John Series Discussion Questions
September 12 - The Context of John’s Gospel
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. How did Hellenism shape the Judaic faith and impact early Christianity?
2. Which division of Judaism do you most relate to?
3. What similarities do you see in today’s culture with these divisions?
4. How does context help us understand the message that was written?
5. How does context help us apply the message to our life?
2. September 19 - The Wake-Up Call
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. Why is one’s cosmology important?
2. Read through John 1:1-5 slowly. What does it mean for Jesus to be supreme, the creative creator, LIFE, and all powerful?
3. How did each of these attributes impact the different groups of people reading this gospel in the first century?
4. How do they impact you?
5. John ends this prologue by giving gifts us three examples of how it should change the way we relate to Jesus. You are not the light, you can believe, and you can know! Where are you at with relating to Jesus in these three areas?
3. September 26 - A Message Meant to be Shared
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. John had personal testimony from meeting and getting to know Jesus. In verses 19-28 we hear his testimony say “Jesus is everything I wish I could be”. John was saying not only do I look up to Jesus but I look to Jesus for the life I was meant to have. Do you see Jesus the same way?
2. When John recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God he was essentially sharing the Gospel. Take a moment and practice sharing the Gospel with each other. Do you know how to consistently and clearly share the good news of Jesus?
3. John shared this good news with everyone. Even his own personal disciples! The disciples went to experience Jesus and found Him to be the Messiah. Why is this significant?
4. John shared with his disciples who immediately shared with their brothers. The brothers began to share with their friends. When the news got to Nathanael he proclaimed Jesus to be the King of Israel. How was Jesus the King of Israel?
5. In summary these men had experienced Jesus as… the Supreme, Creator, All-Powerful Life-Giver, Spirit Giver, Hero, Lamb of God, Messiah, Son of God, Rabbi, Prophecy fulfiller, and King of Israel. And Jesus ends by saying “You haven’t seen anything yet”. When the disciples shared their experience with Jesus they were not trying to push on a moral or ethical agenda onto people. They were sharing the reality of who Jesus was and how they were affected by Him. What is your testimony and why do you think it’s so hard for us to share?
October 3rd, 2021 - The Life of the Party
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. We often see this miracle addressing a need at a wedding. How was this symbolic of a greater need in life?
2. Jesus used so many things to convey an incredibly deep point. What stood out to you as you read about this miracle?
3. What did this miracle say about Jesus' divinity and our need of Him?
4. Jesus didn't fully reveal Himself to everyone all at once. Why do you think He did this?
5. Which response do you identify with the most and what is Jesus asking you to do with His life at the party?
October 10th, 2021 - Walking in the Light
Scott Rideout, President of Converge
Discussion Questions:
1. What common fears have you experienced in your lifetime?
2. Read John 3:1-4. Why does Nicodemus come at night? What fears in your life have been related to your religious/church experience?
3. Read John 3:5-8. Have you ever had this experience with God? If so, what change has it made in your life?
4. Read John 3:14-16 and Numbers 21:4-9. How is the snake on the pole like Jesus on the cross? What does it really mean to “believe” in Jesus?
5. Read John 3:17. Why did Jesus come? What does it look like to live a life geared toward salvation and not condemnation? What does it look like to be a church focused on salvation and not condemnation? How are we doing?
6. Read John 3:18-21 and 1 John 1:5-10. Jesus says, “In order to save, I have to expose.” Why is exposure often scary? What/who does God use to help you grow in Christ? How can this group help you?
October 17, 2021 - Temple Toss
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some events in history that have significantly shifted human development?
2. Jesus wasn’t just making a stand in the House of God, He was connecting His life and body to the Temple. Take a moment and talk through the connections with this event and John 1:14-18.
3. Jesus connected Himself to the Temple and set the stage for His “I AM” statements. This was deeply offensive to all people. How had the various groups filled the temples of their life?
4. As you listen to Jesus toss the tables of your life, what are some areas He may be convicting you to clear out of your life?
5. Jesus wanted to display that His life and body displayed the glory of God and answered the deepest needs of our life. By the end of the gospel Jesus starts to set up the reality that our bodies will become the Temple of the Holy Spirit. After our Temple has been cleared how do we turn to Jesus and fill ourselves with Him?
