Book of John: Week 34
John 12:1-19
Discussion Questions:
Start by reading John 12:1–19 together.
What was something from the sermon that piqued your interest or caught your attention? Was there a statement, illustration, or part of the passage that stuck with you?
Mary: “Don’t Hold Back”: Mary’s response to Jesus was extravagant; she poured out something worth nearly a year’s wages at His feet. What do you think Mary understood about Jesus that caused her to respond this way?
The sermon described the progression: “Mercy produces gratitude, gratitude produces worship, and worship leads to surrender.” How is obedience motivated by remembering God’s mercy different from obedience motivated by guilt? Where have you experienced that difference personally?
“What’s still in the bottle?” What is one area of your life that can be difficult to fully surrender to Jesus; your time, money, relationships, future, reputation, family, comfort, control, or something else? Why do you think that particular area is difficult to release?
Judas: “Don’t Kid Yourself”: Judas looked like a disciple on the outside, but something else had captured his heart. The sermon asked: “What do I believe I have to have in order to be okay?” How would you answer that question? What are some good things that can easily become “god things” in our lives?
The sermon gave three practical responses when God exposes an idol: Name it. Turn from it. Turn your eyes back to Jesus. What might that actually look like in everyday life? Is there something God may be asking you to put back in its proper place?
The Crowd: “Don’t Be Misled”: The crowd wanted Jesus to save them, but they had already decided what they wanted salvation to look like. Where are you most tempted to say, “Jesus, I’ll trust You—as long as You do this the way I want You to”? How do we learn to trust Jesus when His plans are different from ours?
The sermon ends with the question: “Who do I see when I look at Jesus?” Mary saw a Savior worth everything; Judas saw Jesus through the lens of what he treasured; the crowd saw the King they wanted Him to be. Which of those three responses do you most identify with right now, and what would it look like for you to respond to Jesus differently this week?