Crosswalk Daily Study

Text of the Day:  The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”. (Luke 23:35)

Reflection Questions:

1 — Are you usually the mocker or the one who is mocked?

2 —What is the worst thing you have said about someone? (This is between you and God, so be honest)

3 —How can you repair what has been said, and how can you make sure you won’t fall into this behavior again? 

4 —Why do you think that this mockery was so biting toward Jesus? Was it because of what he claimed to be?

Want to get in touch with a pastor?

Crosswalk Redlands: [email protected] (Mike Rhynus)

Crosswalk Chattanooga: [email protected]

Text of the Day: Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. (Luke 23:34)

Reflection Questions:

1 — What does forgiveness mean to you? Do you like to receive it? Do you like to give it?

2 —What can you do today that will help cultivate a culture of forgiveness in your life? 

3 —Can you think of one person you need to forgive? Can you think of one person to whom you need to apologize? Make it all happen today!

Want to get in touch with a pastor?

Crosswalk Redlands: [email protected] (Mike Rhynus)

Crosswalk Chattanooga: [email protected]

Text of the Day: 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. (Luke 23:33)

Reflection Questions:

1 — Have you suffered physically for someone? (Moms, this is obvious for you! And thank you!) What was that like? Would you do it again? What made it worth it? 

2 —How do you feel when someone gives up their seat for you on public transportation? Hardly the same thing as “suffering,” but there is a small sacrifice. How does it make you feel when this happens?

3 —Does thinking about the physical suffering that Jesus went through give you a more urgent perspective on the sacrifice Jesus made for you?

4 —What is also important when thinking about not just the physical sacrifice that Jesus made, but also the spiritual sacrifice? 

Want to get in touch with a pastor?

Crosswalk Redlands: [email protected] (Mike Rhynus)

Crosswalk Chattanooga: [email protected]

Text of the Day: Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him (Luke 23:32)

Reflection Questions:

1 — Have you ever been in situations that make you uncomfortable?

2 — What do you do in those situations? Do you keep your cool?

3 —Are there people around you at times you don’t feel comfortable with? How can you change that feeling when you are with them? 

4 —Have you ever considered how much Jesus fulfilled the OT prophecies about the Messiah? It might be a fun exercise to see how he fulfilled each one!

Want to get in touch with a pastor?

Crosswalk Redlands: [email protected] (Mike Rhynus)

Crosswalk Chattanooga: [email protected]

Take a look at these questions as you consider the sermon today:

1— How hard is it for you to see a loved one or a friend headed in the wrong direction, without being able to stop them?

2— Can you imagine how Jesus felt watching the majority of His nation not only ignore who he was, but utterly reject him? What do you think that must have felt like?

3— What is the hardest thing you have had to let go of? Be specific in sharing the details.

4— What would you have done if you had heard the words of Jesus to the “daughters of Jerusalem” that day? Would you have been concerned at what they meant? Would you have known where they were pulled from in the Old Testament scriptures? Would you have understood their significance?

5— What, in your opinion, is one phrase from the sermon that will stick with you today?

6— How can you really “follow behind” Jesus and become a first follower for your family and your friends? What would that look like in your life?

7— Have you ever considered running a small group? Do you think that God might be calling you to lead in this capacity where you are? (If so, contact mike@ crosswalkvillage.com to get a starter kit).

8— What is the longest walk you have taken? What do you think Jesus was thinking every step along the way?

9— Would you be willing to sacrifice everything for others?

10— Do you think Jesus was really suffering? Or do you think that because he could prophesy about coming back, that perhaps it wasn’t such a big deal? 

Text of the Day: For if these things are done when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry? ’ (Luke 23:31)

Reflection Questions:

1 — Have you ever tried to compel someone to love you? How did that work out? 

2 —Why do you think God does not force us to love Him?

3 —If you are new to faith, have you ever thought that God is waiting to punish you? No way! The truth is that God is waiting to welcome you. But he will always allow you to make the choice to love!

Want to get in touch with a pastor?

Crosswalk Redlands: [email protected] (Mike Rhynus)

Crosswalk Chattanooga: [email protected]

Text of the Day: People will beg the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and plead with the hills, ‘Bury us.’ (Luke 23:30)

Reflection Questions:

1 — When have you had a prayer answered and it became more than you bargained for?

2 —Have you ever heard the voice of God asking you for something? Did you accept it, or were you incredulous like Zechariah?

3 —How can you become more in tune with the voice of God in your life? Does worship help prepare you to hear His word?

4 —Has there been a time when you denied hearing the voice, although you knew you were hearing it?

Want to get in touch with a pastor?

Crosswalk Redlands: [email protected] (Mike Rhynus)

Crosswalk Chattanooga: [email protected]

Text of the Day: A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. (Luke 23:27)

Reflection Questions:

1 — Why is it important to try and “follow behind Jesus?

2 — Have you ever wanted to be a “first follower?”

3 —What does it mean, in very practical terms, to be a follower of Jesus and follow him to the cross? Make it applicable. (This helps in a personal Bible study with a new or curious person. Often, they will not know what “following Jesus” entails. Make sure you don’t default to just talking about behavior, but speak of the outlook, of hope and dreams, and of the reality of your walk with Jesus.)

Want to get in touch with a pastor?

Crosswalk Redlands: [email protected] (Mike Rhynus)

Crosswalk Chattanooga: [email protected]

Text of the Day: But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. (Luke 23:28)

Reflection Questions:

1 — Do you think you have ever been like one of those grieving women, missing what is really happening when it comes to Jesus in your life? 

2 —How can you take a moment today and listen for the real meaning behind the words of Jesus in this text? 

3 —If you are new to following Jesus, or curious, does this sound like a threat coming from Jesus? How does that make you feel?

Want to get in touch with a pastor?

Crosswalk Redlands: [email protected] (Mike Rhynus)

Crosswalk Chattanooga: [email protected]

Text of the Day: For the days are coming when they will say, ‘Fortunate indeed are the women who are childless, the wombs that have not borne a child and the breasts that have never nursed. (Luke 23:29)

Reflection Questions:

1 — Do these words sound harsh to you? What state of mind do you think Jesus was in when he uttered these words?

2 —It was mentioned that these were not really words of repentance, but why do you think Jesus didn’t give that opportunity? Was there enough time? Did he know their hearts? Muse on this a bit.

3 —If you are new to following Jesus, you are beginning to see how human he really was. Remember, Jesus was fully human, but also fully divine. How do you think those things work together in one person? 

Want to get in touch with a pastor?

Crosswalk Redlands: [email protected] (Mike Rhynus)

Crosswalk Chattanooga: [email protected]