Unbelief & Belief
Unbelief & Belief John 7:1-24 GETTING STARTED 1. What do you think has happened to the Malaysia Airlines jet? Do you think we’ll ever know? 2. Share a time when you thought you knew what was happening but later found out you didn’t know all the story. Why were you convinced you were right in your initial assessment of the situation? What caused you to change your mind? Do you think you are easily swayed or does it take a lot of ‘evidence’ to make your reconsider your Initial conclusion(s)?
IN THE TEXT (Read John 7:1-24) 1. Quickly review what is recorded in John 6. a.
John 6:1-15; Jesus’ feeding of the 5000…
b. John 6:16-24; Jesus walks to the disciples in the midst of rough waters… c.
John 6:25-59; Jesus says he is the “Bread of Life” (what does that mean?)…
d. John 6:60-71; Jesus’ hard sayings and some soft disciples’ reaction… 2. John 7:1-9 a. What were the Jewish leaders looking to do to Jesus? Why? b. What did Jesus’ brothers tell him to do? Why did they want him to do this? c.
Did Jesus’ brothers believe he could work miracles?
d. What does John means when he writes, “even his (Jesus’) own brothers did not believe in him”? e. How did Jesus’ answer his brothers? What does he mean by “My time is not yet here”? f.
Why did Jesus say the world hated him?
3. Read John 7:10-13 a. How did Jesus go to the Festival? b. Who was looking for him at the Festival? c.
What were people saying about Jesus?
4. Read John 7:14-24. a. Why were the people amazed at Jesus’ teaching? How would you answer their question (“How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”) b. What did Jesus indicate was the source of his teaching? c.
Who can discern whether Jesus’ teaching is from God or from Jesus’ own will?
d. What does Jesus say is the motivation for people speaking on their own? e. What does it mean to seek the glory of God? f.
Why would Jesus begin to talk about Moses’ law and their inability to keep the law?
g. What is the relationship between the law of Moses’ allowing a child to be circumcised on the Sabbath and Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath? h. What is the significance of Jesus’ statement, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly”?
IN MY LIFE 1. If I say “I believe” how does that show up in my life? 2. What is the difference between the belief of the crowds and of Jesus’ brothers and my belief? 3. Whose glory am I seeking? On whose behalf do I act? 4. How can your community group pray for you this week?
IN THE TEXT (Read John 7:1-24) 1. Quickly review what is recorded in John 6. a.
John 6:1-15; Jesus’ feeding of the 5000…
b. John 6:16-24; Jesus walks to the disciples in the midst of rough waters… c.
John 6:25-59; Jesus says he is the “Bread of Life” (what does that mean?)…
d. John 6:60-71; Jesus’ hard sayings and some soft disciples’ reaction… 2. John 7:1-9 a. What were the Jewish leaders looking to do to Jesus? Why? b. What did Jesus’ brothers tell him to do? Why did they want him to do this? c.
Did Jesus’ brothers believe he could work miracles?
d. What does John means when he writes, “even his (Jesus’) own brothers did not believe in him”? e. How did Jesus’ answer his brothers? What does he mean by “My time is not yet here”? f.
Why did Jesus say the world hated him?
3. Read John 7:10-13 a. How did Jesus go to the Festival? b. Who was looking for him at the Festival? c.
What were people saying about Jesus?
4. Read John 7:14-24. a. Why were the people amazed at Jesus’ teaching? How would you answer their question (“How did this man get such learning without having been taught?”) b. What did Jesus indicate was the source of his teaching? c.
Who can discern whether Jesus’ teaching is from God or from Jesus’ own will?
d. What does Jesus say is the motivation for people speaking on their own? e. What does it mean to seek the glory of God? f.
Why would Jesus begin to talk about Moses’ law and their inability to keep the law?
g. What is the relationship between the law of Moses’ allowing a child to be circumcised on the Sabbath and Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath? h. What is the significance of Jesus’ statement, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly”?
IN MY LIFE 1. If I say “I believe” how does that show up in my life? 2. What is the difference between the belief of the crowds and of Jesus’ brothers and my belief? 3. Whose glory am I seeking? On whose behalf do I act? 4. How can your community group pray for you this week?
