Discussion Guide: Life is Full of Choices (April 13-19)
Desired Takeaway:
In this Passion Week, we’ll decide to pick up our cross and follow Jesus; hopefully, to someone who needs to know our Resurrected Lord.
Scripture Notes:
Matthew 27:1-26
The Jewish leaders had decided that Jesus deserved death (for claiming to be the Son of God), so early in the morning Jesus was taken to the Roman Governor, Pilate, for trial. Meanwhile, Judas expresses remorse, returns the money, and commits suicide. Pilate questions Jesus and finds that Jesus has done nothing deserving death. However, Pilate decides to appease the crowd, who is shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Icebreaker Question:
Have you ever seen the movie 50 FIRST DATES (with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore)? It’s a movie about a guy who gets 50 tries to win over a young lady who suffers from a type of amnesia where she wakes up each day with no recollection of the previous day. If you had to be one or the other of those two characters, would you choose to be Adam or Drew? The person who fails epically over and over again until he finally gets it right? Or, the person who has no memory at all of past failures?
1. Lean In - Getting Personal
Matthew 27 is a difficult passage to read, but we see multiple examples of people making decisions about who Jesus is. Have you ever wrestled with that very same decision? Or, are you still wrestling with who Jesus is?
2. Look Down - Examine Scripture (Matthew 27:3-10)
Judas is seized with remorse for betraying Jesus. He throws the silver into the temple, goes out and hangs himself. Do you think Judas could have found forgiveness through repentance? Have you ever felt a little like Judas? Like you’ve done something for which you couldn’t be forgiven?
3. Look Out - Seeing the Bigger Picture (read Matthew 27:11-14; 28:18-20)
Jesus doesn’t say much as he’s on trial for his life. The Jewish leaders speak. The Roman Governor speaks. Pilate's wife speaks. The crowds shout. Jesus remained silent. There were lots of voices making claims about Jesus, but not Jesus himself. Why do you think Jesus chose to remain silent? In a way, do you think Jesus is still on trial today? Should we remain silent about who Jesus is? Why or why not?
4. Look In - Internalizing Truth (read John 3:16-16)
When we think about why Jesus endured the trial and crucifixion, and realize that it was all for us, about us, how does that make you feel? Read John 3:16-17 and substitute “me” for “us.” In a very real sense, how are we like Barabbas, the murderer who got set free instead of Jesus?
5. Live it Out - Applying it where we live, work and play
If deciding to believe or not believe in Jesus is the most important decision we’ll ever make; and, following Jesus means picking up my cross daily and follow Jesus — do you think that means talking about Jesus more and more to those whom the Lord puts in our path? Is there someone the Lord has laid upon your heart to talk to about Jesus? Remember the story Dave told about old Ed Whitaker? Do you think timing is everything, and the Lord could use you to lead someone to Jesus?
Optional Exercises for the Week:
Prayer Prompt to Close Group:
“Lord, I believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who silently endured the suffering of the trial, and the pain of the cross for me. I’m just like Barabbas, a sinner who was set free by Jesus! Lord, thank you for your love and grace! Now, Lord, give me the courage to be your ambassador to those whom you put in my path, and open their hearts to be receptive to the Good News. All for Jesus we pray. Amen”
In this Passion Week, we’ll decide to pick up our cross and follow Jesus; hopefully, to someone who needs to know our Resurrected Lord.
Scripture Notes:
Matthew 27:1-26
The Jewish leaders had decided that Jesus deserved death (for claiming to be the Son of God), so early in the morning Jesus was taken to the Roman Governor, Pilate, for trial. Meanwhile, Judas expresses remorse, returns the money, and commits suicide. Pilate questions Jesus and finds that Jesus has done nothing deserving death. However, Pilate decides to appease the crowd, who is shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”
Icebreaker Question:
Have you ever seen the movie 50 FIRST DATES (with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore)? It’s a movie about a guy who gets 50 tries to win over a young lady who suffers from a type of amnesia where she wakes up each day with no recollection of the previous day. If you had to be one or the other of those two characters, would you choose to be Adam or Drew? The person who fails epically over and over again until he finally gets it right? Or, the person who has no memory at all of past failures?
1. Lean In - Getting Personal
Matthew 27 is a difficult passage to read, but we see multiple examples of people making decisions about who Jesus is. Have you ever wrestled with that very same decision? Or, are you still wrestling with who Jesus is?
2. Look Down - Examine Scripture (Matthew 27:3-10)
Judas is seized with remorse for betraying Jesus. He throws the silver into the temple, goes out and hangs himself. Do you think Judas could have found forgiveness through repentance? Have you ever felt a little like Judas? Like you’ve done something for which you couldn’t be forgiven?
3. Look Out - Seeing the Bigger Picture (read Matthew 27:11-14; 28:18-20)
Jesus doesn’t say much as he’s on trial for his life. The Jewish leaders speak. The Roman Governor speaks. Pilate's wife speaks. The crowds shout. Jesus remained silent. There were lots of voices making claims about Jesus, but not Jesus himself. Why do you think Jesus chose to remain silent? In a way, do you think Jesus is still on trial today? Should we remain silent about who Jesus is? Why or why not?
4. Look In - Internalizing Truth (read John 3:16-16)
When we think about why Jesus endured the trial and crucifixion, and realize that it was all for us, about us, how does that make you feel? Read John 3:16-17 and substitute “me” for “us.” In a very real sense, how are we like Barabbas, the murderer who got set free instead of Jesus?
5. Live it Out - Applying it where we live, work and play
If deciding to believe or not believe in Jesus is the most important decision we’ll ever make; and, following Jesus means picking up my cross daily and follow Jesus — do you think that means talking about Jesus more and more to those whom the Lord puts in our path? Is there someone the Lord has laid upon your heart to talk to about Jesus? Remember the story Dave told about old Ed Whitaker? Do you think timing is everything, and the Lord could use you to lead someone to Jesus?
Optional Exercises for the Week:
- Make a list: Include the people you live with (by), work with and play with. Begin praying for these people by name each day. Ask the Lord to open a door for YOU to have a meaningful conversation with them.
- Invite someone to attend with you: As Good Friday and Easter are just a few days away, why not invite someone to attend these services with you. This is the time of year that people are most likely to accept an invite to church.
- Share your 2-minute testimony with someone: If we believe that the decision we make about Jesus is really the most important decision we’ll make; then, share with someone why YOU believe in Jesus.
Prayer Prompt to Close Group:
“Lord, I believe that Jesus is the Lamb of God, who silently endured the suffering of the trial, and the pain of the cross for me. I’m just like Barabbas, a sinner who was set free by Jesus! Lord, thank you for your love and grace! Now, Lord, give me the courage to be your ambassador to those whom you put in my path, and open their hearts to be receptive to the Good News. All for Jesus we pray. Amen”