Community Group Discussion GuideJohn 12:20-36 -- Weekend of April 7-8

I. Starter Questions:

What is your favorite book, movie or story that has a surprising plot twist? What was the twist? Is there anything in your life that may not be a sin in and of itself, that may even seem innocent,

but that you find can subtly lead you away from intimacy with God? What is it?

II. Discussion of Scripture (John 12:20-36)

Introduction : The passion week has begun. Jesus has entered Jerusalem to shouts of praise. Just prior to his entry he performed a capstone miracle and brought a man back to life. The city is abuzz with news of this miracle. Yet, in light of this sign, the leaders of Israel, instead of leading Jerusalem in worship and pointing the masses toward the Messiah who has come, are lamenting that many of the Jews are “going away” and believing in him rather than following them. So, instead of following Christ, they conspire to put him, and even Lazarus, to death. However, in the shadow of this final rejection by the Messiah’s own people, John is about to give us a glimpse that God’s plan for the Messiah is so much more than restoring the nation of Israel on this fallen earth. In the middle of this passage that we are about to read is an enigmatic statement. “The hour has come for the son of man to be glorified”. How can something so ugly and cruel as crucifixion render honor to it’s recipient? Let’s study the remainder of this passage in light of this statement:

John 12:20-23 (ESV) - 20 Now among those who went up to worship at the feast were some Greeks. 21 So these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida in Galilee, and asked him, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.” 22 Philip went and told Andrew; Andrew and Philip went and told Jesus. 23 And Jesus answered them, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.

For Discussion: The greek word for Greeks can also be translated non-Jews. In the preceding verse (12:19),

we see the Pharisees sarcastically moaning that “the whole world has gone after him”. Now, John tells us that some gentiles who had come to worship at the feast are seeking out Jesus.

Read Genesis 12:1-3, John 10:14-16, and Acts 13:44-47. What does Jesus’ glorification mean for those of us who are not of the nation of Israel?

John 12:24-26 (ESV) - 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

For Discussion:

Read Hebrews 2:10. How does this verse coupled with verse 12:24 above shed light on another positive result of Jesus’ glorification?

Read Mark 8:34-36 and Hebrews 12:1-3. How do these verses coupled with verses 25-26 above speak to what Jesus’ glorification means for his followers?

John 12:27-36 (ESV) - 27 “Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. 28 Father, glorify your name.” Then a voice came from heaven: “I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again.” 29 The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” 30 Jesus answered, “This voice has come for your sake, not mine. 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out. 32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. 34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 So Jesus said to them, “The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.”

For Discussion: Re-read verses 27-28. How does Jesus’ persecution, crucifixion, and resurrection glorify the

Father? What attributes or characteristics of God does Jesus’ glorification reveal? Read Hebrews 2:14-15 & Hebrews 4:15-16. How do these verses coupled with verses 30-32

above shed light on other benefits of Jesus’ glorification? Jesus comes out and tells the crowd that he is going to be put to death. They respond by

arguing that the law says the Christ remains forever. Through his signs, Jesus had revealed that he was the promised Messiah, yet many of the Jews allowed their preconceived notions and beliefs to blind them from the fact that it had been prophesied that the Christ must first suffer and die (examples - Gen 3:15, Psalm 22, Isaiah 53, Daniel 9:24-26). How do we sometimes allow our preconceived notions and beliefs about God to obscure what the Bible reveals about him?

III. Responding in PrayerPray that the message of the Gospel will continue to draw many more people to Christ in our community and in the world. Pray that we will be loving witnesses to what Christ has done for the world and in our own lives, and that God will fill us with wisdom and courage as we seek to obey him in this endeavor. Pray that we as a church will seek to know Christ more by devoting time to His Word in prayer and meditation daily and by devoting time to meet together to discuss His Word and listen to it being taught.