Key Passage: John 1:14-17; 2:1-11
Sermon Outline
“What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” (John 2:11)
God and Change (John 1:14-17)
- God understood the need
- God’s solution
Jesus Brings Change (John 2:1-11)
- Physical
- Societal
- Future
Belief in Power of Jesus (John 2:5, 11)
- Belief of Mary (John 2:5)
- Belief of Disciples (John 2:11)
Believing in 2016
- Power of Jesus to Change
- Love of God
- Living a Story of Love, Hope, and Faith
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- We are launching our series, “Jesus Changes Everything,” by looking at John 1:14-17 and John 2:1-11. Begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak into your life, and then read these passages aloud.
- Consider the meaning of John 1:14, “the word became flesh.” God saw the state of the world and humanity and our future and his solution was to send Jesus.
- Jesus is contrasted to Moses in John 1. Moses helped bring change to God’s people. Jesus was bringing a much different change. In what ways was Jesus and the change he brought different than Moses?
- In John 2, we read about Jesus being at a wedding celebration. A wedding celebration lasted for days. How might this be a surprising venue for the 1st recorded miracle of the Messiah?
- Read John 2:3-5. Mary seems to be aware of a potential problem and involves Jesus. Mary seems to have faith in Jesus. Why do you think she has this bold of faith?
- Consider the changes Jesus brings in John 2. The first and most obvious is the physical change of water into wine. 150 gallons of water become wine in an instant. What other instances in scripture illustrate the power of Jesus to change in a physical manner? Does Jesus still have the ability to bring change in a physical manner?
- The 2nd change we see Jesus bring is in a societal way. Wedding celebrations were important to do well. You had to host, feed, and provide drink for all guests. Imagine being known as the family who ran out of wine…for the rest of your life. What kind of reputation would this have brought to the new couple? The change of Jesus protected the reputation of people. What does this mean to us today?
- Jesus changed the future of the married couple and also the disciples who chose to follow him. How different was the future of the men who in this passage place their faith in Jesus? Is your life different because of your belief in Jesus? Discuss.
- Do you believe that Jesus has the power to bring change? Do you believe that God’s plan for your life, your reputation, your future is Jesus? Describe the love of God for us, in that his plan for you was Jesus.
- Take time and pray for one another. What are some things in your life that might need the changing power of Jesus? Pray.