Deny Everything | John 18:1-27

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 | Deny Everything | John 18:1-27

John 18 begins a new section in the Gospel of John. This section starts the path to the cross for Jesus, the resurrection, and the reinstatement of Peter. In our text today we will see that Peter denied Jesus three times on the night of His arrest. It must have been a frightening night for the disciples to witness the arrest of Jesus. In John 13 we read that Judas left the Passover meal to hand Jesus over to the Religious Leaders. During the arrest we see Jesus intentionally protect the disciples to keep them safe. While Jesus is in an unfair, unjust, midnight courtroom is when Peter denies Jesus. He leaves the situation broken and in tears. 

1) In the sermon it was said that Peter was taught to deny anything the Roman empire asked him about. What is something that your parents taught you, good or bad, that you still fall back on to this day? 

2) Read John 18:1-7. Judas knew exactly where Jesus would be and choose to intentionally betray Jesus. Think about a time in your life when you were betrayed. How it feel? What emotions did you experience? How did you get through it? 

3) During His arrest Jesus stood up to protect the disciples (had John 18:8-9). Using your voice to protect others can be bold and scary. Share a time when you spoke up to protect others or when you did not speak up but kept quiet. 

4) Peter acts rashly and almost kills a man (read John 18:10-12). What do you think made Peter act in this manner to try to behead one of the soldiers? How do you think you would act if you were in the garden that night? 

5) Read John 18:15-18). It’s late at night and Peter denies Jesus. In what situations are you tempted to hide your faith to protect yourself? Do you feel adequately prepared to share your faith when the right time presents itself? (see 1 Peter 3:15-16). 

6) Read John 18:19-24. While Jesus was being falsely accused He was slapped in the face for His reply to the High Priest. What does this slap say about our culture? Where in culture do you see people trying to push Jesus out of things? 

7) Peter ends up denying Jesus two more times (read John 18:27-27). Peter made a mistake but it seems to be out of self-preservation. What can learn about Peter’s situation and the words that come out of our mouth? 

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

United | John 17

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 | United  | John 17

Life can sometimes feel like the game of Jenga. Pieces are moving, things are unstable, and who knows what will happen next! In John 13-17, Jesus teaches the disciples in a famous part of Scripture known as the Upper Room Discourse. Today we come to John 17 and finish the Upper Room Discourse. For the last several chapters Jesus has taught on love, serving others, and the Kingdom of God. Today we come to a beautiful passage in Scripture where Jesus prays for the disciples and prays for us. Jesus prays for you. As we study John 17 we will see how Jesus longs for us to be united in this world that so easily causes division.

1) The sermon started with an example from the game of Jenga. Thinking about this example, share about what are some of the most vital parts of your spiritual life. How do you see the unity of the game of Jenga as an example of your spiritual growth? 

2) Read John 16:1-5. Jesus main desire was to bring glory to the Father (Read John 1:1-5). How does the relationship between God and Jesus encourage you to have a healthy relationship with your heavenly Father? 

3) Neal said: “If God answered all your prayers from the last week, would the world be a better place?” How did this make you think of your prayer life? Read these verses to help the discussion: Matthew 5:44, Ephesians 6:18, and Colossians 1:9. 

4) Read John 17:6-19. Jesus prays for the disciples to be protected after He departs back to the Father. What are some of the troubles that the disciples would encounter after Jesus’ ascended back to Heaven? (see Acts 12:2, 14:19-20, and 1 Peter 1:1-2).

5) While on earth Jesus was intentional to invest Himself into the disciples. Who are some of the people who’ve invested in your spiritual life? What did they teach you and how can you follow their lead to invest into others? (see Matthew 28:18-20). 

6) Read John 17:20-26. Jesus prayed for you to stay strong in a hostile world and for unity in the local church. In your group come up with five practical ways that you can help promote unity in the local church. 

7) Thinking of the entirety of John 17, how does this chapter impact your prayer life? Share with your group a handful of ways you want to grow in your prayer life and what will need to change for that to take place. 

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

Evidence of The Spirit | John 15:26-16:15

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 | Evidence of The Spirit  | John 15:26-16:15

All of us have been in a place in our life where we needed help from someone. In our passage today Jesus continues to explain to the disciples His departure and the sending of the Holy Spirit. The upper room discourse is the final teaching of Jesus that we have before He went to the cross. Much of the teaching is focused on loving others and spreading the Gospel. Jesus teaches the disciples about the coming of the Holy Spirit and what that means for their lives. We’re going to see how The Spirit is the spirit of truth, that it’s actually good for us for Jesus to return to heaven, and how we can walk in the truth of God.

1) Thinking about the last couple of months, when have you needed help with something in your life? It might help with a project around the house, something at work, or your taxes. Share how you asked for help in this situation. 

2) Read John 15:26-27. Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit and that the Spirit would guide us in all truth. Share with your group at least one truth that you have learned from following Jesus that you didn’t live in before trusting Jesus. 

3) Neal took some time to teach us about: Relative and Absolute truth. What is the downside of a culture that continues to push relative truth? How can we, as believers, help people to see the Absolute truth of Jesus? 

4)Read John 16:1-5. Jesus has been extremely repetitive in His teaching. Look back in the previous couple of chapters of John and share with your group what you see in this repetition. Why is this repetition important for our Christian walk? 

5) Jesus promised that His departure would bring the presence of the Holy Spirit (read John 16:7). How do you walk daily in the presence of the Holy Spirit? If you struggle with this, share how you’d like to walk more in the presence of the Holy Spirit for life change. 

6) Jesus said the Holy Spirit would: convict us of sin, teach us about righteous living, and be the rational for judgement. Talk about how this progression leads to life change as you follow Jesus. 

7) Read Acts 2:36-41. After Jesus has ascended back into heaven we read this powerful account of the Holy Spirit at work. Where do you want to see the Holy Spirit move in a powerful way in your life and our church family? 

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