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© 2017 First Presbyterian Church, Fort Collins

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Welcome to this Lenten study guide for our series,

Personal stories draw us in as we iden fy with a character, wait for the climac c conclusion, or revel in the beau ful scene the descrip on creates. The Gospel of John gives us many cap va ng stories about Jesus’ life. Indeed, John explicitly states his overall purpose in chapter 20, verses 30‐31, “Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not wri en in this book. But these are wri en so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.” In order to accomplish this purpose John deliberately puts on the stage various characters that interact with Jesus. As we hear the array of responses, we are challenged to evaluate our own stance regarding Jesus and understanding of who Jesus is.

During Lent this year, weekly worship at First Presbyterian will invite us to encounter Jesus as we hear from five people who cross paths with Jesus along their own journey. This study guide will explore those same stories from the book of John each week. Our hope is that this allows you to dive deeper into each of these encounters with Jesus so that you, as an individual, and perhaps as part of a small group can hear how Jesus is speaking to you. We pray that these stories inspire and challenge us, opening our eyes to see Jesus as never before. Whether you find yourself in the midst of a valley of shadows or ascending the mountaintops, may these encounters help remind you that Jesus meets you right where you are, calls you his beloved, and accompanies you on the journey ahead.

The study guide will take us through Palm/Passion Sunday on April 9. During Holy Week, you are invited to a end midday services at noon, Monday through Friday, when we will be led by different local pastors exploring scenes from Jesus’ final week before his trial and crucifixion. Finally, our Easter Sunday services will bring us to a conclusion of the story from John’s Gospel, though we hope it is only the beginning of the next chapter of our story as God’s faithful community.

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How to Use this Study Guide

There is no wrong way to use this study. This study is designed to be used in a small group (and it’s not too late to find one!), but can also be used for individual study. You could look at parts of the study every day, or you might find yourself looking back a er two weeks away.

You are invited to join a small group during Lent to travel through this journey and study together. Being a part of a small group will hopefully enhance your own understanding of these stories and help you build and deepen meaningful rela onships with others in the congrega on. If you join a small group, we ask that you

join in prayer with and for one another

welcome one another with hospitality and openness

respect each other’s views and perspec ves

maintain confiden ality and discre on within the group

share in the responsibility of organizing and facilita ng the group (whether this means bringing snacks or beverages, making sure there are extra Bibles, etc.)

The Study Schedule at the beginning provides an overview of the specific stories we will read from the Gospel of John. You can see which story will be the focus of worship each week. You could use that corresponding study in the week preceding the sermon to begin to think about the scripture before the sermon, or the week following as a way to dive deeper into the story a er exploring the story in worship.

Each study asks you, as an individual or as a group, to think about some ques ons as they relate to the story. These ques ons are for reflec on about the text and about how Jesus is speaking to you through the story. But they are only meant to be a guide to get you thinking and should not limit your study or discussion. These ques ons might lead you to other discussions and reflec ons, which is wonderful! And you certainly do not need to answer every ques on.

Each study ends with a prayer. This prayer could be prayed together in unison, alone in silence or with a leader. And you are certainly welcomed and encouraged to pray for other personal and communal concerns and celebra ons on your heart! You might also find these short prayers can become a simple centering exercise to use throughout the week that you can come back to each day.

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Study Schedule

Encountering Jesus in the Flesh John 2:1‐11 – Wedding at Cana Sermon: Sunday, March 5 Encountering Jesus in the Dark John 3:1‐17 – Nicodemus at Night Sermon: Sunday, March 12 Encountering Jesus in our Shame John 4:5‐42 – Women at the Well Sermon: Sunday, March 19 Encountering Jesus in Our Invisibility John 9:1‐41 – The Blind Man Sermon: Sunday, March 26 Encountering Jesus in our Grief John 11:1‐45 – Lazarus Sermon: Sunday, April 2 Encountering Jesus in his Triumphal Entry and his Passion John 12:12‐19 Palm/Passion Sunday Sermon: Palm Sunday, April 9

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Study 1: Encountering Jesus in the Flesh

Introductory Ques ons

What sorts of tradi ons and expecta ons surround weddings in our culture?

