Category: John

John 6:1-21: Jesus, The Bread of Life

3/22/2021

Apparently Pastor Jeremy really likes bread. What’s your “go to” bread product? What’s the best bread based food you have ever eaten?
When Jesus declared himself to be the bread of life, what two images did “Jesus as bread” evoke for the Jewish listeners? Why were these two images so powerful for them as a people?
How was Jesus the fulfillment of each of those images?
What did sharing a meal together mean for ancient people and what does it mean for us today?
Jesus is the bread of LIFE. What are the three types of “life” that are talked about in Scripture? Which one was Jesus using here?
Have you ever had the perfect day and at some point you said “this is living”. What was it and what did you mean by that?
In John 10:10, Jesus says that “I have come that you may have life and have life more abundantly.” How does our definition and understating of “ZOE life” add to our understanding of this phrase?
Something always has to die in order for us to live and be nourished. When Jesus broke the bread with his disciples he said, “This is my body broken for you.” And then Jesus goes to the cross and he dies. Jesus died so that he could become your strength and your life. How can Jesus practically become this for you this week?

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John 5:30-47 - Jesus Calls His Witnesses

3/15/2021

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This passage plays out like a courtroom drama. What was Jesus being accused of? How would you summarize the way Jesus responded to the accusations?
On Sunday I gave the illustration of EV Rieu, who after translating the gospels went from being an agnostic to a Christ-follower. What has been the most dramatic effect Scripture has made on your life?
Who were the witnesses that Jesus called to the stand?
How did each of these witnesses support the claims that Jesus was making of his divinity?
Of all of these witnesses, which one is the most compelling to you and why?
Jesus pointed out what the Jew’s main problem was in verses 39-40. What was it? How might we be guilty of the same thing?
On Sunday I gave another illustration of looking out over the city from the top of the Commodity Exchange Building and having someone come up beside me and marvel at the beauty of the window and its frame. How can we ensure in the week ahead that this will not happen to us in the way we approach the bible? You may want to refer to Matthew 13:10-13.

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John 5:19-29 - Whatever the Father Does, The Son Does Likewise

3/8/2021

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In Howards sermon on Sunday, he mentioned working on the family farm as a kid. One day a man stopped by when his father was away and asked if he would sell a piece of their farm equipment to him. Howard didn’t feel he could sell that equipment without the ok from his father as they worked as a team and he represented his father. Have you ever gone out somewhere as a representative of your family or maybe even your employer?
Jesus’ claims to divinity were radical and not well accepted by the Jews of the day. Jesus said, "Truly, truly I tell you..." and then he started speaking about his relationship with God his Father. Do you see any examples of the close relationship between Jesus and God his Father in this passage? Where?
Verse 23 says, “all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father.” Is it really a big deal to dishonor Jesus? Why?
What are some ways that people dishonor Jesus?
What’s the message Jesus has for us in his second “Truly, truly” (verse 24)?
Jesus speaks very specifically in this passage that those who have done good are given the resurrection of life and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. Jesus is saying that good works are evidence of true faith and evil deeds are evidence of a lack of faith in him. In what ways can we live a life of faith and good deeds this week? What do you think Jesus had in mind when he said this?

2021-03-07_podcast.mp3
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John 5:1-18 - The Healing at the Pool

3/1/2021

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If you could imagine a truly perfect person, what would they be like? What would they do?
We have description after description of Jesus as the perfect man in Scripture. What is there that surprises you about Jesus when you read about him? What really strikes you about him?
What do you think the “backstory” was of this guy at the pool who had been an invalid for 38 years?
Why do you think Jesus chose to go to this place and heal this guy?
Jesus asks this guy if he wants to get well. Do you think he did?
The Jews are irate that Jesus healed on the sabbath and that he told this man to pick up his bed and walk. It’s interesting that Jesus must have known that everyone would see this guy carrying his mat on the sabbath. Why do you think Jesus made such a public display of healing on the sabbath?
When this man blames Jesus for making him work on the sabbath, Jesus tells him to “sin no more that nothing worse may happen to him.” Do you think Jesus was connecting this man's sin with physical illness? Cross reference this with John 9:1-3.
When the Jews begin to persecute Jesus for working on the sabbath, he tells them that “my Father is working until now, and I am working.” What do you think he meant by that?
Throughout scripture, sabbath rest did not refer to the absence of work but to a satisfaction of completion. What are some examples of this that you can think of from Scripture?
In his earthly ministry, Jesus was working to ensure a sabbath rest for his people. What is it about “sabbath rest’ that brings you hope, encouragement and strength?

