GROUP GUIDE
Leading a group through these questions? Here’s a simple guide for 1.5-2 hour GROUP meeting.
Welcome and Opening Prayer. (5 minutes)
Read the passage aloud. (5 minutes)
Guide the group through the questions. (30-60 minutes)
Take time to share prayer requests and pray for each other. (15-30 minutes)
TEACHING RECAP
Summary: John’s Gospel has been dearly loved by the church for thousands of years, and responsible for millions of believers turning to Jesus and growing in him. While its purpose is stated clearly in chapter 20, the book cannot be understood fully by reading it quickly one time. Instead, it has been structured intentionally to slowly reveal its secrets as a person hears it, reads it, ponders it, and discusses it with others over the course of a lifetime.
Main Points:
The Gospel of John is one of four Biblical accounts of Jesus’ life which have been distributed together since the early years of the church, and it is notably different from the other three.
Traditionally, the Apostle John has been considered to be the author of the Gospel of John, the Epistles (letters) of John and the Book of Revelation.
John presents many important themes that progress throughout the book, and eventually states his purpose clearly in John 20:31.
John's Gospel is organized carefully, intentionally and thematically, but also contains perplexing literary layers.
John is especially interested in presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament and the ultimate reality behind the history, religion, and institutions of Israel.
To grow in understanding John’s Gospel, we need to slow down and engage with it in a variety of ways.
John loves the number seven.
On-Ramps:
C’mon with us for the whole teaching series.
Read the Gospel of John on your own.
Discuss it with a smaller group of people.
Trust and cooperate with Jesus in your daily life.
Discussion
What stands out to you from this passage? How does this passage most challenge or encourage you?
WORD:
How can you “slow down” to let the Gospel of John breathe as you read and reflect on it?
Before getting into John, make a list of the things you know and hear about Jesus and as you begin to read it on your own and engage it with us on Sunday mornings, write down the things you hear about Jesus from the Gospel.
WORLD:
The Gospel of John is, by nature, evangelistic. John 20:31 tells us that the reason this Gospel is written is so that, by believing, its readers would find life. How can let His life in you speak and have an effect on those in your life who don’t yet believe?
LIVES:
John should be read and engaged in a variety of ways. Take some time to think of different ways you can engage this Gospel throughout our journey in it (in groups, by listening, memorizing, study, etc).
Take some time to pray and ask Jesus what He wants to speak to you as you go into the Gospel of John.
How do you want to respond to this passage in your daily life?
PRAYER
How can we pray for you as a group?
Next week: John 1:1-18
