Palm Sunday: The Voice from the Cross – Luke 23:34
The red letters we read of what Jesus said from the cross are significant and insightful statements to who Jesus is, what Jesus did for us at the cross, and how we respond to Him. On Sunday, March 29, we will hone in on the statement, “Father, forgive them,” and the implications and impact that has on us today.
LIVE OAK CONNECTION POINT:
- Easter Services are this weekend! Saturday at 4:00pm and 5:30pm. Sunday at 8:30am, 10:00am and 11:30am!
- If you are already a Small Group Leader in Adult Ministry, LOSM or College and would be willing to help out in Kids Ministry over Easter weekend, please let your leader know so they can let the Live Oak staff team know (leaders you can also have them scan this):
DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
- What brought you joy this past week?
- What are your Easter plans? ***WARNING: As we discuss forgiveness, be careful and possibly warn people, to not let their processing of forgiveness turn into naming names and drift into slander.
- READ: Matthew 18:21-35.
Spend some time SOAPing this passage. You can either spend time SOAPing individually and documenting for a several minutes and then spend time sharing with each -OR- SOAP in real time with each other. Either way make as many observations as you can.
OBSERVATIONS: What are the things that stand out to you about this passage? How would you summarize this passage in one sentence?
What does this passage tell me about who God is? What is your “God shot”? What does this passage tell me about who I am?
- READ: Luke 23:34. What stands out about this statement/prayer of Jesus from the cross?
- What makes forgiveness so difficult for you?
- Why is forgiveness so important for you?
- Doug said that “Hurt people hurt people, but forgiven people forgive people.” What are your thoughts on that phrase?
- READ: Ephesians 4:31-32.
What does it mean to “get rid of” the things listed here? Where has it been a struggle to “get rid of” those in your life? What does passage this tell us about forgiveness?
- Doug also said that “There comes a time in your life when you need to make what Jesus did FOR you greater than what others have done TO you.” How do you need to do that for yourself?
- Doug gave us these specific action steps. Without naming names to each other of who you might need to forgive, how can you take these steps this week?
- A Question to Ask: Who do you struggle to forgive?
- A Step to Take: Pray for those you have a hard time forgiving every day this week.
- A Prayer to Pray:
“Jesus, Thank you for forgiving me. Help me to forgive others you have forgiven me. Amen!” *Doug challenged us to personalize this prayer by making sure the prayer isn’t “faceless forgiveness”, but to pray for that person you need to forgive specifically by name.
- What else stood out from this week’s sermon?
APPLICATION: What is your big takeaway from this week’s sermon? Be specific.
NEXT STEPS:
Everyone has a next step to apply what we’ve learned. What’s your next step? Be specific.
MEMORY VERSE: *Challenge yourself or your group to commit this verse to memory:
Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
PRAYER: Encourage your group to pray this prayer often in 2026 & use to close your group time.
A 2026 Prayer for MORE: Ephesians 3:14-21 “Heavenly Father, Help me to engage with you MORE. Work in me to make me MORE like you. Use me to help MORE people know you. Make my story about your glory! Amen.”
Scripture References:
Luke 23:34; Luke 23:43; John 19:26-27; Matthew 27:46; John 19:28; John 19:30; Luke 23:46; Luke 23:32-36; Matthew 18:21-35; Ephesians 4:31-32