Afternoon & Evening Bible Study: Journey To The Cross (Day 19-25)
Scripture Focus: John 17:6-26, John 18:1-27

Day 19: Heart Fast: Revisionism
Questions To Consider From Day Nineteen, page 91-95

1. In your own words, explain why Jesus “closed the question” in this discussion with the chief priests and elders. (p. 92)

2. Jesus was speaking in this passage to the religious of his day. In our churches today, what do we tend to value more than truth?

3. Today’s fast is revisionism. This could be a difficult fast because it addresses a form of self-deception. In the 1994 version of Miracle on 34th Street, a lawyer states in a courtroom, “Ask yourself which is better – a lie that brings a smile, or a truth that brings a tear.” What are some of ways in which we justify telling lies?

4. What ways are you spinning the real story to your advantage?

Let’s Read John 17:6-19

Questions from the Scripture:
1. In verse 9, why is Jesus praying for his disciples?

2. While Jesus is praying, what is he praying for the disciples?

3. When you look at verse 12, who is Jesus referring to?

4. According to this section of scripture, what does it mean to be a disciple of Christ? (verses 13-18)

Personal Application
What is Sanctification?
Sanctification is the process of separating ourselves from “profane” things and becoming dedicated to God. It’s a purification or cleansing of

As a Baptist Congregation, we believe that the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of God’s holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration (Salvation); and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.

What is your cost for following Christ?

Day 20: Heart Fast: Spectatorship
Questions To Consider From Day Twenty, page 97-102
1. Jesus reserves His harshest words for hypocrites. What is your definition of hypocrisy?

2. Share any thoughts from the parable you selected in the reflection section.

3. Today’s fast is leavened bread as a symbol of rejecting hypocrisy in our lives. Many today accuse the church of hypocrisy. Why?

4. How do you discern the difference in your life between willful hypocrisy and broken humanity?

Let’s Read John 17:20-26

Questions from the Scripture:
1. Who is Jesus praying for in this section of Scripture?

2. What did Jesus pray for?

3. What are the outcomes of this prayer?

4. What type of prayer is this?

Personal Application
1. Why is unity important in the body of Christ?

2. What is stopping us from becoming one unified body?

3. What is Glory?

4. What did this scripture teach you about yourself?

Types of Prayer
Prayer of Adoration- This is a prayer to God for who God is. (Ps 150; Hebrews 13:15)

Prayer of Thanksgiving- This is a prayer for thanking God all the God has already done. (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ps 100; Chronicles 16:8)

Prayer of Confession(Repentance)- This is a prayer where you are confessing your sins and your flaws to God (1 John 1:9; 2 Peter 3:9; Luke 15:7)

Prayer of Supplications(Petitions) – This type of prayer we always use. This is a pray asking God to do something on our behalf. However, what would happen if we decided to refocus our prayers on others more than ourselves. (James 1:5; Matthew 21:22; Philippians 4:6; James 4:3)

Prayer of Intercession- This is a prayer where we are interceding for others. (Acts 12:5; 1 Timothy 2:1-5)

What are the ways you can pray?
There is no specific way that one should pray. In the bible, people are in various positions when they pray.

Kneeling in prayer (1 Kings 8 8:54; 2 Chronicles 6:13; Ps 95:6 Isa 45:23; Luke 22:41; Acts 7:60; 9:40; Ephesians 3:14)

Bowing and falling prostrate (Gen 24:26, 52; Ex 4:31; 12:27; Matt 26:39; Mark 14:35)

Spreading out your hands (1 Kings 8 8:22, 38, 54; Ps 28:2 63:4; Ps 28:2 1 Tim 2:8)

Standing (1 Sam 1:26; 1 Kings 8 8:14, 55; 2Chronicles 20:9 Mark 11:25; Luke 18:11, 13)

Day 21: Heart Fast: Premature Resolution
Questions To Consider From Day Twenty-One, page 103-107
1. What factors may have contributed to Jesus’s soul being troubled at this time in His ministry? (p. 104)

2. Do you agree or disagree with the following: “Obedience is not a moment: it is a process connected by countless moments.” (p. 104)

3. Share a time when your heart was troubled due to “obedience-in-the-making.” (p. 105)

4. Regarding today’s fast of premature resolution, what is it about the middle of the process of obedience that is so trying?

