17/03/2024

17/03/2024

HOME GROUP RESOURCE: “Lift Jesus Higher”

Readings: Psalm 51 and John 12: 20-33

Opening Prayer:
This week let the reading from Psalm 51 guide you in a way in a way to pray together. Read it through, and while you do so, make a note of some of the verses in David’s prayer that refer to the adoration of God,
to confession, to repentance, and to his requests to God. Then use this pattern to guide you and direct you in your prayer time.

Warm Up:
“Who is someone you have never met but are curious to meet?”

Discussion Time:
Read John 12:20-33.

  •  John 12:12–19 describes Jesus’ “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem and says the crowd went to meet him. John 12:19 says, “The Pharisees then said to one another, ‘You see, you can do nothing.       Look the world has gone after him.’” The passage we are studying this week opens with “Now among those who went up to worshipat the festival were some Greeks. They came to Phillip…and said to him, ‘Sir, we wish to see Jesus’” (John 12:20-21). Why do you suppose John makes a point of telling his readers that “some
    Greeks” were wanting to meet Jesus
  •  John doesn’t tell us why “the Greeks” wanted to see Jesus or anything about their conversation with Jesus. But we can use our imagination to fill in the gaps. Why do you imagine “the Greeks” wanted to see Jesus and what might their conversation with him have been like?
  • How can our church be more welcoming to those who are curious about Jesus but don’t fit in with our typical congregation?
  • Just after John tells his readers that some Greeks came to see Jesus, Jesus says in John 12:23, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.” What does he mean by this? Do you have a
    footnote in your study Bible that offers some information? (A footnote in The New Interpreter’s Study Bible, NRSV, says, “The arrival of Greeks points to the fulfillment of the eschatological promises of universal salvation and marks the beginning of a new age.”)
  •   In John 12:26, Jesus says, “Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am there will my servant be also.” What does it mean for us to serve and follow Jesus today?
  •  In John 12:27-28, Jesus says that his soul is troubled and asks that his Father, “glorify your name.” A heavenly voice responds and says, “I have glorified it and will glorify it again.” What might
    this heavenly affirmation have meant to Jesus as he was anticipating his crucifixion? Where do you find comfort and strength during difficult times?
  •  In John 12:32, Jesus says “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” What do you think Jesus was referring to? What does it mean for us to lift Jesus “up” today?

Closing Prayer:
O God of love, thank you for sending your son Jesus for all people. May all those who are curious find a warm welcome in our church. Help us to grow stronger in our desire to serve and follow Jesus in our community and our world today. Amen.

God bless,
Tim

With acknowledgment and thanks, the Small Group Bible Study material this week is based on:
Discipleship Ministries | Year B – Small Groups (umcdiscipleship.org)