A Momentous Decision - John 18:37, 38; 19:8-16

(Pilate)

by David Woods

Read "Doctrinal Discussion" (pp. 71-72)

Read John 18:33-38

Discussion: How would you describe Pilate's attitude toward the Pharisees? Toward Jesus?

Discussion: What does Pilate's question "What is truth?" imply?

(Was he simply dismissing the concept of truth? Does this question reveal something essential about the person Pilate was?)

Discussion: It would seem it would be very easy for Pilate to order Jesus to be executed. Why do you think he resisted doing so for so long?

Read John 19:8-11

Discussion: What does Pilate's powerlessness suggest concerning the God's sovereignty and mankind's free will?

(God has given us the ability to freely choose whether or not to live for Him. But our ability to choose freely has been granted by God. Man tends to pride himself in what he can and/or will do and does not realize how powerless he is in comparison to God.)

Read John 19:12-16

Discussion: Pilate allowed fear of Caesar to interfere with doing what was right. What are your greatest fears?

Discussion: How can we keep our greatest fears in perspective to eternity during moments of decision?

Matthew 27 tells us that Pilate washed his hands and proclaimed himself innocent of wrongdoing.

Discussion: What lies does the devil tell you (and you tell yourself) in moments of temptation?

Discussion: Must we regard every temptation to do wrong as a "momentous" decision? Why?

Big Idea: "The most important decision in life concerns our relationship with Jesus Christ." (Central Truth, p. 69)