Can I Get a Witness?
17 November - 8 December 2024
Looking at selected stories from John · Have you ever seen something so incredible that you can’t stop talking about it? It’s almost as if that instinct—to talk about what we’ve witnessed—is not only natural, but somehow necessary. Join us for a 4-week Sunday teaching series to hear from some people who’d seen Jesus face to face, and discovered that they were never the same again.
-
Have you ever pretended to be something, or someone, you are not? Perhaps you tried to convince a new boss that you knew what you were doing, when you didn’t have a clue. Or maybe, you hoped no-one would notice that you weren’t as impressive as they thought you were. Or maybe you actually believed you were more competent at something, and then discovered you actually had no idea. When it comes to Jesus, history is full of people who have tried to draw attention to themselves, rather than to Jesus. John the Baptist shows a different way—he knew there was something so incredible in Jesus, that meant he could never accept the focus being on him.
Study Questions
Read John 1:19-37.
What things do you find yourself sharing regularly about or advocating for? (politics, food, children, hobbies, sport etc)
Read Mark 14:32-34.
The author of the book of John was a witness to the events of the life of Jesus. He was not only an eyewitness and disciple of Jesus, but also one of the core three disciples who Jesus relied upon the most. How does this understanding of the author of the book of John impact your reading of it?
Read John 1:32-34.
Compare the way in which the presence of the Holy Spirit is described in this passage compared with passages in the Old Testament?
What does this signify?
Read John 1:29.
John the Baptist was the first person in the adult life of Jesus who publicly declared who Jesus was. Why was this so important at this particular time and who else had already declared this truth about Jesus?
Read John 1:35-37.
John directed his own disciples to follow Jesus rather than him. How would you respond in a similar situation?
Do you find it easy or hard to celebrate the achievements of others?
Read John 3:30.
John knew that Jesus was the centre of his story, not himself. He lived his whole life pointing others to Jesus.
How would your life change if you lived every day with Jesus at the centre of your story?
Do Christians have to witness to others about Jesus?
How do you respond to the statement, “John was a witness to something greater than him, so he spent his life witnessing about someone greater than him.”?
On Sunday, Sarah quoted the following from Strahan Coleman:
“I wonder if we often miss out on a deeper relationship with God because we assume it’s our role to speak and it’s His role to listen and respond rather than the other way round”.
What is your response to this quote?
Does your relationship with Jesus rely more on you speaking or on you listening?
As a group take some time to be in the presence of Jesus and listen to Him. Following this, pray for a new sense of lightness in our ability to share about Jesus. Not because we should, but because we have grasped how fully loved, accepted and forgiven we are and can’t help but share this love with others.
-
Have you ever been nervous to share something personal with your friends or family? Perhaps there are some secrets you hold that you feel too much shame around—but by withholding those secrets, it means no one could ever truly know the whole of you. When one woman encountered Jesus, he knew her secrets. But instead of shaming her, he showed her honour, love and respect and she couldn’t help but tell everyone about him.
Study Questions
Read John 4:1-26, 39-42.
Have you ever met your hero and been disappointed?
Why do you think the Samaritan woman was so shocked that Jesus asked her for a drink?
Why do you think that Jesus went to the well? Was it because he thought it might be a good place to meet somebody to preach to?
Robbie Williams wrote - ‘There's a hole in my soul, You can see it in my face, it's a real big place.’
Do you think that he is unique, or just more honest than others?
Read John 4:16-18.
Is there more to this than Jesus demonstrating his prophetic abilities?
In verse 29, the woman reminds the people of the town of “everything [she] ever did”. Why?
What was the first testimony that you didn’t dismiss that helped you to consider God?
Do you remember a moment when you believed in Jesus because of your own experience?
Pray that an unforced opportunity to speak about our hope presents itself this week.
-
In psychology, there is a well-known concept called ‘confirmation bias’. It is our tendency to interpret information in line with the beliefs and values that we already have. For example, imagine a scientist doing an experiment in which they get some new data. If that new data backs up their hypothesis, then they readily accept that data. However, if the data appears to contradict their working hypothesis, they presume that the data is somehow flawed and so they need to repeat the test.
It is so easy for us to have confirmation bias in so many areas of life—politics, sport, friendships, even our view of God. But what if Jesus challenges our pre-existing beliefs? What then?
Due to a recording malfunction, there is no video recording of this talk.
Study Questions
Read John 8:12-19.
Was there a time, before you became a Christian, that you believed something that you thought was true of all Christians.
Can you think of a time when having a bias is good?
Read John 8:13.
Do you think that the Pharisees had a point?
In verse 15, your bible may say, ‘you judge by human standards’.
Does your bible say something different?
What does it mean to judge by human standards?
Why do you think Jesus said, ‘If you knew me, you would know my Father also’, and not, ‘If you knew my Father, you would know me’?
Is there even a difference?
Why do you think Jesus said he was the light of the world?
How many examples can you think of where Jesus is referred to as light in the Bible?
Can you think of a ‘legalistic’ rule that you once believed you must follow?
How many people can quote John 3:16?
Can anyone quote John 3:17?
Pray that we hold tightly to God’s grace and a little less tightly to traditional doctrines.
-
In court cases, there are usually three types of witnesses: expert witnesses, character witnesses, and eye-witnesses. If you are an expert or character witness, you are usually being asked to comment on the basis of previous experiences, information and expertise.
An eye-witness is very different—you are being asked to comment on what you actually saw and experienced in the current case. The same is true of encounters with Jesus. We all have opinions. But how often do we actually listen to the eye-witnesses?
Study Questions
Read John 21:20-25.
Does anyone have a story about the storm at the weekend?
Why do you think John referred to himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ and not ‘me’?
John admits that he had to choose to write down some stories and not others. How do you think he decided what to leave out?
Do you think it’s a coincidence that John 1 and Genesis 1 start the same way?
Is your witness of Jesus based more on ‘intellectual’ knowledge or ‘personal’ knowledge?
Sarah shared some research which helps to prove the validity of the Gospel accounts. What have you heard that supports their validity?
Can you think of a scripture that highlights Jesus’ humanity?
Are there any ‘practical’ things (NOT WORKS) that we can do to remind us of Jesus’ love for us.
Pray that we know might God’s approval and hear him cheering us on.