acts 1.
This Set’s Big Idea
Jesus willingly lays down His life, triumphs over death through His resurrection, restores His followers, commissions them to continue His mission, and empowers them through the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.
As you read, watch how Jesus remains faithful during His arrest and trials, willingly dies on the cross as the Lamb of God, rises victoriously from the grave, restores Peter after his failure, commissions His followers to make Him known, and ascends to the Father while promising the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit for the mission ahead.
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 this week’s readings and record at least one observation and one application 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 conversation centered on Jesus and practical obedience.
- Encourage everyone to participate, but never pressure anyone to speak.
- Make room for both interpretation and personal application.
- Handle conversations about failure, shame, grief, doubt, fear, or spiritual disappointment with patience and grace.
- These chapters move from Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion to His resurrection, Peter’s restoration, and the disciples’ mission. Do not rush past the cross or treat the resurrection as merely an inspiring conclusion. Help the group see that forgiveness, restoration, and mission are possible because Jesus truly died, rose from the grave, reigns as Lord, and gives His followers the Holy Spirit.
- Avoid reducing Peter’s restoration to a message about trying harder after failure. Jesus does not restore Peter because Peter proves himself worthy. Restoration begins with the grace of the risen Christ and leads to renewed obedience.
- Leave enough time for accountability, encouragement, and prayer.
This Set’s Readings
- John 18 — Jesus Willingly Surrenders, Peter Denies Him, and the True King Stands Before Pilate
- John 19 — Jesus Is Crucified, Completes His Saving Work, and Is Buried
- John 20 — Jesus Rises from the Dead, Appears to His Followers, and Sends His Disciples
- John 21 — Jesus Provides for His Disciples, Restores Peter, and Calls Him to Follow Faithfully
- Acts 1 — The Risen Jesus Commissions His Followers, Ascends to Heaven, and Promises the Holy Spirit’s Power
NT260 • Set 18
Small Group Discussion Questions
Icebreaker
- Think about someone who has made a significant impact on your life. What qualities or actions made that person so influential?
Digging Into the Text
- Looking across John 18–21 and Acts 1, what major movement or progression do you see from the beginning of the readings to the end?
- In John 18, Jesus steps forward and willingly identifies Himself to those coming to arrest Him. What does this reveal about His authority and His willingness to accomplish the Father’s plan?
- John intentionally contrasts Jesus’ faithfulness with Peter’s denial. What stands out to you about these two responses, and what can believers learn from both?
- Jesus tells Pilate that His kingdom is “not of this world.” What does Jesus teach us about the nature of His kingdom and the way His followers are called to live?
- Throughout Jesus’ trials and crucifixion, where do you see God’s sovereign plan unfolding even through sinful human actions?
- Jesus’ final words, “It is finished,” are among the most important statements in Scripture. What do you believe Jesus finished at the cross?
- Why is the resurrection absolutely essential to the Christian faith? What would be lost if Jesus had only died but had not risen?
- What details in John 20 strengthen your confidence that the resurrection was a real historical event rather than simply a symbolic story?
- Mary Magdalene recognizes Jesus when He calls her by name. What does this moment teach us about Jesus’ relationship with His followers?
- Jesus repeatedly greets His disciples with the words, “Peace be with you.” Why do you think peace is one of His first gifts after the resurrection?
- Thomas struggled with doubt until he encountered the risen Christ. What encouragement does Thomas’ story offer to believers who wrestle with questions or seasons of uncertainty?
- John says he wrote his Gospel so people would believe that Jesus is the Messiah and have life through His name. Looking back over John’s Gospel, how have these chapters strengthened that purpose?
- Why do you think Jesus restored Peter publicly after Peter had publicly denied Him?
- Three times Jesus tells Peter to care for His sheep. What does this teach us about Christian leadership and discipleship?
- Peter becomes concerned about another disciple’s future, but Jesus simply tells him, “You follow Me.” Why is comparison such a danger in the Christian life?
- Acts opens with Jesus commissioning His followers before ascending into heaven. Why do you think Jesus tells them to wait for the Holy Spirit before beginning their mission?
- Acts 1:8 serves as the outline for the entire book of Acts. What does it teach us about God’s heart for the nations and His plan for spreading the gospel?
- After Jesus ascends, the disciples devote themselves to prayer while waiting. Why is prayer such an important foundation for every work of ministry?
- Looking across this entire set, what repeated theme do you see connecting Jesus’ death, resurrection, Peter’s restoration, the Great Commission, and the coming of the Holy Spirit?
- If you had to summarize the message of John 18–21 and Acts 1 in one sentence, what would you say?
Leader Note
John 18–21 and Acts 1 tell one continuous story. These chapters are not simply about Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension; they reveal how the risen Christ transforms fearful, failing disciples into faithful witnesses. Everything changes because Jesus willingly goes to the cross, conquers death, restores His followers, and sends them into the world with the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Notice how often human weakness appears throughout these chapters. Peter denies Jesus. Pilate compromises. Thomas doubts. The disciples hide behind locked doors. Even after the resurrection they still misunderstand parts of God’s kingdom. Yet Jesus patiently meets each person where they are. He brings peace to fearful hearts, restores broken disciples, strengthens weak faith, and prepares ordinary people for extraordinary kingdom work.
