Dropping Stones | John 8:1-11

The Gospel of John is a unique and powerful account of the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Written by John, one of Jesus' closest disciples, this gospel presents a deep and thoughtful perspective on the person and work of Jesus. Unlike the other three gospels, which are known as the Synoptic Gospels and focus on Jesus' actions and teachings, John's gospel emphasizes the spiritual and theological significance of Jesus' life and ministry. For this series I will write some of the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions | Dropping Stones | John 8:1-11

Relationships can be difficult and challenging. Sometimes they have the ‘happily ever after’ ending and other times they end like a train wreck. Today we’re going to see a story of a woman who made a bad choice. She might have made this choice once, several times, or for several years, we don’t know all the details of the story. Her bad choice puts her in a place that she never imagined she would be. Our story involves the religious leaders treating an adulterous woman with no compassion. In John 8 we read about a woman who was caught making a bad choice and finds herself standing next to Jesus. Study these questions to learn more about the mercy of Jesus. 

1) Relationships can be amazing, challenging, fulfilling, and difficult. When we add romantic feelings things can get complicated at times. Share about a time when you had to navigate a unique situation in any type of relationship you’re involved in. 

2) Read John 8:1-2. Jesus was in the habit of teaching the people about the truth of God in a way they understand (Matthew 4:23, Mark 6:6, and Luke 13:10). What have you learned from the teaching of Jesus and how has it changed you? 

3) One of the things the Pharisees tried to do in this situation was to trap Jesus with this question (read John 8:3-6). The Law required that two or three people witness a sin like this. What would motivate the Pharisees to treat a woman in such a manner? 

4) If Jesus condemns the woman He is not viewed as compassionate. If Jesus frees the woman, He negates the Law. Is there a way for us, in our current culture, to keep a balance between compassion and following the commands of God? 

5) It appears that Jesus gives the crowd the freedom to throw stones as long as they know they are also condemned in their sin (read John 8:7-8). Read Matthew 7:1-6 and talk about how to be better at removing sin from your own life. 

6) As people saw the words of Jesus written in the sand, they began to leave (read John 8:9-11). Romans 3:23 says that we have all sinned. Following the Law of Moses, Jesus didn’t condemn this woman but invited her to leave her life of sin. Share with you group when you trusted Jesus and how that changed your life. 

7) For Jesus to offer the mercy that He offered to this woman it meant He would have to climb on the cross to pay for our sins (see Luke 23:26-49). How can we share this great love of Jesus with people in our lives who are in need of mercy?  

Close your time in prayer. Pray for strength to invite a friend to meet Jesus.