October 24, 2021 - Positioned for Abundant Life
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever had a bad vacation experience that started with misplaced expectations? Have you ever had a great vacation experience that measured up to everything you were hoping?
2. Take a moment to talk through the concept of position forming expectations that lead to experience.
3. What was John's position before Jesus? What were his expectations? How do you think John would describe abundant life in what He experienced?
4. How does our position before Jesus set us up to abide, be purified, and experience the process of joy?
5. Let's talk about your life! Is your life about your story or are you stepping into the story of Jesus? How have you positioned yourself?
6. What are your expectations of God? Are they appropriate (are they "true" to God)?
7. How would you define an abundant life? How does that compare to John the Baptist joyful experience?
October 31, 2021 - Made for This
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. Is worship more than just music? How would you define worship?
2. Think through the "worship grid". What was the woman looking for in her worship?
3. Can you identify areas in your life that you may be looking for fulfillment through worship?
4. Jesus led the woman to understand "true worship" and said that we must worship in spirit and truth. How and why do we submit to God through the worship of our lives?
5. Read John 20:31 and talk through how to apply this to your life. We find death when we worship all we do. We find LIFE when we worship God in all we do.
6. What areas of your life need to submit to God so you can find worship and LIFE in Him?
November 7, 2021 - You Just Barely Missed Him
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever gotten close to accomplishing something just to have “it” slip through your fingers? Have you ever thought you understood something only to find out you were actually “way off” on your understanding?
2. What is the difference between “welcoming Jesus” and “honoring Jesus”? How do we see that with the Samaritans and the people of Galilee?
3. How did people’s overfamiliarity or religiosity blind them from believing in Jesus? How have you seen that in your life?
4. How did people’s desire for signs and wonders distract them from the reason Jesus used them? Has your ‘pain relief’ ever taken precedence over His presence?
5. What does it look like to honor Jesus as Savior of the world and desire Him for Him? What is the difference between using Him as a vending machine or just sitting at the table with Him?
November 14, 2021 - What You Really Want
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. This is Jesus' most public miracle up to this point. Jesus uses the festival, the lame, the Sabbath, and the scriptures to make a huge public point. Why did Jesus use these seen realities to reveal an "un-seeable" need?
2. How was this mans paralysis symbolic of humanities condition?
3. How is our need for Sabbath connected to walking with God?
4. How did the Pharisees miss the real need for the Sabbath and how did Jesus feel about the Sabbath?
5. Why is our need for Jesus at the center of all of our other needs?
December 5, 2021 - For Abundant Life
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. This miracle and teaching are Jesus’ most public and clear declaration for who He is and why He has come. How does this change things for His ministry and relationships with the disciples and the world around Him?
2. John 5:18 and 5:30-47 add a lot of gravity to the words of Jesus in verses 19-29. Why is it important for us to realize the clarity and gravity that is set up by this?
3. Jesus talks through 4 realities when it comes to death, everlasting DEATH, LIFE, and eternal life. Take a moment and talk through these four realities. Why is this such an important reality to grasp? Is there a greater reality in life?
4. John 1:6-8 reveals to us how this reality shaped John the baptists life. Living WHERE we are WHEN we are can be exhausting and hard. How should finding LIFE in Jesus define our life and give us a purpose to fuel our lives?
December 12, 2021 - Created for Abundant Life
Pastor Michael Lodge
The debates over abortion are national, political, and all over our society. But for those who follow Jesus, it is not a political or social issue. It is central to theology, pervasive in scripture, and reflective of the life of Jesus. God is the creator of life that is made for Him and for His purposes. Abortion denies all of this. We are called to follow in Jesus' example and hold to truth while we demonstrate grace and compassion. We are called to have more than just an opinion. We are called to step into life and come alongside those who are hurting and walk them into abundant life.
Discussion Questions:
1. How does the Christmas narrative give us insight into Jesus having truth and grace?
2. Psalm 139 is often the text we draw from to talk about the sanctity of life. How is this chapter reflective of all of scripture? Why is that important?
