Sermon Discussion Guide 8-17-25
Sermon Discussion Guide
The Gospel of John | John 6:60-71
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
Read John 6:60-71
“Does this offend you?”
The Challenge to Self-Reliance
The Paradox of the Christian Life
“The Lord is not calling heroes of the faith, but he is calling saints; not victors, but failures; not the mighty ones, but the incompetent.”
“You must grow in the realization that the defining moment of our lives was Jesus’ crucifixion, and how you were not there.” (Wang Yi, Faithful Disobedience: Writings on Church and State from a Chinese House Church Movement)
Closing Prayer
The Gospel of John | John 6:60-71
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 6:60-71
“Does this offend you?”
- Why do you think Jesus uses such a direct question instead of softening His teaching?
- What about Jesus’ teaching do people today still find offensive?
- In what ways does the message of the cross challenge people on a personal level, beyond just being an idea they might disagree with?
The Challenge to Self-Reliance
- Where do you see self-reliance promoted most strongly in our culture?
- How do you see it in your own life?
- Why is it hard to admit we cannot save ourselves?
The Paradox of the Christian Life
- In what ways have you experienced greater dependence on Christ as you’ve grown spiritually?
- Can you think of a time when surrendering to Christ brought you more joy or peace than chasing your own desires?
- In our culture, we admire people who are strong, independent, and capable. Why do you think God values weakness, dependence, and humility instead? How does this upside-down way of thinking change how you see spiritual maturity?
“The Lord is not calling heroes of the faith, but he is calling saints; not victors, but failures; not the mighty ones, but the incompetent.”
“You must grow in the realization that the defining moment of our lives was Jesus’ crucifixion, and how you were not there.” (Wang Yi, Faithful Disobedience: Writings on Church and State from a Chinese House Church Movement)
- If the cross is meant to be the defining point of our lives, how does it change how we view success, relationships, or suffering?
- How would someone know—by looking at your choices, words, and habits—that the cross is central in your life?
Closing Prayer
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