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The Preparation
From Death to Life Week 2

Pat Hood [Lead Pastor]

Scripture References & Sermon Points

• Scripture Reference: John 12:1-8

• Sermon Point 1 = Worship Permeates

• Sermon Point 2 = Worship Prepares

• Sermon Point 3 = Worship Prizes

Sermon Discussion Questions

Get to know me: The purpose of these questions is to generate responses that are self-revealing and informative. Feel free to ask all of these questions to your group or simply choose the one that best fits your group.

1. Think of a time someone blessed you with a gift that stunned you with gratitude. How did receiving this gift make you feel at the time?  How has this experience affected your relationship with the person who gave you the gift? What does this experience say about the importance of giving and receiving gifts in your life?

Into the Bible: The purpose of these questions is to draw group members into the Bible to discover the truth from passages that were not the primary text for the weekend message.

1. Read Luke 7:36-50. This passage in Luke confronts our pride. Like the Pharisees during Jesus’ earthly ministry, our “good deeds” can make us feel superior. Judas had a pride issue, causing him to reject the living Christ. What percent of the time do you feel more like a pharisee compared to the ”woman of the city”? How does Jesus’ compassion for this woman make you think about the people you are around daily who don't know Jesus? 

Application: The purpose of these questions is to apply the main points from the weekend message.

1. Read John 12:1-3. Mary's worship of Jesus seems unlimited based on what we know of her from scripture. In this passage she gives up something valuable for Someone who's priceless. She both blesses the party and shows reverence for her Savior. What are you holding on to that can both benefit others and worship Jesus? How does Mary's gift help you think differently about worship?

2. Read John 12:4-6. Judas' statement rings of self-righteousness. Jesus’ desire is that His righteousness is our desire. What are some ways you can think of to avoid being self-righteous? How do you put those into practice?

3. Read John 12:7-8. At this point, Jesus is just more than a week away from His crucifixion. He knows what is soon to happen. Mary may know also. When Jesus responds to Judas with, “...but you do not always have me”, He's foreshadowing His death. Think for a minute about what Jesus knows of Mary and Judas. How do you think Jesus would describe each of them, in your own words? How would Jesus describe you? On a scale from Mary to Judas, where do you think you fall and why?