Irmela

3. The disciples begin to defend Jesus with their swords (Luke 22:49-50). In what way is this courageous? In what way is this foolish? How does their sword defense display their spiritual dullness? It was misguided courage by disciples who did not discern the will of God in the situation. It was foolish as there were so many in the group come to arrest Jesus, armed with swords and clubs. Jesus could have had angels help them at His request. But this was the reason He came. He came to give His life

1. Why is Judas' kiss so hideous? (Luke 22:47-48) Have you been the victim of such a betrayal by those who are outwardly sweet? Have you ever been party to such a betrayal? On the outside it seems so genuine. A kiss is to be a sign of friendship of closeness, of love and effection. Judas has used it as hypocrisy. Yes, i have experienced that kind of "friendship". It takes years to get over and come to the point of trusting someone again.

7. In what ways does alert prayer keep us from temptation? (Luke 22:46) It helps us resign to the now time but not in panic mode. Also our thoughts are steered away from temptation and we begin focusing on Christ, who we are talking to.

6. Have you ever been "exhausted from sorrow"? What was it like? What is its spiritual equivalent. (Luke 22:45) Yes. Heaviness overcomes you, until you pass out. To overcome it we need to in that time just hand over. Let go and let God. Remember He too brings restoration during that "exhausting time".

5. Why do we avoid seeking what the Father's will actually is? It means total surrender on our side. Sometimes we find it hard to do that.

4. How can it be inauthentic to pray "your will be done" prayers without petitioning the Father for what our will is? If we do not state our will in a matter we are praying or petitioning about how can we say nevertheless. Neverthless is for one or the other. There is otherwise no choice referred to.

3. In what way is this "cup" costly to the Father and to the unity of the Father and Son? The Father will have to inflict the punishment of His wrath on Him, the Son, who knew no sin. The Father and Son would be separated, there would be no communion because of the load of sin on the body of Christ.

2. Is Jesus' prayer to have the "cup" removed an indication of his weakness? Yes or no? Explain your answer. No, He was not weak. He was fully Man. The horror of what was about to be, was staring Him in the face. He, the One Who knew no sin, now to be made sin. Enough to cry out, is there not possibly another way it can be done. Yet at the same time He fully, willingly, submitted to Father's will. To be that sacrifice, the Lamb that takes away the sins of rhe world.

1. What is the "cup" that Jesus prays about? Why does he pray that it may be removed? (Luke 22:42) The cup Jesus refers to is the mission He has been sent on. He has been sent to carry/bear the sins of the world. (He is the sacrifice for the sins.) It refers to the infliction of punishment associated with the wrath of God, God turns His back on sin. So Jesus will be rejected and cut off from God. This is what He is dreading - being cut-off from God in that time. It is a two-sided pain. Agony for Jeshua to be cut off as well as for the Father to turn His face away from Him (to be thus separated)

5. What does Jesus' quotation about being "numbered with the transgressors" have to do with the context of this passage? (Luke 22:37) Many of the prophecies from the O.T. about the Messiah, had been fulfilled. The one where it is said "He was numbered with the transgressors", was not fufilled as yet, but was soon to be fulfilled, when he was crucified. It was due to this and them being His followers that would cause them to be persecuted for His sake. He was warning them about it. 6. How was being "numbered" with the transgressors fulfilled in Jesus' life? According to the passage quoted in Isaiah 53, what did he do for the transgressors by means of his death? Transgressors were crucified. Not peace-loving people living a law-abiding life. Yet, Jesus was crucified. So He was seen to be a transgressor. As being one of them. He took the transgressors (our) place on the cross. Our sins were laid on Him. Before, the sacrifice was a spotless for lamb. This had to be done over and over again. But Jesus died once for all sin (every ones). He was the Lamb of God, who took away the sin of the world. Because of that we can have the assurance of eternal life.

4. Is his command to obtain a sword meant literally or figuratively? What difference will your decision on the interpretation of 22:36b make in terms of your actions? Could be taken as both. On the roads that were being travelled, it was not uncommon for bandits to travel the same parts. If it was realized/recognized that one was prepared to wield off the unwanted attack one was less likely to be attacked. Whereas if the bandits realized you were unprepared they would take their chances. If it was meant figuratively, it means to go prepared. Be vigilant. Be awake. Do not slumber spiritually. WATCH

3. Why does he tell them to sell their overcoat, if they need to, in order to obtain a sword? What is the main point of mentioning the sword? (Luke 22:36b) I think He is telling them to be prepared for hard circumstances. Could it be to point out that the uncommon would sometimes need to be done, to accomplish the mission they were being sent on.

2. Why now does he tell them to take a purse and a bag? (Luke 22:36a) There is a different lesson to be learnt by them. They need to go prepared, so the mission is self-sufficient. He is already using people to help before the time to meet the needs required to accomplish the mission.

1. What lesson was Jesus seeking to teach his disciples when he sent them out without purse, bag, or sandals? (Luke 22:35) To depend 100% on Father to meet their every need, by working through friends of the kingdom.

7. In light of verse 32, why is it so important in God's plan that each of his children be part of a local congregation? We are all different. But somewhere along the line we need strengthening. In a local congregation that is what should happen. It's like an extended family.

