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Small Group Questions “Believing Is Seeing” John 14:7-14 Previous

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Small Group Questions “Believing Is Seeing” John 14:7-14 Previous We realize you may not be able to discuss b. Is asking God to reveal himself wrong? Does a all the questions. Pick the ones you like. request for God to reveal himself indicate that Small Group Questions there is a lack of faith in the one making the “Believing Is Seeing” request? Why or why not? John 14:7-14 c. What would you tell someone who wants to see God face-to-face? Previous message summary: In John chapter fourteen, Jesus prepares his disciples for the storm that is coming. Discussion Questions Jesus knows that in a few hours he will be betrayed, Read John 14:5-14 arrested, convicted to die by crucifixion, mocked, spit- 2. What does Jesus say about knowing the Father? upon, ridiculed, and that he will die and be buried. The What does Jesus’ statement about the Father tell you next 12-18 hours will be very difficult ones for Jesus, but about the relationship that exists between Jesus and not just for Jesus. In the coming hours, the disciples will God? be overwhelmed with fear, confusion, and frustration as they watch Jesus go to the cross. Jesus knows that his a. What does Jesus claim about himself by stating disciples will need an anchor of hope to hold onto during that he manifests the Father? Has Jesus made the dark hours that are upon them. Jesus gives them this claim before in the Gospel of John? Read three promises that will anchor them in the coming storm. John 4:25-26, 5:17-18, 6:35, 8:12, 28, 58-59, Jesus tells the disciples that he is going to prepare a place 10:7, 11, 11:25, 12:44-45, 14:6. for them, that he is going to return and take them to be b. What would you say to someone who believes with him, and that they should put their entire faith in him that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God or because as God in the flesh, Jesus is the way, the truth, God in the flesh? and the life. Jesus is the only way to the Father. 3. Which disciple speaks up and makes a bold request What we learned: Life is hard and filled with all kinds of of Jesus? What is his request? Does he really trials and difficult storms. As Christians, we are not understand what he is requesting? immune to the storms, but the anchors that Jesus gave a. How many people have seen God face-to-face? his disciples are strong anchors that we can hold onto Genesis 3:8-11; Exodus 33:18-23; Isaiah 6:1-7. during the difficult seasons in our life. May we learn to believe in, and trust in God and Jesus so that our hearts b. How does Jesus respond to Philip’s request? In are not troubled when the storms of life come. what ways has Jesus shown the disciples the Father? Introduction c. What have you learned about the Father from 1. Have you ever prayed that God would reveal himself studying the life of Jesus in the Gospel of John? to you in person? What was your motivation in praying How has this understanding of God helped you in that prayer? your journey as a Christian? a. In what ways has God revealed himself in our 4. In verse 11, Jesus tells his disciples that they can world? Read Psalm 19:1-4; Romans 1:18-20; 2 either believe the words he is speaking concerning his Timothy 3:16; John 6:46, 10:30, and 17:21. relationship with the Father, or they can believe on account of the works. What works is Jesus talking people in your life? Make a list and commit to praying about? for these things in the coming week. a. How does the work that Jesus is doing bear Challenge: As the Son of God who represents the Father testimony about his relationship with the Father? in this world, Jesus has the authority to tell his disciples to Read John 5:36 & 6:28-29. do the work he is doing and to promise that he will help b. What are those who believe in Jesus called to do them through prayer. Realizing the importance of the as a result of their belief? Read John 14:12. great work Jesus has left for us to accomplish, we need to c. How can your small group encourage and help do two things: 1) take every opportunity to share the good you do the work that Jesus called you (as his news of who Jesus is and what he has done; and 2) come disciple) to do? What might this look like for you in before him every day in prayer asking for his will to be your family, at your work, and in your accomplished as we do the work he commanded his neighborhood? followers to do. 5. What does Jesus mean when he says his followers Action: Be intentional this week about taking every will do “greater works than these”? opportunity to tell others about the love and grace of a. In what way is the work the disciples will do Jesus. Pray for God to open doors of opportunity and to greater than the work that Jesus did? Read Acts lead you as you share with others the truth of who Jesus 2:41-47. is and what he has accomplished through the cross. b. What happens when Jesus’ followers are Next Steps: committed to preaching and teaching the Gospel message of Jesus Christ? Read Romans 10:14- G I will center my prayers around Jesus’ will for my life 15. rather than simply asking for what I want. 6. Read John 14:13-14. Does Jesus promise that he will G I understand that God will not grant requests that are give the disciples every single thing they ask for contrary to his character, nature or will. without limit? Is this too good to be true? How does this work? G I will pray that God’s name be glorified in my life. a. What does it mean to pray “in the name of G One way I can glorify God this week is by: Jesus”? Read John 15:16 and 1 John 5:14-15. _____________________________. b. When you pray, do you pray that God’s will be done, or that your will be done? How did Jesus pray? Read Matthew 6:9-13 and 26:39. c. How would your prayer life change if you prayed for God’s will to be done and for his mission and purpose to be accomplished in this world? 7. What are some things you can pray for right now that you know God would want to grant for you and the.
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