Our last text in our series is found in the last chapter of John's Gospel. It serves as an epilogue to the writer's account of the ministry of Jesus. Jesus had some "unfinished business" with Peter. The background text is found in John 18 and portrays the betrayal by Peter during the trial of Jesus. Another key text to understand this account would be Luke chapter 5. Here, we find Jesus calling Peter, James and John to leave their fishing and follow Jesus right after a miraculous catch of fish. The call to "catch men" and the challenge for Peter to follow Jesus are part of the discipleship language of the Gospels.

Our text finds seven of the disciples back at their fishing trade. They are in the Galilee area because an angel had instructed the women (Matt. 28:10) that they should go to this area and see the resurrected Lord. Peter, James and John were professional fishers and this foray back into the business might have been because of discouragement, boredom or lack of finances. It was not to be their ultimate calling.

In our text Jesus reinstates Peter as shepherd of His flock. The three questions coincide with Peter's three betrayals. Jesus pushes the issue of Peter's love because this is the very area where Peter seemed to fail. His love of security trumped his love for Jesus in spite of his bravado and boasting to the contrary (Mk. 14:29).

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2. How do the Gospels portray the personality of Peter?

2. Slide 15. Recall the calling of the first disciples at the beginning of the Gospels. Why is discipleship and following so closely linked? What does it mean to follow Jesus today when he is not physically present?

3. Slide 16. What have you learned about the values of Jesus from the spiritual conversations we have been studying?

4. Slide 18. Discuss our tendency to compare ourselves to other followers. What does Jesus say about that? Why is it a bad idea?

5. Slide 19. Why does Jesus push Peter so hard regarding his love for him? Given Peter's foibles, what else might he have asked him?

6. Slide 20. Why do you think Peter needed to confess his love out loud?

Our last text in our series is found in the last chapter of John's Gospel. It serves as an epilogue to the writer's account of the ministry of Jesus. Jesus had some "unfinished business" with Peter. The background text is found in John 18 and portrays the betrayal by Peter during the trial of Jesus. Another key text to understand this account would be Luke chapter 5. Here, we find Jesus calling Peter, James and John to leave their fishing and follow Jesus right after a miraculous catch of fish. The call to "catch men" and the challenge for Peter to follow Jesus are part of the discipleship language of the Gospels.

Our text finds seven of the disciples back at their fishing trade. They are in the Galilee area because an angel had instructed the women (Matt. 28:10) that they should go to this area and see the resurrected Lord. Peter, James and John were professional fishers and this foray back into the business might have been because of discouragement, boredom or lack of finances. It was not to be their ultimate calling.

In our text Jesus reinstates Peter as shepherd of His flock. The three questions coincide with Peter's three betrayals. Jesus pushes the issue of Peter's love because this is the very area where Peter seemed to fail. His love of security trumped his love for Jesus in spite of his bravado and boasting to the contrary (Mk. 14:29).

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2. How do the Gospels portray the personality of Peter?

2. Slide 15. Recall the calling of the first disciples at the beginning of the Gospels. Why is discipleship and following so closely linked? What does it mean to follow Jesus today when he is not physically present?

3. Slide 16. What have you learned about the values of Jesus from the spiritual conversations we have been studying?

4. Slide 18. Discuss our tendency to compare ourselves to other followers. What does Jesus say about that? Why is it a bad idea?

5. Slide 19. Why does Jesus push Peter so hard regarding his love for him? Given Peter's foibles, what else might he have asked him?

6. Slide 20. Why do you think Peter needed to confess his love out loud?

Out text this week is another spiritual conversation between Jesus and his friends. Only this time his friends are believers. It is not an evangelistic conversation but it is more like a discipleship conversation intended to help inform his friends' spiritual understanding. Mary and Martha are mentioned in Luke 10:38-42, however, this is the only time we hear of Lazarus in the Gospels. This encounter takes place shortly before the Crucifixion. It appears that during the passion week Jesus uses the home of his three friends as a base for his trips into Jerusalem.

