Looking Above

Looking Above

By Karen BaughmanReligion & SpiritualityChristianityEducationCoursesReligion
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Looking Above episodes

  • Looking Above - Episode 5: John 9&10
    Looking Above - Episode 5

    This week we’re taking a look at two compelling sections of Scripture, found in John chapters 9 and 10.  In the first, Jesus heals a blind man and the encounter totally changes the man’s life and how he worships.  In chapter 10, we look at Jesus as the good shepherd and his relationship to us as such. 

    Discuss these chapters with a friend or your small group:
    1. What has God called you to do? (If you can’t think of specific tasks he has called you to personally, you can discuss general things that He calls all believers to.) Are you procrastinating doing those things you’re called to do?  Are you distracted?  What distracts you?  What will you do differently this week to maintain your focus?  What distractions can you eliminate?
    2. The more we know Jesus, the greater He becomes.  Who is Jesus to you? Discuss the progression the ex-blind man goes through in his belief in Jesus.  Can you look back and see milestones in your life where your perspective on who Jesus is shifted?
    3. The Pharisees intimidated the ex-blind man’s parents. Around whom do you hide your faith?  Who intimidates you into not speaking of Jesus? How might you work towards overcoming that intimidation?
    4. Talk about worship. How does our worship reflect our beliefs about Jesus? How has your worship changed through the years? Is your worship wholehearted?  IF not, why not?
    5. Jesus’ sheep recognize His voice. Would you say you recognize His voice?  Can you distinguish the voice of the enemy?
    6. What lies does Satan use to attempt to lure you from the safety of the sheepfold? Discuss how every lie we believe results in death.  Can you give specific examples?
    7. How have you experienced the rich and satisfying (abundant) life promised by Jesus? / What is your reaction to the Shepherd giving His life on your behalf?
    8. How might you better follow the Shepherd this week?

      9.  

      23 min
    9. Looking Above - Episode 4: John 7&8
      Looking Above - Episode 4

      This week we'll discuss John chapters 7 &8. We see Jesus teaching and interacting with religious leaders.  He also interacts with the woman caught in adultery and declares himself the Light of the World.

      Discuss these chapters with a friend or your small group:  
      1. Talk about the difference between living in judgement of others and living in such a way that your life is an accusation. What does living as light look like?
      2. Jesus did not often live up to the expectations of others, instead living according to His Father's plan.  What could living like this look like for you?
      3. Discuss how you are prone to judge based on actions rather than intent.  Has this ever gotten you in trouble? How can you look beyond actions?
      4. Was there anything Jesus said in these chapters that surprised you?
      5. Take a look at these passages and compare to chapter 7 verses 37&38 (Isaiah 55:1, Zechariah 14:8, Ezekiel 47:9, Joel 3:18, Isaiah 33:21)
      6. Consider the temple guard's reaction ( John 7:46). What is something that Jesus said that has greatly impacted your life?
      7. How do we avoid behaving elitist like the Pharisees?  How can we love and show grace to those who "know" less than we do?
      8. Discuss the interaction with the woman caught in adultery.  How did Jesus and the Pharisees use their authority differently? How might we interact differently with "sinners"?
      9. Throughout these chapters, people believe because they hear the words of Jesus.  How do your words affect others?
      10. How has the truth set you free?  Respond to the quote from Barclay's commentary and the four ways we are freed.
      11. Do you quickly believe Jesus' words as truth or are your more skeptical?  What does this tell you about your heart?
      12. Who are you more like - your earthly father or your Heavenly Father? 
        13. 35 min
      13. Looking Above - Episode 3: John 5&6
        Looking Above - Episode 3

        This week we'll take a look at John chapter 5 and 6.  We see Jesus as the Son of God, clearly claiming to be the Messiah and giving proof of why He can make this claim. He heals a man at the pool of Bethesda, feeds the 5,000, and walks on water.  He also explains how He is the bread of life, and that feasting on Him leads to everlasting life.  The more we know Jesus, the more we abide in Him, the more we can experience the abundant life He offers.  

        Discuss these chapters with a friend or your small group:  
        1. Contrast how we live differently if we want to be healed versus if we do not want to be healed (physically, emotionally, relationally, spiritually).
        2. Share some examples of what faith in action looks like.  What does God ask of us, and how do we show forth our faith by our actions?
        3. Jesus believed that the Sabbath was to be used for doing good - to be a blessing to others. Brainstorm what this might look like today.
        4. You can know the Scriptures without knowing Jesus.  How do you get to know Jesus better?
        5. Whose glory/esteem matters more to you?  How do you seek the esteem of people?  How can you begin to change your heart so that you focus more on seeking the esteem of God?
        6. Are you more like Philip or Andrew?  How so?
        7. The little boy offered his loaves and fish, what do you have to offer God?  In your wildest dreams, what might God be able to accomplish thru you?
        8. Are you currently in a "storm"? How might letting Jesus in the boat change your view of that storm?
        9. (ch 6, vs 27) Are you focus on perishable things, or do you spend your energy seeking eternal life?  What is one practical step you can take this week to "look above"?
        10. How do you abide in Christ? How do you feast upon Him? Can you tell a difference in your life between the seasons where you were abiding, and those in which you drifted and focused on the things around you? 
          11. 36 min
        11. Looking Above - Episode 2: John 3&4

          Join Karen as we take a deeper look at John chapters 3 & 4. We'll consider Jesus' interactions with Nicodemus and the Woman at the well.

          If you're meeting with a group for discussion, here are some questions to guide you:
          1. Do you know anyone who has an uncanny way of looking beyond your words and seeing your heart or your underlying pain/issues?  
          2. Talk about what it is like to interact with that person. / Have you ever gone through a season where you avoided church/God?
          3. As you look back at that season, do you think there could have been a sin issue in your life that caused you to stay in the darkness?
          4. Discuss John the Baptist's attitude in John 3:27-30. How could you work towards having a similar attitude?
          5. Is your response to Christ belief (obedience) or disbelief (disobedience)?
          6.  Have you thought about the correlation between belief and obedience before?
          7. Discuss the interaction between Jesus and the Woman at the well. If Jesus called you out, like He did her (John 3:16-18), how would you respond?
          8. How do you attempt to satisfy your soul's thirst apart from God?
          9. Share your testimony with your group.  How did Jesus change your life?
          10. Do your words and actions cause others to want to know Jesus?
          11. Talk about someone you know who causes you to want to know Jesus more.
          12. Do you take Jesus at His word and live in faith?
            13. 34 min
          13. Looking Above - Episode 1 : John 1&2

            For this episode, we dig into the first two chapters of the Book of John.  One of the best ways we can fix our eyes on Jesus is to know him more, and the book of John is a great place to learn more about who He is and how He lived. We'll explore Jesus as Word, light, lamb as well as the extravagant grace displayed in His first miracle. Some questions for further thought/ discussion: What are some false or partial lights in our society?  How can you tell the difference between light that comes from Christ and the false light of the world? Speak into the life of another regarding the potential you see in them. What do you believe is your purpose? Tell a story about God's extravagant grace in your life. Do you take time away to refresh your mind/body/spirit? What does that look like? How would Christ respond to your care/use of (your body) His dwelling place? Does your life confirm the belief you profess? How?

            22 min

          About Looking Above

          From the publisher's feed

          It’s easy to get bogged down in details of every day life. If we arent intentional, our eyes can easily be pulled away from the Lord and we can set our gaze on things of earth.