WEEK 1: Which is easier?

1. The story involves significant risks taken by four friends, including Jesus and a paralyzed man. What are the potential risks for each character in this story? Why are they necessary?

2. Can you imagine the homeowner's reaction upon seeing their roof destroyed? How would you respond if you were the owner of that home and witnessed this miracle unfold?

3.  Jesus often illustrates the spiritual world through physical miracles. In this scene, what is Jesus trying to reveal or convey to everyone watching? What's the main point in this passage?

4.  Luke suggests that the paralyzed man received his greatest gift—forgiveness—first. How does this challenge our typical understanding of needs and priorities?

5. The four friends were willing to damage the roof and go to extreme lengths to help their friend. What aspects of your life need to be wrecked or transformed for you to experience a similar breakthrough in your relationship with Jesus?

6. Everyone was filled with awe as the paralyzed man walked out of the house. When was the last time the power and presence of God left you in awe?

7. How do you see the five core values of Northview reflected in this one passage? Messy Grace, Walking Together, Full Surrender, Serve First, One More

WEEK 2: Why do you call me, Lord, Lord?

1. With rapid-fire teaching, Jesus unleashes four vivid illustrations in eleven short verses: The blind falling into a pit, sawdust stuck in an eye, trees producing fruit and the importance of building a strong foundation to prepare for the storms of life. Which parable stands out to you the most? Why?

2. What does it mean to call Jesus "Lord"? How is the concept of “Lord” different from turning to a coach for guidance or a consultant for occasional advice?

3. What does it mean for Jesus to be the Lord over your life?

4. What are the dangers of partial obedience or delayed obedience?

5. More than hearing, reading, studying or talking about the Bible… Jesus expects His disciples to obey everything that He teaches (Matthew 28:19-20). In what areas do you struggle or have a hard time obeying?

6. A good builder doesn’t just wing it; they follow a detailed blueprint with clear instructions. A blueprint shows what you are building and how to build it. What kind of instructions guide your life? Be specific.

WEEK 3: What credit is that to you?

1. What is the greatest picture of love you have ever witnessed? Describe the situation and why this example stands out to you.
2. The passage contrasts loving those who love you with loving your enemies. What does this truth reveal about the nature and extent of God's love?
3. Who is someone in your life that you find challenging to love? What makes loving them difficult? What does it look like to love this person without expectations or conditions? 
4. In the Bible, love is a verb. This means love is an action and something we do—not a feeling. What are some practical ways you can love the people around you this week? Be specific. Who will you love and what will you do?
5. Can you think of a time when you experienced a conflict with someone but chose to love them? How did this transform your relationship? 
6. As a Christian, how can you manage expectations and not be surprised when a non-believer acts like a non-believer? According to this passage, what should your response be to those who are not Christians?

WEEK 4: Where is your faith?

1. If Jesus was asleep in the boat the whole time, why did the disciples wait to wake up Jesus after the storm got bad? How have you done the same thing in your life?
2. Storms often swoop in unexpectedly and catch us by surprise. Like the disciples who accused Jesus of not caring, have you ever felt anxious or angry with God?
3. What’s worse, when God feels distant or you know He is near but He doesn’t seem to do anything?
4. In the end, Jesus is more interested in shaping your faith than solving your problems. How does this truth shift your perspective on suffering or difficult circumstances?
5. While Jesus asked over 300 questions, He never asked a question that started with “when”. What are some “when” questions that you are currently wrestling with? 
6. A key part of faith is learning to trust God’s timing when it doesn’t align with our desires or expectations. In what areas do you need to release control and trust the Lord?

WEEK 5: Are you expecting us to buy this?

1. As you think about your life, do you lean toward a scarcity mindset or an abundance mindset? What’s the difference between these two perspectives?
2. What does the disciples’ initial response to send the crowd away reveal about their mindset? What would you have done if you were in their shoes?
3. When Jesus asked, “How many loaves do you have?” How does this question challenge you to recognize or utilize what God has already given you?
4. Where in your life do you tend to operate out of a scarcity mindset? More than money, what about time, talents, sleep, family, resources, relationships, etc?
5. In what specific area of your life do you need to shift from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset? Be specific. What has the Lord provided for you?
6. Why is it tempting to be cautious instead of generous when we have a God who has promised to bless us abundantly? How have you seen God show up and provide for you through unusual or unexpected ways?

