SEPTEMBER 22
JESUS’ POWER TRANSFORMS
For God, nothing is too big, or too small.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own or get together with your group, spiritual running partners, or family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Think back on a wedding you attended (or were in) where something didn’t go right or work or there was a funny thing that happened? Describe what happened.
- Read John 2:1-12 together and see what stands out to you.
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about Jesus?
- What do you learn about humanity?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
3. Reread John 2:1, and then John 2:19 & Matthew 17:22-23. We heard in the message that when the Bible refers to the 3rd day it should clue us in that something is about to happen or that this is significant (God is going to move, a miracle is going to happen, etc). Why do you think Jesus gives these clues, while He is alive, about his death and resurrection? How does this knowledge enhance our understanding of the sign at the wedding at Cana from John 2?
4. Reread John 2:11. Believing Jesus is real is the first step to being a Christ follower, but that is not where it is supposed to end (even the demons believe in Jesus’ existence see James 2:19). Ultimately, the gift we have in knowing Jesus is friendship and love (read John 15:9-13, John 3:16) .
- How has being loved by and loving Jesus affected your life?
- Read Matthew 6:10 (this is a part of the Lord’s Prayer). The way God is bringing His Kingdom to earth is through His people. How does being loved by God and loving Him move us to be His ambassadors for change here on the earth?
5. In John 2 vs 5 Mary, Jesus’ mother, tells the servants at the wedding, “do whatever he tells you to do.” Mary trusted her son. She trusted that whatever He thought was best, he would do. On a scale of 1-10 where are you at with trusting Jesus? What are the factors that have you at that number?
1___________________5______________________10
Not ready to trust Him. Beginning to trust Trust with my life
KEY SCRIPTURE
John 2:1-12 On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.”His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.
John 2:19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
Matthew 17:22-23 When they came together in Galilee, he said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.” And the disciples were filled with grief.
Matthew 6:10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
PRAYER
Prayer of Adoration – The dictionary definition of adoration is deep love and respect or worship. Spend some time thanking God for who He is. This can be as simple as one or two words (you are good, kind, powerful), or you telling God specifically how you’ve seen Him show up in your life/ experienced him.
PRACTICE
1. At all of our campuses we were handed a New Testament. Who could you give your copy to as part of sharing the good news?
2. Commit to following the gospel of John reading plan we are doing as a church. And if you want to challenge yourself even more, set aside a day to read the entire gospel of John in one sitting.
3. Notice this week if your default way of thinking about God is just belief or is it love? Talk with God about what you notice. Maybe look up scripture about God’s invitation into a relationship of Love with Him.