Sunday Bible Study: Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

Sunday Bible Study: Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

Step 1:  Opening and Introduction to the lesson –When you are troubled, what symptoms show on your face?  In your spirit?  What trait do you share with other family members?

Step 2:  Hear – Read:  Jesus Predicts His Betrayal and Peter’s Denial:  John 13:18-38.

Step 3:  Explore – Discover the Passage

  1. If you were a movie director, how would you capture the drama of verses 18-22?  If you had been sitting at this table, what would you be feeling?  What would you be saying?
  • In foretelling his betrayal with his disciples, what according to Jesus is the purpose?  What do you sense in Jesus:  Resolution?  Resignation?  Restlessness?  What do you sense in his disciples?  Jesus’ action in v. 26 is a sign of friendship.  What do you sense in Judas?
  • What scripture will be fulfilled (ref Psalm 40:9)?  Do the disciples realize who will betray Jesus?  Is Judas to be excused or held responsible when Satan entered into him (v. 27; also 6:70; 12:4-6; 13:2?
  • Why did Jesus wait until Judas had gone to share the message in vv. 31-35?  What does he call the disciples to do (v. 34)?  What type of person is Peter (vv. 6-9, 36-37)?  How do you think he felt after verse 38? 

Step 4:  Connect – Apply the Passage:

  1. If you knew ahead of time that someone would stab you in the back, how would you treat that person?  How does Jesus show you what love is all about?
  • Given three years of very intimate fellowship with Jesus, how could Judas turn around and betray him?  Have you ever betrayed Jesus?  If so how?
  • How do your good intentions compare to Peter’s?  What is the identification of a disciple?  What is the standard of Love to one another?  How can you fulfill this commandment?  ow can you fulfill this commandment    
  • On a scale from 1 to 10, how does our church rank against the standard of Love?  How could we increase our score?

Step 5: Reflect:  A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.

Pinnacle Lutheran Church