LifeGroup Notes
BIG IDEA
Warren Wiersbe wrote: “The heart of every problem is the problem in the heart, and the human heart is deceitful and incurable.” When we look at the history of the human race, we see the results of the deceitful human heart. Many people choose to live life on their own terms and for their own purposes. They turn away from God, with many choosing to ignore Him completely and rely on their own strength and abilities. As a result, when trials, disaster, and tragedy come their way, they suddenly find themselves without hope. The only true source of hope in our fallen world is Christ, and we can only experience that hope when we place our trust in Him, allowing Him to change our hearts and choosing to live by the truth given to us in His Word. In this week’s study, Jesus reveals His truth to Pilate as He stands trial and explains His purpose and His Kingdom.
Passages we’ll review:
John 18:33-40; Jeremiah 17:5-8
OPENING
What stood out to you from the message this week? What led you to really think? Did anything challenge you?
As a child, were you ever blamed for something you didn’t do? How did you react?
READ
As Jesus Christ, our beloved Savior, faced these many trials, His encounter with Pilate, a Gentile governor, seemed to be the most orderly. Pilate desired to face Jesus one on one to determine the legitimacy of His so-called “crimes.” Pilate desired to hear from Jesus Himself if He was the King of the Jews.
Read John 18:33-40
What do you notice about the start of this “trial” that is different from the ones with the Jews?
Why did it matter if Pilate was asking of his own accord or not?
When you came to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, what made you want to know Him as such (Lord and Savior) rather than just another person in history?
Jesus was delivered to Pilate for a death sentence. Pilate was genuinely curious why the Son of God was at his headquarters for such a penalty. He confirmed his ignorance to the matter by asking Jesus if He was a Jew and that it was all due to the Jews themselves.
Jesus then reveals in verse 36 that His kingdom is not of this world. Not only was the Kingdom of God foreign to Pilate, a Gentile, but foreign to the entire earth. Jesus alludes to His Lordship by saying “My kingdom” and “My servants.”
What kingdom was Jesus referring to in His response in verse 36? What type of kingdom did Jesus preach about - the kingdom of earth or the kingdom of heaven?
After referring to His kingdom and purpose, Pilate attempts to confirm if Jesus is a king. Once again, Jesus tells him, as He did the others, that they themselves say that He is a king.
Why did Jesus keep saying that they are the ones who call Him king? Why didn’t He just answer yes or no?
What is the truth Jesus came to bear witness about?
Why didn’t Pilate know what the truth was? Do you know that truth today?
Pilate was standing before God Almighty and yet still did not know the truth. Pilate was placed in a difficult position that would inevitably result in the most egregious sentence in the history of the earth. Pilate found no fault in Him and even offered for the Jews to consider releasing Jesus due to their custom of releasing someone at Passover. But the crowd demanded Barabbas.
Why didn’t Pilate find any guilt in Jesus?
Pilate compromised his own gut feeling to appease the crowds. Jesus is being delivered to be crucified.
Why would the crowd not choose Barabbas, a thief and murderer, to stay and release Jesus?
There are many instances in Scripture that illustrate the errors of pleasing man rather than God. What are some challenges that you have been placed in to please man instead of God?
What is the only glimpse of hope in this situation?
DIGGING DEEPER
Read Jeremiah 17:5-8
GAs had happened many times before in the history of Israel, the Jewish leaders had turned away from God and His truth. Their decisions brought ruin and hardship on the people of Israel. Jeremiah reminded the people of God’s truth as he contrasted a desert shrub to a tree planted by the water. —Editor’s Note
How does a desert shrub compare to the one who turns away from God?
How does our culture put trust in human strength or man-made solutions instead of in the Lord? Why do you think God talks so negatively about putting our trust in people?
In verses 7 and 8, we see the one who trusts in God compared to a tree. Why is the tree not fearful or anxious when heat and drought come upon it? How does this relate to those who choose to put their trust in God?
“Believe steadfastly in Him and everything that challenges you will strengthen your faith. There is continual testing in the life of faith up to the point of our physical death, which is the last great test. Faith is absolute trust in God - trust that could never imagine that He would forsake us.” (Oswald Chambers) —Editor’s Note
LET’S PRAY
Consider the following as you pray together:
Do you feel like a bush in the wilderness right now or a tree planted by the water? Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior? If not, talk to your LifeGroup leader or one of our staff.
In what ways are you depending on your own strength or wisdom right now more than the Lord? What would it look like for you to trust in the Lord for those circumstances instead?
Think of those you interact with on a regular basis. Who can you share the truth of Christ with this week as you live for Him?