CHAPTER 1

Week One

The Decision to Follow

Preparing

The goal of this week's session is to remind people of our need to follow Christ's teaching and the example that he set for us. One way to learn about following Christ is to look at how his disciples followed him. Sometimes Jesus taught them with his words, through stories and parables. But at other times, Jesus simply asked his disciples to follow his example, to go where he went and to do as he did. They learned by being in his presence, and the more they were around him, the more they learned what he might do in the situations they encountered. That is still our call today. Disciples are called to follow Christ, and the only way we can do that well is by consistently being in God's presence.

The Scripture lesson from John 1 starts by using beautifully poetic language to describe how Jesus was the Word, God incarnate, come down to lead his people. Then John the Baptist predicts the Messiah's coming. Finally Jesus calls his first disciples, and they leave everything to follow him. The discussion questions for this week are designed to show how this chapter follows the early Christian path. First we recognize God in the world, then we hear about who God is, and finally we are called to follow God ourselves.

Just as in this week's video, the Christian walk is a journey. Sometimes it's an easy downhill stroll, but often it is punctuated with struggles and sudden changes. Use this imagery to help group members start talking with one another about how they came to know Christ and the kind of struggles and surprises they've faced along their journey.

Getting Started

Allow adequate time for introductions during the first week. Even if most of your group members are familiar with one another, using an icebreaker will strengthen connections and will be of great benefit to even one newcomer present. In addition to providing name tags for the group, consider choosing one of the following icebreakers or the conversation starter to let your group get to know one another and prepare for their group time together.

Icebreakers (choose one)

1. Two True, One False: Have all your group members write down three things about themselves. Two of the things must be true, and one must be false. Go around the room and have each person read his or her three things out loud. After each person reads the list, everyone else tries to guess which of the statements is false. This is a great way to learn fun facts about new people in your group.

2. Detective: Have your group members pair up. Give the pairs 5 minutes to find out three interesting things about each other. After the 5 minutes are up, have each of your "sleuths" present the three points of interest they learned. If you want to make it a competition, award one point for each interesting thing presented that no one else in the group knew.

3. Can You Beat That? Before your small group meets, write down a list of about twenty questions that people might compare about themselves, questions like "Who has traveled the furthest from here?" "Who has the coolest job?" "Who has read the longest book?" "Who has the most exotic pet?" and so on. Ask your group members each question. Whenever someone gives an answer, say, "Great, now who can beat that?" If there is any doubt about which answer is better, put it to a vote. Continue asking questions until everyone in your group has won at least once. (You may have to improvise questions to get everyone.)

Conversation Starter

Once introductions have been made, invite members in your group to share their response to this question: "What small-group experiences, if any, have you had in the past, and what do you hope to gain from participating in this small group?" Groups of eight or more should break into subgroups of 3-4 so that all may respond and still have time to complete the study session.

Logistics and Covenant

Depending upon whether you are a new or previously formed small group, the amount of time devoted to this portion of the study will vary. "How to Use This Leader Guide" suggests some information that may be appropriate here. Regardless of group history, all groups are encouraged to make a covenant with one another for this six-week study session.

Workbook Review

This week's workbook readings focus on people in the Bible who were called to follow God. Have participants share what they wrote regarding their intention to follow Christ.

Read aloud John 1 as a group. Discuss what you would do if Jesus came today and asked you to leave everything and follow him.

Discussing

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Video Discussion

In the video, Tom talks about the different times in our lives when God calls us to change how we are living. Ask your group members to give some examples of those times in their lives.

Tom mentions how Bible passages can encourage us in our journey. What Bible passages have been most important to your group members?

Scripture and Discussion

After you have read aloud from John 1, answer these questions:

1. In verse 1, John writes, "In the beginning was the Word." Who or what is he referring to, and why does he use this poetic imagery?

2. Throughout verses 4-9, John repeatedly refers to Jesus as "the light." What properties of light make it a good metaphor for Jesus?

