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LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE Wednesday Night, March 3, 2004 “The Corrupting Influence of Power” 5 Minutes Welcome & Prayer 10 Minutes OPEN Have you ever witnessed someone being treated unfairly and do you remember the intense desire you felt for the perpetrator to be held accountable? How did the movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” change your opinion about who was most responsible for Jesus’ death?
Consider the maxim "The enemy of my enemy becomes my friend." Were there “strange bedfellows” who joined forces to eliminate Jesus? The Pharisees, who hated the Herodians and the Romans, conspired with them to execute Jesus. It started as early as Mark 3:6, and culminated in the illegal trials and crucifixion of Jesus in the final chapters of all four Gospels. 15-20 Minutes DIG Why does an understanding of some of the historical issues involved in the events surrounding Jesus’ death help us as we witness to others about Jesus?
Consider these five strategies people in power use to deal with a perceived threat: 1. Write the person off as a "mere entertainer" (cf. Ezekiel 33:21-33). The people liked to listen to Ezekiel, but considered him like a man singing love songs. 2. Dismiss the person as insane or a fool (cf. Hosea 9:7-8 "the prophet is considered a fool, the inspired man a maniac” 3. Destroy the person's credibility by catching him in a fault or inconsistency (cf. Mark 2:1-3:6). 4. Use for their own purposes or to further their own agenda (cf. John 6:15 - the 5,000 attempted "to make him king by force.") 5. Convict of a crime, execute if possible. Treason is often good for this. Consider the accusations they made against Jesus that led to his crucifixion.
How do you compare the corrupting influence of power in the lives of those surrounding Jesus’ death with the actions of Jesus who had absolute power? 15 Minutes REFLECT Can our study of the corrupting influence of power in the context of Jesus’ death teach us anything about power today?
Do you use any of the five strategies mentioned above to dismiss or ignore Jesus teachings? Give examples.
Have you made any alliances with evil to achieve your goals in life? If so, how did you sever these ties?
How much good have you seen come when someone used power politics to accomplish their goal? Has it been your experience that normally someone gets hurt or dies (maybe spiritual death) when power politics are used? 10 Minutes PRAYER TIME Please remember “the empty chair.” These are exciting times in the life of this church and more than ever before, all of our LIFE Group members should be actively “fishing” to draw guests into your group. LIFE Groups are the best way for us to integrate all of these new people in a relational community where they can ask questions and grow together.
Allow everyone in the group tonight to voice their personal prayer request as it relates to their surrendering any tendencies they have in their life to use power or control to get their way.
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