Our passage reveals a lot about Jesus. We see his humanity and his divinity in his interactions with his friends. John's Gospel uses this sign (miracle) as the last and greatest indicator of Jesus' divinity. While other signs pointed to his authority over nature, disease, sin, etc., this sign points to his authority over the greatest and most irresistible enemy of humankind; death.

In going back to Judea, Jesus is moving into danger. The disciples don't want him to go back but Jesus sets his mind on God's purposes and chooses to follow through on the plan laid out for him. This miracle would be the last straw in his ongoing battle with the Pharisees. The adulation of the crowds shortly thereafter during the triumphant entry would set the stage for the Pharisees final showdown with Jesus.

The text is rich in detail and provides many insights into how Jesus deals with his friends who are in crises. The narrator helps us see the humanity of Jesus, the frailty of the human condition, the depths of his friendships, and of course his divinity as it climaxes with the shout at the tomb: "Lazarus, come out!"

Even believers need friends who will enter into spiritual conversations with them. This is not just something we need to practice with our "lost" neighbours. Our dependence on the Spirit's promptings, our concern for authenticity and our willingness to build bridges must apply to conversations both within and without the community of faith.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2-3. Why does Jesus delay his trip to Bethany? What does Thomas say that surprises you, given our usual opinion of him?

2. Slide 14-17. Why do our expectations of Jesus sometimes let us down? Why are we sometimes so inaccurate in our predictions of how he will act? How do we react and why? What is the difference between trusting in his character and trusting in his affirmative responses to our prayers?

3. Slide 18-19. When Jesus wept, what do we learn about him? How does this help us in our crises?

4. Slide 20. Discuss the order of the miracle and its significance in understanding discipleship or spiritual formation. There are three actors in the last scene: Jesus, Lazarus, and the crowd. Who is responsible for each part of the event? How might this inform our understanding of conversion?

Out text this week is another spiritual conversation between Jesus and his friends. Only this time his friends are believers. It is not an evangelistic conversation but it is more like a discipleship conversation intended to help inform his friends' spiritual understanding. Mary and Martha are mentioned in Luke 10:38-42, however, this is the only time we hear of Lazarus in the Gospels. This encounter takes place shortly before the Crucifixion. It appears that during the passion week Jesus uses the home of his three friends as a base for his trips into Jerusalem.

Our passage reveals a lot about Jesus. We see his humanity and his divinity in his interactions with his friends. John's Gospel uses this sign (miracle) as the last and greatest indicator of Jesus' divinity. While other signs pointed to his authority over nature, disease, sin, etc., this sign points to his authority over the greatest and most irresistible enemy of humankind; death.

In going back to Judea, Jesus is moving into danger. The disciples don't want him to go back but Jesus sets his mind on God's purposes and chooses to follow through on the plan laid out for him. This miracle would be the last straw in his ongoing battle with the Pharisees. The adulation of the crowds shortly thereafter during the triumphant entry would set the stage for the Pharisees final showdown with Jesus.

The text is rich in detail and provides many insights into how Jesus deals with his friends who are in crises. The narrator helps us see the humanity of Jesus, the frailty of the human condition, the depths of his friendships, and of course his divinity as it climaxes with the shout at the tomb: "Lazarus, come out!"

Even believers need friends who will enter into spiritual conversations with them. This is not just something we need to practice with our "lost" neighbours. Our dependence on the Spirit's promptings, our concern for authenticity and our willingness to build bridges must apply to conversations both within and without the community of faith.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2-3. Why does Jesus delay his trip to Bethany? What does Thomas say that surprises you, given our usual opinion of him?

2. Slide 14-17. Why do our expectations of Jesus sometimes let us down? Why are we sometimes so inaccurate in our predictions of how he will act? How do we react and why? What is the difference between trusting in his character and trusting in his affirmative responses to our prayers?

3. Slide 18-19. When Jesus wept, what do we learn about him? How does this help us in our crises?

4. Slide 20. Discuss the order of the miracle and its significance in understanding discipleship or spiritual formation. There are three actors in the last scene: Jesus, Lazarus, and the crowd. Who is responsible for each part of the event? How might this inform our understanding of conversion?

