Series Summary:

We live life in troubled times with troubled hearts. Who or what do we believe? The Greek word πιστεύω (pisteuo) is translated believe. It is not just an intellectual exercise. It is an entrusting of one’s self to a person or a cause. The gospel of John uses pisteuo 98 times! “These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." This fall may "your heart not be troubled. Believe!” πιστεύω #John #2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Starter

What do you love about lights?

Pray

Lord we live life in troubled times with troubled hearts. Who or what do we believe? You tell us clearly what to believe. You tell us, “These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." As we study the book of John, open our hearts and minds to believe. May we encourage one another to truly believe entrusting our lives to you and your will being done. May we strive to lead people to believe in you “the way, the truth, and the life.” Amen

Study Questions

READ: John 12:1-11

  1. Mary’s surrender of her oil was her dowery and entire life savings likely equivalent to tens of thousands of dollars.
    1. How does Mary's anointing of Jesus reflect her possible understanding of Jesus impending death, her character, and her priorities?
    2. How does Judas' objection to Mary's act reveal his understanding of Jesus impending death, Judas’ character, and Judas’ priorities?
  2. How do we tend to make excuses like Judas for our waste or our refusal to surrender our financial futures?
  3. How is it popular today (especially religious leaders) to speak and act like Judas in regard to those in need instead of being focused on the light of the world Jesus?
  4. How can Mary's act of anointing Jesus inspire our own expressions of love and devotion to Jesus?
  5. If you were Lazarus, how might you feel to have been raised from the dead only to realize you will have to suffer and die again, now be the center of attention, be persecuted, and have a bounty on your head?

READ: 2 Corinthians 11:13-15, Jeremiah 6:13-14, Isaiah 56:11-12, 1 Peter 5:2-3, 2 Peter 2:1-3

  1. Satan disguises himself as a messenger/angel of light (like Judas) how should that reality impact our view of…

    …people claiming to believers?

    …people claiming to have a new light of revelation that has been shown to them?

    …ourselves?

  2. How do these verses we just read help us understand the heart of…

    …Judas?

    …the religious leaders?

    …the crowds?

    …ourselves?

READ: John 12:12-19

  1. This is the called the triumphal entry and was prophesied in **Zechariah 9:9.**
    1. What does the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem reveal about the crowd's expectations of Him in this passage, and why might they have that expectation especially with Messianic passages like Zechariah 9?
    2. How does Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem contrast with the humble nature of His mission?
  2. What was response of the religious leaders? Why?

READ: John 12:20-43