This Week's Study Guide

The Way – Week 1 

Message Based Curriculum  

Opening 

• Begin with a brief welcome and prayer to set the tone for the group time. 

• Introduce the theme: This week we’re starting a new series called “The Way.” As we prepare our hearts for Easter, we’re looking at the journey of Jesus to the Cross—and the contrast between the path we naturally take and the one He chose for us. Today, we’re beginning with the sobering truth: sin is the way that leads to death. 

Discussion Questions 

CONNECT 

Can you remember a time when you knew something wasn’t good for you, but you did it anyway? What made it feel worth it in the moment, and how did it turn out?  

Why do you think sin can be so appealing, even when we know it’s harmful?  

DISCOVER 

Read MATTHEW 26:36-39 and ISAIAH 53:3-5 together.  

How does reading these two verses together reframe your understanding of Jesus’ sorrow in the Garden?  

The sermon taught us that “sin isn’t just a bad behavior; it’s a broken condition.” Does that affect the way you think about sin? 

In the sermon, we highlighted Six Symptoms of sin. Which of these have you seen play out in your own life? Which do you feel like you’re most/least aware of?  

Deceptive in nature 

Distance between us and God 

Distorts our perspective 

Displeases the heart of God 

Deforms us  

Destroys our soul 

PERSONAL REFLECTION 

As depressing as it can be, why do you think it’s important for believers to reflect on their sinfulness?  

The message closed out with 4 steps to receiving healing from our sin. Where do you identify yourself in this process? Why?:  

Believe in Jesus  

Receive and Walk by the power of the Holy Spirit / Allow Him to shape your life 

Get serious about repentance  

Don’t settle. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Persevere.  

APPLY  

Understanding the Gospel  

Easter is a season of remembering Jesus and His defeat of sin. In order to fully come to appreciate what we’re celebrating, it’s important to know that we have a clear understanding of the Gospel. The following is an excerpt and an exercise from Donald Whitney’s book called “10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health”. Spend some time either with your group or this week trying it out for yourself: 

“Make sure you understand the Gospel of the New Testament: I am always amazed at how many churchgoing people are unclear on the Gospel. What would you say to someone very near death – so close that they were physically unable to go to church or read the Bible- who asked you how to be right with God? Write it out as if you were putting it in a letter or email to someone who could read it. Think paragraph or page length, not a sentence or two. In this instance, give special attention to two parts of the Gospel: that which made the death of Jesus necessary and the relationship of repentance to faith.” 

Donald S. Whitney, 10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, pg 112 

PRAYER TIME 

• Either break into pairs or smaller groups or as a group share and pray for one another. 

• Gratitude: Thank God for His grace and Jesus’ willingness to bear our sin 

• A New Heart: Ask for hearts sensitive to sin and receptive to the Holy Spirit’s conviction 

• A New Life: Pray for boldness to walk in repentance and gratitude 

• Bear One Another’s Burdens: Lift up any personal struggles or areas where sin still has a grip 

CLOSING  

Wrap up with encouragement: 

This week, reflect on the seriousness of sin—but let it lead you not to shame, but to gratitude. Jesus faced the full weight of our sin so that we could walk in new life. Let’s keep walking in the way that leads to life. 

Encourage the group to spend time with Matthew 26 and Isaiah 53 in their personal time with God this week.