Bible Studies

Reading assignment for this lesson: Matthew 19:28, 20:25-28, 26:1-35, Mark 10:42-45, 14:1-25, Luke 7:36-50, 22:1-38

As Israel's religious leaders made their final plans to kill Jesus, they got some unexpected help from the betrayer Judas. Meanwhile, Jesus ate the traditional Passover meal with His disciples and instituted the sacrament we know as The Lord's Supper, Eucharist or Communion. Jesus knew He would be crucified the next day and tried to prepare His disciples to carry on without Him.

1. a) Who conspired to kill Jesus?
b) Why didn't they take action against Him immediately? (See Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 22:1-2, John 11:47-53.)

2. a) Why did the woman at Bethany anoint Jesus with expensive ointment?
b) Why was the disciples' objection to this anointing unjustified?
c) What did Jesus mean by, "You always have the poor with you"? (See Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, Luke 7:36-50, John 12:1-7, Matthew 5:42, 25:34-40, Luke 12:33-34, 1 John 3:17.)

3. a) What was Judas' motive for betraying Jesus?
b) Why did the religious leaders need help from Judas? (See Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6, Matthew 26:1-5, Mark 14:1-2, John 13:2-3, 21-30, 18:1-3.)

4. On a Thursday, the eve of Passover, Jesus ate the traditional Passover meal with His disciples. It would be His last meal with the disciples before His crucifixion the next day. What event does Passover commemorate? (See Matthew 26:17-19, Mark 14:12-16, Luke 22:7-13, Exodus 11:1-10, 12:1-16.)

5. The breaking of bread and drinking of wine were traditional at meals. But Jesus gave a new meaning to these acts and instituted the tradition and sacrament we know as The Lord's Supper, Eucharist or Communion.
a) What did Jesus say about the bread?
b) What did He say about the wine? (See Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:15-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25.)

6. Different Christians understand Jesus' sayings about the bread and wine in different ways. Some believe Christ is physically present in the consecrated Communion bread and wine distributed at church services. Others believe Christ is present spiritually but not physically. Others believe the Communion bread and wine are only symbols of the body and blood of Christ.
a) What does your church teach?
b) What is your personal belief? (See John 6:48-57, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 11:27-29.)

7. How is leadership in the kingdom of God different from leadership in the world? (See Matthew 20:25-28, Mark 10:42-45, Luke 22:24-27.)

8. What did Jesus mean by "For the Son of Man came ... to give his life [as] a ransom for many"? (See Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, Isaiah 53:1-12, Romans 3:21-26, Galatians 3:13-15, 4:3-5, 1 Peter 1:18-19, 1 John 2:1-2.)

9. What did Jesus say about Simon Peter's pledge to be faithful to Jesus even unto death? (See Matthew 26:30-35, Mark 14:26-31, Luke 22:31-34, John 13:36-38.)

10. Jesus warned His disciples to be prepared for difficult times ahead (Luke 22:35-38).
a) Why did Jesus say, "... the one who has no sword must sell his cloak and buy one"?
b) What did Jesus mean when He said, "It is enough." in Luke 22:38? (See Deuteronomy 33:29, Matthew 26:50-52, John 18:10-11, 2 Corinthians 11:24-26, Ephesians 6:10-17, Hebrews 4:12.)

11. Why did Jesus say He would be "counted among the transgressors" (or the lawless)? (See Luke 22:37, Isaiah 53:12, John 18:28-30.)