Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life:

1. What traditions did you, or do you now, enjoy at Easter?

2. What are your thoughts about heaven and who gets to go there?

3. Jesus taught that ‘bad people’ go to heaven not ‘good people’. Does this make sense to you, or does it seem backwards? Why?

4. Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left. One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:32-33, 39-43)

What stands out to you from those verses? In what ways have you or do you identify with each of the criminals? As the lyrics from the song we heard on Sunday ‘Man on the Middle Cross’ say:

I've been the one on the left full of guilt and regret

Long-gone on the wrong side of living

I've been the one on the right always looking for a fight

Thinking I could never be forgiven

5. How does it make you feel, knowing that heaven isn’t for good people, but instead, is for forgiven people? What else stood out to you in this message?