Judas Hangs Himself—Matthew 27:1–10 Open It 1. Over what kinds of situations or mistakes do people decide to kill themselves? 2. *What are some ways people try to deal with guilt? 3. Who is the most compassionate and caring friend you know? 4. What are inappropriate sources of income for churches and ministries? Explore It 1. When did the religious leaders decide to put Jesus to death? (27:1) 2. What did the religious leaders do with Christ? (27:2) 3. Where did the religious leaders take Jesus? (27:2) 4. Why was it significant that Jesus was taken to Pilate? (27:2) 5. *How did Judas feel when he saw that Jesus had been condemned to die? (27:3) 6. *What action did Judas take in an attempt to undo his crime? (27:3) 7. What did Judas say to the religious leaders? (27:4) 8. *How did the religious leaders act when they heard Judas express second thoughts? (27:4) 9. What did Judas do when the leaders rejected his offer to return the money? (27:5) 10. What did the leaders do with the bounty they had paid Judas? (27:6–8) 11. Why was Judas’s suicide significant? (27:9–10) Get It 1. Why do you think the chief priests were so insensitive to Judas’s remorse? 2. In what situations do we sometimes offer token compassion or ignore altogether those who are hurting? 3. *What would you say to someone who was feeling extremely guilty and depressed? 4. *How can we avoid (or break out of) a downward spiral of sin, guilt, depression, more sin, greater guilt, deeper depression, etc.? 5. How does sin, if allowed to go unchecked, cause us to lose all sense of rightness and kindness? 6. What practical steps can we take when confronted with wrongdoing? Apply It 1. *What big decision do you need to pray about this week so that you do not end up making a choice you will later regret? 2. What can you do today or tomorrow to encourage a friend who is feeling especially low because of a bad or sinful choice?