YOUR APRIL 2024 SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDIES

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April 2024 Study #1

Small Group Bible Study: John 12:20-36

Open It:

Icebreaker Question: Have you ever had an experience where you felt drawn to a deeper understanding or commitment in your faith? What prompted this desire, and how did you respond?

Dig Into It:

1. In verses 20-22, some Greeks come seeking Jesus during the Passover festival. How does this request from non-Jewish individuals reflect the expanding reach of Jesus' ministry, and how does it relate to His earlier statements about drawing all people to Himself, as in John 6:44?

2. Jesus responds to the request with a declaration about His impending death (verses 23-24). How does the metaphor of a grain of wheat dying to produce many seeds illustrate the necessity and impact of His sacrifice, and how does this concept resonate with other teachings about self-denial and fruitfulness in the Christian life, like in Matthew 16:24-25?

3. In verses 25-26, Jesus speaks about hating one's life in this world to keep it for eternal life and following Him. How does this challenging call to discipleship and the promise of being honored by the Father deepen our understanding of the cost and rewards of following Christ, as explored in passages like Luke 14:26-27?

4. Jesus expresses His troubled soul and submission to the Father's will (verses 27-28). How does this moment of vulnerability and obedience highlight the humanity and divinity of Jesus, and how does it compare with His prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, as recorded in Matthew 26:38-39?

5. The voice from heaven affirming Jesus (verse 28) and the subsequent discussion about light and darkness (verses 35-36) emphasize the divine approval of Jesus' mission and the urgency of believing in Him as the light. How does this divine affirmation and the call to walk in the light challenge and encourage us in our own faith journey, in light of 1 John 1:5-7?

Reflect On It:

1. How does the inclusion of the Greeks in this narrative influence your understanding of the universality of Jesus' message and mission?

2. How do you interpret and apply Jesus' teaching about dying to oneself in the context of your own life and faith?

3. Can you share a time when you experienced a deep sense of calling or purpose in your faith, similar to Jesus' resolve to glorify God's name through His death?

4. In what ways do you strive to follow Jesus closely, even when it involves personal sacrifice or challenges?

5. How does the imagery of light and darkness in Jesus' teachings guide your daily walk and decision-making as a follower of Christ?

Pray About It:

Lord Jesus, we are moved by Your willingness to sacrifice Yourself as a grain of wheat that falls to the ground and dies, bringing forth much fruit. Help us to embrace the call to die to ourselves so that we may truly live in You. Strengthen us to follow You faithfully, even when the path requires sacrifice. May we walk in Your light, reflecting Your love and truth in a world that often dwells in darkness. Guide us to live in a way that honors You and draws others to Your saving grace. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

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