3. Talk through the three points expressed in verses 13-16 (and life represented all through scripture) 139:13 God alone has the authority to create life 139:14-15 God creates all life uniquely to relate to and worship Him. 139:16 God creates life for Him and His purpose
4. How do we hold to the truth, speak with grace, and live compassionately?
5. How do we as a church body minister to people in need?
December 19, 2021 - Walking in Compassion for Abundant Life
Pastor Michael Lodge
Discussion Questions:
1. How are the pro-choice and pro-life viewpoints limited and less in scope than a pro-Abundant Life standpoint?
2. What does the gospel want for the baby, the mom, and the dad?
3. What does it mean to follow Jesus instead of following the thief?
4. What are the connecting life issues that surround pregnancy and how are they connected to Discipling toward Abundant Life?
5. What are some ways we all can step into this issue (and not just have an opinion) and help people find Abundant Life?
December 26, 2021 - Keys to Abundant Life (Psalm 19)
Pastor John Reynolds
As you listened to the message today, was there one thing that the Holy Spirit was speaking to you about? If so, what?
Read together Psalm 19:1-6. When you think about creation and the stars and God’s power, what does that stir in you?
How does recognizing who God is impact your ability to live an abundant life?
Read together Psalm 19:7-11. As you think about how these verses describe the Law or Word of the Lord, what does it say about how we should think about it? How does this relate to Abundant life?
How well do you feel you know the Word of God? What is one step you could take to know it more fully?
Read together Psalm 19:12-14. What do we learn from David’s words in these verses about his heart towards God? What do the words of your mouth and the meditations of your heart reveal about your heart and the life you are living today?
Spend time praying together, focus on how you might grow into living the abundant life that God has called you to.
January 2, 2022 - I AM More than Enough
Pastor Michael Lodge
1. How do you measure the quality of your last Christmas experience, or the measure of last year’s success?
2. When you look forward to this next year, what will be the measure to meeting your expectations or needs?
3. What does it mean to really see His enoughness? What stopped the disciples from seeing this?
4. What does it look like to step into His enoughness in obedience and faith? How did the disciples do this and what does this look like in your life?
5. How do you gather Jesus’ excess to help you in your next crisis of enoughness?
6. How can you see Jesus become more than enough around your life and how can that increase your trust in Him?
January 9, 2022 - I AM Peace for the Fear
Pastor Michael Lodge
1. How much time, life, and experience lay between the Peter in the Gospel of John and the Peter we find in his letter? How had Jesus proven Himself in that time and how did that change Peter?
2. What did it look like for Peter to be humbled with those around him and to be humbled before Jesus? What does that look like in our life?
3. How do you stop in the midst of your storm to cast your cares and take heart? How do you see your storm through the framework of Who He Is (and not the other way around)?
4. Take some time to talk as a group about this incredible FACT… He cares for you!
5. When the weather alert goes off or you know a storm is coming you prepare for the storm. How do you prepare for the coming storms in life to find His peace and abundant life?
January 16 - I AM the Only Bread for Life
Pastor Michael Lodge
1. Jesus sets this conversation up with verses 27 and 29, “I am the only seal God has made, your response is to believe”. How do you feel about Jesus making such exclusive claims?
2. Jesus then claims to be the only bread that leads to eternal life (abundant life, vibrancy of life, and never ending life). We have talked about Jesus’ enoughness. How do you do turning only to Him for your satisfaction? What is the difference between coming to Him for what He can do vs who He says He is?
3. Jesus follows that claim up by saying He is the only bread that can provide salvation. What are the implications to this? Do you turn to Him for salvation in every area of your life? Or do you turn to other things to be your ultimate answer?
4. Jesus then paints a picture of a disciples response. Will you be desperate enough and committed enough to devour (trogos) my flesh. Does this describe your relationship with Jesus?
5. Many of His disciples turned away. Jesus knew that Judas was never truly devoted to Him alone. Many of us attend church, make it a point to give some of our life to Him, and may not be as devoted as we think. How do you respond to this offensive message?
January 30 - I AM Joy Eternal
Pastor Michael Lodge
1. The Feast of Booths was referred to as the greatest Feast. Why was it so important and what were the Jews remembering and anticipating?
2. Why was Jesus hesitant to go to the Feast?
3. As Jesus stepped into Jerusalem how do you think He saw Himself in the Feast?
4. Jesus claimed a direct connection to God and that all His actions were directed by God. Why was this important?
5. How did these claims make it possible for Him to BE our Living Water?
6. How is this festival and Jesus’ claims connected to John 15:11 and 1 John 1:4?
7. How are you staying connected to the eternal well of Joy?
February 6 - I AM the Joy of the Word
Pastor Michael Lodge
1. Can you pinpoint your greatest day of shame? Can you share it?
2. How has that moment defined your life?
3. Talk through the debit card illustration. How should engaging with God’s grace and forgiveness affect our lives and our relationships with others?
