Easter at Chase Oaks 2025 Group Guide

April 2025

Discussion Questions
Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.

  1. Happy Easter! How was your Easter weekend?
  2. In this week’s message, Jeff focused on one look in the Easter story. When you think of a meaningful look someone has given you (maybe your mom or dad, or a child, best friend, teacher, or boss), whether funny, serious, or emotional, what comes to mind?
  3. For some context, after Jesus was arrested, Peter denied Jesus three times. Read Luke 22:60-62. Jeff said that in his look, Jesus did not offer anger or judgment; he offered restoration and unconditional love. How is that different than the look you would have expected Jesus to give to Peter?
  4. In response to Jesus’ look, Peter “went outside and wept bitterly.” If you were Peter, how would you have felt and responded?
  5. Read Luke 22:31-32. What does this passage show us about Jesus’ heart for Peter before the denial even happens?
  6. In his book The Expectation Gap, Steve Cuss says that how we answer the question “What was going on in Jesus’ mind that informed that look?” reveals a lot about our view of how Jesus not only viewed Peter but also how Jesus views us. When you picture Jesus looking at Peter, and you, what do you see? Disappointment and judgment, or love and grace?
  7. Why is it hard for us to believe that God’s love is unconditional, even though the Bible says it over and over?
  8. Knowing how God looks at us with unconditional love, is there an instance this past week where things would have been different if you had embraced his unconditional love? How can we open ourselves up to his love through our thoughts, words, or actions?
  9. Easter proves that God’s love is bigger than our sin. Who in your life needs to hear about or experience God’s unconditional love, and how can you be part of sharing it?
  10. Take some time to share prayer requests, including how we can live more focused on God’s unconditional love.

Verse to meditate on and memorize this week

The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. (Luke 22:61a)

Put it into practice (between meetings)

  • Read Ephesians 3:14–19. What stands out to you most about Paul’s prayer for believers? Spend some time praying this prayer for yourself and others.
  • What would it look like in your daily life to live more rooted in God’s love instead of in fear or performance?
  • What’s one way you can open yourself up to God’s unconditional love more fully this week?
  • Reach out to someone in your group to grab a cup of coffee and get to know each other more.