ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS PART 1 - JOHN THE BAPTIST Passage: John 1.19-28 John the Baptist was the last of the Old Testament prophets and was given the responsibility by God to proclaim the coming of the Messiah to the people. Because his personality, style, and the substance of his ministry were similar to Elijah s life and work in the Old Testament, John is mistaken by some as being Elijah reincarnated and even as the messiah himself! In this passage, just as John is at the height of his popularity and seeing great fruit in his ministry, the true Messiah steps onto the scene. And yet, even though Jesus ascension would mean the decrease of his own influence and stature, John welcomes Jesus with wholehearted humility, enthusiasm, and joy. John s attitude that, [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease (John 3.30) is a shining example and inspiration to us all. Describe one of the most arrogant or one of the most humble people you have encountered. One thing that stands out about John the Baptist was his sincere humility. What do you know about John the Baptist? Who was he and what was his role in the New Testament? What could he have meant when he said, I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord,? How do John s responses to the questions about his identity in this passage reflect his genuine humility (note especially vs. 27)? Why do you think John refused to accept any glory? Do you think this was a struggle for him? Is it a struggle for most Christians? When asked who he was, John replied firmly, I am not the Christ. How do we attempt to, be the Christ in our own lives and overtake the position that rightfully belongs to God? What do you think John knew and believed about Jesus that grounded him so deeply in humility? Where / how does pride tend to show up in your life? How could a deeper knowledge or belief in Jesus help to produce humility in that area? What do you take away from tonights discussion? What is one specific way you could apply this in to your life in the coming week?
ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS PART 2 - WINE AT A WEDDING Passage: John 2.1-11 Jesus chose a wedding as the setting for the first of his approximately 37 miracles recorded in the New Testament. Although this miracle had great practical value (he rescued the host from the shame of failing to provide enough refreshments for his guests), it also represented a greater work that Christ would accomplish through his death and resurrection. Although the Bible clearly forbids excessive drinking & drunkenness, the consumption of wine represented peace, prosperity and joy which Jesus would bring in the most complete way. The transformation of water into wine also points to the transformation of those of us who put our faith in Christ from old things into new creations (2 Cor. 5.17). This miracle confirmed what the disciples were just beginning to believe that Jesus truly was the messiah! Describe an embarrassing moment in your life (extra points if you blush while recounting it). Read John 2.1-11. What do you think the major characters in this story were thinking/feeling in the midst of this embarrassing moment? As you read this passage, what do you find interesting, confusing, encouraging or thought-proving? Of all the things Jesus could have done for his first miracle, why do you think he chose to make wine at a wedding? What significance did this miracle have? The water that Jesus transformed into wine was not just any wine it was the best wine! And Jesus wasn t stingy about it either it was available in abundance! How does Jesus saving work of transformation in our lives bring us God s best and his abundance both now and in the future? Thinking back over your life, how have you experienced this? Do you ever struggle with doubting God s provision and abundance in your life? How does the joyful celebration of wine Jesus serves at the wedding during the start of his earthy ministry compare/contrast to the sorrowful serving of communion wine to his disciples in the upper room near the end of his earthly ministry? How should this inspire us to bring our hearts to Christ in worship? What is one thing you d like to take with you into the week from the passage/discussion?
ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS PART 3 NICODEMUS Passage: John 3.1 15 Nicodemus is introduced in this passage as a ruler of the Jews (v 1). This means he was a member of the Sanhedrin, the ruling council that led the nation. He came to Jesus at night most likely to avoid being seen publicly with Jesus. He obviously comes to ask a question but Jesus pre-empts his question by telling him, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God (v 3). In the puzzling yet clarifying dialogue that follows, Jesus points out that as a prominent teacher of the Jewish people Nicodemus should have clearly understood about the new birth from the Old Testament scriptures. This helps to give us insight into how the Old Testament would have figured into their conversation. We should note that Nicodemus appears to have become a Christian and been known as an eyewitness in the early church, for three reasons: 1) He is mentioned by name three times in John (chapters 3, 7, and 19), which is usually true of eyewitnesses; 2) He later defends Jesus ministry to the other Jewish leaders (7.50 51); 3) He assisted Joseph of Arimathea in preparing Jesus body for burial, and was probably a secret disciple like him (19.38 39). Describe a point in your life when you made a new start. When Nicodemus begins by admitting that Jesus, though he is not properly trained in Rabbinic interpretation, is a teacher come from God (v 2), why do you think Jesus abruptly declares the necessity to be born again? In the passage, what indicates that Nicodemus is thinking physically while Jesus is speaking spiritually about the new birth? Note that one word in both Greek and Hebrew can be translated Spirit, breath, or wind. In v 8, what do you think Jesus is pointing out when he asserts that the wind cannot be seen but can be heard or experienced in its effects? How might that also be true of everyone who is born of the Spirit? Sometimes people think born of water and the Spirit refers to baptism as an act the Spirit uses to impart eternal life. Note that, since Christian baptism is not referred to until 4.1, Nicodemus couldn t have grasped this. Others believe that it refers to physical birth (when the water breaks ) and spiritual birth (Spirit). Most likely, however, it is referring to an Old Testament passage that Nicodemus should have understood (see vv 9 10). Look at Ezekiel 36.25 27 together: How does Ezekiel predict that God s redemption of Israel will be like water? (cleansing, v 25). How is it like Spirit? (empowering). What do these two things tell us about the nature of the new birth? Jesus final illustration comes from Numbers 21 and it explains how we can receive the new birth. Can someone summarize this passage for us? How do the serpent impaled on a pole and the Savior lifted up on the cross correspond to each other? How does a look at the serpent relate to a person s need to believe in Jesus? How would you explain to someone from this passage what it means to be born again and how a person can receive the new birth? How do you think a person can know that he or she has been born again?
ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS PART 4 THE SAMARITAN WOMAN Passage: John 4.1 26 Jesus conversation with a Samaritan woman in John four is one of the most unique passages in the New Testament. For a man to talk alone, even in public, to a woman to whom he wasn t related was socially frowned upon (like in Muslim cultures today). In addition, the Jews despised the neighboring Samaritans because they were a mixed race of Jews and Gentiles. They arose when the ten northern tribes of Israel intermarried with the Canaanites who remained in the land, and later with the other people groups the Assyrians imported into Palestine after the exile. Like their mixed race, their religion was a mixture of the Old Testament religion and paganism with a separate temple, Bible, and festivals. Jews thought of Samaritans as half-breeds who had corrupted their ancestral religion. The conversation of Jesus and the Samaritan woman is a series of five conversational exchanges (you can see them easily if you have a red-letter Bible!). Each involves a statement or question followed by an answer by Jesus. Through the imagery of humanity s universal thirst for water, Jesus skillfully moves to the woman s thirst for satisfaction which she has tried to fulfill through a series of unsatisfying romantic relationships. Through this means, he presents himself as the living water which can satisfy forever. This is the only passage in the New Testament in which Jesus clearly declared himself to be the Messiah to an unbeliever. Describe a person you ve known in life (it can be yourself or another person) whose hunger for God is/was masked by a hunger for things relationships, cars, technology, experiences, etc. Did they ever come to see their emptiness? Note that, in verse 10, when Jesus spoke of living water, the same words were used to mean running water (meaning pure water, like from a stream, as opposed to still water at the bottom of a well). What do you think Jesus meant by the words living water in verse 10? What does the Samaritan woman s response show that she thought he meant? How does Jesus explanation in verse 13 indicate that he is speaking of something supernatural, not merely pure, spring-fed water? Put in other words Jesus description of living water as a spring of water welling up to eternal life. In verse 16, why do you think Jesus asked her to call her husband? Put in your own words what Jesus is saying to her in verse 17 and the tone in which he says it. Is he being gentle, condescending, accusatory, confusing? After Jesus points out that she has had a series of unsatisfying romantic relationships, she acknowledges him as a prophet. Why does the Samaritan woman ask him about the true place of worship? Isn t this bringing up a touchy point between the Jews and the Samaritans? Note that Jesus, in verse 22, clearly acknowledges that the Samaritan religion is a bastardized form of the God-revealed religion of the Old Testament; but he sandwiches this between two more important statements. Why do you think the woman didn t react to this? What is the point of verses 23 24? How do Jesus words inform us how to respond to those who feel they can only pray in a church? Or those who feel God only blesses a marriage which takes place in a church? Or those who feel a church needs to have more visual display to help people to worship better? Or people who say they have to visualize God in order to pray? How could you use this passage to help a person see that they are looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places? (and looking for love in too many faces? searching the eyes, looking for traces?...)
ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS PART 5 THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY Passage: John 7.53 8.11 Though there is much Biblical research and evidence to conclude this story is not part of the original text, there is little reason to doubt that the event described in the story occurred. More importantly, this story is true to the character of Jesus and how he deals with sinners. The story has a sordid beginning as the scene opens with the Pharisees dragging a woman caught in the act of adultery into the temple court where Jesus is teaching. The Pharisees are not motivated by their love for law, instead, they are using the law as a way to trap Jesus and the woman is merely their latest pawn. Jesus exposes their misuse of the law and they all walk away. The woman stays and receives the grace and forgiveness Jesus offers. This story beautifully illustrates John 1.17, For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. Describe a time from your youth when you were caught with your hand in the cookie jar. What did you want more than anything at that moment? What happened? Put yourself in this scene and describe the emotions of the main characters in the story. Think about the trap the Pharisees set for Jesus. How do you think the Pharisees would have trapped Jesus if he said they should stone the woman? How would they have trapped him if he said they should let her go? Explain what happened in verses 6 9. What do you think Jesus was writing in the dirt on the ground? What is the connection between his writing and the Pharisees going away, one by one, beginning with the older ones? After the Pharisees leave, Jesus turns his attention to the woman. What is the significance of the question he asks her in verse 10? Was he condoning her sin? The Pharisees sin is exposed and they leave defeated. Is there an area of your life that has been exposed but you keep ignoring? The woman has her sin exposed and she stays with Jesus and tastes grace and forgiveness. Describe a time you have experienced this? Of the character traits of Jesus displayed in this story (strength, gentleness, grace, holiness, etc.) which one are you most in need of? How does this story expand your knowledge of God? How can we pray for you as a result of this study?
ENCOUNTERS WITH JESUS PART 6 - FROM LIFE TO DEATH AND BACK AGAIN Passage: John 11.1-44 People were never meant to die but how does God really feel when they do? In John 11.1-44 we have the remarkable privilege of watching Jesus respond not just to the big-picture, cosmic implications of death but to the very personal loss of a close friend. Arriving in Bethany in his own perfect timing, Jesus shows us yet again how deeply he has invested his heart into his creation. Here we see both the sincerity of his love through his tears and the authority of his divine power as he calls Lazarus out from the tomb and, the man who had died came out (vs. 44). This miracle confidently looks forward to Jesus own resurrection and should cause us to rejoice that the one who is the Shepherd and Overseer of [our] souls (1 Pet. 2.25), is also the one who, has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Tim. 1.10). Describe a time in your life (recently or in the past) when you felt discouraged. Read through the passage together as a group. Now have one or two people tell the story in their own words. What does this story cause you to think about or feel? Look at vs. 5-6. Why do you think Jesus didn t come to Bethany right away when he heard that Lazarus was sick? What is the connection to his love for Mary, Martha and Lazarus? When God s timing differs from our own, how should this encourage us? What is the significance of Jesus interaction with Martha in vs. 21-27? How are Jesus words here fulfilled both in the resurrection of Lazarus and in Jesus own resurrection? How will they one day be fulfilled for those of us who have believed as Martha did? Why do you think Jesus was so emotionally overwhelmed by the death of Lazarus (note vs. 33, 35, 38)? What does this teach us about the heart of God? How do you think Mary, Martha, the crowd, Lazarus, and Jesus himself reacted to the resurrection of Lazarus (vs. 38-44)? How might this foreshadow our own reaction at our heavenly reunion with believing friends and family members who have, for now, fallen asleep? During times of discouragement, how could the realities of this true story encourage, settle, strengthen and transform us? In what way(s) do the mixture Jesus humanity & divinity, seen evidently here, stir you to worship him?