Sunday, November 29, 2015

"Advent: Word in the Beginning" - John 1:1-3 (November 29, 2015)

1. Have someone read the passage aloud.
2. When you think about your story, where do you begin? Why is it important that John begins the advent story with the beginning?
3. Why is Jesus' presence at the beginning so important?
4. How does this passage show Jesus' agency?
5. Who does our culture (and often us) say by its actions who the star of Christmas is?
6. How does this passage renew our joy over Christ being the star of Christmas?

Sunday, November 22, 2015

"Sign Language: The Blind See" - John 9:1-41 (November 22, 2015)

1. Have someone read the passage loud.
2. Why is it important that Christ sees this man?
3. Because of this passage, how are we assured of how Christ sees us?
4. How does Jesus show that he is the light of the world?
5. How doe the Pharisees show they are trusting in their works more than in Jesus?
6. What are the ways that we reflect that a belief we can see when we are really blind?
7. Who are the only people who actually see?

Monday, November 16, 2015

"Sign Language: Walking on the Water" - John 6:16-21 (November 15, 2015)

1. Have someone read the passage aloud.
2. What is the danger the disciples are facing?
3. What are the things that you are afraid of?
4. How, in this passage, does Jesus show that he rules over all things? How does this give us comfort in the midst of our fears?
5. How does Jesus' actions in this passage speak both to who he is and what he will do?
6. How does this passage challenge a common perspective that God is far off and not engaged with his people?

Sermon Outline:
1. Jesus Rescues Us (Compassion)

2. Jesus Rules Over Nature (Authentication)

3. Jesus Will Renew All Things (Demonstration)

4. Jesus Reassures Us (Confrontation)

Sunday, November 8, 2015

"Sign Language: The Hungry are Satisfied" - John 6:1-15 (November 8, 2015)

1. Have someone read the passage aloud.
2. What are some of the assumptions that the world makes about Jesus?
3. What are some of the misunderstandings that the crowds and the disciples make about Jesus in this passage?
4. Think about the various relationships you have, why is it easy for us to limit Jesus' power regarding these relationships?
5. How does Jesus show who he is in this passage? What are the reasons that we can be confident that Jesus performed this sign and that he is God?
6. Why doesn't Jesus give the crowd what they want?
7. Why is his provision better than what they asked for?

Sermon Outline:
1. Demonstrating His Power

2. Demonstrating His Person

3. Demonstrating His Provision

Sunday, November 1, 2015

"Sign Language: The Lame Walk" - John 5:1-18 (November 1, 2015)

1. Have someone read the passage aloud.
2. This sign points to our need of healing - where are you experiencing this need?
3. What is the way that the man in this passage was seeking to "medicate"?
4. How do you attempt to deal with our need for healing through self-medication?
5. How in this passage do we see Christ meeting the four (compassion, authentication, demonstrations, confrontation) aspects of Biblical signs?
6. Ryan said, "A sign moves us from disenchantment to real hope." How does this passage do this for us?

Sermon Outline:
1. Recognize Our Diagnosis

2. Reject Our Self-Medication

3. Rely On Our Healer