Have you ever experienced a mishap at a wedding? What happened ? How did people handle the situa on?

Read the Story

John 2: 1‐11

Background and Contextual Informa on

Much like in our own culture, but even more so, weddings were a big deal in Mediterranean culture. Weddings did not so much mark the rela onship of two people, but rather the joining culturally, socially and economically of two families. Through the hospitality offered, weddings were an opportunity for the families to show their honor and status to the wider community. Weddings were really the only events in this culture that brought together men, women and even children from the larger community. As such, weddings were the single event when the hos ng family was most visible and most public.

Ques ons for Reflec on

What would it have meant for this family to run out of wine?

In response to his mother, Jesus says, “my hour has not yet come”. What do you think he means by that?

Many readers over the centuries have ques oned whether or not this miracle, of Jesus turning the water into wine, was frivolous. Certainly extra wine at a wedding would not be as urgent or necessary as healing someone who is sick or feeding a hungry crowd, and yet Jesus does intervene with a miracle. Do you think it is frivolous? Why or why not?

What can we learn about Jesus by his willingness to intervene at this wedding?

What does the miracle say about his humanness and his interac on with and acceptance of our humanness?

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This story highlights the rela onship between Jesus and his mother, Mary. What are your ini al reac ons to their interac ons?

Upon first reading, the way that Jesus responds to Mary using the term “woman” might seem harsh or rude. It is important for us to understand that calling someone “woman” was very common and acceptable in that culture, though certainly was formal and less personal than one would normally see between a mother and son. When Mary tells Jesus that the wine will run out, we can infer that she is asking him to do something about it. Which he does. Based on this interac on, what do you think Jesus and Mary’s rela onship was like? Do you think Mary expected Jesus to perform a miracle or perhaps figure out some way of dealing with the situa on differently? Do you think Mary even knew he could perform miracles (this was, a er all, perhaps his first)?

Use this story to imagine what it must have been like for Mary, a humble and loyal believer and yet just a woman, to have raised Jesus. On the other side, what was it like for Jesus to know he is the messiah and yet live as a human? What can this teach us about our rela onships with each other and with Jesus?

Prayer

Gracious and Loving God, we give you thanks for these stories that teach us how you love us and want to have a rela onship with us. We thank you for how you came to live among us and experience human life in all of its pain and celebra on. Guide us in our rela onship with others as you invite us to share your love with them. Amen.

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Study 2: Encountering Jesus in the Dark


Have you ever had to ask for help or ask for an explana on when you really didn’t want to? Maybe it was something that you were supposed to know, had been taught before, or others assumed you knew. How did it feel to ask for help?

Read the Story

John 3:1‐17


Biblical scholars have struggled to understand who Nicodemus was. We know from the story that he was a Pharisee. Pharisees were lay (non‐clergy) leaders who were experts in Mosaic Law. They were scholars and similar to our judges in many ways as leaders in the government. Pharisees generally were not the highest offices in the government, but they did exercise a lot of influence over the common people. Based on other stories about Nicodemus, scholars assume that he was quite wealthy as well. In sum, Nicodemus was most likely someone with poli cal, economic and social power.


The story tells us that Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. What does it suggest that he came to Jesus to ask his ques ons under the cover of darkness?

Some Biblical scholars and historians suggest that visi ng someone “at night” might just mean an evening gathering a er work, even mee ng for dinner, but a er the sun had set. Other scholars read this story to mean that Nicodemus specifically sought to sneak to Jesus when he would not be detected by others. What do you think? How might you read the story differently if you assume the other is true?

Nicodemus asks Jesus to explain how it is possible to be born again. Jesus teases or perhaps taunts Nicodemus a li le about he could not know when he is supposed to be a scholar. Do you read this as Jesus showing tenderness toward Nicodemus or as him mocking him?

Even though Nicodemus was a scholar and Jesus had explained this to him, Nicodemus does ask ques ons to help him understand. He comes to Jesus, perhaps embarrassed by his ignorance or doubt. Where do you have doubts or struggle to understand? Have you been able to go to Jesus or others to ask?