Let’s Read John 18:1-11

Questions from the Scripture:
1. What was Jesus response to the situation?

2. What was the soldiers’ response to Jesus?

3. What was the Disciples’ response to the situation?

Special Note: John 18:9 verse is a fulfillment of the words Jesus Spoke in John 6:39

Personal Application
1. What character in this scene represents your life? Before Christ? After Christ?

Day 22: Heart Fast: Sound
Questions To Consider From Day Twenty-Two, page 109-112

1. Of all the things Father God could have said, what is your guess as to why He chose to say, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again” (John 12:28-30) over Jesus as He approached “this hour”?

2. Inaudibly, how does God most often “speak” to you?

3. If you were to hear God’s audible voice at least once, what would you hope that He said? (e.g., your name, an answer to a question, specific direction, etc.)

4. Share your experience with fasting sound today.

Let’s Read John 18:12-14

A Few Things to Know
Annas- His name means one who is humble or answers. He was the high priest that questions Jesus (John 18:19-23). He will eventually send him to Caiaphas for more questioning.

Caiaphas- His name means one who is comely. He was a member of the Sadducees (Acts 5:17), and was the one who gave his opinion that Jesus should be put to death "for the people, and that the whole nation perish not" (John 11:50). He did not have the power to inflict the punishment of death, and had to send Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor, that he might duly pronounce the sentence against him (Matt 27:2 John 18:28).

Day 23: Heart Fast: Armchair Jesus
Questions To Consider From Day Twenty-Three, page 113-118

1. If you have ever washed someone’s feet or had someone wash yours, share the how, why, and outcome of the experience.

2. Is there an area in which you struggle to receive Jesus’ forgiveness? If so, spend a minute picturing Jesus washing your feet saying, “I forgive you. Though what happened surprised you, remember that it did not surprise Me. My love is still here. Return.”

3. For today’s fast of armchair Jesus, picture a football game. Where do you see Jesus? The coach on the sidelines? The owner in the exclusive box? The announcer? A cheerleader? The quarterback? Try to answer as honestly as possible.

Let’s Read John 18:15-18

Questions from the Scripture
1. What stopped Peter from following Jesus with authority?

2. What made Peter deny knowing Jesus?

Personal Application
1. What is stopping you from Sharing Jesus with others?

2. What steps do we need to take to move beyond our fear and move off the sidelines to get into the game (Using Her Analogy)?

Day 24: Heart Fast: Neutrality
Questions To Consider From Day Twenty-Four, page 118-123

1. “Get up. Get going cross-ward.” (p. 120) What does this mean to you personally?

2. Share your response to the reflection question: “How would you describe the difference between passion and love”?

3. In today’s fast, Alicia defines fasting neutrality as taking a side in the seemingly small moments of life and choosing Jesus over self. In what areas, do you tend to go passive? Ask for prayer if you would like support for the battle.

Quote to Remember
“The cross is the ultimate call to decrease. The cross is a call not to forget our own names but to live and die for the Name of Another. The cross is a call to renounce self-direction and shift loyalties from ourselves to our Savior.”

Let’s Read John 18:19-24

Day 25: Heart Fast: Denial
Questions To Consider From Day Twenty-Five, page 125-128
1. A few days ago we studied Jesus’ description of His soul as troubled. Today we hear Him saying, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.” (Matthew 27:37-38) What would you be feeling if you described your soul in this way?

2. Jesus specifically asked Father God to, if possible, take the cup away and clearly God’s response was for Jesus to continue cross-ward. What do you think Alicia meant by the statement: “Sharing Jesus’ certainty honors Jesus’ sacrifice”? (p. 126)

3. Alicia points out the misalignment between Jesus’ emotions (overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of asking for the cup to pass) and God’s will (that Jesus would continue cross-ward). In other words, Jesus was not emotionally thrilled to continue the journey and yet was still without sin. Why then do we so often pray, “God, if this isn’t your will, then change my emotions”?


Let’s Read John 18:25-27

Questions from The Scripture
1. Why did Peter deny Jesus two additional times?

2. What do you think went through Peter’s mind when he heard the rooster make a noise?

Personal Application
1. What happens when we deny Christ?

2. Are you serving God with your whole heart or do you hide when things get rough?


For Next Time Read Days 26-32, pages 129 - 170