4. How did the Pharisees represent this with their lives?
5. How are you at receiving and engaging deeply with God’s grace?
6. How are your horizontal relationships? How do you treat others and pass on grace?
February 13 - I AM the Light of the World
Pastor Michael Lodge
1. Why was “light” such an important and symbolic thing for the Jews?
2. What would your world (and even more the primitive world) be like without light?
3. What impact does Jesus claim have on our past, present, and future?
4. How does verse 12 and verse 31-32 build on each other?
5. If we want to experience freedom and the fullness of who Jesus is, then what does Jesus say we need to do?
6. How abundantly are you walking in the light and what does your “freedom” look like?
February 20 - I AM the Joy of Belonging
Pastor Michael Lodge
1. Are you close to anyone who has adopted children? What is the significance behind someone’s adopted story?
2. What are the parallels that you see behind the role adopted children play, the role of the adopting parents, and our roles as adopted children of God?
3. What do we have to “do” to gain entrance into God’s Family?
4. How do we reflect the family we belong to and what does that say about our hearts?
5. What does it mean to know you are God’s favorite child?
February 27 - Identity
Nate Hettinga, Regional President Converge Northwest
1. How do you describe/define yourself?
2. How have you struggled with your own identity over the years?
3. Talk about what you’re learning from this series about who Jesus claims to be? (Hint: Who does Jesus say he is?)
4. Has Jesus become your identity? When? How has that changed how you view yourself (especially the parts of you that you don’t prefer?)
5. My identity is not in my _______________. My identity is in Jesus!
6. There is power in your testimony (John 9:25). Will you pray/look for a chance to tell someone who you are in Christ this week?
March 6, 2022 - I AM the Door
Mitch Corea, Student Ministries Pastor
Why was the sheep/ shepherd metaphor so symbolic for this audience?
What does it mean to be one of His sheep? Are you one of these?
How can you become more familiar with the voice of God?
What "thieves" and "robbers" or ideologies do you see in your life that seek to lead to death?
Do you give voice to the thief and the robber, or do you know the voice of the shepherd?
March 13, 2022 - I AM the Good Shepherd!
Joel Madson, Missions Pastor & Elder
1. Jesus is the good shepherd! Share words that describe how God is good to you.
2. Jesus knows you, every thing you do and every thought you have. How does that make you feel?
3. To be known is a place of comfort and Peace. When you think of being known by God what things come to mind?
4. As Christians we know God in an ever increasing manner. Day by day God shows Himself to us. What are you discovering new about God? How is God revealing Himself to you?
5. There are times as believers wevstray for a close walk with God. What areas of your life have you drifted away from close relationship with God?
6. Google "Tasha Cobbs Leonard - You Know My Name ft. Jimi Cravity". Close the evening with listening to this song reflecting on the Good shepherd who knows us and calls us by name.
March 20, 2022 - How to ENJOY Reading Your Bible
Guest: Keith Ferrin, Author & Speaker
Is your Bible reading more of a "should" or a "want?"
Have you ever thought about studying the Bible "relationally?"
Have you ever thought about the "defense" when you read the Bible? What tip was most eye-opening for you?
Which tips are you going to put into practice first?
March 27, 2022 - I AM Hope Secured
John Reynolds, Family Ministries Pastor
What is one thing that resonated with you from the message today?
What is the significance of Jesus making the claim to be our eternal security?
In what areas do you struggle with fear in your life? How does that impact your life?
What areas in life do we tend to place our hope in? How secure have these things been for you historically?
What would it look like to grow in your trust in your hope secured with Christ, now and in the future?
Is there any area where you know God has been calling you to step into further mission for him?
How should fully resting your hope on Christ alone change your daily mindset
April 3, 2022 - I AM the Resurrection
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. John 20:31 tells us that all of these miracles were used by Jesus to reveal Who Jesus IS to us. Take a moment and talk over how Jesus used the past miracles to reveal His identity to us.
