Read: John 8:10-11, Matthew 5:21-24, 7:1-5
How do you typically respond when unfairly confronted? (i.e., defensive, avoidance, etc.) Why?
In what way should “grace” always be included when trying to resolve a difficult discussion? Why?
Based on today’s reading and this week’s study, how will you adjust or change your approach to conflict?
Read: John 8:10-11, 5:10-14, 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:8-9, Titus 2:11, Romans 3:23
When Jesus was left alone with the woman, what was His response? How was it similar to the invalid?
In what way was it an encouragement and an expression of grace? Why is this the essence of Christianity?
What does this highlight about how Christians should relate to people in general and especially during conflict?
Read: John 8:7-9, Matthew 4:1-11
Given Jesus quoted Deut. 17:7 when confronted by the Pharisees, how did this avoid a personal argument?
In what way did Jesus demonstrate this same strategy when being confronted by Satan? Be specific.
How does this challenge your current approach to confrontation? How can this help you today on Thanksgiving?
Read: John 8:7-9, Lev. 20:10, Deuteronomy 17:7, 22:22, Exodus 23:1, 7, Psalm 119:105
What was the scriptural protocol for accusing someone of adultery? How were the Pharisees in violation?
Although we don’t know what Jesus wrote in the dirt, how was He ultimately guided by scripture?
What does this highlight when it comes to responding to confrontation in your own life? Why is this important?
Read: John 8:1-6, Psalm 22:1-2, 7-8, 12-13
Given that God gives us our emotions, explain the difference between managing them and being reckless.
What can we learn from David when it comes to managing emotions during hard times? Be specific.
Are you an emotional person? What does this highlight about management? How will you step into this?
Read: John 7:53-8:6, Proverbs 15:1, Ephesians 4:26-27, Mark 12:13-17
How did Jesus respond when confronted by the Pharisees? How did it impact the emotion of the moment?
In what way did Jesus respond in a similar way when confronted about taxes? Why is this important?
When it comes to emotions and confrontation, how do you typically respond? How does this encourage you?
Read: John 7:40-52, Ephesians 3:20-21
Clearly the religious leaders thought they could outsmart Jesus. What does this reveal about self-confidence?
Living in Orange County, how could a similar perspective be adopted? How does it ultimately lead to a fake Jesus?
Ponder today’s reading in light of trusting Jesus to work in your life. How does this challenge you?
Read: John 7:47-52, Matthew 6:30-34, 10:29-31, Philippians 4:6
How does scripture instruct Christians to handle the anxiety and worry of everyday life?
What will this approach reveal about Christians slipping into an “inept” perspective of Jesus? Be specific.
As you reflect on your prayer life, what does it reveal about a fake Jesus? How do you need to adjust?
Read: John 7:40-52, 2 Kings 14:25, Nahum 1:1, 1 Kings 17:1
How did the religious leaders display both pride and arrogance toward Jesus? (i.e., trying to take control)
How did they lie about prophets from Galilee to prove their point? How did they underestimate Jesus?
What does this reveal about a fake Jesus? (i.e., inept) How have you seen this happen today? Give an example.
Read: John 7:37-39, 3:3, 14:16-17, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 1:13-14
What does “living water” reveal in relationship to the ministry of the Holy Spirit? What does “rivers” imply?
In what way does this relate to the metaphor of being “born again”? How has this been your experience?
How do you think this challenges the world’s perspective about Jesus? What does it reveal about a fake Jesus?
Read: John 7:37-39, 4:7-15
In what way was the offer of Jesus to both Jews and the woman at the well similar or different?
Explain what the offer and promise entails? Be specific. Describe an example of how this takes place.
What does this highlight about the work of God in the life of a believer? How have you experienced this truth?
Read: John 7:37-38, Leviticus 23:40-41, Proverbs 4:23, Isaiah 44:3, 55:1, Joel 3:18, Zech. 14:8
Based on today’s reading, how would the Jews have viewed “water” both literally and metaphorically?
In what way would the festival of Tabernacles have provided a great context for Jesus in John 7:37-38?
What does this highlight about the way Jesus speaks to peoples’ hearts? How does this spiritually encourage you?
Read: John 7:33-36, Matthew 23:27-33
Given Jesus continually warned the religious leaders throughout His ministry, what does Matthew 23:33 reveal?
How does this relate to a faulty view of Jesus? What does this also imply about having a healthy fear of Jesus?
In what way does this also relate to taking spiritual opportunities for granted? How can this be avoided?
Read: John 7:33-36, Luke 13:23-25, Romans 1:18-25
Why did Jesus tell the crowd that He was going to be leaving soon? In what way was it really a warning?
How did the people take His warning to heart? What does this highlight about a fake view of Jesus?
How can people take Jesus for granted today? (i.e., “always their savior”) How can you fall into this trap?
Read: John 7:33-35, 2 Kings 24:10-17
How did 2 Kings 24:10-17 impact the crowd’s response to Jesus when He warned about leaving?
What does this highlight about the crowd’s view of Jesus? What was Jesus referring to? Be specific.
In what way do you think people can do this today? Give an example. How can this be avoided? Be specific.
Read: John 7:28-32, Matthew 10:22, Acts 3:1-4:1
In what way did Peter and John follow in the footsteps of Jesus when it came to being disruptive?
How did the Jewish leaders respond in the same way? What does this imply about an accurate view of Jesus?
How can a faulty view of Jesus also create a faulty view of Christian living? How does this challenge you?
Read: John 5:1-18, 7:25-32, Acts 10:34-35
Why did the Jewish leaders want to kill Jesus? In what way was He disrupting their status quo? Be specific.
In what way is this very different than how most people picture Jesus today? Give an example.
Why is this important to recognize when it comes to a look-alike Jesus? How does this adjust you?
Read: John 7:25-27, Micah 5:2, Matthew 2:1-6
How did the Jerusalemites initially respond to Jesus? How did they shift in verse 27?
In what way were they imposing their own views on where the Christ will come from? Be specific.
What does this imply about the ability for anyone to create a false Jesus? How can his happen today?
Read: John 7:19-24, Matthew 5:21-22, 27-28, 33-35, 38-39, 43-44
How did Jesus confront the superficial application of God’s word by the religious leaders in the temple?
How did He do the same thing in the Sermon on the Mount? What should this teach Christians today?
What is at risk if this isn’t properly understood? How does this challenge or adjust you? Be specific.
Read: John 7:19-24, Genesis 2:1-3, 17:9-14, Leviticus 12:3
How did Jesus confront the religious leaders’ approach to the sabbath? How did they miss its meaning?
In what way was their approach “appearance” driven rather than a “right” judgment? Be specific.
How does this relate to a lack of wisdom? What does this teach about seeking the deeper meaning of scripture?
Read: John 7:1-19, 5:8-18
How did Jesus expose the evil plan of the Jewish leadership? In what way were their hands tied to respond?
How would the brothers’ approach to Jesus attending the festival have prevented this from happening?
What does this reveal about Jesus operating in godly wisdom? How does this help you today?
Read: John 7:1-13, 6:15, Matthew 4:8-10
In what way did the brothers of Jesus try to help Him? Why didn’t Jesus take their suggestion?
How did Jesus have a similar exchange with Satan after fasting for 40 days in Matthew 4:8ff? Be specific.
What does this teach you about walking in the wisdom of God? Why is this important to always remember?
