STARTER
(In pairs for 5 minutes)
How would you introduce yourself to people who did not know you?
WORSHIP
READ PASSAGE ALOUD
(How would it feel to be Andrew in this story? He is one of the two disciples referred to in verse 35.)
RE-READ PASSAGE AND COMMENTARY
(Personal reflection)
PERSONAL FOCUS
(Personal reflection on the passage / commentary & questions in silence 10 minutes)
COMMENTARY
COMMENTARY John the Baptist's role is to identify Jesus as the Lamb of the God, who will forgive the sins of the world (v.29). This statement recognises the importance of Jesus and leads John's disciples to leave John to follow Jesus (v.37) and to discover more about him. They were prepared to put time and effort into the search for truth (v.39) and then to share their excitement with their family(vv.40-41).
The passage says much about being open to discover God in our searching for meaning in life. C. S. Lewis puts the issue with typical force 'There comes a moment when the children who have been playing at burglars hush suddenly. . . was that a real footstep in the hall? There comes a moment when people who have been dabbling in religion suddenly draw back. Suppose we really found him? We never meant it to come to that! Worse still, supposing he had found us? So it is a sort of Rubicon. One goes across: or not. But if one does. . . one may be in for anything.
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Initially just reflect on the question that chooses you. It may help to clarify your thinking to make notes in the spaces provided. This will also give you material to reflect on in the future)
1. What verse in this reading speaks to you? What is God saying to you?
2. Describe how you first came to know Jesus.
3. What are you looking for in your life (v.38)?
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS
(Discuss in triplets / pray for each other -25 minutes)
LIFE FOCUS
(Discuss in whole group-15 minutes)
4. If somebody outside of the church asked you what Jesus meant to you, what would you say?
5. What practical outcome is there from our reflection? Do we need to make any plans to make things happen?
GROUP MEMORY TIME
(Review the actions you agreed to carry out at previous meetings)
REVIEW TIME
How does attending this group help you to understand Jesus' call to discipleship?
Is their anything you would like to do differently next time?
PRAYER TIME