2. How do you see Jesus set this up in His conversation with the disciples and Martha?
3. Martha’s statement was incomplete (like many of our spiritual lives). What does it look like in our lives when we believe in Jesus for salvation but not for new life transformation?
4. Jesus also points out the need for those who have found new life to cloth themselves with fresh clothes! What does it look like to return to our grave clothes?
5. Jesus ends this miracle by speaking of the power found in really understanding the mission of Christ. This was confirmed by the Pharisees reaction and this miracle triggering the movement to crucify Jesus. What happens to a person and their influence when they truly follow Jesus?
6. What parallels are drawn in this miracle and Jesus ultimate miracle of life, death, and resurrection?
7. Where have you found yourself in this process?
May 1st, 2022 - Belief Bears Fruit
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. How do you like to eat apples? What do you do with the core?
2. Verses 20-26 frame Jesus’ hope for how His message would be received. What does Jesus hope for those who respond to His mission? Use 24-26 to frame the rest of the chapter.
3. How could people who have seen and heard Jesus for three years still choose to reject Him? Why do most people you know reject the gospel?
4. The Pharisees were in a hard spot. They appreciated Jesus’ life but they choose their own life over His life. How have you seen this in your life or the world around you?
5. Verses 44-50 walk us through the depth of our response to believe. How has your emotions, mind, and will played into following Jesus?
6. Now reread verses 24-26. Our belief should lead us to follow Jesus, find abundant life, and bear the fruit of others abundant life! Is this missing from your life? Jesus laid down His life so others might live. What does it look like to follow in His example?
May 8, 2022 - Sitting at the Table with Jesus
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. Have you ever put these five chapters into perspective? Have you ever experienced someone's "final" words before leaving on a trip or leaving this world?
2. How would you describe spiritual maturity or "being like Jesus"?
3. Why is it good to understand words like Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification?
4. Does it challenge your understanding of being like Jesus when you see the progress of growth represented in the gospel of John?
5. Talk through the joys and challenges of Come and See, Follow Me, Fish for Men, and Bearing Jesus' fruit.
6. Thank you Jesus we have a relationship that is defined and empowered by His grace! Sanctification is NOT a result of our works but our continued response to His grace. Sanctification is a work of the Spirit in us! How do you sense a strong need for His work in your sanctification?
May 15, 2022 - The Mind of Christ
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. How has an act of service shaped your life? What did that action define about the one who served you?
2. Compare John 13:1-4 and Philippians 2:1-11. How has this act of service defined the core character of Christ throughout His earthly life?
3. How did Jesus’ clarity of image produce a bold confidence in His life? How does this compare with the immature insecurity often seen in our lives when we engage in humble circumstances?
4. Jesus washed John, Peter, and Judas’ feet. What did this reveal about Jesus’ confidence in His servant leadership?
5. How does the King with a towel principle open doors to our sanctification and the sanctification of others around us?
May 22 , 2022 - The Heart of Christ
Mitch Corea, Student Ministries Pastor
What does it mean to love one another?
How has your experience of Christ's love changed how you love others?
Do you tend towards grace for others, speaking truth to others or leaving them alone?
How can your heart be changed to better reflect the love of Jesus towards others?
Do the people around you know that you are a disciple of Jesus by the way you love others?
May 29, 2022 - The Life of Christ
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. The disciples existed to have their lives become as much like Jesus as possible. Talk through the implications of Peter's, Paul's, and John's message found in their letters.
2. John 14:6 is a well known verse. How is it connected to the surrounding verses. How is truth connected to verse 1? How is 'the way' connected to 2-5? How is finding life seen in verses 7-11?
3. Jesus claims to be the way, truth, and the life. Talk about each one of these and how Jesus gave us the perfect example of each. Which one are you most known by?
4. What happens when we only experience some of these traits instead of all of them?
5. If Jesus lived in perfect balance and experienced the most LIFE as a human, then what area of life do we need to grow in? What does it mean to be made ALIVE in Jesus?
June 5, 2022 - The Greatest Gift: Life and the Spirit
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. The disciples existed to have their lives become as much like Jesus as possible. Talk through the implications of Peter's, Paul's, and John's message found in their letters.
2. John 14:6 is a well known verse. How is it connected to the surrounding verses. How is truth connected to verse 1? How is 'the way' connected to 2-5? How is finding life seen in verses 7-11?
