Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants complete the following sentence – Jesus is….

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read John 18:33-37.

Begin by naming the distinctions between Pilate, the Roman representative to the region, and Jesus. [Pilate had governmental authority. Pilate, as a Roman, would have felt superior to all Jews, much less the arrested leader of revolt. Jesus had been physically beaten and betrayed by his disciples. Pilate would have felt in charge and in control of Jesus’ fate.]
Do you think Jesus’ declaration that his kingdom is not from this world would have confused Pilate, relieved Pilate (because Jesus would no longer be a threat), or made him more hostile against Jesus? [Likely confused. What kind of king would hold off those ready to defend him?]
What might it mean for Jesus’ kingdom to not be of this world? [Jesus is not suggesting his kingdom makes no difference on earth. Rather, Jesus is contrasting his kingdom to Pilate’s. Jesus’ kingdom has different values and is sourced from above (God).]
Jesus ends this part of the conversation by switching themes to truth. How is living in God’s kingdom related to living in the truth?
How can living in the truth of God’s kingdom help us to live a life that matters?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End by praying the following or a similar prayer:

God of truth, guide us by the values of your kingdom. Give us the ears to discern your voice above all the noise and all the untruths. May others see in us the truth and abundance that comes from walking in the light of your kingdom. Amen.