Holy Week: Day 3 – Looking for a way

Thanks for joining us on our journey through Holy Week. We offer this series of discussion guides for your home use, because after all, you spend more time with your kids than we get on Sunday mornings at FUMC. (It’s okay if you don’t know all of the answers to the following questions. Let them spark discussion!)

So far on our journey we’ve been through Palm Sunday; “Yesterday” was at the Temple. Today… someone is doing something secretive; looking for a way…

A staged photo showing Judas meeting with the religious leaders

Time Out. Talk about… A speech bubble What could be happening in this photo? (Is someone holding a money bag?)

What’s happening involves some shady dealing. The religious leaders did not like what they were hearing from Jesus. They were afraid. (What if Jesus stirred up the people? That could result in the Romans getting upset; the Romans might take away our power!)

The religious leaders wanted Jesus out of the way. They were more than pleased when Judas, one of Jesus’ disciples, showed up with an offer they couldn’t refuse.

Time Out. Talk about… A speech bubble What was it that Judas agreed to do?

The Bible tells us that the religious leaders had been plotting to arrest Jesus and kill him. Then Judas shows up, saying…

How much will you pay me to betray Jesus to you? Matthew 26:15

Time Out. Talk about… A speech bubble How much did they pay Judas?

If you’re not sure about the answer to this one, how about a little look-it-up-in-the-Bible practice? Find the answer at Matthew 26:14-16.

Time Out. Talk about… A speech bubble Who were these religious leaders?

This body of leaders was called the Sanhedrin. Their leader was Caiaphas, the high priest. Technically, Israel was under Roman rule, however the Romans allowed the Sanhedrin some power. This group of seventy-one men made laws, had their own police force, and could arrest people and send them to jail. (But they needed the Roman governor’s permission to condemn someone to die.)

Time Out. Talk about… A speech bubble (No right or wrong answers here!)

In what way has the Sanhedrin misunderstood Jesus?
In what way does Judas seem to have misunderstood Jesus?
Has a friend ever turned against you? How did you feel?

Stay tuned for the next installment of our series on Holy Week.

Photo credits:
By Maria Koukios, © 2011, used by permission.
Speech bubbles via WPClipart.com. Quote marks via Clker.com. Both are in the public domain.