3. Jesus claims to be the way, truth, and the life. Talk about each one of these and how Jesus gave us the perfect example of each. Which one are you most known by?
4. What happens when we only experience some of these traits instead of all of them?
5. If Jesus lived in perfect balance and experienced the most LIFE as a human, then what area of life do we need to grow in? What does it mean to be made ALIVE in Jesus?
June 12, 2022 - The Greatest Gift: Life AND The Spirit
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. Have you ever walked a new path over and over in your yard or woods? How long did it take to form a visible path? How is this like neuroplasticity?
2. Jesus used the imagery of a vine and it's branches. What is the connection between abiding and neuroplasticity?
3. Paul later uses the word "continuously filled" in place of the word abide. How does Paul's analogy explain the impact being continually filled with the Spirit will have on our lives?
4. Jesus encourages the disciples to abide by keeping His commandments. How do disciplines become means of abiding in the Holy Spirit?
5. What shift needs to happen to move from legalism to seeing disciplines as a means of experiencing God's relationship of grace with us?
June 19, 2022 - The Greatest Gift: Life THROUGH The Spirit
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. Have you ever known someone who has a really nice car that they never drive?
2. Jesus said that the Spirit is essential to living out our spiritual life in Him. He is the engine that empowers us! What does that power look like?
3. How is the Spirits conviction different than shame?
4. Jesus also said the Spirit leads us into all Truth. Why is that important in our daily lives today?
June 26, 2022 - Having a Theology of Suffering: The Path through the Greatest Distraction
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. Have you ever known suffering or evil to cause someone to fall away from faith?
2. What is a "Theology of Suffering" and why do we need one?
3. Jesus seeks to help the disciple build an understanding of suffering in Chapter 16. What is the source and nature of suffering in our world and lives?
4. What should our perspective on suffering be and how is that different than what your perspective has been?
5. How does God use our suffering?
6. How is that different than God causing our suffering?
7. What does it mean to share in HIS sufferings? How does Jesus suffering with us bring comfort to you?
8. How do we find joy and peace IN HIM during times of sufferings?
July 3, 2022 - His Prayer for You
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. Name the most influential day in your life. What made this day so significant?
2. How does it make you feel knowing the exact day and location that Jesus prayed specifically for you?
3. Jesus begins with a focus to our upward relationship with God. How does this create a foundation for our life?
4. This upward relationship makes the way for inward change. How do you recognize this inward change affecting your identity?
5. What does it mean for our “doing” to flow from our being? How do you see this in Jesus’ outward prayer?
6. How should this prayer change your heart?
February 12, 2023 - The Final Chapters
Keith Ferrin, Author & Guest Speaker
What did you notice in the Gospel of John you hadn't noticed before?
What story challenged you the most?
What story encouraged you the most?
What is your response to what you heard?
February 19, 2023 - An Invitation to New Life
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. Is your home surrounded by trees? Is it impressive to you to think that the bigness of those trees came from the burial of a tiny seed? If not the trees look around your home at all the plants and grass. How many seeds are represented by the beautiful life that surrounds your home? How many seeds had to be buried to provide such beautiful life?
2. John 12 sets up the burial of Jesus. His anointing, His entry into Jerusalem, and His final public words about His death. Here Jesus talks about the burial of a grain of wheat. How is this burial of wheat connected to the overall theme of the Book of John found in John 20:31, John 10:10, and John 17:3?
3. Jesus says whoever loves his life (psyche) must loose it to find eternal life (zoe). What is the difference in these two expressions of life? What is Jesus calling us to lay down and what is He promising that we will find?
4. John Highlights two things to help us lay down our lives. John 20:31 says that these thins were said and done so that we would believe. The miracles of Jesus direct us to the truth of who He is as the Son of God. The I Am statements of Jesus give us a deeper confidence in Jesus as the Messiah. How do these help us believe and therefore take the hard steps of laying our lives down?
5. Secondly John leans into Jesus’ willingness to lead by example. In 12:27-28 we see that Jesus struggles to lay His life down! His life was not easy and His final days of bearing the weight of the sins of the world was no small task. Jesus dose not ask us to do something that He was unfamiliar with. He actually goes beyond what would ever be imaginable for us! How does this help us to follow Him in laying our lives down?
