As we look at these texts in the sermon today, ask yourself these questions:

1 — What does the crucifixion story mean to you?

2 — Can you identify with any of the characters you have met so far? If so, which ones?

3 — How can you respond to what happened to Jesus that day? Is it possible to respond this much time later?

4 — How do you tell someone that this is the most important story that has ever been told? And how do you have them connect to this story as if it were their own?

5 — How can we avoid the mistakes of both the Jewish leaders and the Roman soldiers?

6 — What is it that you would preserve, rather than following Jesus?

7 — Can you spend an hour in prayer today, thinking of nothing else but of his sacrifice for us?

8 — When you tell someone of the crucifixion, what parts would you rather leave out? What parts embarrass you as a Christian? Is that a weird question? Be honest.

9 — How can a community, a church, be Christians that make the cross central to their theology and to their worship experience?