Do you know Him?

Opening question:   Why is Facebook so popular?

Let’s read what Jesus says about knowing Him:

Matthew 7:13-23

13 Enter God's kingdom through the narrow gate.  The gate is large and the road is wide that leads to death and hell.  Many people go that way.  14 But the gate is small and the road is narrow that lead to life.  Only a few people find it.  15 Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you pretending to be sheep.  But on the inside they are hungry wolves.  16 You can tell what they really are by what they do.  Do people pick grapes from bushes?  Do they pick figs from thorns?  17 In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit.  But a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree can't bear bad fruit.  And a bad tree can't bear good fruit.  19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down.  It is thrown into the fire.  20 You can tell each tree by its fruit.  21 Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven.  Only those who do what My Father in heaven wants will enter.  22 Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord! Lord!  Didn't we prophesy in Your name?  Didn't we drive out demons in Your name?  Didn't we do many miracles in Your name?”  23 Then I will tell them clearly, “I never knew you.  Get away from Me, you who do evil!” 

Word list:

false prophets – people who do not speak the truth about God

bush – a low plant with many branches

thorns – a sharp points found on some plants and trees

prophesy – to speak for God

demons – evil spirits

brag / boast – to talk about how great you are

take delight – find pleasure and satisfaction

Discussion questions:

1. What does it mean to ‘know’ someone?

2.  What does the word ‘kingdom’ mean to you? 

3.  How would you compare the two kinds of gates?

4.  Why does the ‘gate’ to heaven have to be ‘narrow’? 

5. What keeps people ‘away’ from the Lord and out of heaven?

6.  How then can we come to know the Lord, and enter the kingdom heaven?

Jesus’ Resurrection, Appearance

Opening Questions: What were your thoughts on the video we just watched? What does the word resurrection mean? How is Jesus different from others that came alive from the dead?

 The Empty Tomb / John 20:1-9, 19-21
1 Early on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb. It was still dark. She saw that the stone had been moved away from the entrance. 2 So she ran to Simon Peter and another disciple, the one Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb! We don’t know where they have put him!” 3 So Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 Both of them were running. The other disciple ran faster than Peter. He reached the tomb first. 5 He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there. But he did not go in. 6 Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived. He went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there. 7 He also saw the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself. It was separate from the linen. 8 The disciple who had reached the tomb first also went inside. He saw and believed. 9 They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.  
Q1 What kind of stone should have been blocking the entrance?  
Q2 Why was Mary coming? What did she think happened to the body?  
Q3 Why do you think the passage states that the burial cloth and linen were separate?  

Jesus Appears to his Disciples / John 20:19-29
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, the disciples were together. They had locked the doors because they were afraid of the Jews. 20 Jesus came in and stood among them. He said, "May peace be with you!!” 21 Again Jesus said, “May peace be with you! The Father has sent me. So now I am sending you.” 22 He then breathed on them. He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven. If you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24 Thomas was one of the Twelve. He was called Didymus. He was not with the other disciples when Jesus came. 25 So they told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “First I must see the nail marks in his hands. I must put my finger where the nails were. I must put my hand into his side. Only then will I believe what you say.” 26 A week later, Jesus’ disciples were in the house again. Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came in and stood among them. He said “May peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here. See my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me but still have believed.”  
Q4 Why does Jesus always announce to his disciples to have peace when he appears before them?  
Q5 Why do you think Jesus show his disciples his hands and side?
Q6 What does Thomas’ doubt show? Is it ok to have doubt?  

General Questions on the Resurrection
Q7 How does the resurrection set Christianity apart from other religions?
Q8 Why is the resurrection so important to believers? What implication does it have for our future?

Jesus Arrested

Opening question: What was the highlight of your week?

