Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (John 19:16b-27), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [19-20] Kingship is an important theme throughout the Scriptures. Can you think of some places in the Old Testament where this theme is advanced? In the New Testament? Why is the King of the Jews (Judah) not just the king of a small Middle Eastern country on the Mediterranean, but the King of the whole world? What’s the significance of this?

• [23-24] The Roman soldiers at the cross are good examples of the kind of people who kill others and take their stuff—they care more about not tearing Jesus’ clothing than they care about Jesus himself dying on the cross. Do you believe this really describes what sinners are like? Why or why not?

• Read Psalm 22. How do we see this psalm fulfilled in Jesus on the cross? How is Jesus uniquely the righteous sufferer? What does this say about him?

• [25] The Gospel writers record that, of Jesus’ followers, it was mostly women who followed him to the cross. John portrays the four (powerless?) women standing there in contrast with the four (formidable?) soldiers gambling over Jesus’ clothing. With reference to other places in the Scriptures, how do these women model discipleship for us all? How might this portrayal of discipleship have been counter-cultural in the ancient world? How is it counter-cultural in our society?

• [26-27] Jesus’ royal pronouncement from the cross was the establishment of the church. At that fateful hour he gave his family and his followers to one another in mutual belonging. Do you believe Jesus really established the church at the cross, or do you think he was defeated in the face of the overwhelming evil in this world? How does the crucified King factor into your vision of the church and your relationships with other Christians?