Sermon Discussion Questions
Mark 14:17-31
Celebrating and Betraying
1. We know that Jesus is always intentional in what He says. Why then, did He go beyond stating that someone in the group would betray Him, to specifying that it would be “one who is dipping bread into the dish with me?”
2. Why does Jesus allow the disciples to introspectively wrestle with the question of who will betray Him?
3. Prior to the institution of the Lord‘s Supper, what significance would the Passover meal have had for Jesus’ disciples and for the Jewish people in general?
4. The meal is “sandwiched” by Jesus’ prediction that Judas will betray Him and Peter will deny Him. What does this teach us about His love for us and the grace of the gospel? How does this add new meaning to the Passover meal?
5. What does Jesus’ interaction with Peter teach us about our own hearts?
6. Read Zechariah 13:1, 7, and 9. Why is it necessary that the Shepherd be struck down and the sheep scattered as Jesus says in Mark 14:27?
7. Peter foolishly looks to his own willpower and determination to follow Jesus, making promises he will break in just a few hours. When have you found yourself doing the same?
8. Earlier in Mark 14, a woman breaks a very expensive jar of perfume in worship of Jesus. Pray for God to give us a heart like that woman. Pray that we will not deny Jesus, but follow him no matter the cost.