Why Did Jesus Pick Judas? Group Guide

Discussion Questions

Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.

1. If you had a chance to do one or more of the practices from last time, how did it go?
2. What’s one word to describe your week, and why did you pick that word?
3. Have you ever experienced a “shaking” moment in life that exposed what your hope was really resting on? (For example, Eric talked about experiencing earthquakes in California that revealed a lot about the foundation of surrounding buildings, and also Chris Evert’s struggle after she retired from playing tennis.)
4. Eric said, “Everything hinges on where we place our hope.” Where are some places people tend to place their hope?
5. Read John 12:1-8 together. What stands out to you about Judas’ words and actions in this passage?
6. In contrast, Mary responded to Jesus with extravagant love and trust. What does her act of pouring perfume show about where her hope rested?
7. Judas’ disillusionment with Jesus shows that his hope was placed in the wrong things. Where do you most often find yourself tempted to put your hope (career, finances, relationships, approval, etc.)?
8. Consider doing this Group exercise: click the link to print or look up these modified lyrics to the song “Firm Foundation”. Option 1: Take turns reading it out loud, filling in the name of the person on your right. Then ask that person, where do you need “joy in chaos” and “peace that makes no sense?” Option 2: Read it together out loud as a group, and then go around asking, where do you need “joy in chaos” and “peace that makes no sense?”
9. What are some different ways you have been able to place your hope in Jesus, our firm foundation? Consider trying one or more of the practices listed below for this week.
10. Read Romans 15:13. Pray for one another over your specific prayer requests, that the God of hope would fill your group with peace and confidence in him as you release those worries and fears to God.

Verse to meditate on and memorize this week:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

Put It into Practice (Between Meetings)

1. Identify Your “Shaky Hope” - Take time this week to reflect honestly on where you tend to place your hope. What do you find yourself worrying about most often? What do you think would “collapse” your peace if it were taken away? Write it down and bring it before God. Awareness is the first step toward stability.
2. Release Control - Do what Mary did and release something valuable as an act of trust. If your hope is in money, practice generosity. If your hope is in control, surrender through prayer or a conversation that requires humility. If your hope is in approval, take a step that risks others’ opinions in order to obey God. Tangible action helps anchor spiritual truth in our lives.
3. Re-Center Daily - Each morning, pray this short prayer: “Jesus, you are my firm foundation. Help me trust you more than anything else today.” Then take a moment to breathe and picture placing all your “Jenga pieces” (your meaning, security, peace, joy) into his hands.
4. Seek Steady Help if You’re Shaking - If life feels unstable or hope feels lost, reach out for help by talking to a trusted friend, pastor, counselor, or doctor. As Eric said, “Medication isn’t our hope, but it can help us see hope more clearly.” Seeking help is an act of wisdom, not weakness.
5. Anchor in Scripture - Memorize or meditate on the following two verses this week. Repeat them whenever you feel the ground shaking beneath you.
   John 16:33 – “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
   Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.
6. Worship Through the Shaking - End your day by playing or singing “Firm Foundation (He Won’t)” as a personal declaration. Let the truth that “Christ is my firm foundation, the rock on which I stand” become your anthem of hope.