Knowing Jesus - Knowing the Light of the World

Introduction:

Isaiah 49:6 - I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.

Knowing the Light of the World (John 8:12-30):

1. You can come to the Liight ... (John 8:12)

2. Or you can stay in the Dark . (John 8:13-27)
   1. Willful Ignorance doesn't want to Know the truth. (John 8:13-20)
   2. Pride doesn't want to Apply the truth. (John 8:21-30)
3. If you look to the cross, you will Know Jesus . (John 8:28-30)

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Small Group Discussion
Read John 8:12-30

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Explain how willful ignorance and pride keep someone (who doesn’t believe in Jesus) in the dark. Why would these make someone refuse the light?
   

3. Re-read John 8:28. How does the cross give the ultimate revelation that Jesus is God?
   

4. What are some ways that people have “reinvented” God, ie, worship a god of their own imagination (John 8:19)? Before you came into the light of Christ, how did you imagine God to be?

Breakout
Pray for one another to walk in the light of Jesus Christ! Is there any area of your life that you’ve been keeping in the dark?

Knowing Jesus - Knowing His Grace

Introduction:

We All Need Grace (John 8:1-11):

1. But we don't often Give it. (John 8:3-5)

   Leviticus 20:10 - If a man commits adultery with the wife of his neighbor, both the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

Am I a gracious person?

• Deep down, am I still angry with someone who wronged me, ever after they apologize?
• Are there broken relationships in my life that I refuse to heal?
• Do I believe certain people don't deserve forgiveness?
• When someone messes up, do I prefer to criticizing their mistakes over praying for them to get to a better place?

2. But we don't often Recognize our need for it. (John 8:6-9)
3. But we don't often Understand it. (John 8:10-11)

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Small Group Discussion
Read John 7:53 - 8:1-11

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. In John 8:7, Jesus said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” People often quote this to mean “we are all sinners, so it’s never right to call out someone’s sin.”

   • Is this an accurate interpretation of this verse? Why or why not?

   • How and when IS it appropriate to call out someone on their sin?
     

3. John 8:9 says the older ones walked away first. Why do you think that was? How does experience seem to temper inappropriate zeal?
   

4. Jesus told the woman to “sin no more” (John 8:11). How does knowing Jesus motivate us to walk away from sin?

Breakout
Pray for one another to grow in Jesus’ grace - and being gracious to others.

Knowing Jesus - Knowing the Living Water

Introduction:

Isaiah 12:3 - With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

CONTROVERSY – 2 separate disputes:

1. "Gen Pop": Believers vs Lazy Researchers (John 7:40-44)
2. Authorities: Haters vs Seekers (John 7:45-52)

Knowing the Living Water (John 7:37-52):

1. Living water flows Into thristy people. (John 7:37)
   • Thirst
   • Come
   • Drink
2. Living water flows Out of quenched people. (John 7:38)

   1 Corinthians 12:7 - To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

   1 Peter 4:10 - As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another...

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Small Group Discussion
Read John 7:37-52

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   
   

2. How does someone recognize they are thirsty (John 7:37)? If you are a believer: how did you recognize YOU were thirsty when you came to Christ to drink? How can you recognize when someone else is thirsty, and needs Christ?
   

3. What are some things people try to find satisfaction in, when what they really need is Christ? What are some things that you tried?
   

4. Read John 7:38. Explain, in your own words, what Jesus is saying. How do you know when you are “quenched”?

Breakout
How “outward focused” have you personally been during the COVID season we are in? Pray for one another to be RIVERS, not BUCKETS, of living water.

Knowing Jesus - Knowing Him Now

Introduction:

Lies We Hear from the Lost (and how we should respond) (John 7:25-36):

1. I know what the Bible says. (John 7:27-28)

   What do I say when someone claims to know the Bible, but they obviously do not?

   Where do you get your knowledge of Jesus? Would you like to know what the Bible says? ( Y / N )

   Colossians 1 | John 1

2. Everyone ends up in Heaven . (John 7:34)

   What do I say when someone claims everyone goes to heaven?

   Where do you get your idea everyone goes to heaven? Would you like to know what the Bible says? ( Y / N )

   Matthew 25:46 - And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

3. I have Time . (John 7:33)

   Isaiah 55:6 - "Seek the LORD while he may be found; call upon him while he is near..."

   What do I say when someone claims they'll come to Jesus later?

   Where do you get your idea you have time? Would you like to know what the Bible says? ( Y / N )

   Hebrews 3, 4

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read John 7:25-36

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   
   

2. Why do people confused about Jesus (John 7:25-26) receive the same condemnation as those who hatefully reject Him (John 7:32)?
   
   

3. Why do you think Jesus’ statement in John 7:34 became such a “trending topic” for the Jews (John 7:36)?
   
   

4. Why is it effective to ask questions when you are confronting spiritual lies people believe?

Breakout
Pray for one another! And pray for opportunities to lovingly confront lies believed by the unsaved people that you know.

Knowing Jesus - Knowing the Teaching of God

Introduction:

How Can I Know Jesus is Legit? (John 7:1-24):

1. NOT by forcing Jesus to Perform s. (John 7:1-9)
2. NOT by adopting popular Opinions s. (John 7:10-13)
3. NOT by looking for Excuses to not believe. (John 7:14-24)
4. BUT by Desiring and Doing, God's Will. (John 7:17)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read John 7:1-24

1. What was your big “take-away” from this passage / message?
   

2. Have you ever had a crisis of faith, wondering “Is this all real? Is the Bible true? Is Jesus legit?” How did you handle it?
   

3. State Jesus’ teaching in John 7:17 in your own words.
   

4. What are ways our culture has redefined sin (see John 7:7)?
   

Breakout
Pray for one another. And pray for our leaders (President, Governor) to make the right decisions in transitioning back to “normal”.