Show of Force – John 18:1-3

• Q. Where do you go when you need to get away from things? What makes that place so special? 
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • After His time in the upper room, Jesus and the 11 disciples made their way to the garden of Gethsemane, a place they often visited together. 
• Q. How would you describe the setting in John 18:1? 
  
  • Discuss
  • Peaceful, calm, picturesque 
• Q. How would you describe the setting in John 18:3? How has it changed from earlier?
  
  • Give time to answer.
  • Tense, chaotic, over the top, etc.
• Q. What does the presence of armed soldiers tell us about the expectations of Judas and the accompanying officials? 
  
  • Listen for answers. 
  • They were expecting trouble. 
  • The religious leaders claimed Jesus was leading a revolt against Rome (cf Lk 23:2; Mk 12:13-14). 
  • Some of the disciples had swords (Lk 22:49; 
• Q. Why do you think they arrested Jesus at night in the garden of Gethsemane instead of during the day in Jerusalem? 
  
  • Discuss. 
  • To avoid the chance that crowd would protest His arrest (Mt 26:3-5). 

Positive Identification – John 18:4-9

• Q. If Jesus knew “everything that was about to happen to him,” why did He go out and ask, “Who is it that you’re seeking” (Jn 18:4)?
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • He knew what Judas was going to do (Jn 13:27; 17:12). 
  • He insisted they reveal their purpose, not for His knowledge but to confront their conspiracy. 
  • To demonstrate that He wasn’t afraid or caught off guard. It showed that He was in control of the situation, voluntarily handing Himself over. 
• Q. What do you think was going through the mind of the soldiers when they heard Jesus speak?
  
  • Discuss. 
  • I was expecting a fight.
  • This man was supposed to be a trouble maker, He doesn’t sound like it.
  • Why isn’t He trying to flee?
• Q. After reading these verses who would you say was the person in charge? Why?
  
  • Give time to discuss.
  • Jesus was in charge. 
  • The soldiers fell back while Jesus stepped forward.
  • Jesus was giving commands. 
  • Jesus willingly gave Himself up.

Rebellion Snuffed – John 18:10-11

• Q. Think back to a time when you did something you now regret? How did you respond to the regret?
  
  • Discuss
  • Learned to live with it, apologized and asked for forgiveness, tried to ignore, etc. 
  • Sorry for reminding you of your regrets, but today we get to see where Peter acted rashly and likely regretted it. 
• Read John 18:10-11
• Q. What did Peter think he would accomplish by killing the high priest’s servant? 
  
  • Discuss. 
  • Surely his desire was to “protect” Jesus, not that He needed protecting (Mt 26:53). 
  • Perhaps he was trying to “prove” his devotion to Jesus, just a few hours earlier he claimed that he was willing to die for Jesus (Jn 13:37). 
  • Whatever the case, it’s clear that he still did not understand Jesus’ mission. 
• Q. Why is it important for John to document Jesus’ response to Peter? What do we learn from it?
  
  • Give time to answer. 
  • It makes it abundantly clear that Jesus’ arrest wasn’t a surprise or an accident. 
  • We see that God was, and is, in control. He obediently laid down His life according to God’s plan.
  • It highlights the love Jesus has for us. Even though He prayed for the cup to pass from Him (Matt 26:39) He knew it needed to happen.
  • It stopped the disciples from even thinking about attempting to fight to free Jesus.