Week 1:

  1. Why do you think it’s important to understand the background of a biblical book before studying it?
  2. What are some initial impressions you have of the Gospel of John, based on what you’ve learned so far?
  3. How do you think the unique characteristics of John’s Gospel might shape our understanding of Jesus and his message?
  4. How might the themes of John connect with contemporary issues we face as a church and society?
  5. What changes do you hope to see in your own life and faith over the course of this group?

Week 2:

  1. How does the concept of the “Word made flesh” challenge a traditional understanding of God? How does this concept challenge our own understandings of God? (John 1:1-5)
  2. Jesus as the Divine Word – How does understanding Jesus as the Word change the way we see God’s presence in the world today?
  3. Where do you see the tension between light and darkness playing out in the world today? Societally? Culturally? Environmentally?
  4. Radical Inclusion – What does it mean for us to be children of God? How does this challenge systems of exclusion? (John 1:12-13)
  5. Seeing and Following – How do we respond to Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” rather than being bound by rigid beliefs? (John 1:35-39)
  6. What does it mean to “follow” Jesus in the context of injustice, cruelty, and environmental degradation?
  7. Expanding the Vision of God – When have you, like Nathanael, been surprised by God’s presence in unexpected places? (John 1:45-51)

Week 3:

  1. Extravagant Grace – How does the story of turning water into wine challenge our assumptions about God’s generosity? (John 2:1-11)
  2. Righteous Anger for Justice – Where do we see modern-day “money changers” exploiting faith for profit, and how can we respond? (John 2:13-16)
  3. Living Water for All – How does Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman challenge social and religious divisions today? (John 4:7-26)
  4. How do Jesus’ interactions with marginalized individuals challenge our own biases and prejudices?
  5. A New Birth of the Spirit – After rereading Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, have you reconsidered the fullness of what it means to be “born again”? (John 3:1-8)
  6. How should being “born again” affect our concern for social and environmental justice?
  7. How can we participate in the healing and restoration of our communities and our planet?

Week 4:

  1. What does it mean to you to consider Jesus as the “Bread of Life”?
  2. Feeding the Hungry – In what ways does our society live by a mindset of scarcity rather than abundance? (John 6:1-13)
  3. How does the story of the feeding of the five thousand challenge our understanding of scarcity and abundance?
  4. How can we work to ensure that everyone has access to the resources they need to thrive, both materially and spiritually?
  5. Challenging Systems of Power – How can we, like Jesus, challenge religious and political structures that prioritize rules over justice? (John 7:14-24)
  6. The Good Shepherd – What does Jesus’ model of leadership teach us about caring for the vulnerable in our communities? (John 10:11-18)
  7. Belief as Liberation – How does Jesus’ voice call us toward a faith rooted in freedom rather than fear? (John 10:27-30)

Week 5:

  1. Where do you see “death-dealing” systems at work in the world today, both socially and environmentally?
  2. Lazarus and the Power of Hope – What are the “tombs” in our lives or society that Jesus is calling us to step out of? (John 11:1-44)
  3. How does the story of Lazarus inspire hope in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges?
  4. How can we participate in the “resurrection” of our communities and our planet?
  5. Costly Love – How can we, like Mary, show extravagant love and devotion, even when others don’t understand? (John 12:1-8)
  6. Challenging Oppression – How does Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem invite us to rethink power, leadership, and justice? (John 12:12-19)
  7. A Call to Die to Injustice – What privileges or comforts might we need to “let die” in order to bear fruit for God’s kingdom? (John 12:24-26)

Week 6:

  1. How can we build unity within our communities and work more effectively across our differences to address social and environmental challenges?
  2. Servant Leadership – How does the example of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet challenge your understanding of leadership? What would leadership look like in our world if more leaders followed Jesus’ example of humility? (John 13:12-17)
  3. A New Commandment – How does Jesus’ call to love one another challenge the way we interact with those different from us? (John 13:34-35)
  4. How can we live out the commandment to “love one another” in our daily lives? What does loving one another look like on a community level? National level? Global level?
  5. The Spirit as Advocate – How does the Holy Spirit empower us to work we are discussing? (John 14:16-17)
  6. Oneness in Love – What divisions exist in our communities, and how can we embody Jesus’ prayer for unity? (John 17:20-23)

Week 7:

  1. Jesus Before Empire – How does Jesus’ refusal to conform to worldly power challenge us to live differently? (John 18:33-37)
  2. The Power of Nonviolence – How does Jesus’ response to violence (like rejecting Peter’s sword) shape our understanding of peacemaking? (John 18:10-11)
  3. The Mocking of Christ – How does Jesus’ suffering help us stand in solidarity with the marginalized today? (John 19:1-6)
  4. The Cross as Solidarity – How does the cross call us to radical love, even in the face of suffering and injustice? (John 19:25-30)
  5. What are you willing to sacrifice in order to work for a more just and sustainable world?

Week 8:

  1. How does the resurrection of Jesus inspire hope in your life and in your work?
  2. Women as Witnesses – How does Mary Magdalene’s role in the resurrection story challenge traditional ideas about authority in the church and beyond? (John 20:1-18)
  3. Peace in the Midst of Fear – What fears keep us from fully embracing Jesus’ message of peace? (John 20:19-21) What fears do you need to overcome in order to live more fully and to work more effectively for change?
  4. Believing Without Seeing – How do we respond to doubt in ourselves and others? How does Thomas’ story shift our view of faith? (John 20:24-29)
  5. Resurrection as a Call to Action – How does the resurrection move us beyond personal faith into active participation in God’s work? (John 20:30-31) How are you being called to participate in the ongoing work of liberation and healing in the world?

Week 9:

  1. Jesus Meets Us Where We Are – How have you encountered God in ordinary, everyday moments? (John 21:1-14)
  2. Peter’s Redemption – What does Jesus’ forgiveness of Peter teach us about healing relationships and second chances? (John 21:15-17)
  3. Where do you see the need for restoration and reconciliation in your own life and in the world around you?
  4. What does it mean to you to “follow” Jesus in the 21st century?
  5. Faith in Uncertainty – How can we remain faithful when the future feels unclear or challenging? (John 21:18-22)
  6. The Ongoing Story – What would it mean to see ourselves as part of the continuing story of Jesus’ love and justice? (John 21:25)