John 18:1-11
1 When Jesus had finished praying, He left with His disciples. They crossed the Kidron Valley. On the other side there was a grove of olive trees. Jesus and His disciples went into it. 2 Judas knew the place. He was going to hand Jesus over to His enemies. Jesus had often met in that place with His disciples. 3 So Judas came to the grove. He was guiding a group of soldiers and some officials. The chief priests and the Pharisees had sent them. They were carrying torches, lanterns and weapons. 4 Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to Him. So He went out and asked them, "Who is it that you want?" 5 "Jesus of Nazareth," they replied. "I am He," Jesus said. Judas, who was going to hand Jesus over, was standing there with them. 6 When Jesus said, "I am He," they moved back. Then they fell to the ground. 7 He asked them again, "Who is it that you want?" They said, "Jesus of Nazareth." 8 "I told you I am He," Jesus answered. "If you are looking for Me, then let these men go."
9 This happened so that the words Jesus had spoken would come true. He had said, "I have not lost anyone God has given Me." 10 Simon Peter had a sword and pulled it out. He struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. 11 Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shouldn't I drink the cup of suffering the Father has given Me?"

Word list:
disciples – followers of Jesus
Kidron Vally – a narrow valley outside the city walls of Jerusalem
grove – group of trees
Judas – one of the 12 followers who turned against Jesus
priests and Pharisees – religious leaders of Israel
torches & lanterns – lights
Nazareth – a small town where Jesus was raised.
drink the cup – to experience something

Discussion:
1) Try to re-tell the story in verses 1-11.
2) Who came to join Jesus and His disciples in the grove of olive trees?
3) What happened to the soldiers and officials when Jesus said, “I am He”? Explain.
4) How did Jesus know “everything that was going to happen to Him”? (verse 4)
5) Who gave Jesus His followers? What does it mean that they were “given” to Jesus?
6) What’s up with Peter?
7) What do you think was the “suffering” that Jesus referred to?
8) Who gave the “cup” to Jesus? What does this mean?
9) Who was Jesus thinking about in verses 8 and 9? What does this mean to His followers today?

Jesus's Prayer

Opening question: What do you pray for?

Read John 17:1-5
1 After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed. He said, "Father, the time has come. Bring glory to your Son. Then your Son will bring glory to you. 2 You gave him authority over all people. He gives eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 And what is eternal life? It is knowing you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. 4 I have brought you glory on earth. I have finished the work you gave me to do. 5 So now, Father, give glory to me in heaven where your throne is. Give me the glory I had with you before the world began.”

Q1 How many times is the word ‘glory’ used in these verses? Define glory.
Q2 How does Jesus bring glory to the Father?
Q3 What is eternal life according to verse 3?


Read John 17:20-26
20 "I do not pray only for them [Jesus’s disciples]. I pray also for those who will believe in me because of their message. 21 Father, I pray that all of them will be one, just as you are in me and I am in you. I want them also to be in us. Then the world will believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory you gave me. I did this so they would be one, just as we are one. 23 I will be in them, just as you are in me. I want them to be brought together perfectly as one. This will let the world know that you sent me. It will also show the world that you have loved those you gave me, just as you have loved me. 24 Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am. I want them to see my glory, the glory you have given me. You gave it to me because you loved me before the world was created. 25 Father, you are holy. The world does not know you, but I know you. Those you have given me know you have sent me. 26 I have shown you to them. And I will continue to show you to them. Then the love you have for me will be in them. I myself will be in them."

Q4 Who is Jesus praying for?
Q5 What does Jesus pray for among His followers?
Q6 What does Jesus want for His followers (verse 24)?
Q7 How can we show the world God’s love? What are some specific ways we can do it this week?

Read John 16:16-33 Good News Translation (GNT)

Sadness and Gladness
16 In a little while you will not see me any more, and then a little while later you will see me. 17 Some of his disciples asked among themselves, What does this mean? He tells us that in a little while we will not see him, and then a little while later we will see him; and he also says, It is because I am going to the Father.18 What does this a little while mean? We don't know what he is talking about!19 Jesus knew that they wanted to question him, so he said to them, I said, In a little while you will not see me, and then a little while later you will see me. Is this what you are asking about among yourselves?20 I am telling you the truth: you will cry and weep, but the world will be glad; you will be sad, but your sadness will turn into gladness.21 When a woman is about to give birth, she is sad because her hour of suffering has come; but when the baby is born, she forgets her suffering, because she is happy that a baby has been born into the world.22 That is how it is with you: now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your hearts will be filled with gladness, the kind of gladness that no one can take away from you. 23 When that day comes, you will not ask me for anything. I am telling you the truth: the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name.[a]24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete.