Out text this week is part of a larger discourse on light and darkness. It is a key theme in John's Gospel and may be at the very heart of his portrayal of Christ. The section begins during the Feast of Tabernacles. Great candelabras are lit to represent the idea that the Jewish nation are to be the light of the world. Jesus surprises everyone by saying that he is the light of the world (8:12). This no doubt causes some stir among those Pharisees who realized what Jesus was truly saying.

The miracle or sign in our text illustrates the truth that Jesus is the light of the world. Not only is he the light, he has the power to give the light to others. The Pharisees stand in stark contrast for they do not believe Jesus and therefore stand in darkness.

Jesus heals a man born blind - a congenital defect. This is a creative miracle and not simply remedial. It is not that he fixes the man's eyesight, he creates new eyes! The solution for the darkness of the world not a quick fix it is a recreation of something beyond salvage. If this was dentistry, Jesus does not fill a cavity, he grows a new tooth!

The method of the miracle is strange, repulsive and unhygienic. Mud and spittle have no curative power but Jesus does. He reminds us of the creation story and particularly the creation of mankind from the dust of the ground. His miracle is new creation. The prerequisite for the miracle is acknowledged blindness. While the Pharisee claim to see, they are blind and guilty, the man born blind sees the light and is forgiven (9:35-41).

Jesus does not enter into a theological debate or homily with the disciples who ask him an age old question about fate. Instead, he points to the solution and in passing notes that suffering can be a way for God's glory (the work of God) to be displayed. While suffering is not always a way to see God's work, it certainly opens our eyes to new realities. As C.S. Lewis once wrote: "Pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2. Discuss light and darkness as ways to describe the contrast between the good and evil, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of this world, etc.

2. Slide 7. Read the rest of the story and see the humour of the man's responses to the Pharisees' questions.

3. Slide 8-10. How have you seen suffering used for God's glory? When has this not happened? Why?

4. Slide 11. When discussing life's problems with friends how do we avoid the temptation to blame and find fault?

5. Slide 12-15. Why is this miracle so central to John's theology? What does it say about the deity, and role of Jesus, as the one sent from God? What is John saying specifically about salvation? How might you describe your own salvation experience as coming from darkness into the light?

6. Slide 16. What does this story teach us about Spiritual Conversations with Friends?

Out text this week is part of a larger discourse on light and darkness. It is a key theme in John's Gospel and may be at the very heart of his portrayal of Christ. The section begins during the Feast of Tabernacles. Great candelabras are lit to represent the idea that the Jewish nation are to be the light of the world. Jesus surprises everyone by saying that he is the light of the world (8:12). This no doubt causes some stir among those Pharisees who realized what Jesus was truly saying.

The miracle or sign in our text illustrates the truth that Jesus is the light of the world. Not only is he the light, he has the power to give the light to others. The Pharisees stand in stark contrast for they do not believe Jesus and therefore stand in darkness.

Jesus heals a man born blind - a congenital defect. This is a creative miracle and not simply remedial. It is not that he fixes the man's eyesight, he creates new eyes! The solution for the darkness of the world not a quick fix it is a recreation of something beyond salvage. If this was dentistry, Jesus does not fill a cavity, he grows a new tooth!

The method of the miracle is strange, repulsive and unhygienic. Mud and spittle have no curative power but Jesus does. He reminds us of the creation story and particularly the creation of mankind from the dust of the ground. His miracle is new creation. The prerequisite for the miracle is acknowledged blindness. While the Pharisee claim to see, they are blind and guilty, the man born blind sees the light and is forgiven (9:35-41).

Jesus does not enter into a theological debate or homily with the disciples who ask him an age old question about fate. Instead, he points to the solution and in passing notes that suffering can be a way for God's glory (the work of God) to be displayed. While suffering is not always a way to see God's work, it certainly opens our eyes to new realities. As C.S. Lewis once wrote: "Pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2. Discuss light and darkness as ways to describe the contrast between the good and evil, the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of this world, etc.

