What are some of the biggest disappointments you have in memory (football game, Christmas gift, election result, a job, a teacher, vacation, meal, etc.)?

Verse 1-5: What are some parallels between the Passover and what Jesus came to fulfill regarding his death?

What would drive the chief priests and elders to plot to kill Jesus? Why do you think they would feel justified in their killing of Jesus? Who are some people we may justify our hatred for and why?

Verse 6-16: What are some causes/organizations you support with finances, influences, skills, and time? How do you determine how much you should give? How do you determine the cost versus benefit?

I imagine that the final straw for Judas’ disillusionment with the Jesus movement occurred during the incident with the woman with the alabaster jar. Instead of Jesus leading a rebellion against the Romans and using power and riches to maintain influence, Jesus kept talking about dying and was ok with people dumping expensive oil on his head. As the treasurer for the group, he probably saw Jesus as wasteful and irresponsible. Perhaps in some ways, Judas understood better than any of the other disciples at that point that Jesus never intended to establish the type of kingdom they were looking for, that he wasn’t going to gather up riches and influences that Judas desired, and he wanted his payout.

Do you or does someone you know put their hope in God because of their hope in a future material/physical reward? Perhaps your faith depends on a feeling, Sunday experiences, or a motivational speaker. Have you ever been let down by your Christian experiences? Has a lack of blessing or moving experiences in your Christian walk ever tested your faith? Have you ever sold out in your walk with God to indulge in the pleasures of this world?

To what can we anchor our faith? How do we maintain motivation to move forward in our faith?

If there’s no guarantee of a physical reward, what reward can we look to?

Verse 17-25: Have you gotten yourself into a situation that you regretted being in but you just couldn’t get out (friendship, relationship, job, contract, promise)? How did you get in that situation? How did you get out?

Why do you think Jesus kept his betrayer in his circle of influence for such a long time? What does it say about Jesus that he knew the whole time that one of his closest confidants would betray him? What does it say about us that someone could be in the presence of Jesus for so many years, yet still turn on him?

Verse 26-29: What are some of the most important traditions you have in your family?

At the time of the last supper, the tradition of Passover would have been over 1,300 years old. Imagine how crazy it would have seemed for the disciples to hear Jesus replace Passover with a memorial tradition about him. And he hadn’t even established his kingdom yet!

As you’ve undergone your own journey of sanctification, what are some behaviors, habits, and practices you’ve had to leave behind? What are some things you still need to minimize in your life to move toward Christ? What are some things that you do to keep Christ front and center in your life?

Verse 30-35: What is a saying or habit that your parents had that you’ve kept all these years?

Have you ever found yourself doing things or saying things that you said would never do or say? Why did that happen? How did you get there?

What do you think gave Peter such confidence that he wouldn’t deny Jesus? What was the flaw in his thinking?

Verse 36-40: What is the biggest sacrifice you’ve ever had to make?
What drove you to do it?

When you are in a trying situation, how do you know when to stick it out, and how do you know when to quit? What gave Jesus the ability to stick it out when he knew suffering was coming?

Verse 41-46: What’s something you were so nervous about that you couldn’t sleep?

How would you describe your prayer life? Is prayer important to your spiritual life? What is the power of prayer?

Verse 47-56: What would drive a group of people who felt threatened by Jesus’ popularity to start a mob?

How much time do you/we spend talking with people of opposing views these days? Do you think that’s changed over time? Do you think your views have become more or less extreme as the way society has changed how we maintain communities and communicate?

Why do you think the disciples fled? How do you think you would behave in that situation?

Do you feel threatened as a Christian in today’s society? What is the appropriate response to a world that seems like it’s moving away from God?

Verse 57-68: What is Jesus’ response in the face of certain doom with a people that are enraged against him? Is Jesus acting with strength or with weakness? Why doesn’t Jesus defend himself?

What are some things we might have to lose in order to win over others for Christ? What are some things we’re afraid we’ll lose in order to win some for Christ?

Verse 69-75: What did Peter assume about Jesus that isn’t coming true at this point in the story?

Have you ever felt let down by God? Has the weakness he’s asked us to show ever looked shameful to you? Consider 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

How can weakness lead to strength?