2021-02-28_podcast.mp3
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John 4:46-54 - The Nature of True Faith

2/22/2021

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Have you ever had a traumatic event happen to one of your kids or someone you were really close to? Have your kids ever been hospitalized? How did you respond?
This official’s son was near death and he hears of a man who could heal him. Do you think this man believed Jesus could really do something? Or do you think he was just desperate and willing to try anything?
Why do you think Jesus responded the way that he did in verse 48?
Are you surprised at the way the official responded in verse 49 after Jesus’ statement in verse 48?
The sermon began by saying that faith starts with reason. This man heard true reports about Jesus and then went to see him. What role does “reason” have in your faith?
How much time do you spend looking into the reasonability of the Christian faith?
If you could know more about one aspect of the Christian faith what would it be? (The reliability of Scripture. The truth of the resurrection. The existence of God. Hell. Intelligent design...)
What are one or two ways you could learn more about the aspect of the Christian faith you are unsure about?
Faith also grows in trials. Has there been a time in your life when a trial has led to greater faith?
Faith results in trust. Everyone acts on their faith in one form or another no matter what your worldview is. The official in this story went home in faith and led his whole family to belief. In what area do you need to “exercise” your faith in so that it’s not just in your head but it’s in your “going”?

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John 4:16-45 - A Testimony of Grace

2/16/2021

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In my message on Sunday, I mentioned the RCMP officer that dealt graciously with Tanya (this wasn’t an isolated incident - I won’t mention the other time a Police Officer dealt graciously with her. You’ll have to ask her in person about that story:) Have you ever experienced grace personally? Has someone ever treated you better than you deserve? If so, how did that affect you?
According to verse 15, the Samaritan woman was looking for ultimate satisfaction in the living water and a freedom from her past shame. She says that she no longer would need to come to this place to draw water. In what ways did you experience these similar longings when you encountered Jesus?
The woman's testimony hit on two levels; subjective and objective. What is your subjective testimony (your personal experience) and what is the objective testimony (what all people need to understand) you believe others need to hear?
There was a simplicity to the woman's testimony, she simply said, “come see a man…” In what ways does this encourage / challenge you?
All other religions point people to a “way”. Only in Christianity do we point people to a person. Do you find that easier and encouraging or difficult and awkward?
As soon as she requested the gift Jesus was offering, he brought up her long list of sins. Why? Was he trying to embarrass her?
Imagine the incredible boldness that this woman had as she gives testimony in her town. She was a woman and an outcast, everyone knew her story and these were all strikes against her. In what venue do you need to exercise more boldness?
Jesus had a meaningful discussion with the Samaritan woman about true, authentic worship. He even said “the Father seeks'' worshippers who worship Him in spirit and truth. What do you think that type of worship looks like?

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John 4:1-15 - Have You Ever Tasted Living Water?

2/8/2021

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When you are working or relaxing in the heat of the sun, what is your go-to or favourite ice cold drink?
What is the well that you find yourself returning to over and over for satisfaction, only to be left thirsty again?
R. C. Sproul in his commentary on this chapter writes,

“It’s very common to hear Christians say that their unbelieving friends are “seeking God” or “searching for God,” but the Scriptures tell us that in our fallen condition, none of us ever seeks God (Rom. 3:11). The quest for God doesn’t begin until conversion. Prior to our conversions, we run as fast and as relentlessly as we can away from God. So why do we hear it said that those who aren’t Christians are seeking?
The best answer, I think, came from Thomas Aquinas. When Aquinas was asked why people seem to be seeking after God despite the Bible’s affirmation that no one seeks for Him, Aquinas said such people are not actually seeking God. Instead, they are desperately seeking peace, seeking relief from their guilt, seeking something to fill the emptiness of their souls and their lives. We know that the only thing that will satisfy that hunger and thirst within their souls is the living Christ, so we conclude that since they’re seeking to have their thirst assuaged and their hunger satisfied, they must be seeking for God. Aquinas said that is not the case at all. People desperately search for the things that only God can give them while at the same time they are fleeing from Him.”

