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
The crucified and risen Jesus saves, restores, and sends His people to continue His mission through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As you read, watch how Jesus willingly surrenders during His arrest, remains faithful through His trials, completes His saving work on the cross, rises victoriously from the grave, brings peace to fearful disciples, restores Peter after failure, commissions His followers, ascends to the Father, and promises the power 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, the gospel, 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. 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.
- Acts 1 emphasizes dependence on the Holy Spirit. Help the group resist turning mission into something accomplished through personality, pressure, technique, or human effort alone.
- 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 of a time when something you thought was over unexpectedly became the beginning of something new. What happened?
Digging Into the Text
- Looking across John 18–21 and Acts 1, what major movement do you see from Jesus’ arrest to the disciples waiting in Jerusalem?
- In John 18, Jesus steps forward and identifies Himself to the soldiers who came to arrest Him. What does His response reveal about His authority and willingness to fulfill the Father’s plan?
- John places Jesus’ faithfulness beside Peter’s repeated denial. What contrast do you notice between them, and why is that contrast important?
- Jesus tells Pilate that His kingdom is not from this world. How does His kingship differ from the kinds of power represented by Pilate and the political authorities around Him?
- How does John 18 prepare us to understand the crucifixion not merely as something done to Jesus, but as something He willingly walks toward?
- Throughout John 19, Jesus appears powerless while human rulers make decisions about His life. Where does John remind us that God’s purpose is still being fulfilled?
- Jesus declares, “It is finished.” In the context of John’s Gospel, what has Jesus completed through His death?
- John carefully records details surrounding Jesus’ death and burial. Why is it important to Christian faith that Jesus truly died rather than merely appearing to die?
- John 19 ends with Jesus in a tomb, while John 20 begins with the stone already removed. How does that transition change everything the disciples thought they knew about what had happened?
- Mary Magdalene recognizes Jesus when He calls her by name. What does this scene reveal about the risen Christ’s relationship with His followers?
- Jesus enters a room filled with frightened disciples and says, “Peace be with you.” Why is peace such a fitting first word from the risen Jesus to people who had abandoned Him?
- Jesus tells His disciples, “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” How does the resurrection move the disciples from receiving good news to carrying good news?
- Thomas refuses to believe the other disciples’ testimony until he sees Jesus. What do you appreciate about the way Jesus responds to Thomas’s doubt?
- Thomas eventually responds, “My Lord and my God!” How does his confession help bring John’s Gospel toward its climax?
- John explains that he wrote these signs so readers would believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and have life in His name. How do the cross and resurrection complete that purpose?
- John 21 begins with disciples fishing unsuccessfully until Jesus directs them. What might this scene remind them about dependence on Christ?
- Why is it significant that Jesus prepares breakfast and shares fellowship with disciples who had recently failed Him?
- Jesus asks Peter three times whether he loves Him and then tells Peter to care for His sheep. How does Jesus address Peter’s failure without allowing failure to define Peter’s future?
- Peter becomes distracted by another disciple’s future, but Jesus responds, “As for you, follow me.” Why is comparison such a dangerous distraction in discipleship?
- Acts 1 begins by saying that Jesus gave His followers many convincing proofs that He was alive. How does Acts build directly on the resurrection testimony of John 20–21?
- The disciples are eager to know when Jesus will restore the kingdom, but Jesus redirects them toward the Holy Spirit and their mission. What does this reveal about the difference between curiosity about God’s plans and obedience to God’s calling?
- Why does Jesus tell the disciples to wait for the Holy Spirit rather than immediately begin carrying out the mission?
- Acts 1:8 moves from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. How does this verse connect Jesus’ resurrection with God’s mission to the nations?
- After Jesus ascends, the disciples return to Jerusalem and devote themselves to prayer. What does their response teach about the posture of people waiting for God to work?
- Across the entire set, how does Jesus respond to fear, failure, doubt, grief, misunderstanding, and weakness among His followers?
- How do John 18–21 and Acts 1 together develop the movement from Christ’s finished work to Christ’s continuing mission?
- Looking at the entire set, what does it mean that the crucified and risen Jesus saves, restores, and sends His people to continue His mission through the power of the Holy Spirit?
Leader Note
John 18–21 and Acts 1 form one powerful movement from the cross to the mission of the church. Jesus willingly gives Himself, completes the saving work the Father sent Him to accomplish, rises bodily from the grave, restores His frightened and failing followers, and then sends them into the world.