6. Every tree, plant, and flower shares this story. A seed had to be buried to result in beautiful new life. Jesus is giving us an invitation towards new life. What will you do with the seed of your life?
March 5th, 2023 - Following Judas, Peter, or Jesus?
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. We quickly cast a lot of judgment towards Judas but can we take a moment and honestly evaluate who we most likely follow, Judas or Jesus? According to modern research and how much time and resources we give to Jesus versus our treasures something else may be revealed. Where does your treasure lie?
2. Judas missed Jesus despite his proximity, knowledge, and experience with Jesus... has this ever been the case for you? And if so how does this differ to a PERVASIVE heart relationship with Jesus?
3. Peter made Jesus Lord but often struggled to follow Him accordingly. Have you ever noticed the swing from overactivity running ahead of Jesus and silently ignoring Jesus?
4. How do you tend to run ahead of Jesus and what is the difference in running ahead of Him religiously and humanistically?
5. How have you struggled in silence and not following in Jesus' example of living, speaking, and engaging in the world around you?
6. As we look to Resurrection we desire new life for ourselves individually and for more kingdom growth in our Church! But to get there we have to consider how we first have to die to ourselves, repent, and begin following Him. How can you prepare yourself for the growth Jesus has ahead of us?
March 12th, 2023 - Truth on Trial
Zac Price, Middle School Pastor
What does it mean when it says, "Jesus is the Truth"?
What is Truth?
Who in your life doesn't recognize Jesus as the way, the truth and life?
Take time and pray for the people in your life who don't know Jesus.
March 19, 2023 - The Life of the Only King
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. Have you ever stumbled upon a treasure in plain sight? How did your relationship with that object change after you discovered it's worth?
2. Put yourself in Pilate's shoes as he examines the life of Jesus. Why is it important to understand this doctrine of the humanity and divinity of Jesus?
3. Pilate presented Jesus as "the man" in verse 5. What are the implications of this that he missed? How does Jesus' humanity invite relatability?
4. Pilate then heard the direct accusation of Jesus' claim to be the one and only Son of God and was rightfully scared. How does Jesus' divinity set Him apart from all others and what impact does that have on our lives?
5. John invites us to believe in these two names of God that carry this paradox. Believe in the Jesus the Messiah and Jesus the Son of God and find LIFE in His name! Believing in Jesus' humanity and divinity should direct us into Life in His name. What does this look like in your life?
March 26, 2023 - Only the King Could Lay His Life Down
John Reynolds, Family Ministries Pastor
What resonated with you from today's message?
What does Jesus mean that he alone chose to lay down his life?
We see the Jews rejection of Jesus, how are we just like the Jews in our own lives?
What is Passover and why is it significant that Jesus’ death is connected to it?
What does laying down your life for Jesus look like for you today? Do you have a sense of calling on your life, if so, what do you feel called to?
Spend some time praying for one another about how we can all respond to Christ’s choice to lay down his life for us.
April 2, 2023 - Only the King Could Carry This Weight
Mitch Corea, Student Ministries Pastor
What did Jesus mean when He said the words "It is finished"?
Why is it that only Jesus could complete this work of atonement for the sins of others?
What must one do in order for their sins to be covered by Jesus' sacrifice?
Do you believe that the atonement for your sin was paid in full by Jesus on the cross?
April 16, 2023 - The Challenging, Beautiful, and Effective News
Michael Lodge, Speaking Pastor
1. What does it take to convince you of something being true?
2. Where did the disciples “peace” come from in this story?
3. What were they told to do with this peace?
4. How does Thomas’ encounter help us understand our role in taking the peace of the gospel to the world?
5. What is the challenge of the gospel? The beauty of the gospel? And how does this make it the most affective tool for reaching the world?
April 23, 2023 - Restoring Faith
Joel Madson, Missions Pastor & Elder
1. How has Jesus revealed himself to you over your lifetime?
2. Put yourself in Peter's sandal, what thoughts and feelings may have been going through Peter's mind when Jesus asked him three times the same question?
3. What do you think may be behind Jesus' three responses to Peter's answer?
4. Read 1 Peter 5:1-11. Peter wrote this letter 25+ years after the events of John 21. How do you think these two passages link together?
5. What can you take away from the life of Peter as a disciple that will help you be a disciple of Jesus?