Relevant Verses: John 5:17, 20, 36–40, 46, 47; 8:12–30Theme: The Father’s TestimonyLeading Question: Have you ever waited for something important to happen and it felt like a life time?Healing on Sabbath (John 5)There were many who were sick—the blind, the lame, and the paralyzed—all aying at the pool gate of Bethesda. The man who was ill for 38 ye…

Relevant Verses: John 8:54–58; 12:1–8; 19:4–22; 20:19– 31Theme: Signs Faith versus Blessed FaithLeading Question: What do you need to believe?The tension between signs faith and belief without having seen is a curious one in John’s Gospel. On one hand, Jesus’ sings are featured with prominence in order that people might believe that Jesus is the Me…

Relevant Verses: John 1:32–36; 3:25–36; 5:36–38; 6:51–71; 7:37–53Theme: The Scandal of JesusLeading Question: Have you ever felt offended by something Jesus asked you to do?The miracle of the loaves and fish is recounted in all four Gospels. According to John’s account in chapter 6, this miracle becomes a “sign” pointing beyond itself on a much dee…

Relevant Verses: John 4Theme: The Witness of the Samaritan WomanLeading Question: Does a personal relationship with Jesus always feel good and comfortable?There could be no character more opposite to Nicodemus than the Samaritan woman at the well.Question: What are some of the contrasts you can draw between Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman?Questio…

Relevant Verses: John 1; 3Theme: Witnesses of the MessiahLeading Question: How comfortable are you with being a permanent bystander or witness for someone else?There came a man sent from God, whose name was John.He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.He was not the Light, but he came to testify about…

Relevant Verses: John 1:1-18Theme: The Power of the WordLeading Question: What image does “the Word was God” convey for you?The prologue is the most profound statement about Jesus’ identity in the New Testament, identifying Jesus as the “Word” (logos). The Greek term logos had a conceptual background in Judaism and in Greek philosophy. In the Old T…

Relevant Verses: John 6:1–15, 26–36; 11Theme: Signs of DivinityLeading Question: What persuades you about Jesus as a divine being?Nowhere in the New Testament is Jesus presented as more thoroughly human and more thoroughly divine than in the Gospel of John. Consider these polarities pointed out by Prof. Paul N. Anderson, The Riddles of the Fourth G…

Relevant Verses: John 2:1–11; 4:46–54; 5:1– 5:1–47Theme: Follow the SignsLeading Question: When was the last time you felt a subtle nudge to do something?There are signs everywhere, from the traffic signs that tell you how to act on the road, signs directing you in an airport, and signs telling you the name of streets and stores. If you’re hungry, …

Opening Question If Jesus rose from the dead as the Gospel of Mark says, what impact does that have on us today? Introduction The good news of the resurrection is recounted briefly in Mark, but still climatically. Main characters shift from the disciples to the women and Joseph of Arimathea, Pilate, and a “young man in white.” These characters mark…

Opening Question Is the cross an appropriate symbol for Christianity? Introduction Passion literature requires suffering, but not necessarily death. Jesus both suffers, and then dies in the Gospel account of Mark. The scenes are difficult to take in; perhaps for some, it can even be painful enough to read that they do not like to dwell on it. But f…

Opening Question Why do we sometimes distrust the court system to act justly? Introduction Chapter 14 of Mark begins with Jewish leaders plotting to take Jesus out, and ends with Him in handcuffs and facing a court charade. But these scenes also set up the fulfillment of Jesus’ words to Peter about the denials. Jesus is mistreated but is also fulfi…

Opening Question If you could know your whole future, would you do so? Introduction The future always captures our imagination. We worry about our own future and legacy, about our world and its sustainability, about our family and friends, and even about objects like our houses or collectibles. When asked about the future, Jesus tells His disciples…

Opening Question Would you rather live with no controversies or with them? Introduction Dr. Shepherd notes how this section adds controversies at the close of Jesus’ ministry that parallel the beginning of his ministry. The “sandwich story” concept in Mark extends even to the macro-level of the narrative structure. Some have wondered if Mark knew t…