Pay attention to how weak the disciples often appear. Peter denies Jesus. The disciples hide in fear. Thomas doubts. Peter becomes distracted by comparison. Even after the resurrection, the disciples still have questions about the kingdom. Yet Jesus does not abandon them. He brings peace, gives evidence, restores failure, redirects distraction, and prepares them for mission.
Avoid reducing this set to moral lessons such as “be courageous,” “do not doubt,” or “try harder after you fail.” The center of the story is Jesus. He dies for sinners. He rises from death. He seeks His followers. He restores them by grace. He commissions them. And He promises the Spirit’s power for what He calls them to do.
Keep returning to the Big Idea: The crucified and risen Jesus saves, restores, and sends His people to continue His mission through the power of the Holy Spirit. Healthy application begins with what Christ has accomplished before asking what His followers should now do. Grace comes first. Obedience and mission follow.
Love God
- Which scene from John 18–21 most deepens your love or gratitude for Jesus, and why?
- Jesus declared, “It is finished.” Where are you tempted to live as though God’s acceptance still depends on proving yourself?
- Thomas moved from doubt to worship when he encountered the risen Christ. Is there an area where questions or uncertainty are making it difficult for you to trust Jesus?
- Peter experienced restoration before receiving renewed responsibility. How does receiving Christ’s grace change the way we approach repentance and obedience?
- The disciples had to wait for the Holy Spirit instead of rushing ahead. Where might God be inviting you to depend on Him rather than simply trying harder?
Connect with Others
- Jesus restored Peter after serious failure. Is there someone you have continued defining by a past failure rather than leaving room for grace, repentance, and growth?
- Peter became distracted by comparing his path with another disciple’s. Where does comparison create jealousy, insecurity, competition, or discouragement in your relationships?
- The disciples waited together in prayer rather than individually. How well are you allowing other believers to walk with you spiritually?
- Is there someone who needs encouragement, forgiveness, reconciliation, or a renewed opportunity from you this week?
- Who could you intentionally pray with rather than merely telling them you will pray for them?
Serve Others
- The risen Jesus prepared breakfast for His disciples. What simple act of practical care could you offer someone this week?
- Jesus told Peter to care for His sheep. Who has God placed near you that could benefit from your encouragement, guidance, prayer, or spiritual investment?
- What time, ability, influence, possession, or opportunity could you intentionally use to strengthen someone else this week?
- What is one act of service you can complete without expecting recognition or repayment?
Share the Gospel
- Jesus sends His followers as witnesses of what He has done. If someone asked why the death and resurrection of Jesus matter, how would you explain the good news simply?
- Acts 1:8 begins the mission where the disciples already are before moving outward. Where has God already placed you among people who need the hope of Christ?
- How might dependence on the Holy Spirit change the way you think about fear, pressure, or responsibility when sharing Jesus?
- Who is one person far from God that you will pray for, intentionally move toward, and look for an opportunity to speak with about Jesus this week?
Closing Challenge
The crucified and risen Jesus saves, restores, and sends His people to continue His mission through the power of the Holy Spirit.
John 18–21 and Acts 1 move from betrayal, denial, suffering, and death to resurrection, peace, restoration, worship, commissioning, ascension, prayer, and mission. The disciples are not sent because they have finally become impressive. They are sent because Jesus has finished His saving work, conquered death, restored them by grace, and promised the Spirit’s power.
Where is Jesus calling you to move this week—from guilt to grace, fear to peace, doubt to trust, comparison to faithful following, self-reliance to dependence on the Spirit, or silence to faithful witness?
Scripture to Remember
Acts 1:8
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere.”
This verse connects the risen Jesus directly to the mission that follows. His followers are sent to make Him known, but they are not expected to accomplish that mission in their own strength.
This week: Read Acts 1:8 each morning. Write it somewhere you will see it, repeat it throughout the week, and pray for the Holy Spirit to make you a faithful witness where God has placed you.
This Week’s Practice
Pray, Follow, Witness
Each morning this week, begin by thanking Jesus for His finished work and asking the Holy Spirit to help you faithfully follow Christ that day.
Choose one person who may need encouragement or who is far from God. Pray for that person every day and take at least one intentional step toward them through service, encouragement, invitation, or a conversation about Jesus.
At the end of the week, ask yourself, “Where did I depend on the Holy Spirit, follow Jesus, and help someone move closer to Him?”
Prayer Focus
Living as Witnesses of the Risen Christ
Pray that the reality of Jesus’ finished work and resurrection would deepen your trust, restore areas of failure, and make you increasingly dependent on the Holy Spirit as you follow Christ and participate in His mission.
- Thank Jesus for willingly giving His life and completing the work of salvation.
