Week of Oct 12:
No One Speaks Like Jesus
Sermon Review:
Did anything about the sermon or the text stick out to you or raise any questions?
Introduction: The words of Jesus continue to cause division.
Read: John 7:40-52
Group Discussion:
1- How are the responses of people to Jesus' words today similar to the reactions of people in this story?
2- Why didn't Jesus speak up and correct the crowds and Pharisees by telling them He actually is from Bethlehem?
3- What does this story reveal about works-based religious people?
4- If you were one of Jesus’ disciples observing all that was going on, what would you be thinking/feeling at this point in time?
5- Read the vision from Ezekiel 47:1-12. What does this vision have to do with what Jesus has been teaching in this chapter?
Gospel Closing: Paul told the Corinthians, “The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). The original Greek word translated as “power” is dynamis. It is frequently used in the New Testament to speak of Christ’s miraculous works. Paul applied the term to God’s ability to deliver people from sin, death, and hell through the words of and about Jesus. He who has ears to hear, let him hear these words.
Week of Sep 21:
Offended by the Gospel
Sermon Review:
Did anything about the sermon or the text stick out to you or raise any questions?
Introduction: Jesus concludes "The Bread" sermon.
Read: John 6:51-71
Group Discussion:
1- Why do you think Jesus purposefully chose such offensive and graphic language to describe belief?
2- Jesus calls His flesh “true food” and His blood “true drink.” What does this imply about other foods and drinks? How is Jesus “true” food and drink? How does this apply to the Lord's Supper?
3- How does Jesus’ question “Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where He was before”? fit into the context? (verse 62)
4- If Christ taught something controversial, which ran completely counter to what you thought you knew about God, what would you do?
5- According to Jesus’ statement in verse 70, why did Peter and the rest of the Twelve stay, even when they didn’t understand Jesus’ teaching?
Gospel Closing: Salvation is not through a creed, a church, a ritual, a pastor, a priest, or a code of ethics, but through a Person. Eternal life comes through Jesus Christ, who said, "Come to ME. I am the bread of life." Jesus declares: "He who comes to ME shall not hunger, and he who believes in ME shall never thirst" (6:35).
Week of Sep 14:
Being Taught By God
Sermon Review:
Did anything about the sermon or the text stick out to you or raise any questions?
Introduction: Jesus continues "The Bread" sermon.
Read: John 6:35-51
Group Discussion:
1- What is the difference between talking about the gospel and actually giving the gospel, and why is this distinction important?
2- What does verse 38 teach you about the love of the Father for you?
3- Popular works-based preaching robs Christians of assurance of salvation, while Jesus is committed to providing assurance of salvation. How does verses 39-40 comfort you?
4- How does it help you to know that God's will is not the law but the gospel?
5- Why is it important to see that the bread doesn't just lead to eternal life but itself is eternal life?
Gospel Closing: Professor John Bombaro writes, "The Son of God, who brings with him the Holy Spirit and fellowship with the Father, is the greatest and most necessary gift that each of us need and in fact receive in Holy Baptism, the Word, and other Sacraments. The gifts are Christ himself. Not things. Not stuff. Not mere status. Not ideas. Not metaphors. Not tropes. Christ."
The hymn-writer says:
Bread of the world in mercy broken,
wine of the soul in mercy shed,
by whom the words of life are spoken,
& in whose death our sins are dead.
Look on the heart by sorrow broken,
look on the tears by sinners shed,
and be Thy feast to us the token
that by Thy grace our souls are fed.
Week of Sep 7:
The Treasure
Sermon Review:
Did anything about the sermon or the text stick out to you or raise any questions?
Introduction: Jesus continues "The Bread" sermon.
Read: John 6:22-35
Group Discussion:
1- In what ways are you like the crowd who only sought Jesus for more bread?
2- What does the people’s question in verse 28 reveal about their hearts?
3- Do you find it strange the crowds ask Jesus for another miracle since they just saw Him feed the 5,000? What do you make of this?
4- What claim does Jesus make about himself in verse 35? How have you found this promise true?
5- Why is doing nothing the hardest thing for us to do?
Gospel Closing: Unlike earthly bread, it requires no money or effort to have and enjoy Jesus. He gives all of Himself, even His own body and blood, to us freely by sheer grace. As Isaiah prophesied in chapter 55: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare."
