Judas (29 page)

Chapter 36

1. Why did Jesus say to Peter,
   “Get behind me?”
   
2. What did Jesus mean when he said,
   “My kingdom is not of this world?”
   Why did Judas struggle with that truth? Do you?
   
3. As presented in this chapter, what are Jesus’ views about women? Do you think the author fairly represents the scripture in this?
   
4. Discuss the Law, as explicated by Jesus in this chapter.
   

   How does this take on the law differ from what you were taught? Is there room for debate with various faiths, given this interpretation? Is it more inclusive than you want? Discuss.
   

Chapter 37

1. What is “the Passover” that Jesus, Judas and the other followers were celebrating? Refer to Exodus 12:1–13.
   

   How is this relevant to the Christian faith?
   

2. What is the significance of having Jesus celebrate the Essene Passover on what would be our Tuesday?
   
3. What does John say about the time of Jesus’ arrest and trial? Is it the same as the reported in the Synoptic gospels?
   

Chapter 38

1. What two authorities are working at odds with Jesus at this point in the narrative?
   
2. Is this within the will of God—or against it?
   
3. Consider again the statement in chapter 27,
   “Our futures are woven on the Father’s loom and into the fabric of our lives.”
   How does it relate to the above question?
   

Chapter 39 and 40

1. Compare Pilate’s entry into Jerusalem with that of Jesus and share your insights.
   
2. Read Matthew 21:1–5 and Zechariah 9:9. Is fulfillment of prophecy important?
   

Chapter 41

1. What prompted Jesus’ anger when he lashed out at the moneychangers in the temple? (Luke 19:45–46)
   
2. When was Judas’ last act as a moneychanger? Imagine how he must have felt. Discuss.
   

Chapter 42

1. Relate Luke 21:14–20 and I Corinthians 11:23–29 to the story of the Last Supper as told in this chapter.
   
2. Explain your understanding of the Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion. How does it affect your relationship with Jesus?
   
3. What is transubstantiation? Consubstantiation? The doctrine of the Real Presence?
   

Chapter 43

1. Agree or disagree: The author portrays Judas’ betrayal of Jesus as innocent and well-intentioned. Recall Judas’ self-appointed purpose, which was introduced in the beginning of the book. Discuss this statement from Chapter 1:
   “There are risks involved in presuming to know the mind of God.”
   

   What are the implications of this statement in the context of Judas’ part in the crucifixion narrative? How did pride figure into this incident?
   

2. Has your own pride ever gotten you in trouble? Explain.
   
3. What was happening in Judas’ heart as he remembered the bees (refer back to Chapter 36)?
   

Chapter 45

1. Consider Caiaphas’ interrogation of Judas. How important was it for a Jew to know his lineage?
   
2. What did Judas mean when he answered,
   “I am of the Diaspora”?
   
3. Why would Jesus be better off in the custody of the Sanhedrin than the Romans?
   
4. How was Judas like his grandfather?
   

Session VI

The Trial, Chapters 46 through 51

Chapter 47

1. Describe the scene when Jesus said,
   “Is it with a kiss, then, that I am to be handed over?”
   
2. Consider and discuss the emotions of Judas, Jesus, the Disciples, and Ehud.
   
3. For what was Jesus being handed over?
   
4. Consider again how this statement of Jesus’ relates:
   “Our futures are woven on the Father’s loom and into the fabric of our lives.”
   
5. Explain what Jesus said about darkness. Discuss Luke 11:33–36.
   

Chapter 48

1. Read Psalm 143:8. It is the scripture that Judas chanted. Following this in the narrative he said,
   “…but I always began my day in hope, a habit that sustained me over the years.”
   How did the verse from Psalms help Judas?
   