Q1 What does it mean by “a little while?” (v.16)
Q2 Why is Jesus coming back important? How can the disciples or we wait patiently and correctly?
Q3 Why will the disciples be happy (i.e. turn into gladness)? (v.20)
Why will we be happy about Jesus dies?
Q4 Why do we pray in Jesus Christ name? (v.23-24)


Victory over the World
25 I have used figures of speech to tell you these things. But the time will come when I will not use figures of speech, but will speak to you plainly about the Father.26 When that day comes, you will ask him in my name; and I do not say that I will ask him on your behalf,27 for the Father himself loves you. He loves you because you love me and have believed that I came from God.28 I did come from the Father, and I came into the world; and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father. 29 Then his disciples said to him, Now you are speaking plainly, without using figures of speech.30 We know now that you know everything; you do not need to have someone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.
31 Jesus answered them, Do you believe now? 32 The time is coming, and is already here, when all of you will be scattered, each of you to your own home, and I will be left all alone. But I am not really alone, because the Father is with me.33 I have told you this so that you will have peace by being united to me. The world will make you suffer. But be brave! I have defeated the world!

Q5 How can we be confident that Jesus came from God? (v. 30)
Q6 What does this tell us about Jesus?
Q7 Do you have any experience that when the world has made you suffer but you still have peace because you know you are with God? (v. 33) Would you like to share?

the World's Hate and the Spirit's Help

Opening Question: Can you share a highlight (or lowlight) from this past week?

John 15:18-27
18 “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember what I told you: ‘Servants are not greater than their Master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed My teaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of My name, for they do not know the One who sent Me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. 23 Those who hate Me hate My Father as well. 24 If I had not done among them the works no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. As it is, they have seen, and yet they have hated both Me and my Father. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’ 26 When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father -- the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father. He will testify about Me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with Me from the beginning.”

Q Have you ever hated or been hated?
Q Define: World - __________, Servants - __________, Master - __________.
Q What does it mean to be ‘chosen out of the world’?
Q Who is hated by the world, and why?
Q What does it mean to ‘testify’?
Q Who testifies -- the Spirit or the followers of Jesus?

John 16:7-15
7 “Very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. 8 When He comes, He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 about sin, because people do not believe in Me; 10 about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see Me no longer; 11 and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. 12 I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on His own. He will speak only what He hears. And He will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will glorify Me. It is from Me that He will receive what He will make known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from Me what He will make known to you.”

Q What do sin, righteousness and judgment mean?
Q What are some of the ways the Spirit wants to help us the followers of Jesus?
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
_________________________ _________________________
Q What do you think is the Spirit’s most important job? Explain.
Q What kind of help from the Helper do you need the most?

The Vine and the Branches

Opening Question: What kind of fruit do you like?

John 15:1-8 (NIRV)
1 "I am the true vine. My Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch joined to me that does not bear fruit. He trims every branch that does bear fruit. Then it will bear even more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain joined to me, and I will remain joined to you. No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain joined to the vine. In the same way, you can’t bear fruit unless you remain joined to me.”

5 "I am the vine. You are the branches. If anyone remains joined to me, and I to him, he will bear a lot of fruit. You can’t do anything without me. 6 If anyone does not remain joined to me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and dries up. Branches like those are picked up. They are thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain joined to me and my words remain in you, ask for anything you wish. And it will be given to you. 8 When you bear a lot of fruit, it brings glory to my Father. It shows that you are my disciples.”

