What makes a ‘good’ shepherd?

He doesn’t run when the wolves come.

In John 10, Jesus faced all sorts of ‘wolves.’ From Pharisees, to Romans, to the Devil himself, Jesus was always in grave danger.But so were His sheep! And so, instead of running, Jesus faced the evils of this world on their behalf. Then, He drank down the cup of God’s wrath on Calvary. Truly, there has never been a Shepherd like Jesus of Nazareth – the One who gave His life to save His flock.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What two jobs do shepherds have?

B) Why did Jesus refer to ‘sheep not of this fold?’

C) What are the implications of being a ‘sheep?’

 

 

website: www.fpcgulfport.org/sermons

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She was guilty. No doubt about it.

As the woman stood before Jesus, no one defended her actions – not even her. She was guilty.

So what would Jesus do?

That’s what they all wondered.

The Pharisees had set this whole encounter up to trap Jesus. How would He deal with her sin and her guilt? Would He condemn her and risk the wrath of Rome? Would He free her and reject the law’s demands? What would He do? They were not ready for His answer.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What is the ‘divine dilemma?’

B) What was the trap set in John 8?

C) How can a holy God forgive sinners?

 

 

website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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Some things are hard to believe. Others are hard to accept.

At the start of John 6, thousands pursued Jesus. By the end, few remained. What happened to the rest?

The short answer: they heard Jesus talk, and they didn’t like what He said. They could not accept His difficult teachings, and so they left.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What drew people to Jesus initially?

B) What caused His disciples to remain?

C) What does this say about us?

 

website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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It was late. The people were hungry.

Thousands had followed Jesus out of desperation. They were sick, hurting, and now starving. And as Jesus looked out at the crowds, He had compassion. In today’s study, we’ll see how He responded.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did the people follow Jesus?

B) Why didn’t they bring food?

C) What sign did Jesus perform, and why?

 

website: www.fpcgulfport.org

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“Do you want to be made well?”

That was Christ’s question of the sick man.

It is also Christ’s question of you.

Do you want to be made well? And what do you want to be made well from?This will be the focus of today’s sermon from John 5.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What was Christ’s objective?

B) Why did He enter the ‘Sheep Gate?’

C) Who did He seek out, and why?

 

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Surprising. Shocking. Scandalous.

Jews and Samaritans were NOT supposed to interact. Their mutual hatred went back generations. And yet, here Jesus was, not only talking with this woman in John 4 – but asking her for water. What was this encounter all about?

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) What was the history of the Samaritans? Who were they?

B) What had the woman done to be ostracized by her own people?

C) What did Jesus tell the woman – and why was it so encouraging?

 

 

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To Nicodemus, it seemed like crazy talk.

But to Jesus, this was serious business. If God’s people are to be saved, we must first be ‘born again.’ So what does that term mean? And how does it happen? In today’s study, we’ll dive into the critical topic of regeneration.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Who was Nicodemus, and why did he go to Jesus?

B) Why did Jesus say Nicodemus must be ‘born again?’

C) What are the implications for the rest of us?

 

 

web: fpcgulfport.org

 

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It wasn’t just a miracle – it was a sign.

In John 2, Jesus attended a wedding. And at this wedding He performed His first recorded miracle (turning water into wine). So, what was this miracle really about? As we’ll see, it pointed forward to the cross – even if no one knew it at the time.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did Jesus tell Mary that His ‘hour had not come?’

B) In what way(s) did this miracle point forward to Calvary?

C) How is John 2 a ‘bookend’ with John 19?

 

 

web: www.fpcgulfport.org

 

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John the Baptist had one job.

John came to prepare people to meet Jesus. Specifically, he would ‘make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah had foretold. But the people wouldn’t listen. John would be a voice crying in the wilderness. He would be misunderstood, and eventually killed. And the same would happen to the Messiah.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why was John ‘baptizing’ people? What kind of baptism was this?

B) Why did John say ‘behold the Lamb’ when he saw Jesus approach?

C) What’s the difference between ‘appeasement’ and ‘atonement?’

 

 

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Christianity: rooted in history, backed by eyewitnesses.

In John 1, the author skips the greetings and goes straight to the heart of the matter: he and others saw, heard, and observed the Messiah. “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,” he declared. In today’s study, we’ll consider the historical facts that support our faith.

Questions That We’ll Answer:

A) Why did John refer to Jesus as ‘the Word?’

B) In what way is Jesus also ‘the light’ that came into the world?

C) What are the implications of Christ’s incarnation to you and I?

 

 

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