SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. If you were writing a book about your life, what would be one or two defining moments or experiences that have shaped who you are today? How do these moments, big or small, connect with the idea of a life being "worth telling"?

2. The sermon argues that the credibility of Christianity "rises and falls specifically on the identity of one individual, Jesus of Nazareth." What does this statement mean to you, and how does it challenge or affirm your understanding of faith?

3. The speaker emphasizes that the fundamental question for someone considering Christianity isn't "Does God exist?" or "Is the Bible true?", but rather, "Is Matthew, Mark, Luke or John a reliable account of actual events?" Why do you think he prioritizes this question, and what are your thoughts on its significance?

4. Luke writes that he's not writing "religious material" or "sacred material" but rather documenting events that happened. How does this perspective on the Gospel of Luke influence how you view the Bible, and what are the implications of Luke's approach for understanding Jesus' story?

5. Jesus' statement, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing," is presented as "remarkable and unsettling." What makes this statement so powerful and challenging, especially in the context of his crucifixion?

6. The sermon contrasts "admirers" of Jesus with "followers" of Jesus, noting that following "will cost you something." What is the difference between admiring and following Jesus in your own life, and what do you perceive as the greatest cost of truly following him?

7. The sermon mentions Anthony Thompson, who forgave his wife's murderer. How does this real-life example of radical forgiveness illustrate the "way of Jesus" as described in the sermon, and what makes such an act so "jaw-dropping" and "show-stopping"?

8. Jesus' invitation to "deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me" is presented as a "daily decision." What does "taking up your cross daily" practically look like in your everyday life, and how might it differ from a one-time "sinner's prayer"?

9. Jesus asks, "What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?" How does this question challenge contemporary ideas of success and fulfillment, and what does it mean to "lose your life for me" in order to "save it"?

10. The sermon challenges us to move beyond simply admiring Jesus to actively following him. As we consider what it means to be a "follower," what is one concrete step you can take this week to align your daily actions and reactions more closely with the way of Jesus, even in a small way?