01 October 2003

John 10: 1-18 ‘I am the Sheep Gate ... and the Good Shepherd’
Now Playing: Silence

Home Group questions - 9th October

1. In these verses, what distinguishes the shepherd from the thief? How does the picture of Jesus as the Gate help us recognise true and false pastors?

2. What characteristics of the shepherd in verse 2-4 reflect the relationship of Jesus to his disciples? What practical advice do these verses give us when we have pastoral responsibility?

3. In what sense is it true in your own experience that you 'can do nothing' apart from Jesus? (v.5b) . How does this passage help us when we are inclined to think we are self-sufficient?

4. What does it mean to remain (or abide) in Jesus and in his love? What effect will this have on our lives?

5. Do you think yourself as a servant or friend of Jesus? On what basis does Jesus call us his friends (vv.12-15)?

6. From this passage, give as many reasons as you can for Christians loving one another.

For contemplation and prayer: Ephesians 3: 16-19

17 September 2003

John 6: 25-40 ‘I am the Bread of Life’
Now Playing: Silence

Home Group questions - 25th September

1.Why according to Jesus, were the crowds looking for him? Do we ever follow Jesus for the wrong reasons.

"You seek me," Jesus said to them afterwards, when they had chased Him half-way round the lake, "not because you saw a sign" - not because you saw a thing which pointed to something beyond it, something higher and greater - "but because you ate your fill."

Do we see our faith as a means to some worldly end?
Do we look to our faith to make ourselves great, rather than to make God glorious;
Do we want Christianity to prevail so as to rid life of strife and make it prosperous, rather than bring peace with God;

2. How does the question in verse 28 indicate the crowds lack of understanding of what God requires? How does Jesus correct this? Do people we meet have similar misunderstandings?

"The crowds wanted power for their own benefit, but power does not come in acts of miracles but in acts of belief or faith v29.

'If you are looking to Christ to help you to achieve your ambitions, He will disappoint you. What He is concerned to do first is radically to change your ambitions.'

3. Do you ever wish that God would perform a miraculous sign to help you believe (v30)? What is Jesus response to those who ask for a sign?

"Jesus points them to the scriptures, although I am reminded of the verses of John 12 38-40.)"

4. How is the bread speaks of here superior to the manna given to the Israelites in the desert? Does our concept of what Jesus offers us match what is in this passage, or do we look for less?

"The whole meaning of the Exodus story was that God was in the midst of His people as their sustainer and their guide through all the perils of the way. They had God to guide them. But with every fresh crisis they fell so persistently into unbelief that in the end they wandered about for forty years covering a distance that should have taken them but a few months at most.

The nice twist John is able to give the story is that when you take Jesus on board to be your guide, there is no need for you to grope about for forty years looking for the promised land; rather ... "immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going." (v21)"

5. Before you became a Christian did you experience a hunger in your life? How does Jesus satisfy that hunger today?

6. Pick out one phrase from verses 35-40 that describes what you value most about believing in Christ. Explain your choice.

19 September 2003

John 8: 48-59 ‘Before Abraham I am!’
Now Playing: Silence

Home Group questions - 11th September

1. What did the Jews accuse Jesus of? Do non-believers today makes similar judgements about Jesus or do they hold different views of him?

The accusers said Jesus had a demon, v.48 The argument was getting quite heated see verse 44

2. In general terms how did Jesus respond to the accusations? Does this teach us anything about how we should respond when we hear Jesus insulted, or when we are insulted as his representatives.

Jesus dealt with his accusers with vigour and candour and obviously didn't mind infuriating them.

3. In what ways did the Jews' reverence for Abraham obstruct belief in Jesus? Is it possible for us to make traditions more important than following Jesus?

The Jews reverence for Abraham obscured the eternal truth that God counts faith as righteousness as opposed to works or genealogy.

4. What exactly does Jesus promise in verse 51? (Surely we're all going to die!) What, in practice is the condition attached to this promise?

Jesus said, 'If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.' Cp John 5:24 and John 11:26

5. How does Jesus describe his relationship with the Father? To what extent can we expect to have a similar relationship?

Verse 42 says, '...for I proceeded forth and came from God ..... v49, ... but I honour my Father ...

6. Why did the Jews try to stone Jesus? What was he claiming in verse 58 that goes beyond the claims in verses 54-55?

The accusers stoned Jesus because they considered he claimed he was greater than Abraham and had an equality with God. To Jesus it wasn't a question of knowing but a question of being.

.......

You will find if you dig deeper into, 'Before Abraham I am' that there is a lot written about this specific textual component which is not covered in the Bible study.

I can post a precis if people are interested.

Comments SGM 11.09.2003