Matthew 27:32-56

The Crucifixion

Discuss the punishment of Crucifixion with your group.

-Who were usually punished in this way?

-Was it painful?

-Would it be seen as an embarrassment to be crucified?

1. In the Garden of Gethsamane, when Jesus asked God for "this cup to be taken away from Him," was He referring to only the pain of the cross or was there something else He wanted to avoid?

2. Review vs 39-44

-Why didn't Jesus come down from the cross? Why would He put himself through the pain and the embarrassment associated with this punishment?

The Death of Jesus

Review vs 45

1. Why does Jesus feel that His Father has forsaken him?

-Has He experienced this before?

Review vs 51

-Why did Matthew add this into the narrative? How does it benefit us?

As a group discuss the prophecies that have been fulfilled by the death of Christ on the Cross.

For instance, are there prophecies that indicate:

-that the Messiah would be forsaken by His disciples

-accused by false witnesses

-spat on and struck

-that He would be crucified with criminals

-that His body would be pierced but not broken

-that soldiers would gamble for His garments?

Any others?

The quick answer... yes. Now find them!

- Let me know if you need a hint or two... : )

** If time permits, consider scheduling a private viewing of "The Passion of the Christ" or similar movie with your connection group.

**Also, perhaps consider taking Communion as a group also.

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt

Matthew 27: 32-56

Matthew 27:11-32

Jesus Before Pilate

After the false accusations are made against Jesus by the chief priests and elders, He was brought before Pontius Pilate- the Roman governor of Judea at that time.

1. Review vs 11

-Why would Pilate ask this question?

-Discuss the significance of Jesus' response.

-By claiming He was a king, wouldn't this have been seen as a challenge against Rome?

2. As the accusations continued, Jesus remained silent. This amazed Pilate.

-Discuss as a group what may have been going on in Pilate's mind during this illegal trial.

-Why would he have been amazed at Jesus' reluctance to answer the accusations made against him?

3.Review vs 15-24

As a custom during the Passover, a prisoner chosen by the crowd was released to them by the Roman governor. Pilate presented Barabbas... a notorious criminal... and, Jesus- the sinless Son of God, to the crowd.

After being persuaded by the chief priests and elders, the crowd chose Barabbas.

-What does the choice of Barabbas say about the crowd's view of Jesus? Why didn't it bother them that Barabbas was a notorious criminal that could very likely commit grievous crimes again?

-What do you think the priests and elders told the crowd?

4. Review vs 24

After attempting to reason with the crowd, Pilate washed his hands of the responsibility of crucifying Jesus.

-If Pilate had the authority to release Jesus- why didn't he?

-Pilate did not believe that Jesus committed a crime- however, Jesus mentioned earlier that He is the King of the Jews- an openly defiant position against the nation of Rome. Why would Pilate still view him as innocent?

-Is Pilate's act of washing his hands of Jesus' blood the same as asking for forgiveness?

-Do you feel that Pilate was forced into making this decision against Christ?

5. Review vs 25

-What does this verse mean?

6. Before being crucified, Jesus was flogged and mocked by the guards.

-What is flogging? If Jesus was going to be crucified, why was he also flogged?

- Why did the governor's soldiers act in this way?

Bonus Question: Between Pilate, the cruel guards, the false accusations of the chief priests, the crowd that demanded that Jesus be crucified- and the sin of your own life- who holds the most responsibility for Jesus' death?

** If time permits, consider scheduling a private viewing of "The Passion of the Christ" or similar movie with your connection group.

Teacher: Jeff Dodge

Matthew 27: 11-44

Matthew 26:69-27:10

Peter Disowns Jesus

Peter sat outside the courtyard and was approached by various people regarding his relationship with the King.

1. Review vs 69

-Why did the servant girl point this out? Did Peter think it was for a different reason?

2. Review vs 71

-Apparently, the motivation of this girl is a bit more clear...

-What would people in the crowd stand to gain by pointing out the followers of Christ? Did they become "enemies" when Jesus was arrested? Do you think they were in the crowd that gathered for the Triumphal Entry noted in Matthew 21: 1-11? Do you think they were followers then?

3. The story continues with yet another denial of Christ by Peter.

Consider this sequence of denials.

-Discuss why Peter responded in such dramatic ways when he was questioned.

-If you were Peter, how would you have responded to this questioning?

-Additional question: Is there a scenario in which you could see yourself denying Christ? What would the level of persecution have to look like?

Matthew 27

Judas saw that Jesus, an innocent- sinless- man was being condemned by priests as a result of an unfair trial. He recognized his sin and approached the priests and the elders.

As a group, discuss the betrayal of Christ by Judas.

-What was his motivation?

-Did Judas not see Jesus as innocent before committing to betray Him?

After sensing the gravity of his choices, Judas went away and hanged himself.

-Was this a response of guilt? Remorse? Some other feeling?

-Do you think that Judas felt that betraying Jesus was beyond forgiveness? If he had been in the company of Jesus over the last few years of His life, why would he think this?

-Is there a sin in your life that you feel is beyond forgiveness? Considering the heart of our Gracious King, why would you still feel that He wouldn't forgive you?

Final question: What do you feel the difference is between Peter and Judas and how they approached the choices listed above?

-What did their individual responses say about their relationship with Christ?

Teacher: Paul Sabino

Matthew 26:69- 27:10

Matthew 26:57-68

Before the Sanhedrin

Jesus has been arrested and He was facing the teachers of the law and the chief priests.

Imagine a court case in which the jury has already decided that you will receive the death penalty.

-What would the trial look like?

-Would it become fairly obvious that the jury was against you from the beginning?

-When you did start to realize that the jury was not going to give you a fair chance, how would you respond?

1. Review vs 58

Peter apparently followed the crowd from a distance. The verse indicates that he did so to "see the outcome."

-Over the last few weeks of Jesus' life, he mentioned over and over again that He would soon lay down his life. Did Peter expect some other outcome?

2. Review vs 59 and 60

The chief priests began to search for false evidence so that Jesus could be put to death.

Discuss what this court scene would have looked like.

-Would the sentiment have been many voices against Jesus? A few?

-Would "the few" have spoken up against "the many?"

-What would compel "many" false witnesses to come forward against Christ? What did they stand to gain?

3. Review vs 61-63

-As further accusations were being made, Jesus remained silent. Why?

-If the roles were reversed and false accusations were being made against you, what would your reaction have been?

4. Review vs 64

Discuss the significance of this verse.

-Of all the things that Jesus could have said, why did He say this?

xref: Daniel 7:13

Teacher: Troy Nesbitt

Matthew 26: 57-68

Cornerstone Connection Group Ministry Kick-off

Good evening, Leaders!

Welcome back!

Hope your summer went well.

Tomorrow is the big day. After a short summer break, our Connection Group Ministry will be kicking off again. Through out this weekend, I will be extending invitations to those that are currently not connected. I am excited to tell them all about the fantastic job that you are all doing!

As it appears to be a resource for many of you, I will continue to post questions on this blog site. Also, as some of you go over the teaching series BEFORE the teaching itself, I will try to have the questions posted one week before the actual teaching. For this reason, I will post the questions today for this week's teaching, as well as next week's.

Have a good weekend and thanks for all that you do.

In Him,

JV