Community Group Discussion Guide

John 18:12-27 – Weekend of July 14 & 15, 2018Two Interrogations

I. Starter Question:

Whether in a court of law, or in a court of family matters, in a “court” at work or a court of public opinion, when have you experienced a time where you were interrogated, or had to testify to the truth, or witnessed a testifying of truth?

II. Discussion of Scripture:

Context: John 20:31 clearly states that these things “are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.” We have seen the public ministry of Jesus. We have witnessed the “Upper Room Discourse” where Jesus pours His soul out for His disciples. We have just witnessed Jesus Christ praying for Himself, His disciples, and for us. Now “the time has come” for Jesus Christ to go on trial and “drink the cup” for us.

John 18:12-27 (ESV) - 12 So the band of soldiers and their captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound him. 13 First they led him to Annas, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. 14 It was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it would be expedient that one man should die for the people.

Peter Denies Jesus15 Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. Since that disciple was known to

the high priest, he entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest, 16 but Peter stood outside at the door. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the servant girl who kept watch at the door, and brought Peter in. 17 The servant girl at the door said to Peter, “You also are not one of this man’s disciples, are you?” He said, “I am not.” 18 Now the servants and officers had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold, and they were standing and warming themselves. Peter also was with them, standing and warming himself.

The High Priest Questions Jesus19 The high priest then questioned Jesus about his disciples and his teaching. 20 Jesus answered

him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I have always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all Jews come together. I have said nothing in secret. 21 Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them; they know what I said.” 22 When he had said these things, one of the officers standing by struck Jesus with his hand, saying, “Is that how you answer the high priest?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If what I said is wrong, bear witness about the

wrong; but if what I said is right, why do you strike me?” 24 Annas then sent him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus Again25 Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. So they said to him, “You also are not one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” 26 One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, asked, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” 27 Peter again denied it, and at once a rooster crowed.

Brief Explanation: We see two interrogations take place in sharp contrast:i. Jesus Christ interrogated by Annas, the High Priest.

ii. Peter interrogated by the crowd.

It is confusing to understand the High Priest structure in the time of Jesus. Was Annas the High Priest or was Caiaphas the High Priest. The answer is yes. (v. 13). Annas was high priest from AD 6-15. He was then disposed by the Roman government succeeded by five sons and a son-in-law, Caiaphas. Clearly, Annas was the “power behind the throne”. So, upon Jesus’ arrest, he is brought to this interrogation in the dark of the night to reveal Truth.

Jesus’ testimony? “I Am”. (Jn. 18:5,6,8) Break down v.19-23. I am above reproach. I have spoken openly, publicly, not hiding anything and have spoken truth because I Am the Truth (Jn. 14:6). Jesus is fully God and fully man.

Peter’s testimony? “I am not”. (Jn. 18:17,25,27) Break down v. 15-18 and 25-27. Questions among commentaries abound on who the other disciple was. Most agree that it is John, but it is not clear. Peter is interrogated by a servant girl holding the door. He is interrogated by Malchus’ relative. Peter was not above reproach. He was deceptive, brash and fleshly.

For Discussion:

· How are we interrogated in various “courts” as to our testimony to knowing Jesus Christ? (Luke 9:26) Are we filled with the Spirit in those responses, or filled with the fleshly response?

· Acts 2:14 and 22 speak to Peter proclaiming the words to the crowd. Compare his transformation from this low point in his life (Jn. 18:25-27) to this Acts 2 passage.

· Discuss how this “trial” was a mockery to the Pharisaical Law. Note the response by Jesus on who should testify to the Truth. How can we carry this testifying on

today?

· What feelings must Peter have had after the rooster crowed? Have you ever experienced the feelings Peter must have had? (see Jn. 13:37-38) What do you suppose Peter did at that point in the night?

· How do you explain the ups and downs in your own spiritual life? Why does this daily battle of the flesh vs. the Spirit seem so difficult in our daily walk?

· What are some practical ways you can depend on the Holy Spirit this week as you deny yourself and walk with Christ?

III. Responding in Prayer:

1. Pray for our church that we would be led by the Spirit to fully embrace the mission of our church: Love God, Love People, and Make Disciples. As Christians, we were chosen for purpose — the purpose of glorifying God, and we glorify God by loving him, loving people, and making disciples!

2. Pray for the people in our community group who are facing difficult trials. Pray for those in the “field” who are standing up to testify to the Truth in closed nations. Pray for this spiritual battle that we are in, that we would “stand firm”, putting on the full armor of God.

3. Praise the Lord for times that He forgives us when we fail in our testimony. Praise the Lord He does not give up on us. Praise His Holy Name for loving us like He loved Peter. His mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness.

Mission / Vision / Valuesof Henderson Hills Baptist Church

Our Mission:Love God. Love People. Make Disciples. Our Vision:Our vision is to become a diverse family of surrendered and transformed people who passionately love God and others. We endeavor to be a body that is overcome by the reality that this life is not about us, but all about the glory of God. We want to be transfixed by the gospel of Jesus Christ and compelled by His heart for our world. We strive to be seed-throwers and fire-starters, hope-announcers and grace-givers, risk-takers and constant-reformers, lifelong-learners and sold-out doers. We desire to be a people who gladly give our lives to free the captive, strengthen the weak, embrace the outcast, and seek out the lost. Because Scripture is our authority, we strive to be a family that serves together, studies the Word together, plays together, worships together, and lives life together. By God's grace our world will be changed because we are here. Our Values:

1. Glorifying God:

We value the passionate pursuit of knowing God and walking with Him.

2. Submitting to the Authority of Scripture:

We value the sufficiency of Scripture in every aspect of our lives.

3. Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ:

We value sharing the Gospel and making disciples.

4. Serving with a Kingdom Perspective:

We value living our lives focused upon what will matter most for eternity.

5. Cherishing the Local Church:

We value the essential role of the church in the sanctification of the believer and salvation of the nations.

6. Doing Life Together in a Christ-Centered Community:

We value that God uniquely uses personal relationships to sanctify and sharpen believers.