ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

FROM SUNDAY 29 APRIL 2007

JOHN 2:1-11 - GOOD NEWS FROM JOHN - NEW WINE

Who is Jesus? - This is the basic question being asked in the early chapters of John's Gospel. We've had some hints in chapter 1, and we'll come back to them later, but who is he?

1. Read John 2:1-11

WHO IS JESUS? PART 1

2. What is the miracle that takes place (verse 9)? Why is it called a sign (verse 11)?

3. What is our response to the miracles? What is the response of contemporary culture? Are you tempted to try to explain them away? In the light of verse 11. why is this a mistake?

4. What does this miracle tell us about Jesus' divinity?

WHO IS JESUS? PART 2: JESUS THE MESSIAH?

5. How does this story build on chapter 1? See verses 34, 49, 51.

6. Why is the wine so significant? See Amos 9:13, Joel 2:24, Isaiah 25:6.

7. What about the time/hour phrase (verse 4)? Why is this significant? What does it tell about the type of Messiah he was going to be?

8. You may also like to look at John 7:30, 8:20, 12:23 & 27, 13:1, 17:1.Where is all this leading?

9. And how about the choice of vessels (verse 6)? How might these also speak of what Jesus had come to do?

APPLICATION

10. How does verse 11 help us to apply this passage, first to the people back then, and then to us?

11. What does it mean to us for Jesus to be God and Messiah (as opposed to just another religious leader)? First for ourselves, then for others who are not yet Christians?

12. Are we increasingly recognising Jesus as who he really is? Do we trust him? Obey him? Follow him?

13. Are there things we need to repent of? Are there thing we need to recognise/believe?

PRAYER

14. Pray for those in our church and on the edge of church life who are thinking seriously about the Christian Faith at the moment. Pray for the Start! Course beginning next week and for those thinking about being confirmed in June. Pray too for the plans being made to run the Alpha Course in the autumn.

15. Pray too for those newly elected to positions of responsibility in the church's leadership. For our churchwardens: Nigel Freeman and Nic Cope; elected to Deanery Synod: Andrew Jupp; elected to Team Council: Margaret Perkin and Bob Willis; elected to the PCC: Jude Cunningham, Carolyn Davis, Sandra Harris, Jim Lupton and Andrew Smith.

Edward Hobbs
27 April 2007