Do you agree with Sproul and Aquinas’ take on this, why or why not? Does this change the way you understand your life before Christ, and/or the lives of your non-christian friends, if so how?
What are the most common wells you see your non-christian friends drinking from?
How do you/can you daily drink from the living water living inside you aside from reading your bible and prayer?

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John 3:16-36 - God's Perfect Love

2/1/2021

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Did you grow up with the concept of God being a God of wrath or a God of love? Or did you feel like you had a good balance of both of those theological truths?
Has it been your experience in churches that God’s wrath and condemnation are downplayed or maybe not even talked about at all? If so, why do you think that is? What might be gained by not talking about this attribute of God?
Some people (particularly those who are opposed to God) struggle with God’s wrath because they view it through the lens of human anger. What is different between our anger and Gods? What does it mean to have “righteous anger? Have you ever experienced this?
When we experience anger or impatience, we are often embarrassed afterward. We use excuses like “that wasn’t like me.” Or, “there were a number of factors that played into me behaving like that because that’s not what I’m like.” But maybe, the reason we are embarrassed and feel the way we do is because that is exactly what we’re like, that’s what’s in our heart. For a moment the curtain was pulled back and a part of us we don’t like (for good reason) was exposed. Have you ever thought about your anger or impatience this way? Is it something you struggle with?
Interact with this statement - “Anger or impatience is usually the result of something getting in the way of our ego.”
In what way is God’s wrath an expression of his love for truth and standards?
In what way is God’s wrath an expression of his love for his creation? His people?
In what way did God’s wrath and his love come together at the cross?
Do you find that your sin drives you further from God or nearer to him in thankfulness and confession? John 3:20

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John 3:1-15 - Born from Above

1/25/2021

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Background on Nicodemus: Pharisees and the Sanhedrin New types of political and religious leaders arose because of all these changes. By Jesus' day, Pharisees were one of the leading groups. Pharisees were scholars who tried hard to obey the laws in the Old Testament and a dizzying array of man-made laws which they added to the Old Testament. The Jews respected them and gave them great social, religious and political influence. Pharisees usually took great pride in their positions. Nicodemus, (in this passage), is also called a "Ruler of the Jews." That means he was also one of the elite 70 members of the Sanhedrin, the political / religious body that ruled Israel. The Sanhedrin ruled under the supervision of Herod, who reported directly to the Roman emperor. A Roman governor and legion were also stationed in the area.

What do we know about Nicodemus according to these verses?
What did it mean that he was a Pharisee?
Why did he come to see Jesus? Why did he come at night?
How did Nicodemus address Jesus? Was he correct or not?
If you were to walk up to Jesus today, how would you greet him?
How might you summarize Jesus' response in verse 3? Does it seem weird at first? What does the image of birth convey?
How did Nicodemus respond in verses 4 and 9? Did he understand what Jesus said?
What did Jesus mean by verse 5?
Have you ever had a friend or family member who began a new relationship with God? How would you describe the difference God made in their life?
One of the marks of being born again is that you have a new identity and a new sight. How have you seen this evidenced in your own life? Did your priorities change? Do you see the bible differently now? etc.
We see from Nicodemus’ life at the end of the gospel that he had an incredible boldness and humility. He was no longer ashamed of his association with Jesus and he did the job of a servant even though he was of the highest standing in society. In what way can your life be more bold for Jesus this week? How can you exercise greater humility this week?

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John 2:13-25 - Jesus Rearranges the Temple

1/17/2021

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What was your experience like the first step you stepped into a church? If you grew up in the church, have you ever talked to someone about their first experience?
In Jesus saying that he was the temple; what implications would that have for people that wanted to come and worship at the temple?
In what ways were things going to be different and in what ways would they be the same? In other words, how was Jesus like the Old Covenant temple and in what was he different?
The commotion of John 2 was happening in the Courts of the Gentiles; what were these courts used for and why was this location significant?
In what ways does the truth of this story transform your relationship with God? (hint - Jesus becomes the sacrifice rather than you bringing the sacrifice and it is all by grace.)