I hope you have these three important dates on your calendar, and that your group is planning to participate!
Recovery Sunday
September 14
Appalachian Restoration
September 20
Super Tailgate Sunday
September 21
Let’s quickly go through Judas’ “tips” to going from follower of Christ to traitor against him…
Close, but not too close
John 15:4-5 ESV
Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
Judas was close to Jesus physically, but not intimately. What does it look like in your daily life to be truly close to Jesus, not just near Him? (John 15:4–5)
Hold On To Worldly Things
Matthew 6:24 NLT
“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.
Judas held on to money and worldly desires. What “worldly things” compete for your attention, affection, or devotion? How do you fight to give those areas fully to Christ?
Let Satan Get In Your Ear
1 Peter 5:8 NLT
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.
Judas listened to the enemy’s whispers. What lies does the enemy whisper in our culture today that try to pull believers away from Jesus? How can we recognize and resist them?
Take Grace for Granted
Romans 6:1-4 NLT
Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.
Judas experienced Jesus washing his feet yet still betrayed Him. In what ways might we take God’s grace for granted today? How can we honor grace instead of cheapening it?
Judas gave space in his heart for greed, bitterness, and Satan’s influence. What practical steps can we take to guard our hearts from becoming hardened or distracted?
Proverbs 4:23 NLT
Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
If Jesus is truly our Adonai, what does it mean for Him to own every part of our lives—our time, money, relationships, and decisions? Where do we struggle most to surrender ownership?
How does calling Jesus Adonai (Master) shape our identity differently than simply calling Him Rabbi (Teacher)? What changes when we see ourselves as servants rather than students?
What practical, everyday habits or rhythms help you live as if Jesus truly is your Master? How can the group encourage one another to walk in that surrendered posture daily?