Resist turning these chapters into a collection of moral lessons like “Don’t deny Jesus,” “Don’t doubt,” or “Be a better witness.” Those applications matter, but they flow from something much greater. The good news is not primarily what the disciples accomplish for Jesus—it is what Jesus accomplishes for them. Because He finished the work of salvation, defeated death, and sent the Holy Spirit, His followers can now faithfully continue His mission.
Encourage your group to continually ask, “How has the risen Jesus changed His followers?” before asking, “What should I do?” Healthy discipleship always begins with Christ’s finished work before moving toward faithful obedience and mission.
Love God
- Which scene from this week’s readings most increased your love and appreciation for Jesus, and why?
- Jesus declared, “It is finished.” Are there areas where you still struggle to rest in Christ’s finished work instead of trying to earn God’s acceptance?
- Thomas moved from doubt to worship after encountering the risen Christ. Is there an area where Jesus is inviting you to trust Him more fully today?
- Before sending His disciples, Jesus instructed them to wait on God’s timing and the Holy Spirit’s power. Is there an area where God may be asking you to trust Him instead of rushing ahead on your own?
- Jesus’ final command to Peter was simply, “Follow Me.” What would faithfully following Jesus look like for you this week?
Connect with Others
- Jesus restored Peter after one of his greatest failures. Is there someone in your life who needs grace, encouragement, or a fresh opportunity instead of continued condemnation?
- Peter became distracted by comparing himself to another disciple, but Jesus redirected his focus. Where does comparison tend to steal your joy or distract you from faithfully following Christ?
- The disciples remained united in prayer as they waited for God’s direction. How can our small group become more intentional about encouraging and praying for one another throughout the week?
- Is there a relationship that God may be prompting you to strengthen, restore, or invest in over the coming days?
Serve Others
- Jesus prepared breakfast for His disciples before sending them back into ministry. What simple act of kindness or practical service could you offer someone this week?
- Three times Jesus told Peter to care for His people. Who has God placed in your life that could benefit from your encouragement, prayer, or spiritual investment?
- What gift, skill, or opportunity has God entrusted to you that could help strengthen His church or bless someone in need this week?
Share the Gospel
- Jesus commissioned His followers to be His witnesses. How does remembering Christ’s resurrection give you confidence to speak about Him with others?
- Acts 1:8 reminds us that God’s mission begins where we are and extends to the ends of the earth. Who is someone in your everyday life who needs to hear about Jesus?
- Is there an opportunity this week to invite someone to church, your small group, or simply begin a spiritual conversation with them?
- Who is one specific person you will intentionally pray for and seek to point toward Christ during the coming week?
Closing Challenge
Jesus willingly lays down His life, triumphs over death through His resurrection, restores His followers, commissions them to continue His mission, and empowers them through the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth.
These chapters remind us that the story does not end at the cross or even at the empty tomb. The risen Jesus seeks out fearful disciples, restores those who have failed, calls ordinary people to follow Him, and sends them into the world with the power of the Holy Spirit. His mission continues through His people today.
Where is Jesus inviting you to take your next step this week—from guilt to grace, fear to faith, doubt to worship, comparison to faithful discipleship, passive belief to active obedience, or silence to becoming a faithful witness for Christ?
Scripture to Remember
Acts 1:8
Before ascending to heaven, Jesus promised that His followers would receive the power of the Holy Spirit and become His witnesses—from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
This verse serves as the bridge between the Gospels and the book of Acts. The mission Jesus began during His earthly ministry now continues through His Spirit-empowered people. We are not called to witness in our own strength but through the power God provides.
This week: Read Acts 1:8 each morning, write it once in your journal, reflect on what it means to be Christ’s witness where God has placed you, and ask the Holy Spirit to give you courage and opportunities to share your faith.
This Week’s Practice
Follow Jesus and Point Someone to Him
Peter’s story reminds us that failure is never the end when we encounter the grace of the risen Christ. This week, begin each day by thanking Jesus for His finished work on the cross and asking Him to help you faithfully follow Him wherever He leads.
Then intentionally look for one opportunity to encourage another believer, serve someone in a practical way, or begin a spiritual conversation with someone who needs Christ. Remember, Jesus has not only restored His followers—He has sent them.
As you end each day, ask yourself, “How did I follow Jesus today, and how did I help someone else move one step closer to Him?”
Prayer Focus
Living as Witnesses of the Risen Christ
Pray together that your group would experience the same transforming power displayed throughout these chapters—the power of Christ’s finished work, His resurrection, His restoring grace, and the Holy Spirit’s presence.
- Thank God that Jesus willingly gave His life and completed the work of salvation.
- Praise Him for the hope and assurance found in Christ’s resurrection.
- Ask God to restore areas of failure, discouragement, or fear in your own life.
- Pray for greater dependence on the Holy Spirit rather than your own strength.
- Ask God to give each member of your group opportunities and courage to be faithful witnesses for Jesus this week.
Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for sending Your Son to accomplish what we never could. Thank You that Jesus willingly died for our sins, rose victorious over death, restores those who trust Him, and continues His work through His church. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so that we will faithfully follow Christ, love others well, and boldly share the hope of the gospel wherever You send us. May our lives point people to the risen King. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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