Sermon Discussion Guide: 10/4/26

Sermon Recap

Title: Empty Accusations & Fulfilled Prophecy
Text: Matthew 26:36-68
Question: How do we make sense of a world that goes so wrong even when we do everything right?

Discussion Questions

1. At Jesus' arrest, He displayed "Kingdom ethics" in His response to those coming after Him. How do we discern when to defend the defenseless and when to "turn the other cheek"?

2. How have you found difficulty in reconciling Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount with real life circumstances? (See Matt. 5-7 and Peter's response to the mob wanting to arrest Jesus)

3. Jesus remained steadfast and resolute at His trial before the Sanhedrin because He held onto "Kingdom promises." How do you hold onto promises from God without them becoming trite sentiments?

4. The fact that Jesus was betrayed, arrested, falsely condemned, and beaten reveals that this life in this broken world will be filled with "wrong things" that are done to us. Does that discourage you that it is how things are, or encourage you that the Bible prepares us for this?

5. Jesus prayed "Kingdom prayers" in Gethsemane. How can you latch onto His prayers from Matthew 6 and Gethsemane when your circumstances seem unbearable?

6. Jesus' anguish and anxiety in Gethsemane are incredibly intense. Therefore, He can sympathize with us in anything we are experiencing. How does that comfort or console your heart?

7. How do you need to change how you see, think, or feel about your circumstances in light of Jesus' experience in this text?