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)?
Friday, January 27, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
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?
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?
Friday, January 13, 2012
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?
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?
Friday, January 6, 2012
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?
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?
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