Sermon Discussion Guide 12-4-25

Sermon Discussion Guide
The Book of John | John 12:37-50

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?

What is a hard heart?

• When you hear the phrase “hard heart”, what comes to mind?
• Based on the passage, how would you define a “hard heart”?
• Jesus says, “I came into the world as a light” (v. 46). How does walking in darkness relate to having a hard heart?

How do we get a hard heart?

• John 12:39-40 says that God has hardened their hearts, while John 12:43 says they have hard hearts because they love human praise more than praise from God. How might you respond to this tension? 
• How does the mystery of “100% God’s Sovereignty, 100% our choice” challenge the way you think of your life in Christ?
• Which false narrative do you tend to drift towards: “everything is on my shoulders” or “my life can never change”? How does the mystery of the gospel correct these false narratives?

What do we do about a hard heart?

• John 12:43 says that people love human glory/praise more than God’s glory. What does “living for human glory” mean to you?
• Think through John 12 as a whole (Mary’s worship, the triumphal entry, Jesus’ prayer “Father, glorify Your name”). How does this chapter call us to live for God’s glory?
• How do you discern whether God is at the center of your life—or whether you’ve placed yourself there?
• How might God invite you to surrender, trust, or obey Him right now?

Wesley Covenant Prayer
“I am not my own. I am yours alone.
Make me into what you will.
Rank me with those you will.
Put me to use for you.
Put me to suffering for you.
Let me be employed for you.
Let me be laid aside for you.
Let me be lifted high for you.
Let me be brought low for you.
Let me be full or let me be empty.
Let me have all things or let me have nothing.
With a willing heart, I freely give everything to your pleasure and disposal.”

• Which line of the prayer most resonates with your current season?
• Which line is the hardest for you to pray honestly?
• What might change in your heart or in your life if you prayed this prayer regularly?
• End by praying the Wesley Covenant Prayer together.

Closing Prayer