3. What did John the Baptist have to say about the Messiah in this passage?

4. Why did the Jewish leaders come out to question John the Baptist? What was the significance of this?

5. Why was John the Baptist baptizing people?

6. John calls Jesus "the Lamb of God." Why was this imagery significant for the Israelites?

7. What do you think Jesus told John's disciples when they "spent the day with him" that made them sure he was the Messiah?

8. Why did Jesus change Simon's name to Peter? What was significant about this change?

9. What was the response of all of the disciples Jesus told to follow him? (They followed, and they also told others to follow.)

10. Why did Nathanael think nothing good could come from Nazareth?

11. What does Jesus promise at the end of the reading? What does this mean, and what can we take from it today?

Closing

Invite group members to share joys and concerns about their week. Then close with the following prayer or with one of your own.

Lord Jesus, just as John proclaimed long ago, you are still God's Chosen One, and we exalt you as our ruler and guide. Teach us today to follow in your footsteps just as the disciples did. We come to you with many things on our hearts and minds. There are many things that distract us from your calling. But we ask, Lord, that you would remove the obstacles that keep us from following you, the challenges that the world puts in our way and the difficulties we bring upon ourselves when we are not obedient to your ways. We pray that you would help us follow you more closely, Jesus; and we ask that this week, you would help us to diligently study your word and put it into action in our lives. Please help us to grow in our faith; and as we grow, give us the courage to invite others to grow with us, both in this Bible study and in our everyday lives. We love you and thank you for all the blessings that you give and pray that you would keep us safe until we meet together again. Amen.

CHAPTER 2

Week Two

The Decision for a New Life

Preparing

The goal of this week's lesson is to show how important it is to find our new life in Jesus Christ. Nicodemus was at the apex of the Hebrew social structure, but he was drawn to Jesus' wisdom and truth. He understood that Jesus' teaching was not just for the poor and uneducated. It was a challenging, fulfilling lifestyle that could instruct even those who were highly educated religious leaders. Yet even this intellectual teacher of the law had difficulty understanding Jesus when he said that we must be "born again" into this new life. He did not understand the change Jesus was offering to people.

This was a hard lesson for Nicodemus because he was a very religious man. He was smart and respected and knew God's law. According to popular opinion, he was a great guy. But Jesus was saying that all those things weren't enough, that Nicodemus needed a new life to be a true follower of God. This lesson still resonates today. Many of your group members may be lifelong churchgoers. They are intelligent and may have been raised in the life of the church. Nicodemus teaches us that all of us, even the most knowledgeable, sometimes need a wake-up call to help us become like Jesus.

This week's video shows a man named William who heard God's call for new life in a dramatic way. Many people don't have such a dramatic story, but everyone can share something about how God has changed them. A key thread in William's story is his need for a decision for a new life. This week's discussion questions are designed to get your group talking about how God's new life has changed their lives.

Getting Started

Choose one of the following, either the icebreaker for active learners or the conversation starter for passive learners, as an introduction to your small-group time. This will allow members to connect with one another and shift their focus to this week's topic.

Icebreaker: Charade Relay

Before your small group meets, write down a list of twenty movies, TV shows, and books on index cards. When your group arrives, split them into two teams. When you say, "Go," have each team send a person to take a card from the pile. That person goes back to her or his team and tries to make them guess the word on the card through gestures and pantomime. NO SPEAKING! The person on the team who correctly guesses the word then takes a card from the pile and becomes the actor. Continue until one team has collected a set number of cards (depending upon your allotted time).

Conversation Starter

Ask your group members, "If you could live anywhere in the world and do any job you wanted, what would it be and why?" If time allows, let each person have a chance to discuss.

Workbook Review

This week's passages introduce us to people who were given new life. Have your group discuss how their own lives changed once they followed Christ.

As a group, read aloud John 3. Individually, compare yourselves to Nicodemus. How is your story like Nicodemus? How is it different?

Discussing

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Video Discussion

William had a pretty rough time in his early life. At what point on your journey have you been at your lowest? How did God build you up from that point?

William had several moments when his life suddenly changed. Looking back over your life, what moments do you see now that directly made you into the Christian you are today?

