Introduction and Prayer

• Pray

Read Luke 22:47-48 47But even as Jesus said this, a crowd approached, led by Judas, one of the twelve disciples. Judas walked over to Jesus to greet him with a kiss. 48But Jesus said, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!”

• To whom is Luke writing this account of Jesus’ miracle in the Garden?

• What in this passage indicates to us that Judas may have been a persuasive leader in gathering people against Jesus in this moment?

• Why does having a group with you sometimes make it seem like you’re not doing anything wrong? When have participated or even led a group of people into sinful activity? Is there any area in your life now that the Holy Spirit is identifying in you?

• Judas betrays Jesus in deceit with a kiss. When have we seen people shroud sinful activity in acceptable or even pleasing ways?

• Why would the disciples have been carrying swords and what does this tell us about them?

Read Luke 22:50

50And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear.

• In this account we don’t know this is Peter, but in John 18:10 the scriptures tell us which disciple does this. Why is it surprising Peter is behaving this way?

• How do we know Peter is being led by his flesh not the Spirit of God?

• What areas in our lives represent flesh focused perspective vs a kingdom one?

• Once identifying these areas, what steps can we take to move away from a fleshly mentality and shift in these areas to a Kingdom focus?

• How do you think this would have ended if Peter’s violent act was not stopped by Jesus?

• What kingdom work could we be preventing by not allowing the Holy Spirit fruit to be active in our lives?

Read Luke 22:51; Matthew 26:52

51But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.

52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?

• What do we learn from how Jesus addresses this situation?

• How do we sometimes try and resolve conflict in the flesh?

• What could we do instead?

• Compare and contrast Jesus’ vs. Peter’s response in this situation?

• How does Jesus demonstrate extreme obedience and self-control?

• Think of a situation you’re facing currently? What is the required response? How can you approach it with a Kingdom mentality while dealing with the situation at hand?

Read Matthew 16:21

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.[Jesus is telling the disciples that a difficult season is coming—He informs them that they are soon going to experience suffering and hardship] 22But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” [Peter reprimands Jesus and basically tells Jesus that this doesn’t need to be part of the plan] 23Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

• What had Peter and the other disciples known prior to the Garden arrest from this passage in Matthew?

• Why do you think although knowing the Kingdom plan they still reacted in the flesh in the heat of the moment?

• Jesus too knew the plan from the beginning. How does His utter and complete reliance on the Father give us hope and faith in the Father’s ability to carry us through His leading?

• What can we do to condition ourselves to trust the Father’s leading in all situations?

Read Matthew 16:24-26

24Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower,[if you want to change your focus] you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [You must focus on God’s Word—on God’s ways[ 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?

• What is rewarding about focusing on Jesus and following the Father’s plan?

• When can we have the most gain in our lives?

• How does this play out practically in your marriage, at work, with your children, in your friendships or relationships?

Think on This… What would your day to day life look like as you truly followed Jesus’ example and obeyed the Father in every situation? How can we do this?