Greetings! Below you will find questions which reference the sermon preached on Sunday, February 16th, 2014 at The Park. This week we studied chapter 2:13-25. Have someone in your group read this section of scripture.
Each week new questions are posted to track along with the sermons. Work hard to facilitate discussion. Listen to the hearts around the room and close with prayer.
Intro to Gospel of John:
This Gospel is unique with regard to the 4 first-hand accounts of the life of Jesus. It was likely the last of the 4 written and focuses much of it’s view on the deity of Jesus. Like today, the question of Jesus’ nature and source of power is constantly being debated and the heart of John’s gospel is to give us a clear, concise, unashamed view of the Son of God. It is here in John that Jesus makes claims like, “I am the Bread of Life”, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”, and “I am the Light of the world”. Reading the Gospel of John will provide you with an exalted view of Jesus as God in the flesh, sent to proclaim the good news.
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- What are some observations you had from this section of scripture?
- Were there any new insights you learned about the passage from the sermon?
- What did you learn about God from reading this section of scripture?
- The end of John chapter 2 takes place in the temple. What other significant passages take place in the Temple (or Tabernacle)? How are they different or similar in the Old Testament and the New Testament?
- It takes a little time to make a whip of cords. How does this affect your understanding of the response of Jesus to what He found in the temple court?
- At the time of passover, there would have been thousands of people of Jerusalem and at the temple. In verse 17 it says that Jesus drove them ALL out. What does this say about Jesus’ response?
- In response to Jesus clearing the temple, the disciples are said to have remembered the verse, “Zeal for your house will consume me” (Psalm 69:9). What is “zeal” and how does it relate to Jesus here in the temple?
- To what or whom are you zealous?
- After all that Jesus cleared the Temple, the Bible says that many people believed in him. Why would he not entrust himself to them? Why wasn’t Jesus eager to add to his number and bolster his following? What lesson is there for us in Jesus’ disciple making strategy?
- Why do you think this story is included in all 4 gospels (Matthew 21:12–13; Mark 11:15–17; Luke 19:45–46)? What do you believe it shows about the heart of God? Why is this story important for Christians today?
- Compare and contrast this story to Jesus’ inaugural sign in the beginning of chapter 2. What traits that Jesus exhibits push you away or even concern you? What traits that Jesus exhibits draw you to him?