We realize you may not be able to discuss c. Read 1 Timothy 1:6-7. From this passage, how is all the questions. Pick the ones you like. the Spirit of God working in Timothy’s life? How Small Group Questions does the Spirit help in times of fear? “Trials & Denials” d. How is the Spirit of God working to help you be John 18:12-27 the person God wants you to be? Does the Spirit help you overcome fear in your life? Previous message summary: John’s purpose for writing the Gospel of John is, “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Discussion Questions Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life Read John 18:12-27 in his name” (John 20:31). John’s purpose is understood when we look at his account of the betrayal and arrest of Jesus. 2. What do the band of soldiers and those who came to Jesus goes to the garden where he knows Judas will find him Jesus at night do to him? Why do they bind him? before he is betrayed and arrested. We also see in the arrest a. Where do the soldiers take Jesus? Why do they that it is Jesus who first approaches the “band” of soldiers (600 of them) and asks who they are looking for. It is also Jesus who take him to this person? speaks the name of God, and at this, the highly trained military b. Who is Caiaphas? What position does he hold? men fall to the ground. It is Jesus who gives a command to let Who gave him this position? his disciples go free, and it is Jesus who tells Peter to put his sword away. In the account of the betrayal and arrest of Jesus, c. What had Caiaphas previously told the Jews we clearly see that Jesus is the one in charge. concerning Jesus? Read John 11:49-53. Why did Caiaphas say what he did about Jesus? What we learned: Jesus is in control. The events of his betrayal and arrest remind us that Jesus is indeed the Son of 3. When Jesus is led to the high priest’s home, who God and the one with all authority. He is in command, even follows him? Who is this unnamed disciple? when it appears that things are falling apart. The question for all a. What is unique about the unnamed disciple that of us, knowing that Jesus is in control, is if Jesus is in control of gives him the benefit of entering the courtyard of us. Is Jesus Lord and Master in every area of your life? the high priest along with Jesus? Where was Introduction Peter? 1. Following Jesus is difficult at times. Have you ever b. What does the unnamed disciple do for Peter to struggled to openly admit your allegiance to Jesus in give him a better view of what’s going on with front of others? Jesus? Does this put the disciples at risk? a. Are there specific people or situations that make it 4. When Peter goes in, who questions him? What does especially difficult for you to be completely honest she ask? What does this question assume about the concerning your commitment to Christ? unnamed disciple? b. What can you do in these situations, or when you a. How does Peter respond to the girl’s question? are with these people, to overcome the fear that What had Jesus told Peter earlier that night in the prevents you from boldly professing your faith in upper room? Read John 13:37-38. Jesus? b. Re-read John 18:25-27. How many times does Peter deny Jesus? How does Mark’s account of Peter’s denial compare to John’s account? Read 7. If you were watching this illegal court scene and Mark 14:66-72. watching Peter, a close friend of Jesus, deny Christ, c. Peter denies Jesus while standing around a how would you react? What would you conclude charcoal fire. What does Peter do while standing about Jesus and what he is going through? around another charcoal fire later in John’s Challenge: Jesus is right and true and stands in contrast Gospel? Read John 21:9-17. to the illegal proceedings of his accusers and the denials d. What does the tale of these two charcoal fires tell of his closest friends. When the world attempts to discredit you about the grace of God to restore people? Jesus and deny him, resolve to stand in the light with e. Is there someone in your life who needs to hear Jesus rather than in the dark where fear and doubt can about the grace of God to forgive and restore overcome you. them? Make a commitment to pray for that person and make plans to meet with them and talk about Action: This week, memorize Matthew 10:32-33 and be the amazing grace of God. reminded of the importance of acknowledging Jesus with your words and actions. 5. What question(s) did the high priest (Annas) ask Jesus? Does Jesus answer the question about his Next Steps: disciples? Why? G I am so thankful that Jesus loves us and is willing to a. How does Jesus respond to the question about restore sinners who show repentance. his teaching? Why does Jesus tell Annas to ask those who heard him teach to witness about his G I would rather be with Jesus in the courtroom than in teaching? Is it legal to ask the accused to testify the courtyard without him. against themself? G I will come out of the shadows and follow Christ b. What does one of the officers do to Jesus? Is it completely. legal for the officer to do this to the accused before he is convicted? c. After Annas questions Jesus, where does he send him? Why does he send Jesus there? 6. What is the obvious contrast between Jesus, and the way that he presents himself, and the way that Annas and the Jewish court present themselves? a. What is the contrast between Jesus and Peter that the Gospel of John paints in this passage? b. Does the contrast in both scenarios (Jewish court and Peter’s denial) help John to present Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God? Remember John’s purpose for writing the Gospel of John? Read John 20:31.