Easter Conspiracy: Judas
Our Easter series will explore those who denied Christ—and learn about the truth that is too good to be a conspiracy!
1. ICEBREAKER: Have you ever met someone named Judas? Is there a worse name you can think of?
2. Discuss how you have thought about Judas, or been taught about Judas, in the past.
3. Read John 12:1-6. Jarm pointed out that John wrote his gospel account years after the events had occurred. With this in mind, what do you make of John writing that Judas was a thief? Do you think John knew about this when they were Jesus’s companions?
4. Judas was one of Jesus’s 12 closest companions and friends for 3 years. What kind of inner turmoil do you think it would take for him to betray Jesus like he did? Read Matthew 27:1-5 and discuss the depth of Judas’s regret.
5. Peter and Judas both have moments of realization after they betray/deny Jesus. Discuss the extreme differences in their responses following this realization. Why do you think their responses were so different?
6. Jarm connected the thief Jesus forgave on the cross with Judas. Imagine if Judas had turned to Jesus instead of the chief priests when he repented of his betrayal. How might his story have been drastically different?
7. Drawing on the thief on the cross and the restoration of Peter, what do we learn about God’s forgiveness?
(*Video available after Sunday services)