Q 1: Who is the vine, gardener and branch? What is the role of each?
Q 2: What does it mean to be trimmed (pruned)? Give an example
Q 3: What does it mean to bear much fruit? How does bearing fruit bring glory to God?
Q 4: What do you think Jesus means by the promise in verse 7?


John 15:9-17 (NIRV)
9 "Just as the Father has loved me, I have loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. In the same way, I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy will be in you. I also want your joy to be complete. 12 Here is my command. Love each other, just as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than the one who gives his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I do not call you servants anymore. Servants do not know their master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends. I have told you everything I learned from my Father. 16 You did not choose me. Instead, I chose you. I appointed you to go and bear fruit. It is fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you anything you ask for in my name. 17 Here is my command: Love each other.”

Q 5: What does “my joy” mean in verse 11? What was Jesus’ joy?
Q 6: What does it mean to be a friend in these verses? What is the difference between a servant and a friend?
Q 7: How can we love each other?

Another Friend

Opening question: Can you share a highlight (or lowlight) of your week?

Read John 14:16-31
16 "I will ask the Father. And He will give you another Friend to help you and to be with you forever. 17The Friend is the Spirit of truth. The world can't accept Him. That is because the world does not see Him or know Him. But you know Him. He lives with you, and He will be in you. 18 I will not leave you like children who don't have parents.
I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see Me anymore. But you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father. You will know that you are in Me, and I am in you. 21 Anyone who has My commands and obeys them loves Me. My Father will love the one who loves Me. I too will love him. And I will show myself to him."

22 Then Judas spoke. "Lord," he said, "why do you plan to show Yourself only to us? Why not also to the world?" The Judas who spoke those words was not Judas Iscariot.

23 Jesus replied, "Anyone who loves Me will obey My teaching. My Father will love Him. We will come to Him and make Our home with Him. 24 Anyone who does not love Me will not obey My teaching. The words you hear Me say are not My own. They belong to the Father who sent Me. 25 I have spoken all these things while I am still with you. 26 But the Father will send the Friend in My name to help you. The Friend is the Holy Spirit. He will teach you all things. He will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 I leave My peace with you. I give My peace to you. I do not give it to you as the world does. Do not let your hearts be troubled. And do not be afraid. 28 You heard me say, 'I am going away. And I am coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would be glad I am going to the Father. The Father is greater than I am. 29 I have told you now before it happens. Then when it does happen, you will believe. 30 I will not speak with you much longer. The prince of this world is coming. He has no power over Me. 31 But the world must learn that I love the Father. They must also learn that I do exactly what My Father has commanded Me to do.


Discussion questions:
1) Which words of Jesus do you like the most?
2) Which words are a little difficult to understand?
3) What are the qualities of a good friend?
4) How does Jesus describe the Holy Spirit?
5) Christians believe in the ‘Trinity.’ What does this word mean, and where can we see it in the verses above?
6) Based on the verses above, what is the Christian life all about?

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

Opening Question: What was most interesting to you in the video we just watched?

Read John 13:2-17 (GNT)
2 Jesus and his disciples were at supper. The Devil had already put into the heart of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, the thought of betraying Jesus. 3 Jesus knew that the Father had given him complete power; he knew that he had come from God and was going to God. 4 So he rose from the table, took off his outer garment, and tied a towel around his waist. 5 Then he poured some water into a washbasin and began to wash the disciples' feet and dry them with the towel around his waist. 6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Are you going to wash my feet, Lord?” 7 Jesus answered him, “You do not understand now what I am doing, but you will understand later.” 8 Peter declared, “Never at any time will you wash my feet!” Jesus answered, “If I do not wash your feet, you will no longer be my disciple.” 9 Simon Peter answered, “Lord, do not wash only my feet, then! Wash my hands and head, too!”

10 Jesus said, “Those who have taken a bath are completely clean and do not have to wash themselves, except for their feet. All of you are clean—all except one.” 11 Jesus already knew who was going to betray him; that is why he said, “All of you, except one, are clean.”
12 After Jesus had washed their feet, he put his outer garment back on and returned to his place at the table. “Do you understand what I have just done to you?” he asked. 13 “You call me Teacher and Lord, and it is right that you do so, because that is what I am. 14 I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet. 15 I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you. 16 I am telling you the truth: no slaves are greater than their master, and no messengers are greater than the one who sent them. 17 Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!


