We realize you may not be able to discuss c. In what ways can God work through his people all the questions. Pick the ones you like. to bless the lives of others in your small group? In your church? In your neighborhood? In your Small Group Questions world? “Water to Wine” John 2:1-12 Discussion Questions Read John 2:1-12 Previous message summary: John the Baptist was a mighty witness for Jesus. He was a man who had the 2. Jesus performs his first miracle at a wedding in right attitude (I am not the Christ. I am not worthy of Cana. What happened at this wedding that gave untying the Messiah’s sandals.), along with the right Jesus the opportunity to perform a miracle? message (Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the a. Was this miracle performed in public or was it a sin of the world.), which produced the right results when private miracle? Who does the text say others were pointed to Jesus and decided to follow him. believed as a result of this miracle? Read 2:11. What we learned: John was a messenger whose first b. Who else in the story must have known about priority was to tell people about Jesus. Jesus would later the miracle? say of John that he was the greatest of all prophets. As c. Was this an important miracle? we live our lives, we can be a mighty witness for Christ by having the right attitude and by pointing people to Jesus, 3. Why was running out of wine at the wedding who is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the reception in the first century such a big issue? What world. potential problems could this produce in the life of the newlyweds and their families? Introduction a. Why was Jesus invited to this wedding? Why 1. Tell about a time when you did something to bless did Mary bring the issue of running out of wine another person, but didn’t want to advertise it or to Jesus’ attention? draw any attention to yourself. Were you able to b. In this exchange between Mary and Jesus, keep it quiet? Why or why not? does Jesus deal harshly with his mother? a. What do you think about people whose only What should we understand about the term desire in blessing others is the attention that “woman”? Where else does Jesus use this they get in return? Is this a good motivation for term to address his mother? Read John 19:23- serving and blessing other people? Read 27. Matthew 6:1-4. c. When Jesus says to Mary, “What does this b. Have you ever been blessed physically or have to do with [you and] me?” what is the spiritually by others? How did you react to the intent of his question? Does Jesus mean to blessing? Did you know who blessed you? brush off his mother and the need that she has What principle about blessing others did it help brought to his attention? you to understand and live out in your life? d. How does Mary’s statement to the servants in a. How do the ceremonial pots represent Old verse 5 help us understand Jesus’ intent to Testament law and repeated need for help in this situation? washing? 4. What does Jesus mean when he says “My hour has b. What does wine represent in the New not yet come”? Read John 7:30; 8:20; 12:23 & 27; Testament? Read Luke 22:20. 13:1; 17:1. When Jesus uses the term “hour,” what 7. What does this first miracle of Jesus signify about is he referring to? what he will ultimately do on the cross for all a. What is Jesus’ main purpose in coming into our mankind? world and living as a man? Is his purpose to 8. How has Jesus taken the old ritualistic pots of your perform miracles and help out young newlywed life and changed them into new wine and given you couples? life abundantly? b. How should our main purpose as Christians be Challenge: Take a moment to reflect on the new life that shaped by Jesus’ main purpose to redeem Jesus’ blood has purchased for you and the abundant mankind? How can this story help us change that has been brought about in your life. Take understand our role in helping people in need? time to thank God for the new “wine” that Jesus has 5. How much water did the servants draw from the well brought into your life. at Jesus’ command? Action: Think about your life before Christ and write down a. Was this just enough or more than enough to all the ways that Jesus’ blood has changed you. Use this make wine for the wedding reception? What list as a motivation to help you be grateful for the blood of does this say about the quantity of wine that Christ and as a reminder to share your story of change Jesus produced? with others. b. What was the master of the feast’s reaction to the water that was turned to wine? What does Next Steps: this say about the quality of the wine? G I am so thankful for the abundant provision that is c. When Jesus does miracles, does he just barely available in Christ Jesus. meet the minimum or does he provide abundantly? Read John 6:1-14; Luke 5:1-7; G I am willing to “Do whatever he [Jesus] asks” (Jn John 11:38-44. 2:5). d. What can we conclude about the way Jesus G Knowing that God is concerned with all areas of my heals, forgives, provides, and blesses today? life (spiritual, physical, social), I will bring all of my How have you experienced Jesus’ abundance? troubles, concerns, and doubts to him. 6. In this story, is there a comparison to the Old G One particular area of concern is: ______. Testament law (the ceremonial pots used for religious washing) and the grace of Jesus (the new wine that Jesus provided)?