1. Discussing the passage for today’s sermon, Luke 13:1-9, Cole noted that Jesus seems to think the crowd expects Jesus to have “a take,” and that they may expect Jesus to respond to the story they share as either a violent revolutionary or as an elite Roman-sympathizer. Jesus, though, responds in a different and unexpected way, moving toward neither position. Do you find it difficult to avoid thinking of others as being in one of two opposing ditches? No matter what your answer, why do you think that is? Do you find yourself unconsciously shifting yourself toward one pole or another, either in practice or in your own sense of yourself? If so, why do you think that may be? And how do you feel about it? Are the dynamics in play in your sense of yourself different than those when it comes to your sense of other people? Why do you think that is or is not?Do you see any value in trying to conceive of both others and yourself in some way other than all-or-nothing? Why? If yes, how might you help yourself to do so? 2. Cole preached about our human tendency to distance ourselves from the tragedies in and around our lives. He talked about both a sentimental response that may do that by essentially saying, “this is a lot to think about…therefore, God. [the end]” and a cynical response that may essentially say, “God’s not doing what I expected; I’m out.” Cole then said, “I think we’ve figured out how to use God to insulate ourselves from the pain we’re experiencing.” What is your initial response to these ideas? Can you connect to a sense of using God to insulate yourself from pain? Or a desire to do so? What do you think that’s about for you? How does it function? Do you tend more toward cynicism, sentimentalism, or something else?3. Cole also talked about the role of the practice of confession, which is simply telling the truth about ourselves and our lives. And that the practices of confession and repentance help bring us into spaces in which we can help set others free and liberate them from the massive weights they may feel sitting on their chests.How do you engage in the practice of confession? What does it look like for you? What are some ways in which you find yourself practicing repentance? How comfortable do you feel with the ideas and practices of both confession and repentance? Why do you think that is? If you feel resistance to one or both, what do you think that’s about?Do you see a way in which your practices of confession and repentance lead to liberation and freedom for others? To an easing of the burdens that leave them feeling buried? If so, how so? What does the through-line look like? If not, where does that lead your thoughts?