Document Actions
Bondage
B-Bondage
Welcome
Now that it’s the third week, hopefully you are more familiar and open with each other. Try to get people to go a little deeper in their experiences.
Word
Please remember these notes are to refer back to if you NEED to. They are a supplement to the discussion. The goal is not to get to the answers provided below but to engage in open and honest discussions. Please give adequate time for group members to respond to the questions before referring to these notes.
Just as the love for money can blur ones vision, Debt can be a major spiritual distraction that can lead people to make compromising decisions and major fundamental mistakes.
Read John 12:1-8
- Given the value of the perfume, how do you think you would have reacted watching Mary?
Remember that the disciples had left everything they had known to follow Jesus. They had been basically homeless for the last 3 years and they had lost any possessions they had and now they watch as Mary spends a whole year’s worth of wages on Jesus in this moment.
- What do you think was going through Judas’ mind as the perfume was being poured onto Jesus?
Please share your personal opinion.
- Go around and share some of your thoughts on the character of Judas before this event, remembering that he had left everything to follow Jesus for three years. (Read Mark 10:28)
Often time we think of Judas just as an evil traitor but we must remember that he was not always thinking of betraying Jesus. He left everything he had to follow Jesus and as far as we know he followed faithfully until his betrayal. Based upon this information…share your answer.
- What do these verses tell you about the effect that money can have on us? Go around and share.
Judas started out as a devout follower of Christ, willing to leave everything for Jesus and His cause. However just a few years of being without, Judas’ faithfulness is upstaged by his desire for riches. If money can change the heart of someone who would leave and did leave everything for Jesus, we must be on guard.
Read John 10:10
- Name several different ways that Satan uses to kill, steal and destroy people’s lives.
Satan uses lies, deception, adultery, pornography, alcohol, drugs, addictions, hatred, racism, greed, lust, etc. just to name a few.
- Share some ways Satan could use our finances to bring about this destruction. How have you seen this happen?
Go around and ask everyone to share.
- In contrast to what Satan intends to do, what does this verse say about what Jesus desires for us? What does this “full life” look like to you?
Jesus desires to bring us life and life to the full. First He desires to bring us eternal life, which is found by believing in Him and His resurrection and following His ways. But He also want us to live a fulfilling life here on earth by fulfilling the purpose He has for our lives.
- Currently, what are some things, financial or otherwise, that are holding you back from living that “full life” you just described?
Go around and ask everyone to share.