Focusing on the Facts
1. What is the best response any unbeliever can make to the crucifixion of Christ (see p. 1)?
2. What happened that changed many of the soldiers’ perspective of Jesus (Matt. 27:54; see p. 2)?
3. Describe the fear that the soldiers experienced (see p. 3).
4. What did their fear indicate (see p. 3)?
5. What did their fear lead them to (see pp. 3-4)?
6. What was the centurion affirming when he said, “Truly, this was the Son of God” (Matt. 27:54; see p. 4)?
7. What is the only way anyone can know that Jesus is God’s Son (Matt. 16:16-17; see p. 4)?
8. Explain how some discredit the centurion’s statement that Jesus was the Son of God (see pp. 5-6).
9. Who did Jesus Christ redeem while on the cross (see p. 7)?
10. Why should the people at the foot of the cross realized that God was judging them (see p. 8)?
11. How did the people respond to the phenomena that occurred at the crucifixion of Christ (Luke 23:48; see p. 8)?
12. How do we know that the conviction the people experienced at the cross didn’t lead to salvation (Luke 23:48; see p. 9)?
13. When Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2:36, what did he indict the people for (see p. 9)?
14. What did the crowd do after they were convicted by Peter’s sermon (Acts 2:41)?
15. What are the main differences between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow (2 Cor. 7:8-10; see p. 10)?
16. What is an important characteristic of a godly woman (see p. 11)?
17. How did the women serve Jesus during His ministry (see pp. 12-13)?
18. What great privilege did Christ grant to the women who remained loyal to Him while He hung on the cross (see p. 13)?
19. Who was Mary Magdalene? Why is it significant that she is described by the town she was from (Luke 8:2; see pp. 13-14)?
20. According to Psalm 113:9, how does God extoll the virtue of women (see p. 15)?
21. Why weren’t the disciples present at the cross of Christ (see pp. 15- 16)?
22. What basic principle of discipleship did the disciples violate (Matt. 10:38; see p. 16)?
Pondering the Principles
1. Perhaps the most famous Christ uttered are, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). God answered Jesus’ prayer, and He answered it not only for some Roman soldiers, but also for you. Before you were saved, how did you treat Christ? The treatment He suffered at the hands of those who crucified Him is no worse than the treatment He has received from every sinner. Meditate on the crucifixion scene. Remember what your sin cost Christ. Then remember that in spite of yourself, God saved you through the death of Christ on the cross. Thank God for His grace and forgiveness. And thank Christ for taking your place on that cross.
2. Reread 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 and the section dealing with godly and worldly sorrow . When you are convicted of sin, how do you respond? Do you exhibit godly sorrow or worldly sorrow? What grieves you most: the fact that you disobeyed God or the inconvenience that your sin caused you? Seek to respond in all circumstances in a way that is pleasing to God, and that includes your sorrow.
3. The followers of Christ responded in two ways when He was taken captive and then crucified. A few women along with John remained loyal and stayed with Him until His death. The rest fled in fear. Where are you when you need to be counted as one who belongs to Christ? Do you stand by the cross, or do you hide from the world? Matthew 10:38 gives us a principle of discipleship that all believers should follow. Memorize it.
“This article originally appeared here at Bible Bulletin Board.”
