John 2:12-25
Life Group Questions:
1. If you were not able to hear this week’s sermon, consider going to the church website and listening to it. What are some main ideas that you gathered from the sermon? What, if any, questions did the sermon cause for you or do you desire to have additional clarification?
2. Describe the difference between the zeal of Jesus displayed at the Temple in John 2 and sinful anger? Why was Jesus’ zeal not considered sinful in vs 17? Should we follow the example of Jesus in this area? If so, how? Explain how Ephesians 4:26 may relate to this passage and our lives.
3. Explain the setting that John describes for us with regard to occurrences at the Temple. How did these occurrences conflict with the purpose for which God had given the Temple. In what way might the Christian Church be guilty of the same offenses? How can we protect ourselves from being guilty of the same offenses?
4. The New Testament appears to present two separate instances of Jesus clearing the Temple (cf. Matthew 21:13: Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46). What would be the significance if there were in fact two different Temple clearings, one at the beginning of Jesus’ ministry and one at the end? Describe the differences and similarities between John’s account and those of Matthew, Mark and Luke.
5. Describe the significance of Jesus referring to himself as the Temple of God in relation to the prophesy of 2 Samuel 7:13. What did Jesus mean by calling his body a temple? In what way is our body the Temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19, etc.)? How should the idea that our body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit impact the way that we live; our actions and attitudes?
6. Jesus drove out the money-changers and animals, in part, because they were distractions for those coming to worship at the Temple. What distractions keep us from truly worshiping Christ when we come together on Sunday mornings? How can we keep these distractions away during that time?
7. Why do you think that the disciples thought of Psalm 69:9 as a result of Jesus’ actions in the Temple? How does the meaning and purpose of Psalm 69 relate to Jesus in John 2? How might this connection have impacted their understanding of who Jesus was?
8. Explain how the actions of Jesus serve to manifest his glory. What is it about the actions and statements of Jesus that caused the disciples to believe in him? How should the actions of Jesus cause us to believe in him?