Use the programme which can be found on the link ‘discipleship challenges’. The ‘worksheet’ will help you follow through anything you feel is right to take up.  The following notes are for your interest and consideration.

Personal comment:

The ideas and practicalities of Christian discipleship always seem to fall somewhat short of the awful power and terrible majesty of what happened in the hours before Jesus’ death.  That is as it should be.  Nothing we can or will ever do ‘matches up’ to what Jesus did for us in those moments.  However, there is something important about the idea of being prepared to face even death itself for our faith.  Christian martyrs have taken this choice throughout the ages, and they are an example to us.  I do not believe that God asks us to accept death as a necessary consequence of our faith, as Jesus had to.  However, all of us must indeed face the prospect of death, and must be aware that from time to time, those who stand for Jesus will be killed and martyred.

Ideas for discipleship programme

• Spend a half hour in silence and reflect on what Jesus did for us in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Let the Holy Spirit move in your heart to make you ready for anything that God may require of you.
• How can you best be ready to face death?  It may be that you need to think about what this will mean and pray for the Lord to help you face the questions posed by what happens to you when you die.  You may well find that spending time with this question will help you value your life far more.

Dear Lord Jesus, when You came into the world as a baby You had to grow into your surroundings, as any child does.  We praise You for Your humility and graciousness in accepting the hospitality of a simple human family, and showing us that the Father trusts us with His great Word.  May we not let You down, but rejoice in Your presence with us in the child at Bethlehem.  AMEN

Use these for group work, or to assist your personal reflection.

1. What explanations do you have of why Judas did what He did?  After the study, do you feel that there are other possibilities?
2. To what extent is it true that ‘all who draw the sword will die by the sword’? 
3. Have you come across the idea before that the ‘prophets’ interpret ‘the Law’ of the Old Testament?  Discuss in your group what this means.