Tell us about your culture! [5 mins]
What is the view of feet in your culture?
Ex: In India, feet are considered unclean. But people touch the feet of their elders to give them respect.

Who? What? When? Where? [10 mins]
Read and reply!
1.(v2) What did devil do to Judas?
2.(v3) Where did Jesus come from and where was He going?
3.(v6-8) What was Simon Peter’s initial response to Jesus?
4.(v8-9) What made Simon Peter change his mind? How much did he change?
5.(v13) What was Jesus’ position in His disciples’ lives?

Why? What does it mean? [15 mins]
Think and then reply.
1.(v14) What did Jesus teach His disciples to do? Did He mean it literally?
2.(v16) Why does Jesus say the words in verse 16? [Hint: Master served, so can servant also serve?]

How? In what way? [15 mins]
Pray and then reply…
1.(v17) How can we be happy by “washing one another’s feet”?
2.Give any one example:
a. When someone “washed your feet”
b. How you can “wash someone’s feet”

Hosanna!

Opening question: Describe a time you were excited for something

John 12:12-13 (NIrV)
12 The next day the large crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. 13 So they took branches from palm trees and went out to meet him. They shouted, “Hosanna!” “Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!”

Question 1: What do you think the word Hosanna means?
Question 2: Why do you think people greeted Jesus this way?


John 12:20-36
20 There were some Greeks among the people who went up to worship during the Feast. 21 They came to ask Philip for a favor. Philip was from Bethsaida in Galilee. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew. Then Andrew and Philip told Jesus. 23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to receive glory. 24 What I’m about to tell you is true. Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only one seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves his life will lose it. But anyone who hates his life in this world will keep it and have eternal life. 26 Anyone who serves me must follow me. And were I am, my servant will also be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. 27 My heart is troubled. What should I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No. This is the very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, bring glory to your name!” Then a voice came from heaven. It said, “I have brought glory to my name. I will bring glory to it again.” 29 The crowd there heard the voice. Some said it was thunder. Others said an angel had spoken to Jesus. 30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now it is time for the world to be judged. Now the prince of the world will be thrown out. 32 But I am going to be lifted up from the earth. When I am, I will bring all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show them how he was going to die. 34 The crowd spoke up. “The Law tells us that the Christ will remain forever,” they said. “So how can you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up’? Who is this ‘Son of Man’?” 35 Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light. Do this before darkness catches up with you. Anyone who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, put your trust in it. Then you can become sons of light.” When Jesus had finished speaking, he left and hid from them.

Question 3: Why do you think the Greeks wanted to see Jesus (verse 20-21)?
Question 4: What principal does Jesus teach in verses 23-26? How does this apply to our lives as Christians?
Question 5: Why was Jesus’ heart troubled (verse 27)?
Question 6: Why did some not understand God’s voice from heaven (verses 28-29)?

The Resurrection of Lazarus

Opening question: Do you believe in life after death?

Read John 11.

Discussion questions:
1)How would you describe the relationship between Jesus, Mary, Martha and Lazarus?

2)What do you think Jesus meant when He said:
"This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory. God's Son will receive glory because of it."

3)Why did Jesus wait 2 days before going to see his sick friend, Lazarus?

4)Why did Jesus say that Lazarus was just "sleeping" when he was actually dead, as we read below:
"Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep," He said. "But I am going there to wake him up."

5)Earlier, Jesus had said, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory. God's Son will receive glory because of it." Then later, He said, "Lazarus is dead." Did Jesus contradict Himself?

6)What do think Jesus meant by being "glad" when He said:
"For your benefit, I am glad I was not there. Now you will believe. But let us go to him."

7)What do you think Jesus meant by the following declaration:
"I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in Me will live, even if he dies. And those who live and believe in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"

8)Do you believe Jesus is the resurrection and the life? Explain.

