unshakable resolve

"When it looks like the bad guys are winning."

Opening thoughts:  The bible has some difficult commands for us to swallow.  What do we do when God’s Word makes us uncomfortable?  Do we obey? Or do we give reasons for why we don’t have to listen to it anymore?  Jesus showed a remarkable devotion to God’s Word.  He obeyed at the expense of His own life!  Hopefully, the outcome of tonight’s lesson is that we will adopt the same radical obedience to God’s Word that Christ had.

OPENING QUESTIONS:

1. From conversations that you have had with people, what are some “commands” in the bible with which people disagree, or which make people uncomfortable?

GOING DEEPER:

1. READ Matthew 26:47-56.
2. Jesus called Judas His “friend” even after He knew that Judas intended to betray Him.  How difficult do you think that was for Jesus to do?
3. John 18:10 tells us that it was Peter who took a swipe at the servant of the high priest with his sword.  What do you think was motivating Peter to get violent in this situation?
4. In verse 53, Jesus revealed that He had a tremendous resource at His disposal. (A force of 12 legions of angels!)  This was Jesus’ chance to fight back!  Why do you think He abstained?
5. What does verse 54 reveal about Jesus’ reasons for not calling on the angels?
6. Jesus was so committed to obeying the scriptures that He refused to call on the angels.  Jesus chose the more difficult path of obeying God’s word, than to cop out and call the angels for back up!  Does that seem incredible to you?  What would you have done if you were in Jesus’ shoes?

GETTING PERSONAL:

1. Which commands in the bible are difficult for you to obey?   Why?
2. How do you usually respond when you run across a tough command in the bible? 
3. What does your response say about your relationship with God?

GROUP PRAYER:

1. Pray for one another.
2. Remember to pray for your friends who do not yet know Jesus.