11.3.24 Huddle
Opening Discussion
- If you could create your own holiday, what would it celebrate, and how would people celebrate it?
Read and Discuss
John 18:33-38
33 Then Pilate entered the Praetorium again, called Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”
34 Jesus answered him, “Are you speaking for yourself about this, or did others tell you this concerning Me?”
35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered You to me. What have You done?”
36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here.”
37 Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”
38 Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?”
- Understanding Jesus’ Kingdom:
- What does Jesus mean when He says, “My kingdom is not of this world”?
- How does this statement shape our understanding of His role and authority?
- Applying Jesus’ Example:
- Jesus doesn’t fight for earthly power, even in the face of oppression. What does this tell us about how we should respond to political and cultural issues?
- How can Jesus’ peaceful yet impactful approach help guide us in today’s politically charged culture?
- Engagement with Society:
- Jesus was aware of the political landscape yet remained focused on His mission. How does this inform the balance between our spiritual life and civic responsibilities?
- In what ways can we stay true to our faith and still engage meaningfully with our society?
- The Truth of Jesus:
- What does it mean to “hear” the truth of Jesus’ message?
- How can we discern when we are aligning our actions with God’s kingdom rather than earthly priorities?
Extra Questions
- How might knowing Jesus as King help us find peace in turbulent political times?
- How does our identity as citizens of Jesus’ kingdom shape the way we view our national identity?
- How do Jesus’ teachings challenge us to love people with different perspectives or political views?
Application and Reflection
- Biblical Perspective Assignment: This week, read Romans 12 and 13. Reflect on how these chapters encourage us to relate to governing authorities and to each other as part of God’s kingdom.
- Consider Jesus’ View on Human Dignity: Reflect on how Jesus viewed the value of human life. How does this shape our approach to issues where human dignity is at stake?
- Self-Reflection Question: How might Jesus’ approach to government and authority inspire you to respond to current events with love and understanding rather than fear or anger?
Memorize It!
John 18:36
“My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight…”
Prayer TACOS!
- Thanksgiving – Thank Jesus for being a King who values love and peace over earthly power.
- Adoration – Praise God for the kingdom that is not of this world and offers eternal peace.
- Confession – Confess any ways we’ve allowed earthly conflicts to overshadow our peace in Christ.
- Others – Pray for those who struggle to see God’s kingdom perspective, especially in times of division.
- Self – Ask God to reveal areas where we need to better reflect His kingdom values in our interactions with others.