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Home , John 11, John 3

Small Group Discussion Guide High priests and

Questions:

1. What did you hear in the dramatic interview? What stood out to you, or “spoke to you”, personally? What would you say was the main theme, or themes, of the presentation?

2. Like the Jewish faith, there are lots of “types” of Christians too— different denominations. How does focusing on gather us together, or unite us?

3. ’ presence and teaching threatened the power of the establishment, including the high priests. How does the Christian message (love neighbor & enemy, give to the poor, etc) threaten—or go against—the culture or establishment today?

4. In Jesus’ time, the priests had to bring the people’s concerns to . The priest was “the go-between”. How did Jesus’ life and death change that?

5. Have you ever “defended your faith”? What did you do, or say? How do you know when to keep silent and when to speak about your faith?

Additional Questions for Reflection and/or Discussion:

1. Scripture says that Caiaphas “prophesied that Jesus was about to die for the [Jewish] nation, and not for the [Jewish] nation only, but to gather into one the dispersed (scattered or separated) children of God”? :51. Who is Caiaphas talking about? Why is that important? How this prophesy come true? How is it still coming to pass?

2. Several times in the interview, Caiaphas is quoted as saying “It is better … that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish” (John 11:50). How does that echo the message in :16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

3. What is ironic about the high priest(s) questioning of Jesus?

4. If the high priests, elders, and teachers of the law were waiting for the , why would they consider it blasphemy when the actual Messiah (right in front of them) identifies himself?

5. Annas questioned Jesus about his teaching. What was the new teaching that Jesus taught in the synagogues and in the temple? (:19-20)

6. Jesus responds to the questions with either silence or a request that the accusers explain what he has done or said that was wrong. In times of crisis or stress, how do you respond? How about when someone accuses you of something you didn’t do?

7. Like Annas, many of us want to be liked. That is not wrong. It becomes wrong when that becomes the main focus of our decision-making (“Will people like me?”). What are some things we (or you) do to make people like us, which are opposed to Jesus’ teachings?

8. Like Caiaphas, many of us want to be rich and to have power. We want to “win”! These are not bad things in themselves. When does it become bad?

9. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt unfairly treated or the authority figure (judge, principal, teacher, parent) was already against you? Explain. How did you handle it?

10. At the end of the interview, Caiaphas said that today, Christians are embarrassed to speak of Jesus. In your experience at home or school or on the sports field/court, do you think that is true? Why or why not?