August 2 2026
The heart of a Rust City Group is to care for people and carry the culture of Rust City Church.
You don’t have to follow this guide like a script! Use discernment from the Holy Spirit as you lead your group discussion.
If you notice that someone in your group needs additional care or support that’s beyond your capacity, please let a pastor know.
ICEBREAKER QUESTION OPTION:
What’s a favorite movie? How many times have you rewatched it ?
The unlikely pt. 12
SPEAKER: Pastor Wes Washington
Scriptures—
Luke 22:48; John 12:3-5; Exodus 21:32; Matthew 15:8; John 6:70-71; Romans 8:38-39
Key Takeaways—
The Unlikely – Judas Iscariot
Theme: Judas’ betrayal reveals the danger of an unsurrendered heart, while Jesus’ response reveals the faithful, pursuing love of God.
Every disciple must decide what Jesus is worth to them. Mary’s extravagant worship and Judas’ bargain with the priests show two different answers to that question.
Our priorities reveal our valuation of Jesus. How we spend our time, talent and treasure expose what our hearts truly value.
Outward devotion can hide inward drift. Judas used a kiss, a outward sign of love, to conceal betrayal; religious activity can become a mask when it replaces surrender and obedience.
Proximity to Jesus is not the same as surrender to Jesus. Judas was close to Jesus for years, heard His teaching, and shared life with Him. Yet his heart remained divided, and he ultimately betrayed Jesus.
Judas’ story reveals the heart of Jesus. Jesus loved, served, and pursued Judas not because Judas deserved it, but because love is who Jesus is.
The invitation is repentance, not mere remorse. Remorse feels the weight of sin; repentance turns from sin and comes back to Christ.
Discussion Questions—
When you hear the name Judas, what usually comes to mind? How does this message shift the focus from Judas’ failure to Jesus’ heart?
Mary said, through her actions, “Jesus is worth everything.” Judas said, through his actions, “Jesus is worth thirty pieces of silver.” What tends to compete with Jesus for highest value in our lives?
What are some ways Christians today can appear close to Jesus while their hearts are actually drifting from Him?
Jesus asked, “Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” What might it look like for us to honor Jesus outwardly while withholding surrender inwardly?
How have you experienced the difference between remorse and repentance? Why is that difference important for spiritual growth?
Who might God be calling you to keep loving, praying for, or pursuing with grace, even if they have disappointed or hurt you?
Practical application—
Consider implementing the following this week:
1: Take a heart inventory
Spend ten quiet minutes, asking, “Where have my lips said yes to Jesus while my heart has held back?” Write down one area of needed surrender. Bring it to God, ask for forgiveness and the power to surrender it. Then surrender it every morning in prayer.
2: practice costly devotion
Choose a new tangible act of worship, obedience, generosity, or service that reflects Jesus’ worth to you. Implement that this week.
3: return through repentance
Identify one thing that you are carrying remorse about, confess it honestly to God and take one concrete step away from sin and toward surrender and obedience to Jesus.
Closing Prayer—
Jesus,
Thank You that Your love is more consistent than ours. Thank You for pursuing us even when our hearts drift, and for inviting us back through repentance over and over again.
Search our hearts and reveal where we have honored You with our lips while withholding our full surrender. Help us instead to treasure You above everything else.
Teach us to receive Your forgiveness, return to You quickly, and love others with the kind of faithful love You have shown us. Make our hearts more like Yours.
In your name,
Amen.