Planet Of The Apes Week 3

Planet of The Apes Week 3 – Discussion Guide

Luke 22 1-2The Feast of Unleavened Bread, also called Passover, drew near. The high priests and religion scholars were looking for a way to do away with Jesus but, fearful of the people, they were also looking for a way to cover their tracks. 3-6That's when Satan entered Judas, the one called Iscariot. He was one of the Twelve. Leaving the others, he conferred with the high priests and the Temple guards about how he might betray Jesus to them. They couldn't believe their good luck and agreed to pay him well. He gave them his word and started looking for a way to betray Jesus, but out of sight of the crowd.

Mixers Go around the circle sharing your name and something that you were irrationally afraid of as a child. Going Deeper 1.) When Taylor is summoned to Dr. Zaius’ office after the trial Zaius tells him he’s going to silence him by doing experimental brain surgery. Taylor resists and is dragged from the office screaming, “You’re afraid of me doctor! What are you afraid of?” Why do you think Dr. Zaius is afraid of Taylor? 2.) Read the passage from Luke 22 above. Why do you think the religious scholars and high priests afraid of Jesus? What did they do because of their fear? Jesus’ kingdom is subverting their power. They have made a nice place for themselves with wealth, power and social prestige and the good news Jesus is proclaiming labels them as part of the problem. They are working against God. But instead of repenting and moving with God (a la folks like Matthew) they become afraid and seek to shore up their positions by murdering Jesus. 3.) Do you see any similarities to what is happening to Taylor? 4.) Why is fear such a powerful motivator? Is it OK for Christians to use fear as a way of bringing people in line? Why or why not? Fear is motivating because people think something is going to be taken away from them they will respond selfishly and in self-preservation, not in self-sacrificial love. This is why it is anti-tothe-Christ to use fear as a means of bringing people to Jesus. It’s fear that killed Jesus and led to his betrayal. If Christians respond to fear © 2009 Dixon Kinser

like Zaius does we are more like the priests and Sadducees in the Gospel and not like Jesus. Fear can excuse LOTS of bad behavior. 5.) Is it easy or hard to deal with fear in your life? Pray that God will make us brave and able to recognize when we are giving in to fear

© 2009 Dixon Kinser