- Praise God that Jesus is risen, alive, and reigning.
- Ask Christ to bring grace, repentance, and restoration into areas marked by failure, fear, or shame.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to replace self-reliance with dependence on His power.
- Pray for courage and opportunity to faithfully point someone toward 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, and restores those who trust Him. Help us receive Your grace instead of living in guilt or fear. Fill us with Your Holy Spirit so we will faithfully follow Jesus, love and serve others, and courageously make Him known wherever You place us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
NT260 • Set 18
Weekly Heart Check
These questions help move the conversation from information to transformation. Heart Check is not about pretending to have had a perfect week. It is an opportunity to practice honesty, grace, confidentiality, encouragement, listening, and prayer.
Share honestly without pressuring one another. Listen before giving advice. Celebrate growth as well as confessing struggle. This week, pay special attention to whether you are resting in the finished work of Jesus, receiving His restoring grace, depending on the Holy Spirit, and becoming more available to Christ’s mission.
Love God Heart Check
- How consistently did you spend time in Scripture this week, and what truth about Jesus stayed with you most?
- What did John 18–21 and Acts 1 reveal to you about Christ’s love, authority, grace, or faithfulness?
- How honestly and consistently did you depend on God in prayer this week?
- Are guilt, shame, fear, doubt, or comparison keeping you from receiving the grace Jesus offers?
- Where is Jesus asking you to trust, repent, wait, follow, or surrender more fully?
Connect with Others Heart Check
- How are your closest relationships right now? Is there tension, distance, resentment, or hurt that needs attention?
- Is there someone you continue defining by a past failure rather than making room for grace and growth?
- Has comparison with another person’s gifts, opportunities, family, ministry, or spiritual journey affected the way you view them or yourself?
- Have you been honest with another trusted believer about where you are struggling, doubting, afraid, or discouraged?
- Who needs forgiveness, reconciliation, encouragement, or intentional investment from you this week?
Serve Others Heart Check
- How did you use your time, abilities, influence, possessions, or money to help someone this week?
- Did you notice a practical need but avoid responding because serving would have been inconvenient?
- Are you willing to serve faithfully when no one notices or thanks you?
- Who could you intentionally care for, encourage, or spiritually strengthen this week?
Share the Gospel Heart Check
- Who did you intentionally pray for this week who is far from God?
- Did you intentionally move toward that person or someone else who may need the hope of Christ?
- Did God give you an opportunity to speak about Jesus, His death and resurrection, forgiveness, or hope? What happened?
- If you sensed an opportunity but remained silent, what fear or distraction held you back?
- Who is one person you will pray for and intentionally engage during the coming week?
Grace & Restoration
- Is there a past failure you continue allowing to speak more loudly than the grace of Jesus?
- When you fail, are you more likely to hide from Jesus, punish yourself, make excuses, or honestly return to Him?
- Like Peter, have you received Christ’s forgiveness but hesitated to believe He can still use you?
- Is comparison distracting you from the simple call Jesus gave Peter: “You follow me”?
- What would receiving Christ’s restoring grace and taking your next faithful step look like right now?
Honest Accountability
- What has been most difficult for you spiritually or emotionally this week?
- Is anything hidden—fear, shame, doubt, compromise, comparison, resentment, or another struggle—that needs to be brought into the light?
- Is your outward spiritual life presenting confidence while inwardly you are struggling with guilt, fear, or uncertainty?
- Are you trying to earn what Jesus has already freely provided through His finished work?
- Where is Jesus calling you to repent, receive grace, forgive, wait, serve, speak, trust, or surrender?
- How can this group pray specifically and walk with you in that next step?
Leader Reminder: Keep bringing the group back to Jesus and the gospel. John 18–21 and Acts 1 do not tell the story of disciples who finally became strong enough to accomplish God’s mission. They tell the story of Jesus who finished the work of salvation, conquered death, sought out fearful followers, restored failure, strengthened faith, and promised the Holy Spirit’s power. Accountability should lead toward grace, restoration, growth, dependence, and obedience—not shame. Help the group move from admiring the resurrection story to living as people who have been saved, restored, and sent by the risen Christ.
Continue Studying Set 18
Return to the Set 18 Study Resources for commentary and additional tools covering John 18–21 and Acts 1.
NT260 Set 18 Study Resources →NT260 Discipleship Journal
Read It. Discuss It. Live It.
These Discussion & Heart Check Questions help groups move from reading Scripture to discussing it, applying it, and living it. The NT260 Discipleship Journal provides the weekly rhythm to help you walk through the New Testament with greater consistency, understanding, and obedience.
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