Sermon Discussion Guide 7-6-25

Sermon Discussion Guide
The Gospel of John | John 4:43-54

Gathering Question:
What is one way you’ve experienced God in your life this week?

Gathering Prayer
Father, by Your Spirit, would you guide us into all truth. Help us to hear and be attentive to Your voice as we work through this study. In the name of Jesus, Your Son, we pray, Amen.

Opening Questions

• What stood out to you in the sermon? 
• What insights did you gain? 
• What questions did it raise?

Read John 4:43-54

• What do you notice about the way the royal official approaches Jesus? Why do you think he stood out to Jesus?
• Why do you think Jesus healed the boy remotely instead of going to see him in person?

Prophet or Miracle Worker?

• The Samaritans believed in Jesus after they heard him speak, while the Galileans only respected him because of the miracles he did for them. Where do you see signs of that dichotomy in the present day?
• Is your tendency to be more like the Samaritans or the Galileans? Are there areas of your spiritual life where you tend to crave spectacular signs rather than focusing on the person of Jesus?
• Jesus heals the boy remotely (v. 50), inviting the man to trust without seeing. How does that challenge the Galileans’ expectations of Jesus, and what does this teach us about the nature of faith?

Power Down

• Is it more difficult for you to welcome into the Kingdom of God those who are typically viewed as lower than us in society, or those who view us as lower than themselves? Why?
• Who are the “Herodians” in your world that you instinctively despise or avoid? How does Jesus’ interaction with this royal official challenge you to see their humanity?
• What does Jesus’ treatment of the royal official teach us about the nature and role of power in the Kingdom of God?

Self-Deception & The Upside-Down Kingdom

• What do you think of the idea that we look for mistreatment from those we dislike to justify our behavior toward them? Have you found that to be true in your own life? How can we begin to see both ourselves and those around us more accurately in light of this story?
• Jesus upends our global hierarchy with a single phrase: “the last will be first” (Matthew 20:16). What might that mean for the way we should view and use our resources and influence?
• Matthew 5:44 invites us to love our enemies. What’s one concrete way you could join Jesus in bringing “healing” to a person or group you usually avoid or judge?

Closing Prayer