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Jesus responds to Nicodemus with pa ence and explains his teachings again and again. He tries to explain his teachings by poin ng out Nicodemus’ confusion between physical life and birth and spiritual, eternal life. What can we learn about Jesus’ character and the way he wants to teach us from this story?

Based on this story and the later stories of Nicodemus, we are not sure how he feels about Jesus with respect to his role as the messiah. Certainly Pharisees as a body do not believe that Jesus was the messiah during his life me and o en bu heads with him over his counter‐cultural ministry and teachings. In this story, we see that Nicodemus comes to Jesus because he saw Jesus’ “signs” (miracles). In later stories, we see Nicodemus towing the party line of ques oning Jesus’ teaching at least in his public role. But he also brings a very generous gi to Jesus’ grave. Are there mes in your life when you believe and follow, and other mes when it is easier to go along with others even if it is against your faith?

Prayer

Gracious and Loving God, we give you thanks for these stories that teach us how you love us and want to have a rela onship with us. Give us the courage to ask ques ons and to not be embarrassed by our doubts and ignorance. Con nue to be pa ent with us and teach us again and again. Amen.

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Study 3: Encountering Jesus in our Shame


Have you ever interacted with someone from a different culture? Or maybe even a person who was seen by our culture as “the other”? What was it like to interact with someone very different from you?

Read the Story

John 4:5‐42


During Jesus’ me, Jews and Samaritans were from very different cultural groups and cultural norms made interac ons between these groups taboo. Similarly, it was taboo for men and women to interact in public, especially if a woman was alone. In other words, everything about Jesus’ interac on with the woman at the well was counter‐cultural.

The town women would travel together to the well each day in early morning and at dusk, when it was light but not in the full heat of the sun. While they walked and drew water, the women would chat, sharing stories and news. In this story, we read that the woman Jesus encounters is at the well at midday. We can assume, as Biblical scholars do, that she was visi ng the well and drawing water at this me because she knew she would not encounter anyone else. Based on her life circumstances, she might have been the center of taunts and gossip, so in her shame she avoided the crowds.


Why do you think Jesus approached this woman, despite the cultural norms to avoid her? What can we learn about Jesus and his desire to connect based on this interac on?

What do you think the woman was thinking throughout the story? Try to put yourself inside her head at these points in the story:

What is she thinking when Jesus first approaches her and starts to talk?

What do you think she is thinking when Jesus reveals that he knows her “secrets” in life, secrets that are a source of shame for her?

And then, when Jesus begins to explain to her about his teachings ‐‐ about spiritual water and about worshiping differently from in the past. What do you think she is thinking about his teachings?

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Finally, when the disciples come and interrupt the conversa on and she leaves to go back to her village, what do you think is going through her mind?

In both this story and last week’s story with Nicodemus, Jesus explains his teachings using a metaphor of something physical and earthly. With Nicodemus, he talks about being born and with the woman at the well he talks about water and food. Why do you think he uses such simple and familiar objects and ideas in his lessons?

At the end of this story, the disciples return to Jesus and the woman leaves him. She goes back to her village and preaches about Jesus and what she has seen and heard. The story tells us that she was able to convert many people her village and they came to understand Jesus as the savior of the world. In this par cular story, we see that the woman is in many ways the model disciple, perhaps more so and in contrast to Jesus’ “regular” disciples. What can we learn from the woman ‐‐ an outcast and a sinner ‐‐ in how she listens to Jesus’ teachings and proclaims the good news to her community?

Prayer

Gracious and Loving God, we give you thanks for these stories that teach us how you love us and want to have a rela onship with us. At mes we are like this woman, in shame we hide ourselves and avoid others. In those mes, give us courage and surround us with your love and forgiveness. Other mes we are like the people in the town who taunt and gossip about outcasts and those who have sinned. In those mes, give us humility to remember that we are each made in your image and are each imperfect as well. Help us see each other as simply brothers and sisters in Christ, embracing, loving, teaching and caring for one another. Give us ears to hear your word to us and courage to spread that good news, even as we are imperfect sinners. Amen.