2. Slide 7. Read the rest of the story and see the humour of the man's responses to the Pharisees' questions.

3. Slide 8-10. How have you seen suffering used for God's glory? When has this not happened? Why?

4. Slide 11. When discussing life's problems with friends how do we avoid the temptation to blame and find fault?

5. Slide 12-15. Why is this miracle so central to John's theology? What does it say about the deity, and role of Jesus, as the one sent from God? What is John saying specifically about salvation? How might you describe your own salvation experience as coming from darkness into the light?

6. Slide 16. What does this story teach us about Spiritual Conversations with Friends?

Today we are looking at a fascinating encounter Jesus had with an adulterous woman and a group of legalistic, self-righteous, rock throwing, religious leaders. Through this story, we learn that righteousness is not built on the foundation of law, but rather of grace. Our cities, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods are filled with people who - like the adulterous woman - are broken, wounded, far from God, and living a life of sin. Do we have a responsibility to these people? Absolutely! Jesus prayed in John 17 "Father just as you have sent me into the world, I am sending them." Meaning you and me. The key question to consider in light of our text this morning is this: Will I go as an accuser, hands full of rocks? Or, will I go in the spirit and attitude of an advocate – full of grace and mercy?

Questions For Discussion:

1. Were there any 'Ah-ha!' moments as you listened to the message? If so, what were they?

Note: Depending on the amount of interaction this may be the only question your group will have time to discuss. If that's the case, I would suggest closing with question #8.

2. Read 1 John 2: 1-2

a. What is it that gives us the power to keep from sinning?

b. On what basis is Jesus our advocate?

3. Read John 8:1-11

a. Jesus is establishing righteousness on the basis of grace, not the law. What does this mean?

4. What is your attitude towards the adulterous woman? Do you know people in your life who are like her? What is your attitude towards them?

5. In this story the Pharisees are 100% right and yet they are so wrong – what does this mean?

6. Have you ever struggled with the attitude of an accuser?

7. What does it mean for us to be an advocate for everybody in our city?

8. Read Colossians 6:4 - our speech is to be full of grace and seasoned with salt. What does this mean?

9. What difference will this discussion make in your life?

Today we are looking at a fascinating encounter Jesus had with an adulterous woman and a group of legalistic, self-righteous, rock throwing, religious leaders. Through this story, we learn that righteousness is not built on the foundation of law, but rather of grace. Our cities, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods are filled with people who - like the adulterous woman - are broken, wounded, far from God, and living a life of sin. Do we have a responsibility to these people? Absolutely! Jesus prayed in John 17 "Father just as you have sent me into the world, I am sending them." Meaning you and me. The key question to consider in light of our text this morning is this: Will I go as an accuser, hands full of rocks? Or, will I go in the spirit and attitude of an advocate – full of grace and mercy?

Questions For Discussion:

1. Were there any 'Ah-ha!' moments as you listened to the message? If so, what were they?

Note: Depending on the amount of interaction this may be the only question your group will have time to discuss. If that's the case, I would suggest closing with question #8.

2. Read 1 John 2: 1-2

a. What is it that gives us the power to keep from sinning?

b. On what basis is Jesus our advocate?

3. Read John 8:1-11

a. Jesus is establishing righteousness on the basis of grace, not the law. What does this mean?

4. What is your attitude towards the adulterous woman? Do you know people in your life who are like her? What is your attitude towards them?

5. In this story the Pharisees are 100% right and yet they are so wrong – what does this mean?

6. Have you ever struggled with the attitude of an accuser?

7. What does it mean for us to be an advocate for everybody in our city?

8. Read Colossians 6:4 - our speech is to be full of grace and seasoned with salt. What does this mean?

9. What difference will this discussion make in your life?

Jesus was a curious evangelist - at least according to what many of us have been taught in regard to evangelism, he was an anomaly. He never followed a program; he treated everyone differently. He wasn't afraid to walk away from curious crowds or inquisitive individuals. He seemed completely relaxed about his encounters with people.

This week we look at the third sign in John's Gospel, the healing of the man by the pool called Bethesda. In this rather strange encounter with a paralytic man, Jesus says three things. He asks him a question, he commands him to get up and walk and he warns him about sin. Cryptic, probing, and peculiar interactions with a man who is helpless, hopeless and resentful.

This healing prompts a reaction from the Jews that eventually leads to his crucifixion. He breaks the Sabbath and claims to be one with God. Of all the distinguishing characteristics of Judaism, circumcision and Sabbath keeping were the two most vital to their identity. By breaking the Sabbath and inviting the paralytic to do the same, Jesus prompts the first major battle with the Jewish leaders in John's Gospel.

This miracle/sign is rather unique in that we do not see how faith is involved, we see none of the usual gratefulness or praise that accompany many of the miracles, and we don't even hear of a reaction from the crowd. It stands as a sign of Jesus' power over sickness and sin, his reluctance to follow man-made laws and his willingness to confront the religious leaders of his day.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2-3. Discuss the contrast between the way Jesus went about doing the work of the Kingdom and the way many evangelistic programs teach us to "witness." What is refreshing about Jesus' approach?

2. Slide 9-10. Why is Jesus' question in verse 6 not as simple as what it might first appear to be? Why might people not want to be healed?

3. Slide 11-12. If I suggest that Jesus is being provocative in his command to the paralytic, what would I be referring to? Who did he provoke and why? Whose faith healed the man?

4. Slide 13-14. Why did Jesus say to the man "stop sinning?" Did sin cause his paralysis? Is Jesus threatening that the paraplegic would become a quadriplegic? What might the worse thing be? Is Jesus baiting the man to prompt further investigation into his teaching?

5. Slide 15-16. What soul cravings do you see addressed by Jesus with this man? What might we learn about spiritual conversations with friends?

Jesus was a curious evangelist - at least according to what many of us have been taught in regard to evangelism, he was an anomaly. He never followed a program; he treated everyone differently. He wasn't afraid to walk away from curious crowds or inquisitive individuals. He seemed completely relaxed about his encounters with people.

This week we look at the third sign in John's Gospel, the healing of the man by the pool called Bethesda. In this rather strange encounter with a paralytic man, Jesus says three things. He asks him a question, he commands him to get up and walk and he warns him about sin. Cryptic, probing, and peculiar interactions with a man who is helpless, hopeless and resentful.

This healing prompts a reaction from the Jews that eventually leads to his crucifixion. He breaks the Sabbath and claims to be one with God. Of all the distinguishing characteristics of Judaism, circumcision and Sabbath keeping were the two most vital to their identity. By breaking the Sabbath and inviting the paralytic to do the same, Jesus prompts the first major battle with the Jewish leaders in John's Gospel.

This miracle/sign is rather unique in that we do not see how faith is involved, we see none of the usual gratefulness or praise that accompany many of the miracles, and we don't even hear of a reaction from the crowd. It stands as a sign of Jesus' power over sickness and sin, his reluctance to follow man-made laws and his willingness to confront the religious leaders of his day.

Questions for Discussion:

1. Slide 2-3. Discuss the contrast between the way Jesus went about doing the work of the Kingdom and the way many evangelistic programs teach us to "witness." What is refreshing about Jesus' approach?

2. Slide 9-10. Why is Jesus' question in verse 6 not as simple as what it might first appear to be? Why might people not want to be healed?

3. Slide 11-12. If I suggest that Jesus is being provocative in his command to the paralytic, what would I be referring to? Who did he provoke and why? Whose faith healed the man?

4. Slide 13-14. Why did Jesus say to the man "stop sinning?" Did sin cause his paralysis? Is Jesus threatening that the paraplegic would become a quadriplegic? What might the worse thing be? Is Jesus baiting the man to prompt further investigation into his teaching?

5. Slide 15-16. What soul cravings do you see addressed by Jesus with this man? What might we learn about spiritual conversations with friends?