NEXT STEP 2017
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XT STEP 2017
SERIES: THE MAGNIFICENT 7 - WHEN GOD SHOWS UP! MESSAGE: (What Do You Believe?) PASSAGE: John 11:1-45; 20:1-31 FIRST STEP: (Pick One or More as a WARM-UP) 1. Which part of the Easter service spoke to you the most and why? Which of the seven signs spoke to you the most in your current situation? 2. Belief is always personal! What were some of the personal experiences that caused you to believe in Christ? 3. If someone asked you what you believed about Christ, what would you say?
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: John 9:1-11
John 20:1-31: What are some of your key observations about the resurrection of Jesus from John’s account of the story? Why do you think that the face cloth was folded and mentioned by John? What does John mean by, he “believed”, in 20:8? What did he believe, that he previously had not believed? Why do you think Jesus said “Peace be with you” three times? How is and was Thomas’ belief similar and/or different from your own faith? How would you explain John 20:30-31? John 11:1-45: What is the main idea of the seventh sign? Circle your top three verses in John 11 and share why you picked them. What does John want you to believe about Jesus from this passage? How would you characterize the tension in this story? In what ways does Jesus surprise you? John 11:1-45: Highlight the word “believe”. How would you define the word “believe” from these references? Compare and contrast Martha’s belief to Peter’s in Matthew 16:16? What does it mean to you to believe in Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God? (See also John 10:25-39) John 11:17-27: How would you have reacted if you were Martha? What impresses you about Martha’s encounter? What did she believe and what did she not believe when she encountered Jesus in Bethany? How does Jesus give Martha assurance? How does Martha give you assurance? John 11:38-45: Imagine being an eyewitness to the resurrection of Lazarus! What would have been some of the highlights that you would have shared with friends? Which of the three commands is the most challenging in this story “Come Out”, “Unbind Him” or “Set Him Free”? After witnessing this miracle, some doubted and stilled wanted to kill Jesus. Why did they refuse to believe in Christ? THE SEVEN SIGNS: Write out a short phrase on how the sign authenticates Christ as the Son of God. 1. Water to Wine: 2. Official’s Son: 3. Lame Man: 4. Feeding 5000: 5. Walking on Water: 6. Blind Man: 7. Lazarus:
FINAL STEP: Read the Apostle’s Creed on the back as a group. Circle key phrases and meditate on it this week.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places
XT STEP 2017
SERIES: THE MAGNIFICENT 7 - WHEN GOD SHOWS UP! MESSAGE: (What Do You Believe?) PASSAGE: John 11:1-45; 20:1-31 FIRST STEP: (Pick One or More as a WARM-UP) 1. Which part of the Easter service spoke to you the most and why? Which of the seven signs spoke to you the most in your current situation? 2. Belief is always personal! What were some of the personal experiences that caused you to believe in Christ? 3. If someone asked you what you believed about Christ, what would you say?
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: John 9:1-11
John 20:1-31: What are some of your key observations about the resurrection of Jesus from John’s account of the story? Why do you think that the face cloth was folded and mentioned by John? What does John mean by, he “believed”, in 20:8? What did he believe, that he previously had not believed? Why do you think Jesus said “Peace be with you” three times? How is and was Thomas’ belief similar and/or different from your own faith? How would you explain John 20:30-31? John 11:1-45: What is the main idea of the seventh sign? Circle your top three verses in John 11 and share why you picked them. What does John want you to believe about Jesus from this passage? How would you characterize the tension in this story? In what ways does Jesus surprise you? John 11:1-45: Highlight the word “believe”. How would you define the word “believe” from these references? Compare and contrast Martha’s belief to Peter’s in Matthew 16:16? What does it mean to you to believe in Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God? (See also John 10:25-39) John 11:17-27: How would you have reacted if you were Martha? What impresses you about Martha’s encounter? What did she believe and what did she not believe when she encountered Jesus in Bethany? How does Jesus give Martha assurance? How does Martha give you assurance? John 11:38-45: Imagine being an eyewitness to the resurrection of Lazarus! What would have been some of the highlights that you would have shared with friends? Which of the three commands is the most challenging in this story “Come Out”, “Unbind Him” or “Set Him Free”? After witnessing this miracle, some doubted and stilled wanted to kill Jesus. Why did they refuse to believe in Christ? THE SEVEN SIGNS: Write out a short phrase on how the sign authenticates Christ as the Son of God. 1. Water to Wine: 2. Official’s Son: 3. Lame Man: 4. Feeding 5000: 5. Walking on Water: 6. Blind Man: 7. Lazarus:
FINAL STEP: Read the Apostle’s Creed on the back as a group. Circle key phrases and meditate on it this week.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. *that is, the true Christian church of all times and all places