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Study 4: Encountering Jesus in Our Invisibility


Have you ever had an illness or injury that seemed to never heal or took longer to heal than expected? What was it like for you to finally find relief? Or perhaps you have an ailment or disability that is chronic. What would it mean for you to be cured?

Read the Story

John 9:1‐41


In many ancient cultures, people who were disabled were o en outcasts from society. People o en suspected that a disability or sickness was a punishment for a par cularly grievous personal sin in the same way that people saw natural disasters as punishment for community sin.

This story also highlights the role of the Pharisees (we read about the Pharisee Nicodemus two weeks ago). Again, Pharisees were lay poli cal and social leaders. They were tasked with upholding the Jewish laws and did so with strictness and without flexibility.


This story opens with the Pharisees asking if the man is blind because of sin, either his or his parent’s. The response is quick and clear. No, he was just born that way. Why do you think Jesus decided to cure a blind man and not a person with some other disability? (And why John goes to such lengths to record this par cular story?)

A er the miracle, the Pharisees interrogate the man about what happened. He tes fies about the miracle. Later, they ask his parents to tes fy and they refuse by poin ng them back to their son. What do you take away from this? Why would the parents refuse to tes fy but allow their son to do so?

The man, for a second me, tes fies, though loses his pa ence a li le in the process. What would it mean for a person to talk back to the Pharisees in this way? What consequences might the man have faced because of this? Why, then, do you think he did?

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The Pharisees are inves ga ng this miracle because Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath, the day of rest. In what ways are the Pharisees “blinded” by their strict adherence to and even worship (idolatry?) of the law?

A er the man has come to understand and believe in Jesus as the savior and “from God”, Jesus ques ons him about the “son of man”. This is a curious phrase and tle. What do you think Jesus means by this?

The blind man is born without sight, but in this story we learn that he is willing to listen to and follow Jesus and therefore gains sight. Jesus uses this as a metaphor for needing illumina on through Jesus’ teachings to gain sight. We are each born blind in this sense and only gain true, spiritual, sight through our belief in Jesus. How do we learn about Jesus and his teachings? How do you help other people “gain sight”?

Once again, in this story, Jesus creates a parallel understanding of faith by crea ng a metaphor with something in the physical world (sight or blindness). In this story, the man starts out blind, but finds sight both physically and spiritually. The Pharisees have physical sight and think they have spiritual sight as well, but Jesus points out their blindness. In what ways are you blind to Jesus’ teaching, God’s love, or full illumina on?

Prayer

Gracious and Loving God, we give you thanks for these stories that teach us how you love us and want to have a rela onship with us. We so desperately want to be illumined, to gain sight, through you. Heal us of our blindness and our obstacles to fully see you. Help us spread your light so that others might also see. Amen.

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Study 5: Encountering Jesus in our Grief


Many of us are familiar with the stages of grief, summarized in the Kübler‐Ross model, which include denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. As you think about experiences of grief in your own life, has there been a stage or two that were more difficult for you to navigate? How have you helped a friend or family member address a challenging stage of grief in their life?

Read the Story

John 11:1‐45


Martha lives with her sister Mary and brother Lazarus in Bethany, a village a few miles southeast of Jerusalem. All three are perhaps unmarried and the text indicates that Jesus is a close friend of the family. When Martha meets Jesus on his way into the village she addresses him as Teacher and Lord, showing that she probably considers herself to be a disciple of his.

Two notes of interest regarding this story: while Jesus clearly cares for this family, he inten onally delays his journey to be with them and this decision is never explained in the text. It is also curious that an event of this magnitude [raising Lazarus] is only recorded in the Gospel of John and not in any of the other three Gospel accounts.


This story opens with Mary and Martha asking Jesus to intervene and heal their brother, Lazarus, who is very ill. Jesus receives their request but chooses to wait several days to go. When he does arrive, both Martha and Mary greet him in the same way essen ally saying that he could have saved Lazarus if only he had come sooner. Think about mes in your life when you have asked God to help you with something and you did not get the answer or healing you asked for. How did you feel? Can you relate to the way Mary and Martha ques on Jesus in his delayed arrival? What do you think Jesus was thinking in response to each of those gree ngs?

