The whole truth

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: The truth is...

Reading: John 18:28-40

1. What was the time and what had been going on during the night? (18:1-27).
2.  What concession did Pilate make to the Jews? (29) Why do you think that was? What was the Jews reply? (30)
3. What did Pilate ask the Jews and how did they respond? Is there anything wrong with their answer? Why did the Jews demand Jesus be tried by Pilate? How does this fulfil Jesus’ words in 12:32-33? (32)
4. What did Pilate ask Jesus? (33) Why did he ask that? How did Jesus respond?
5. Jesus taught Pilate about his kingdom, what did He teach and what does this mean? (36)
6. Why is Jesus’ kingship different from the kingship in the world? What does it mean, “All who love the truth recognise that what I say is true.”? (37)
7. Why did Pilate ask, “What is truth?” (38) Did he stand on the side of truth? How did Pilate seek a compromise? (39) Why did he fail? (40)
8. What can we learn from Jesus who was rejected by people? (Isa 53:3-5)

Crunch Point

If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Crunch Point

Reading: John 18:1-27

Group discussion points:

1. What is the context of John 18, and what do the other gospel accounts say happened in the garden before Jesus’ arrest?
2. Why does John seem to miss thing out?
3. Why was Judas needed by the religious leaders to betray Jesus?
4. How does Jesus show that He is in control and not the men with swords and clubs? Why did Jesus tell Peter to put his sword away?
5. Why is John the only one that mentions Peter and Malchus by name?
6. Who was Annas and why was he important? Who was the other disciple that followed Jesus?
7. What was Peter’s first mistake?
8. Why did he deny Jesus (vs. 17)?
9. What was illegal about Jesus trial by Annas, the chief priests, scribes
   and elders?
10. What did Jesus’ response to the enquiry prove?
11. Why does John mention that it was one of Malchus’ relatives that was questioning Peter?
12. How many times did Peter deny Jesus?
13. How do the other gospels describe his denials?
14. What was Peter’s reaction after he heard the cock crow?

Personal points to chat about with God

1. What do you do to avoid temptation?
2. What do you do when you find yourself tempted?
3. What should you do?
4. How can you be more like Jesus in facing betrayal and trials?

Who Killed Jesus?

Reading: John 11: 45 - 57
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Who Killed Jesus?  

1. Verses 47-48 This is a major change in tempo, the top people were meeting?
1. What made them react so seriously and quickly?
2. What was the aim of their meeting?
3. Did they doubt Jesus miraculous power?
2. Verses 49-52 are the key to this passage.
1. Why are these verses important? In the sermon we picked out four points, what were they?
2. Can you find any others?
3. Who Killed Jesus and why?
4. Think back over the first 11 chapters of John.
1. Discuss as a group things which might have struck you for the first time or you have been reminded about?
2. What picture of Jesus has come through John's account so far?
3. What have you picked up through the teaching, discussion and prayer around John that has impacted your life? Talk this through as a group.

A Paternity Test

Reading: John 8: 31 - 47
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: A Paternity Test?  

1. Verse 48 starts with a barrage of abuse from the Pharisees. Why the rudeness and what exactly do the Pharisees mean by what they say?
2. Verse 49 is written to carry serious force (truly, truly or amen amen), discuss the condition to having eternal life.
3. Verse 56: how did Abraham see Jesus coming (Gen 14 perhaps?)?
4. Verse 58: what is Jesus claiming, what does I AM mean and when was it first used of God to describe Himself?
5. In the sermon we suggested a paternity test - how might you test your spiritual paternity?

Why would you need saving?

Reading: John 8: 31 - 47
 
If you missed it, here's a link to the Sermon: Do you need to be free?  

1. Chat through what verse 31 means, consider what the flipside of this is? This is a big deal why?
2. What does it mean to you to be free in Christ? how does that match up to Jesus teaching, here and elsewhere, on freedom and slavery?
3. The Pharisees are really out of their depth in this passage. Why are they getting wound up, and how come they can't answer Jesus' questions of them?
4. What are you as an individual taking away from this passage to help you in your Christian life?
5. Have you ever thought about the fact that Jesus' tells us that we either choose Him and eternal life or Satan and eternal existence in the 'outer darkness'. What do you make of that?