Life Groups // Fall 2020 // Week 5

Posted October 10, 2020 — Lincoln Berean

Only Jesus  // John 18:1-27

Introduction

In this week’s study, we learned about the arrest of Jesus. As the scene unfolds, both Peter and Jesus face intense questioning. As you think about this week’s questions, reflect on the unity Bryan has talked about this session.

We don’t provide a lot of space for your answers to these questions, so we suggest having a journal handy to write down your thoughts. You’re not expected to have time for all these questions during your online meeting, but we encourage you to reflect on them and jot down thoughts on your own.

Getting to Know Each Other (Suggested time: 30 min)

Begin your group time by learning more about each other. Open up and have some fun! Here are some suggestions to get your conversation started:

• Books, movies, and shows often tell stories with turns we do not expect. What’s your favorite plot twist or surprise ending?

• Out of all your life experiences, which memories can you recall the most vividly?

Getting Started

Begin to transition into group discussion.

1) Open group discussion with prayer. Here are a few potential prayer items:

• For the Spirit of God to lead you in truth
• For openness to what you’re learning together
• For friendships to deepen and grow 

2) Invite someone (or a couple of people) to read John 18:1-27 to the group.

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Study Questions (Suggested time: 40 min)

Please complete these questions prior to your group’s meeting time.

1) Was there anything from this weekend’s message that stood out to you?

2) Throughout John, tensions have slowly built, and the plotlines have been on a collision course from the beginning. Now that the story is reaching its climax, we see all the stories intersect during this fateful night. What are the motivations, feelings, and belief systems held by the following people:

• Jesus?

• Judas and the Roman officers?

• Peter?

• The High Priest and the Official that struck Jesus?

3) In this passage, Peter and Jesus are both asked who they are—and they are each asked twice. Jesus answers, “I am He.”  However, when Peter is asked about his discipleship, he replies, “I am not.”

• After being warned and yet still denying Jesus, how do you think Peter felt when he heard the rooster crow?

• In what ways do you publicly identify yourself as a follower of Jesus

• In what ways do you deny him?

4) This night was likely going to haunt Peter for the rest of his life. Every time he warmed himself by a charcoal fire or heard a rooster crow, Peter would have remembered the night he betrayed his friend.

• In this passage, we see Peter go from being a defender (v20) to a denier (v27). What do you think happened to him in the days following this moment? What did he become?

• When you fail, what do you become? What are the thoughts, actions, emotions, and feelings you believe define you?

5) Jesus has spoken of this hour since the beginning of John. Now that His hour is at hand, we find only Jesus remains. The adoring crowds have fled or turned to angry mobs, His closest friends have betrayed or denied Him, and the religious leaders have put Him on trial.

• We all put our hope and trust in something. While you may know who you should turn to, where are you tempted to turn in moments of crisis (your own abilities, bank accounts, friends, family, possessions, government, etc.)?

• In our hour of need or desperation, only Jesus can save us. When you feel yourself turning to someone or something else, how can you build habits and disciplines to turn to Him instead?

If you would like to learn more about opportunities to witness or participate in God’s kingdom in Lincoln and around the world, contact outreach@lincolnberean.org or checkout this Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/lincolnbereanlocal

Group Prayer (Suggested time: 10 min)

Take a few moments to prepare a prayer request, considering how others might pray for you specifically this week.

A significant part of creating unity with God and one another is being open and honest with our lives. Praying with a group of people may be a new experience for you, or it may be familiar. Whether or not you choose to verbalize your prayer, everyone is a participant in sharing this time before God together.