WEEK 14.7 Discussion questions below.
In this episode of A Slow Journey through John, hosts Nick and Jamie delve into John 5:10-30. They address key themes including Jesus' confrontation with religious leaders over the Sabbath, the relationship between sin and sickness, and the concept of love over legalism. They explore Jesus' deliberate actions to incite dialogue on legalism, His equality with God, and the deeper meaning of spiritual and physical wellness. They also discuss the implications of Jesus' work of judgment and resurrection, emphasizing that eternal life begins now for those who believe and that followers of Jesus must remain theologically humble in their views of what happens after death. Practical takeaways include the importance of observing a Sabbath and prioritizing love over rigid rule-following.
00:00 Introduction and Recap
00:58 Exploring Themes in John 5:10-30
03:20 Love Over Legalism
09:03 The Sabbath and Modern-Day Application
13:59 Sin, Sickness, and Wholeness
20:15 Jesus' Divinity and Confrontation with Religious Leaders
23:22 Jesus' Relationship with the Father
24:29 Theological Dilemma: Does God Change?
25:12 Interpreting the Old Testament Through Jesus
28:11 Jesus' Authority in Judgment and Resurrection
31:29 Understanding Spiritual Death and Resurrection
39:07 Final Judgment and Eternal Life
46:53 Takeaways and Encouragement
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JOURNAL PROMPTS / SMALL GROUP GUIDE
Read through John 5:10-30. Share what the passage reveals to you about God, about humanity, and about following Jesus. Then discuss some or all of the following questions:
(1) The podcast discusses how Jesus deliberately chose to heal on the Sabbath, seemingly to provoke a confrontation with religious leaders. In what areas of your life might you be prioritizing rules over compassion? How can you better balance adherence to principles while showing love to others?
(2) Jamie and Nick explore the concept of Sabbath as a time to "inflate your soul" rather than rigidly following rules. What activities bring restoration to your life, and how might you incorporate a regular Sabbath practice that focuses on soul-restoration rather than legalism?
(3) The hosts discuss Jesus' statement to the healed man: "See, you have been made well. Don't sin anymore in case something worse happens to you." How do you understand the relationship between sin and suffering in your own life? How does this passage challenge or affirm your views?
(4) In the podcast, they discuss how Jesus reveals God's true nature, suggesting we should interpret the Old Testament through the lens of Jesus. How does seeing Jesus as the perfect revelation of God's character change your understanding of difficult passages in scripture?
(5) The hosts explore Jesus' teachings about spiritual death and resurrection, noting that eternal life begins when we believe, not just after physical death. In what ways have you experienced "passing from death to life" in your spiritual journey? What areas of your life still need resurrection?
End your time by taking a minute to listen to the Holy Spirit and prayerfully choose an “I will…” intention. One small, practical step you’ll take this week to put your learning into practice.
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SJTJ s a year-long contemplative journey through the Gospel of John. We invite you into Scripture, reflection, and intentional practices to help you pause, listen, and respond to God’s love in transformative ways.
Bibliography
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All Scripture from the Common English Bible (2012) unless otherwise noted.
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