Wednesday, 3 May 2006
John 10:1-6
What is the right way to get into the sheepfold? How will you know the shepherd? How do the sheep respond to him? How do they respond to strangers?
10:7-21
What does Jesus say 'I am' now? Who are those who came before him? How does he contrast his ministry with the thieves? Now what does he say 'I am'? Who is he contrasting himself with now? Who are these other sheep? What does Jesus say about laying down his life? What does that say about his power? What reaction does this cause among the Jews?
10:22-30
What time of the year is it? What feast? Where is Jesus? What do the Jews want to know? Has he, in fact, told anyone that he was the Christ? Why does Jesus say they don't believe in him? What do you think it means that no one will be able to snatch them away? What does he say about his relationship to the Father?
10:31-42
How does Jesus respond to the threat of stoning? Why are the Jews about to stone him? How does Jesus defend himself? What does Jesus say about the works that he does? So where does he go next? What reaction does he get from the people?
11:1-16
Who are the three members of this family? What are we told about Mary? Has this happened yet? How can we explain this? What message do the sisters send Jesus? How does he respond? Does this remind you of anyone else? When Jesus decides to go back to Judea, what objections do the disciples raise? How does Jesus respond? Does what he says make any sense? If Jesus said, 'Walk with me, and trust me, and you won't stumble,' would that make sense? What is he reminding them that he 'am'? What misunderstanding do they get into over Lazarus's condition? Why is Jesus glad that he wasn't there? How does Thomas react? Is there cynicism or courage behind his words?
11:17-27
Who goes out to meet Jesus? What do we know of her from other stories in other Gospels? Is she hopeful or disappointed in her words to Jesus? What does Jesus tell her about her brother? How does she react to that? What does Jesus demand of her? Does she pass his test?