INTRODUCTION
There are times in life when you've asked God to come through for you. You really wanted that deal to go through, or that relationship to happen, or that position to be yours. And when it did you gave God the credit. But what happens when following God means possibly losing that same deal, that same relationship, that same position? Will you change the rules and turn your back on God? We'll look at a man who was faced with that choice when he was faced with Jesus.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What is something that you realize was a gift to you from God? It could be a job, or a financial gain, or an opportunity. Something where you did your part, but ultimately it was someone else who swayed things in your favor.
- Do you feel a temptation to do everything you can to protect it, even though you realize that you can't really take credit for it? Why do you think that is?
- Read John 11:45-48. After the miraculous raising of Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-44) and the swell of publicity this ignited, the religious leaders had to make a decision about Jesus. Do they acknowledge his claim to be Messiah and give their power away? Or do they protect what they considered to be "our" place and "our" nation? Where do you have power that you perhaps take too much credit for?
- Read John 11:49-53. Caiaphas steps in and makes the decision to kill Jesus to keep his power. What have you seen people do to protect their power?
- Caiaphas went against the will of God to maintain the blessings of God. When have you done this in your life?
- Caiaphas got what he wanted--Jesus was arrested, tried, and crucified. And yet three years later he was no longer high priest and a few decades later the Romans destroyed Jerusalem anyway. When our power is temporary anyway, what keeps us from giving it away?
THINK ABOUT IT
Make a list of the places of power that you are trying to hard to protect.
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Rather than simply maintaining your power, how can you use it to honor God this week?
CHANGING YOUR MIND
When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes; all he expected from his power comes to nothing. Proverbs 11:7