While this story concludes with a miracle, the bulk of the story is centered around Jesus accompanying those who are grieving. We read about Mary and Martha being surrounded by friends and family as they all grieve the death of Lazarus. And even though we know Martha is confused and hurt that Jesus did not come earlier to save Lazarus, when she hears that Jesus is nearby, she runs to meet him. But Mary is more reluctant to reach out to Jesus in her grief and

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waits un l she is summoned by her sister. Either way, Jesus does meet them in their grief. Think about mes in your life when you ran to Jesus in your grief and pain as Martha does. And think about mes when you were more reluctant, like Mary. How does Jesus treat each of them when they come to him? What do you think Jesus wants from us or hopes for us when we are grieving or in pain?

In verses 24, Martha seems to misunderstand what Jesus is saying to her. Do you think Jesus is frustrated with Martha for not understanding what he was teaching? Or do you think he was frustrated at himself for not coming sooner? Or perhaps he was just overcome by the human emo ons of losing a loved one?

In verse 35, we read that Jesus wept over the loss of his friend. What does this show us about Jesus, his nature, and his rela onships?

Had Jesus come earlier and healed Lazarus, it might have only confirmed Mary’s and Martha’s understanding of Jesus as a healer. Jesus as a healer is an important, but incomplete understanding. Instead, le ng Lazarus die and then bringing him back to life shows that Jesus has control over life and death, thus deepening their faith and understanding of Jesus. Have you had moments when tragedy or challenges deepened or expanded your understanding of Jesus?

Prayer

Gracious and Loving God, we give you thanks for these stories that teach us how you love us and want to have a rela onship with us. Meet us in our pain and grief, even when we come to you reluctantly. Help us understand that you are mysterious and beyond our comprehension. Guide us as we con nue to learn and follow, so that we might gain a more complete understanding of who you are. Thank you for your comfort and your presence in our lives. Amen.

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Study 6: Palm/Passion Sunday – The Triumphal Entry and The Passion


What is the most exci ng parade or large public event you’ve a ended? What made it exci ng? Did you get caught up in the enthusiasm of the crowd?

Read the Story

John 12:12‐19


The crowd that greets Jesus as he enters the gates of Jerusalem are Jews who would have gathered for Passover. Passover is (and was) one of the most important Jewish fes vals and mes when families would gather to eat and pray together. John also men ons that many of

those gathered here also witnessed Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead.


Why do you think Jesus rode into town on a donkey? Would he have had other op ons? Why did he not just walk?

We o en imagine the crowd gathered and the spectacle it must have been to see the branches waving and hear the crowd cheering. But what if we try to zoom in on par cular people and imagine what they were thinking. Let’s revisit each of our stories from Lent and think about what some of these characters might have been thinking and feeling during this large and triumphant gathering.

The bride from the wedding at Cana

Nicodemus the Pharisee

The Samaritan woman at the well

The Blind Man

Lazarus

For each of these five characters, in what ways would they be sharing in the celebra on of Jesus given their own encounter and in what ways might they have been able to predict the challenges that Jesus is about to face in his final week before his crucifixion?

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How has your understanding of Jesus and how he wants to connect with you in rela onship changed or deepened from the study of these characters and stories over the past several weeks?

This crowd gathered is excited for Jesus to enter the city. They praise him and exclaim “Hosanna” as they welcome him into Jerusalem. And yet, this is the same crowd that will turn on him just one week later. How can that be?

At the end of the story, the Pharisees talk amongst themselves and can’t believe how popular Jesus is. Why do you think they are in disbelief about his popularity?

Prayer

Gracious and Loving God, we give you thanks for these stories that teach us how you love us and want to have a rela onship with us. We are so grateful that you came to live among us so that we might know you be er and so that you would wash away our sin. Thank you for this season of Lent and for the chance to grow closer to you through worship and study. We know you love us no ma er where we are on our journey and no ma er how close we gather or far we run. We proclaim “Hallelujah” as you enter the gates of Jerusalem even as we look ahead to the grief and lament of Good Friday and then the joy and wonder of Easter. Praise to you, our God! Amen.

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