60.

Winning King’s souls by testifying to the Truth

John 18: 28-40

  • Session: 60
  • Week: 9
  • Day: 6
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Introduction

In this session, Chapter 18: 28-40 shows that though Jesus was the accused one, he was still in control and attempted to win the soul of the King, who was very insecure. After Jesus had gone through the night, religious and illegal courts, he was taken to the Roman court led by Pilate. Jesus revealed to the King that He was born to witness to the truth on earth. The conversation between Pilate and Jesus and between Pilate and religious leaders revealed at least four positions seekers can relate to the truth: 1. Rejecting Christ as the truth, 2. Knowing the truth about Jesus by yourself, 3. Others telling you the truth about Jesus, 4. Jesus reveals the truth to seekers.

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Understood the conversation between Jesus and Pilate, the governor, from the text provided
  • Appreciated that Jesus, though accused, remained in control.
  • Identified the illegal plan of eliminating Jesus regardless of the court results.

Outline

  • Jesus at the Roman court
  • Jesus testifies to the truth
  • Seeker relationship to the truth.
  • Religious leaders plan to kill Jesus

Group Study Time

John 18: 28-40

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • Read John 18: 28-40. Write three things that happened when Jesus was taken to Pilate, the governor, by the Jewish leaders.
  • What did Pilate discuss with Jesus? What did Jesus answer about Pilate’s questions? John 18: 33-38. What is truth? What is truth according to Plate, according to religious leaders, and according to Jesus?
  • What lessons do you learn from the Pilate’s court session with Jesus and the Jewish leaders

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

Winning King’s souls by testifying to the Truth

John 18: 28-40

John 18:28-40

  • Context:
    • Winning leaders’ souls is challenging due to opposition, exemplified by Paul’s encounter with a governor and a magician (Acts 14), where truth prevailed despite resistance.
    • Jesus faced illegal trials: night courts, direct interrogation by the high priest, and referral to Annas instead of Caiaphas, breaking Roman judicial norms.
  • Trial Before Pilate (John 18:28-40):
    • Morning after illegal religious trials, Jesus was taken to Pilate’s headquarters; Jewish leaders stayed outside to avoid defilement before Passover.
    • Pilate asked, “What is your charge?”; they avoided specifics, saying, “If he weren’t a criminal, we wouldn’t have brought him,” pushing for execution, which only Romans could authorize.
    • Fulfilled Jesus’ prediction of His death (crucifixion, a Roman method).
  • Pilate’s Inquiry:
    • Pilate took Jesus inside, asking, “Are you the King of the Jews?”—probing for treason against Rome, where only one king (Caesar) was allowed.
    • Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world… I came to testify to the truth,” shifting focus from political power to divine truth.
    • Pilate asked, “What is truth?”—sparking a discussion on Jesus’ identity and mission.
  • Four Categories of Truth Seekers:
    • Rejecters: Heard the truth (e.g., Pharisees) but rejected it, opposing Jesus.
    • Self-Knowers: Internalized truth through reflection, though not fully (possibly Pilate’s initial stance).
    • Second-Hand Believers: Rely on others’ truth (e.g., trusting parents’ or pastors’ faith), not personal conviction.
    • Revealed by Truth: Encounter Jesus, the Truth Himself, who reveals it directly (ideal state).
  • Jesus as Truth:
    • Jesus isn’t just a witness to truth; He is the Truth, Way, and Life (John 14:6), offering direct revelation beyond human opposition or mediation.
    • Pilate’s question reflects seekers’ varying responses; winning leaders requires testifying to this truth.
  • Application:
    • Believers must testify to the truth to win souls in authority, trusting Jesus to reveal Himself despite resistance.