Blog

Discussion Questions for Men & Women: New Starts – What Jesus Offers You

The sermon describes the Samaritan woman coming to the well at noon, burdened and excluded by her community — in what ways do shame or a sense of unworthiness prevent us from believing that Jesus would want to initiate a conversation with us personally?

Matthew walked away from financial security and a familiar identity the moment Jesus called him — what habits, comforts, or roles in your own life might God be inviting you to leave behind in order to pursue a new purpose?

The man born blind had his condition interpreted by others as divine punishment, yet Jesus saw an opportunity for God’s work to be revealed — how might reframing our struggles or limitations as potential sites of God’s activity change the way we approach them?

The man living among the tombs was given a label of danger and chaos by his community, and Jesus replaced that label with peace and restoration — what labels have others placed on you, or that you have placed on yourself, that conflict with the identity God offers you?

Peter denied Jesus three times, yet Jesus restored him with three questions about love rather than three accusations — what does this pattern of restoration tell us about how God responds to our failures and moments of letting him down?

The sermon presents six different people who each needed a different kind of new start — hope, purpose, sight, identity, restoration, or a new future — which of these resonates most deeply with where you find yourself right now, and why?

The criminal on the cross received the promise of paradise with what appeared to be no time left and no good works to offer — how does this challenge or reshape your understanding of what it means to come to faith or seek God?

Jesus consistently crossed social, cultural, and religious boundaries to engage people who were considered outsiders or sinners — what boundaries in our own lives or communities might we need to cross in order to reflect that same willingness to reach others?

The sermon suggests that new sight means seeing every person we encounter as someone made in the image of God and loved by him — how practically might that shift in perspective change the way you interact with difficult or frustrating people in your daily life?

Throughout the sermon, each encounter with Jesus results in a story that was thought to be already written being completely rewritten — in what area of your life have you resigned yourself to a fixed outcome, and what would it mean to genuinely invite Jesus into that space?

  1. Needing a New Start
    The sermon reminded us that all of us know what it feels like to need a new start — in faith, family, work, habits, or attitude.
    Question: Where do men most often get “stuck” — and why is it hard to admit we need a fresh start?
  2. New Hope — The Woman at the Well
    Jesus met the Samaritan woman when she felt rejected, ashamed, and burdened. He didn’t avoid her — he spoke with her and offered her hope.
    Question: What helps you keep hope when life feels dry, heavy, or repetitive?
  3. New Purpose — Matthew the Tax Collector
    Matthew was doing his job and making money, but Jesus called him to something deeper: “Follow me.”
    Question: How can a man know the difference between just being busy and actually living with God-given purpose?
  4. New Sight — Seeing People Differently
    Jesus healed the blind man, and the sermon challenged us to see others as God sees them — not just as problems, rivals, interruptions, or annoyances.
    Question: Who do men sometimes struggle to see with patience or grace — family, workmates, neighbours, other drivers, people at church?
  5. New Identity — The Man in Chains
    The man among the tombs was known by his problems and his chains. Jesus gave him peace and a new identity.
    Question: What labels do men sometimes carry that are hard to shake off — failure, provider, tough guy, useless, angry, addict, loner, not good enough? What does Jesus say instead?
  6. New Restoration — Peter’s Failure
    Peter denied Jesus three times, but Jesus restored him. His failure wasn’t the end of his story.
    Question: Why do you think men can find it difficult to receive forgiveness — from God, from others, or even from ourselves?
  7. New Future — The Criminal on the Cross
    The man beside Jesus had almost no time left, yet Jesus gave him a future. It was not too late for him.
    Question: What would you say to a man who thinks, “It’s too late for me to change”?

Bonus simple one-word prompt:
If you had to pick one new start you need most right now, which would it be: hope, purpose, sight, identity, restoration, or future?

  1. A New Start with Hope
    Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well when she was isolated, ashamed, and carrying a heavy burden. He did not avoid her — he began a conversation and offered her living water.
    Question: Where in your life do you need Jesus to bring fresh hope today?
  2. Being Seen by Jesus
    Many people overlooked or judged the woman at the well, Matthew, the blind man, and the man in chains — but Jesus noticed each one personally.
    Question: Is there an area of your life where you need to remember that Jesus sees you fully and still moves towards you in love?
  3. A New Purpose
    Jesus called Matthew from his tax table and gave him a new direction. Sometimes Jesus changes our path; sometimes he gives us fresh purpose right where we already are.
    Question: Where might Jesus be inviting you to follow him more intentionally — in your home, work, relationships, church, or community?
  4. New Sight for Everyday Life
    Jesus gave sight to the man born blind, and the sermon challenged us to see people differently — not as interruptions, enemies, or annoyances, but as people loved by God.
    Question: Who might God be asking you to see with more compassion, patience, or grace this week?
  5. A New Identity
    The man among the tombs was known by his chains, chaos, and labels. Jesus set him free and gave him peace.
    Question: Are there labels you have carried — from others or from yourself — that Jesus may be asking you to lay down? What truth from God could replace them?
  6. Restored After Failure
    Peter denied Jesus three times, but Jesus did not reject him. He restored him with love and gave him a future.
    Question: How do you respond when you feel you’ve let God down? What helps you receive Jesus’ forgiveness and restoration?
  7. The New Start You Need Today
    The sermon offered six kinds of new starts: new hope, new purpose, new sight, new identity, new restoration, and a new future.
    Question: Which of these do you most need from Jesus at the moment — and how can we pray for one another as sisters in Christ?
0 Comments
Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *