A crowd that wants physical bread are met with Jesus, who tells them he is the true bread of life. When we understand what Jesus is saying, we find our deepest hungers exposed, the place those hungers are finally satisfied, and the way we savor Christ in our daily lives. 

Application Questions: 

1. What are the daily desires that occupy your mind the most?

2. How are those desires related to a deeper hunger for eternal life? 

3. What are the ways Jesus, broken for you, satisfies that deeper hunger? 

4. How can you savor Christ this week, especially in scripture and prayer? How can you turn to him for strength when things are hard?

In our lives, it is far too easy for us to remain focused on our shallow needs. Jesus invites us to see a deeper need that only he can satisfy.

Application Questions: 

1. Why is Jesus' determination to bring living water such good news?

2. In what ways are you pursuing water that does not truly satisfy?

3. How is Christ crucified for you something that satisfies your deepest thirst?

What can we learn from Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding? John tells us that it is a sign, pointing to a greater reality about who Jesus is and what he came to do. This sign shows us that Jesus is the true bridegroom, come to bring joy at a great price, drawing near to those he loves.

Application Questions: 

1. What can we learn from the connections between the major themes of this passage (wedding, water, wine, marriage) and other parts of scripture? 

2. What role does joy play in Christianity and the Christian life? 

3. How might Jesus’ love for you as the true Bridegroom shape what you are facing this week?

Our world views human life as either as the ultimate good (needing to be preserved at all costs) or as an instrumental good (only worth living if it maintains a certain "quality"). But God teaches us that, as image bearers of him, every human life is uniquely sacred and destined for eternity.

Application Questions: 

1. How do you see the world's understanding as human life being either the ultimate good, or an instrumental good shaping your own understanding of life?

2. How might you view others differently if you consistently remembered that all human life is sacred?

3. What are some ways you are tempted to devalue human life either in yourself or others?

4. How does the gospel bring grace and freedom to the ways you have fallen short in the past?

Sin brings about division in our world, the devaluing of the image of God in others. This is seen throughout the history of the world, and is felt presently and deeply in our world today. In Christ the walls of hostility can be brought down. In Christ we can be peacemakers. In Christ we can affirm and uphold the image of God in the midst of the dividing lines of the world.

Application Questions: 

1. How does the history of sin, the devaluing of the image of God in others, and division help put our current world in its context?

2. What is the connection between the image of God and divisions in our world?

3. How does Christ's restoration of the image of God in our lives bring about transformation in how we approach these dividing lines?

Our city believes strongly that all people are worthy of dignity and respect, but what is the foundation for that belief? The Bible declares that all human beings are made in the image of God, apart from their background, culture, or ability. Yet we see this image is marred by sin in the ways we often ignore or use other people. Only through Jesus Christ can we be renewed to reflect the goodness and compassion of God to one another.

Application Questions: 

1. How does the image of God give every human being dignity and worth? How does that compare to other attempts to ground human dignity and worth in our city? 

2. How does the gospel empower us to live out the image of God in our city? 

3. What would it look like for you to “image” God by reflecting his character in your life this week?

Beholding the Son of God begets following the Son of God. When we see Jesus for who he is and remember what he has done, our hearts are drawn to follow him and orient our entire lives around him. Even when we don't know what the future holds, we can have confidence in the one that holds the future. And, as we enter a new year, he invites us to "come and see" all that he has in store.

Application Questions: 

1. In what ways do you know Jesus is calling you to follow him this year?

2. How have you seen God nurture your faith in small but personal ways this past year?

3. How would you view the coming year differently if you remembered that God himself is dwelling in you?

4. What are your prayer for the coming year?

On Christmas Eve, we consider the nature of the incarnation and behold the one who is the Word become flesh. As we do, John the Baptist provides us with an example of how we are each called to behold him and bear witness to him both on Christmas and throughout the year.

John’s gospel doesn’t have much of a Christmas story, but it does have the heart of Christmas: the doctrine of the incarnation. When we understand this staggering doctrine we can see the importance, joy, and hope of Christmas, and enjoy grace upon grace in our own lives.

Application Questions: 

1. How is the doctrine of the incarnation unique among other religions and philosophies?

2. Which of the “graces” of the incarnation stood out to you most: sympathy in suffering, growth and transformation, or hope even in the darkest times? 

3. Are there other “graces” of the incarnation you can think of? 

4. How might the grace of Jesus in salvation help you over the coming week?

The Light of the World comes into the world that He created, and is rejected. God invites us into His Light, and in the light we are exposed and vulnerable, but we are also accepted by Him, forgiven, renewed, and restored.

Application Questions: 

1. What is shocking about the rejection of Jesus Christ?

2. How do you hide from the Light in your own life?

3. What would it look like to confess and repent as a regular practice in your life?

4. How does standing in the Light of Christ bring hope to your life?