9)What are some benefits of believing that Jesus is the resurrection and the life?

The Good Shepherd

Opening question: What is your favorite animal at the zoo? Why?

John 10:7-18 (NIrV)
7 So Jesus said again, what I'm about to tell you is true. I am like a gate for the sheep. 8 All those who ever came before me were thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I'm like a gate. Anyone who enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out. And he will find plenty of food. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so they can have life. I want them to have it in the fullest possible way. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. 12 The hired man is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when the hired man sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired man. He does not care about the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep, and my sheep know me. 15 They know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I give my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this sheep pen. I must bring them in too. They also will listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I give up my life. But I will take it back again. 18 No one takes it from me. I give it up myself. I have the authority to give it up. And I have the authority to take it back again. I received this command from my Father.

Isaiah 53:6 (NIrV)
6 All of us are like sheep. We have wandered away from God. All of us have turned to our own way. And the Lord has placed on his servant the sins of all of us.

Ezekial 34:11-12, 23 (NIrV)
11 The Lord and King says, I myself will search for my sheep. I will look after them. 12 A shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them. And I will look after my sheep. I will save them from all of the places where they were scattered on a dark and cloudy day. 23 I will place one shepherd over them. He will belong to the family line of my servant David. He will take good care of them. He will look after them. He will be their shepherd.

Circle any words you do not know from the passages above

Questions:
1. What are some characteristics you identify with sheep? Why might sheep need a shepherd?
2. List 3 benefits that Jesus offers as the good shepherd (John 10:7-13)
3. What are the differences between a hired man, a wolf and a shepherd? (v. 12 of John)
4. How does Jesus provide you an abundant life (fullest life possible) (v.10)?
5. Why is a relationship with the shepherd more important than a relationship between workers and sheep? What does it mean to have an intimate relationship with the shepherd?
6. How might Jesus fulfill the prophecy about a shepherd from the passage in Ezekial?
7. Does it surprise you that a shepherd would lay their life for a sheep? Why or why not?

Blind Man Sees

Opening question: What do you think it would be like to be blind?

Let’s read about this miracle:

John 9:1-7
1 As Jesus went along, He saw a man who was blind. He had been blind since he was born. 2 Jesus' disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned? Was this man born blind because he sinned? Or did his parents sin?" 3 "It isn't because this man sinned," said Jesus. "It isn't because his parents sinned. This happened so that God's work could be shown in his life. 4 While it is still day, we must do the work of the One who sent me. Night is coming. Then no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the Light of the world." 6 After He said this, He spit on the ground. He made some mud with the spit. Then He put the mud on the man's eyes. 7 "Go," He told him. "Wash in the Pool of Siloam." Siloam means Sent. So the man went and washed. And he came home able to see.

Vocabulary: sin – wrong behavior; Pool of Siloam – one of many pools around the city of Jerusalem

1) Describe the life of the blind man in the story.
2) What would it be like to be blind in your culture?
3) How was Jesus the ‘Light of the world’ to this blind man?
4) Is it easy or difficult to believe this miracle really happened? Explain.

John 9:35-41
35 Jesus heard that the Pharisees had thrown the man out. When He found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" 36 "Who is He, sir?" the man asked. "Tell me, so I can believe in Him."
37 Jesus said, "You have now seen Him. In fact, He is the one speaking with you." 38 Then the man said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped Him. 39 Jesus said, "I have come into this world to judge it.
I have come so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard Him say this. They asked, "What? Are we blind too?" 41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim you can see, you remain guilty."

Vocabulary: Pharisees – the religious rulers of Israel 2000 years ago; Son of Man – one of Jesus’ titles

5) How did the Pharisees treat the blind man?
6) What kind of blindness was Jesus talking about in verses 39 and 41?
7) How did the man born blind respond to Jesus?
8) What does it mean to ‘believe’ and to ‘worship’?
9) Do you believe and worship Jesus? If so, explain why?