Sermon Discussion Guide 9-7-25

Sermon Discussion Guide
The Gospel of John | John 7:53-8:11

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 7:53-8:11

Justice and Mercy

• Read Isaiah 42:1–4. What words or images stand out most to you? Why?
• Isaiah describes the Messiah as both gentle (“a bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not snuff out”) and just (“he will bring forth justice to the nations”). How do you see both qualities in Jesus’ ministry?
• Which picture of Jesus do you tend to lean toward more often—his gentleness or his justice? What happens if we only see one side?
• How does the false divide (OT = harsh, NT = nice) affect the way people understand God?

Jesus The Judge

• The religious leaders wanted to put Jesus on trial, but in the end, he turned the trial back on them. What does that teach us about his authority as Judge?
• Why is it important to recognize that Jesus does not overlook sin but actually takes sin more seriously than anyone else?
• How does the fact that Jesus is the author of the Law (the “finger of God” connection) change the way we hear his words in John 8:7?
• How is Jesus’ role as Judge different from the “stone-throwing” kind of judgment people often fear?
• Why does true grace require judgment? What would grace look like without justice?
• How does knowing Jesus is the perfect Judge give you security, rather than fear?
• If Jesus is the Judge of all, how should that shape: The way we see our own sin? The way we respond to others’ sin?

No Condemnation

• What does it look like to actually live as if there is “no condemnation” for you? How would that change your day-to-day life?
• In John 8, Jesus doesn’t just free the woman from condemnation; he calls her to a new life: “Go now and leave your life of sin.” Why do you think freedom from condemnation always comes with a call to transformation? How have you experienced both mercy and a call to change in your walk with Christ?
• Many people live with a low-level sense of shame, even as Christians. How does the gospel truth of “no condemnation” challenge that?

Closing Prayer