Small Group Questions John 12:20-33 The Defining Moment! Palm Sunday Week of March 20, 2016

John 12:20-33 (NIV) Jesus Predicts His Death

20 Now there were some Greeks among those who went up to worship at the festival. 21 They came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, with a request. “Sir,” they said, “we would like to see Je- sus.” 22 Philip went to tell Andrew; Andrew and Philip in turn told Jesus.

23 Jesus replied, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. 25 Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

27 “Now my soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name!”

Then a voice came from heaven, “I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that was there and heard it said it had thundered; others said an angel had spoken to him.

30 Jesus said, “This voice was for your benefit, not mine. 31 Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up[a] from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” 33 He said this to show the kind of death he was going to die.

THEME/ CONCEPT: Palm Sunday is also known as Passion Sunday. This message focuses on the meaning of Jesus’ upcoming passion. It follows His entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12-19). Jesus reveals the continuing paradoxes of salvation: here – that finding your life comes from loosing it – just as Jesus’ death brings us eternal life! Vs 31-33 reveal the triple victory that flows from His crucifixion: the world’s judgment, the devil’s defeat and humanity’s hope.

Application: Jesus defining “hour” of death and resurrection revealed His purpose for us.

Background: Chapter 12:12 starts Jesus Passion week - culminating in His crucifixion in chapter 19 and His resurrection in chapter 20. In that week, He spends some very intense and personal time with just His followers.

Opening Question A question similar to the following can help your small group start sharing and give everyone an opportunity to contribute. You might help your group members apply the scripture to their lives by sending them the question a few days before you meet to prepare for the discussion. OQ: Defining moments come in all shapes and sizes. FDR’s was his “Day of Infamy” speech. Yours and mine are probably not as grand – but significant none the less. Can you think of and share a defining moment for your own life? Good or bad? How did it shape and change the course direction for your life? Understanding the Scripture

U1. Can you think of a reason Jesus might have to ignore Philip and Andrew’s question from the seeking Greeks? U2. Take vs. 23 and put it into your own words. What is Jesus saying in 23? U3. In vs. 24, Jesus uses a germinating wheat kernel (seed) as a word picture to show what truth? How does it’s “dying” produce many seeds? U4. In vs. 25 Jesus switches the word picture to “loving and hating” and “loosing and keeping.” How does that work exactly? What’s He trying to tell us? U5. So what is the result given in vs. 26 if we get this right? U6. How do vs. 27-28 point to Jesus resolve and determination? Who else shows some resolve as well in vs. 28-29? U7. In vs. 30-33 what is the three-fold resulting victory Jesus said He would accomplish in His death?

Applying the Scripture Small groups provide sacred space for this life-changing transformation and are essential in building authentic community. We have found when all our small groups live by a set of core values; we can stay on our mission of making disciples as a church. The five values can be found in the Small Group Leader Resources.

Every small group is different; use the questions that will be the most useful to your group members' growth. If you cover one goal one week, try to use a different section the next week to cover all the values.

Upward (Connecting to God) A1. How do you respond to Jesus example of “loving your life here means loosing it for eternity” message? Where are you on that “setting self aside to follow Jesus” call? A2. Can you describe the status change that this action brings to us? What does it mean to you? A3. How are you responding to Jesus sacrifice on that cross for us?

Inward (Connecting to each other) A4. Are others seeing your “loosing your life for eternity” being practically lived out in everyday living? A5. This struggle and tension of “loosing to gain life” can and should be ongoing. How might you encourage another person in this struggle?

Outward (Serving through mission & outreach) A6. What can we do to both model and encourage that idea of “loosing life here” to be Jesus servants to others?

Forward (Equipping) A7. Setting self aside is not natural or cultural, yet it marks Jesus followers. What can we do to help others do just that? Onward (Discipling) A8. Is there anyone in your life who would benefit from participating in a small group? Who might you reach out to during this Holy Season to invite to upcoming services during Passion Week? Begin praying about who you might feel called to invite to this Holy Drama.

Closing Prayer If your small group prays together, some of the following concepts might be helpful to invite the Holy Spirit to help each member of the group grow in areas that may have come up during the group's discussion. -Thank the LORD Jesus Christ that He didn’t just side-step this – His defining moment – but with great resolve and purpose set Himself aside, so as to accomplish His Father’s will as He draws all people to Himself. His death means life for so many!