Starter: (In pairs for 5 minutes)
Tell of a time you tried to convince a person of something you believed in, but which they did not.
Were you successful?
Why or why not?
Worship:
You could celebrate around one of the versions of Psalm 23.
READ PASSAGE TO YOURSELF
[Imagine yourself the blind man]
RE-READ PASSAGE AND COMMENTARY
(Personal reflection)
PERSONAL FOCUS
(Personal reflection on the passage / commentary & questions)
COMMENTARY This incident is an important illustration for John of the meaning of faith.
- We note that the man expresses the human condition prior to meeting Christ-blind from birth. The blind man represents fallen humanity languishing in the darkness of ignorance and sin without hope of salvation.
- The man, however, also eloquently models the growth from darkness to light. From The man they call Jesus (v11), he moves on to He is a prophet (v17), he opened my eyes (v30), he is from God (v33), and finally to, ‘Lord, I believe’ and he worshipped him (v38). Faith is a journey towards Jesus up to the point of commitment to him as Lord.
- The man also illustrates the repercussions of coming to believe in Jesus. Christ can cause division and we need to be ready for it. Whether we can tell others of the reality of what Jesus has done for us to their satisfaction may be doubtful. In the end we just have to testify—One thing I know. I was blind and now I see! (v25).[Bruce Milne The Message of John]
In contrast follow the increasing resistance of the Pharisees to belief. Notice their belief in the importance of their rules of life e.g. for the Sabbath (v16), their reliance on tradition, we are disciples of Moses (v.28) and their belief in their own importance “You were born in sin, and would you teach us? (v34). Their beliefs led not to faith but to blindness (v.40) and irrational behaviour.
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)
- What verse in this reading speaks to you? What is God saying to you?
- Relate an experience when your everyday rules and routines have kept you from “seeing” God
- Describe a time when somebody helped you change a negative attitude of yours. How did they do it?
- Where are you on the journey of faith? What barriers to belief and wholehearted commitment to Christ are there in you?
PERSONAL FOCUS QUESTIONS (Discuss in triplets /pray for each other –25 minutes)
LIFE FOCUS (Discuss in whole group-15 minutes)
- What have we learnt in this meeting about helping ‘unbelievers’ to see Jesus as the Son of God who loves and cares for them?
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What practical outcome is there from our reflection? Do we need to make any plans to make things happen?
PRAYER TIME
You could pray specifically for people you know who have a blindness in their lives
REVIEW TIME
What has been especially helpful in this meeting?
What would you like to do differently next time?
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