2. Have you experienced the strength and hope that comes from knowing scripture?
   
3. What scripture verse do you use to bring strength in a time of crisis or need?
   

Chapter 49 and 50

1. Describe the “legal proceedings.”
   
2. What was Judas’ purpose in following Jesus all that time?
   
3. Is it “fair” that Judas be remembered as a traitor?
   
4. What did Judas pray for at the end of Chapter 50? Why?
   

Chapter 51

1. What were the charges against Jesus?
   
2. Who did Jesus claim to be?
   
3. Read Caiaphas’ speech. What did he mean by
   “Way and Truth”
   ? Relate that to what Jesus said about himself in John 14:6. What do you suppose was the reaction of the Jewish leaders to Jesus’ claim?
   
4. What is
   Pax Romana?
   What did it do for Jewish culture? Were the Jews happy with it?
   

Session VII

The Crucifixion, Chapters 52 and 58

Chapter 52

1. What reason did Caiaphas give for taking Jesus to Pilate?
   
2. Describe Pilate’s demeanor.
   
3. How did Pilate refer to Herod? Why did he assign the Galilean to Herod?
   

Chapter 53

1. Who was Rufus and what was his plea to Pilate?
   
2. What role did Pilate previously play in the history that so deeply marked Judas?
   
3. Who was the old soldier, now Judas’ guard?
   
4. Describe how Judas must have felt upon making this discovery. Put yourself into the story. What would you do? Does forgiveness come into play here?
   

Chapter 54

1. Why would the eyes of Jesus—the Son of the God of Love and Forgiveness—be defiant?
   
2. What did Jesus mean when he said,
   “My kingdom is not of this world”?
   

   Are you a part of His kingdom? Why or why not?
   

3. Why was Jesus tortured and crucified after Pilate said,
   “I can find no crime here?”
   
4. Think about Caiaphas’ statement,
   “You have your duty, Prefect, I have mine. This man threatens the whole of our nation.”
   Discuss it in light of the context of the entire paragraph.
   
5. What is the real purpose of the brutal crucifixion? What does it mean to you?
   

Chapter 55 and 56

1. Did you realize the brutality of the crucifixion?
   
2. Do you think the author’s depiction is accurate?
   
3. Why did Jesus say to the thief on the cross next to him,
   “Today you will be with me in Paradise?”
   
4. Examine your feelings after reading these two chapters and share them with the group.
   

Chapter 57

1. Jesus quoted Psalm 22 from the Cross? Why? Is it prophetic?
   
2. Do you think quoting the psalm helped Jesus? Why?
   

Session VIII

The End and the Beginning: Summing up

Chapter 58 through Epilogue

1. What did Jesus mean when he said,
   “I sought the cross that all might live…”
   and
   “Then you must live, too”
   ? Is this part of the story possible?
   
2. Explain your understanding of the Resurrection. What does it mean to you?
   
3. Was Judas the betrayer or was he the betrayed? Discuss.
   
4. Judas is the disciple we love to hate. How do you feel about him after reading the book?
   
5. Did Judas find his treasure?
   
6. Does the author draw an accurate picture of Jesus, as you’ve come to know Him?
   
7. Jesus seemed to be able to read the disciples’ thoughts. Is that consistent with Scripture? Can He read yours?
   
8. Spend some time thinking about what thoughts can be hidden from God and discuss them with the group.
   
9. What have you learned from reading
   Judas, The Gospel of Betrayal
   ? How will it change your life?
   
10. After reading this fictional gospel, has it changed the way you think about the authentic one? If so, in what way?
    
11. In the end, do we need Judas in the gospel story at all? Why? Why not? If we don’t need him, why is he there?
    

Tell us what you think about

Judas, The Gospel of Betrayal
.

• Would you recommend it to a friend?
  
• Do you think it is an appropriate book to introduce a skeptic, nonbeliever, or hesitant Christian to the Gospel?
  
• Are there other topics or personalities you would like to see depicted this way? For example, could you see St. Paul in a novel of this sort? Peter?
  
• How does this book compare to other Biblical fiction you may have read?
  

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