6. In what ways do you think Peter strengthened his brothers after Jesus' resurrection? In what ways can we strengthen our brothers and our sisters? Peter realized he could not rely on his own strength. It failed him. He found forgiveness in Christ and realized he could find strength in Him too. So after the resurrection Peter could stand and encourage others, he had been forgiven and he could encourage others to find forgiveness too. He could now stand as he had learnt to rely on strength through praying. He could encourage others in the same way. Past experiences, be they positive or negative, joyful or painful, can be used to equip us into helping others who are walking on a similar pathway. In that way we too can strengthen them.

5. Is Peter stronger or weaker after his "fatal flaw" had been revealed? Why does God allow temptation to come to us at all? Peter is weaker first because he realizes he cannot do it on his own. In fact he is shattered by what he has done. So now he repents and again connects to Jesus. Then he becomes much stronger in his faith. He in fact gets back to where he can lead the group. Others can look up to him. God allows temptation to come our way, so that we can see and acknowledge our need to hold onto Him. When we have overcome we become stronger and realize by first hand experience that we can and must rely on Him and not try in our own strength. We too get to the point where we realize we cannot judge others for what they are doing. Empathy and sympathy becomes part of our character and being watchful and pray.

4. How can a believer's faith possibly become extinguished? How does Jesus' prayer affect Peter's faith? What are the limits of the power of prayer for another person's faith? Can we "believe them" back to God? When you turn your back on Jesus your faith too is extinguished or diminished as there is no real proper connection to the light bringer. Peter's faith is restored. He does fail and fall. But he learns by that that he cannot rely in his own strength, he definately needs Jesus. By having fallen he was able to pray for others going through similar things. So can we. Not sure of believing them back to God but we can pray for them. (i don't believe in naming and claiming. Asking/praying without ceasing, yes, that to me is Scriptural] We can believe and trust God to do a miracle. That's why we pray.

3. How could Peter be so unrealistic about the level of his own strength and faith? (Luke 22:33-34) Why is he so out of touch? How does a person get in touch with their own spiritual strength? I think he really believed that he would be able to stand in the midst of adversity. He fully believed in his own strength and faith. In being able to take things in his own hands. He certainly did not think the situation through properly. He was being very protective over the Person who he firmly believed to be the Messiah, the One who would deliver them from Roman oppression. He has still not fully accepted that Jesus would not rise to Power then and there. Maybe some "hiccups" but not taken to be crucified. It didn't sink in even though Jesus had been open about it. When you are actually confronted with adversity then you realize what your spiritual strength is. Then you see if you are cold or lukewarm or really able to stand.

2. Why is Satan able to attack us? (Luke 22:31) What are the chief weapons he has at his disposal? When we are not watchful and pride gets the upper hand, satan uses that to trip us up and make us fall, by doing something or by saying something which we would under normal circumstances not do or say. We act in an unseemly manner. Pride might not be our weakness. It might be ****, coveteousness, greed, bad language, substance abuse or whatever. That is what satan tries to use to attack us with. Our weaknesses are his weapons. We are still living in the world where satan and his evil forces roam about. Eph 6:12 reminds us that we are dealing with spirit forces of darkness. We need to ensure to be armed at all times. We need to be WATCHFUL and ARMED with the whole armour God provides.

1. Why would you sift grains of wheat? (Luke 22:31) What kind of experience does "sifting wheat" convey? You would sift grains of whear to separate the grains from the chaff. Separate the useful from what needs to be burnt. "Sifting" makes one think of a shaking and a "separating from".

6. Luke 22:29-30) What does it mean to rule and reign with Christ? Is this ruling present? or future? It means to live as He showed us to live. To serve Him daily as His disciples. In troublous times and through all trials and with great joy at all times. I understand it to be both present and furure. That verse in 1 Peter 2:9 shows it is from present and always. You are a chosen people A royal priesthood A holy nation A people for God's Own possession To proclaim the praises of the One Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Then the verses reflected in Revelation reflect the future (the time to come) . Rev 1:6.we are a kingdom, kohanim (priests) to God His Father Rev 5:9&10 those redeemed He made for our God a kingdom and kohanim (priests), and they shall reign upon the earth.

5. Luke 22:30) What is the significance of eating and drinking at the King's table? It is an ongoing provision, not only something that will only happen once. God is taking on the responsibility of providing for us at all times. We too will sit at table at the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.

4. Luke 22:28-30) What are the four promises Jesus offers his disciples in verses 29-30? °. Envolvement of the operation and administration of His Kingdom. ° The priveledge to eat at His table ° To sit on thrones ° To judge

3. Luke 22:26-27) How does a servant leader contrast with a self-absorbed leader? Whom should leaders serve? Their followers? or Christ? Can you cite any examples when who we should serve isn't clear? The greatest model of a SERVANT was our Lord Jesus Christ. My desire is to be like Him to serve as did He. "Lord make me like You,, Lord make me like You; You were a Servant, make me one too. Lord I am willing, do what You must do, to make me a servant to make me like You." A self-absorbed leader definately does not copy our Lord's example. In serving Christ we invariably serve people at the same time.