The city of Tiberias looms large over the life and ministry of Jesus because of the powerful group of Jews it represented: The Herodians. These were wealthy, influential people who supported the pro-Roman Herodian regime. When we understand the background and origin of the city of Tiberias alongside the strategic ambition of the Herodian family, it makes perfect sense why the Herodians saw Jesus as a threat. By the end of this episode, you’ll see why integrity and vulnerability lead to human flourishing rather than exploitation.

• What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? 
• How does the Herodian mentality of compromise, shapeshifting, and strategic ambition remind you of the world you live in? 
• What are some of the ways you’re tempted to compromise your convictions in order to accommodate to the culture(s) around you? (Think specifically: consumer culture, family culture, work culture, etc.)  
• How might having integrity and “being the same person in every conversation” make life more difficult?
• Can you think of a time in your life (or the life of someone you know) when you told the truth even though it was costly to do so? Share that experience with your group and talk a little bit about how it shaped you for the better. 
• How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?  

• Peoples of the New Testament World by William A. Simmons 
• A Visual Guide to Gospel Events by Martin, Beck, and Hansen, p. 142-143. 
• Strong and Weak by Andy Crouch 

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