WEEK 6: Who do you say I am?

1. At this point, the disciples have been following Jesus for two years. Skim through chapters 1–9 and look at the headings to see what took place during this time. Why does it take so long for the disciples to acknowledge and say out loud that Jesus is the Messiah? What's holding them back?
2. Why does Jesus warn the disciples to not tell anyone who He is? Why might Jesus want to keep His identity hidden or secret? 
3. What barriers or questions have you wrestled with the most in your faith? Three examples are: Mental barrier: It doesn’t make sense to trust Jesus. Emotional barrier: It doesn’t feel safe to trust God. Will barrier: It doesn’t feel possible to trust God.
4. What has helped you overcome these barriers or work through your questions?
5. Why is it important for each individual to answer the question, “Who is Jesus?” for themselves, rather than relying on the answer of someone else?
6. What does it tangibly and practically mean to “deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus”? What does it look like for you to lose your life for the sake of the gospel? 

WEEK 7: Which of these was a neighbor?

1. In this passage, a lawyer tests Jesus with a question. In essence, this lawyer is looking for a loophole where he can draw the line on following Jesus. What are some common loopholes or lines that we might draw today that might keep us from the Lord?

2. As a lawyer who lives by rules and laws, this lawyer wanted to define who his neighbor is. How does the teaching of Jesus redefine what it means to be a neighbor?

3. What are some ways this parable would be shocking or challenging to Jesus’ listeners? What details in the text make it even more impactful and convicting?

4. Have you ever experienced a situation where you encountered a person in a crisis? What happened? How do you respond?

5. Describe your relationship with your neighbors. Give an example of how you are influencing the people around you with the hope of the Gospel.

6. Rather than viewing ourselves as the Good Samaritan or the priests who passed by, what does it mean to be the person in the ditch? What does this reveal about our relationship with God who is the Good Samaritan? See Romans 5:6–8

WEEK 8: Who can add a single hour?

1. The greatest battles of the Christian life aren’t fought in wide open spaces where problems are clearly defined and laid out. Instead, some of our hardest battles hide in the shadows of the unknown. Why is the unknown so troublesome? 

2. Though worry won’t add a single second, minute or hour to the length of your life, it can wreck your quality of life. In what way can fear, stress and anxiety affect your physical or mental health?

3. Worry has never solved a problem, dried a tear or lifted a burden. So, why do we worry? If God created our emotions, can worry be turned into something helpful or useful?

4. Whenever you worry, this reveals your priorities and the things that preoccupy your mind. What do you find yourself worrying about the most? Why?

5. How can the love of material things ruin life rather than enrich life? How does this passage redirect where your attention should be?

6. What is one area that you can release and hand over to the Lord? Spend some time in prayer and thank the Lord for providing for you and meeting your physical needs.

WEEK 9: Will you go after the lost?

1. Parables are short stories that illustrate a point. In this parable, Jesus spoke to a crowd of tax collectors, sinners and Pharisees. What point does Jesus want to make with this crowd? 
2. Why would one sheep wander from the flock? What does this sheep hope to find?
3. Have you ever felt lost in a significant way? What happened? How did you find your way?
4. Beyond lousy directions or misplacing your phone, wallet, or purse, what other ways can you feel lost or disoriented in life? 
5. Like a Good Shepherd, Jesus actively searches and pursues the lost. How does this truth encourage you? How did God pursue you when you were lost?
6. Like Jesus, we're called to pursue those who are lost. Who in your life is far from God? What does it look like to go after them? 

WEEK 10: Who will trust you with true riches?

WEEK 11: Are you the Son of God?

WEEK 12: Why are you troubled?

WEEK 13: Why do you stand here?