Back in the day of this story, you would turn to Rabbis (Jewish Pastors) if you had a question about the law. The law was clear about what to do with this woman. So scholars suggest they were aiming to trap Jesus. Their plan was to get him to be in conflict with Roman law (as a Jewish Rabbi he had no authority to stone people) or to be in conflict with the Jewish law (the law they lived by) and therefore would make him lose his reputation of grace and mercy. It seemed like a really easy way to make him mess up.

The other thing people notice here is the way they were using the woman as a pawn to get what they wanted. The (religious) leaders back then were questioning Jesus’ authority. They were in fact using this as a means to end. The pause Jesus took was a switch they did not expect. Jesus revealed how HIS authority was meant to bring people to goodness. This is what he did with everyone involved. He allowed them all to reflect on their own sins, which in turn made them away of the grace from God they so desperately needed. His authority not only respected the government’s power, but it showed us we are not meant to use judgement as condemnation. God is always wanting to draw people closer.

Key Points:

• The single greatest achievement in life is not the impact of our communication (words/message), but the quality of our listening.
• Listening requires strength and energy.
• Transformation (true change) begins with questions we ask, not the statements (truths) we share.
• If you want to build relationships, influence people, and change the world – start with questions.

For Personal Journaling and/or Connect Groups:

• This weekend, Brad is talking about listening as a form of leading. Who are some people that come to mind when you think of good leaders who display this quality?
• Now discuss a time when you have been around people who did not listen, but instead, spoke to be heard. What was your reaction to that and how did that work out for them?
• Read the notes section above. With having some background on the way they handled the situation, what does that tell you about the Jewish leaders of that time? How does that relate to our leaders today? As Christians, what things could we try to trap people in if we are not careful of how we are to use authority?
• What are some things the Jewish people teach us in John 8? How are we to behave towards those who are caught? How would you rate yourself on speaking to others about their wrong doings? How should this change our homes, families, and relationships?