Scripture and Discussion

After you have read aloud from John 3, answer these questions:

1. Who was Nicodemus, and what was his status among the Jews?

2. Why did Nicodemus come to see Jesus at night?

3. What did Jesus mean when he said that "no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again"?

4. What does it mean to be "born of water and the Spirit"?

5. Why does Jesus use the metaphor of the wind to represent the Holy Spirit?

6. What is the key to salvation, according to Jesus?

7. Why were John's disciples unhappy that Jesus and his disciples were baptizing?

8. Discuss in your own words what John the Baptist says about Jesus' divinity compared to John's humanity.

9. What does John's statement "He [Jesus] must become greater; I must become less" (verse 30) tell us about how we should live our lives today?

10. What does John teach us about eternal life in this passage?

Closing

Invite group members to share joys and concerns about their week. When everyone has shared, close with the following prayer or with one of your own:

Loving God, giver of eternal life, we praise you for your power. Thank you for creating us and allowing us the chance to get to know you, not as slaves but as children, grateful for the love of our Creator. Help us to crave that new life every day. Fill us with a longing for the things that make you happy, O God, and increase our desire to obey your commands. We admit our failures to you, Lord, and pray that you would forgive the sins that have separated us from you. In your strength, renew us each day into your eternal covenant and grant us the knowledge and grace to follow where you lead. Let our lives be a reflection of your glory so that we may shine like beacons of hope for those who still need to experience your new life. Give us the boldness to follow you and the wisdom to know what to say and do. We ask this through our glorious Savior, Jesus Christ, the only path to eternal salvation. Amen.

CHAPTER 3

Week Three

The Decision to Mature

Preparing

The goal of this week's session is to help participants see the connection between continual spiritual growth and the ability to perceive God's guidance in our life. Sometimes we Christians go to church on Sunday but live as we want for the rest of the week. We can become spiritually complacent. Jesus calls his followers to a richer experience in which we walk with him on our journey. He calls us to grow in our faith, to learn more about him, and to change our lives as we follow his example.

In this week's reading from John 4, Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman who knows about God but whose life is not consistent with her beliefs. Instead of getting angry at her disobedience, Jesus feels great compassion for her. He does not want to punish her but seeks to help her experience life as a faithful believer. He wants her belief to mature from simple knowledge to active faith. Jesus helps her to believe more fully, not only in him as the Messiah but in the promises that God made throughout Scripture. She responds joyfully to his teaching and essentially brings the whole village out to follow Jesus too. With the help of this week's questions, discuss with your group how God can use moments in each of our lives to mature us and help us grow in our walk with him.

This week's video also shows how God can use all kinds of situations to help us mature. We meet Chris, whose life has been turned upside- down by cancer. God has used his illness as a catalyst for change and maturity. Discuss what changes your group members have seen, or hope to see, in their lives as they mature in God.

Getting Started

Choose one of the following, either the icebreaker for active learners or the conversation starter for passive learners, as an introduction to your small-group time. This will allow members to connect with one another and shift their focus to this week's topic.

Icebreaker: Fuzzy Wuzzy

Give each member of your group an index card. Have each person write down: (1) the name of a childhood pet; (2) the name they gave a childhood stuffed animal/toy; and (3) their own childhood nickname. Collect the cards and read them one at a time while your group members try to guess which group member had which set of names. To make it a competition, you can give each correct guesser three points if they guess it on the pet's name, two points on the stuffed animal's name, and one point on the person's nickname.

Conversation Starter

What do you think is the hardest thing about growing up?

What part of your past do you miss the most, and what in the future are you most excited for?

Workbook Review

This week's Bible study focuses on people who had knowledge of God but were not necessarily putting it to use. As a result, God called them and brought things into their lives that enabled them to mature in their faith. Invite your group to share any Scripture or insight that struck them this week.

As a group, read aloud from John 4. Have your group answer this question: "In what ways do I, like the Samaritan woman, know about God but not follow as I should?"

Discussing

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Video Discussion

By God's grace, Chris has turned a potentially life-ending illness into a chance to grow closer to God and to his family. How do his actions inspire you?

As Chris asks, what would you change if you only had six months to live?