PREPARE

Jesus and His disciples cross the Kidron valley and enter an olive grove. Thus begins Jesus last moments with his disciples as He is arrested, taken before Annas, the High Priest Caiaphas, and finally He stands before the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. As you read through John’s account of these moments, take note of how Jesus interacts with the various groups he encounters and what that reveals to us about our King.

Prepare for this week’s message by reading John chapter 18.

LISTEN

Verses: John 18: 1-40

Main Point: Jesus’ life and death demonstrate His Identity as the unique Son of God and God Himself.

1. Jesus Arrested: (John 18:1-14)

2. Denials and Questions: (John 18:15-27)

3. Pilate and the Truth: (John 18:28-40)

REFLECT

1. What impacted you most from this week’s message? What challenged you or encouraged you?
2. How did this chapter change your understanding of Jesus? Does it make a difference that Jesus was a volunteer and not a victim? How did Jesus’ character shine through the other people in this chapter? (The Disciples, the religious leaders, Pilate, the crowd?)
3. Read John 18:1-14. How many people came with Judas to arrest Jesus? How did Jesus identify Himself? Why was this significant?
4. What was Peter’s response to this? Was this a good response? Was Jesus taken by force, or did He allow Himself to be taken? Why is this significant to understanding Jesus’ character and purpose?
5. Read John 18:15-27. Jesus told Peter that Peter would deny Him three times before the rooster crowed (John 13:31-38). Jesus also predicts that Peter would fall away and come back (Luke 22:31-34). Why did Peter deny Jesus? What was Peter’s reaction after he denied Jesus? (See Matthew 26:69-75)
6. What happened when Jesus was brought before the religious leaders? Why did Jesus go to Annas first and then to Caiaphas? Why was Jesus slapped in the face? What was His response?
7. Read John 18:28-40. Who was Pilate? Describe Pilate’s interaction with Jesus? What can we learn about Jesus, the Jewish leaders, and Pilate himself through in this section of Scripture?
8. What did Jesus say about truth in this section? What question did Pilate ask about truth? How is this relevant to our current cultural moment?

ACT

- What is one specific thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?
- Who is someone you can share what you learned with?