John 9:1-12
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. Read John 9 and list at least three observations about the blind man, the crowd, and Jesus. What is John’s purpose in recording the event of Jesus healing the man? What does John want us to gain from this story?
3. Why do you think the disciples asked Jesus about the cause of the man’s deformity? Is there any merit to their supposition that sin had caused the man’s blindness? Do you believe that the sin of one person can have detrimental effects upon another person (cf. Exodus 20:5; 2 Samuel 12)? Explain.
4. According to Jesus, why was the man born blind? Does it seem wrong that God would allow, or even ordain, the man to be born blind? How should this story help us view those who are handicapped or disabled? How can this passage help us better pray for the healing of people?
5. What did Jesus mean by saying that we must work the works of God? Are the works we’re supposed to do the same as the works that Jesus performed? Do you believe that God is still at work today? If so, list some evidences of His works?
6. How does this passage help us realize and understand the identity of Jesus? What does this passage tell us about His nature and character? List at least three connections between this passage and John’s Prologue (John 1:1-18).
7. What is the significance of Jesus spitting on the ground and using clay mud as part of the healing process? What were some key responses of the blind man? Do you think the man’s sight would have been restored if he had not obeyed? What can we learn from the man’s response and attitude?
8. Why do you think the people had such a difficult time recognizing and/or accepting the healed man’s identity? What hindered the people from believing that this man who was born blind had been healed? Do you think that we sometimes miss the works of God due to our own disbelief? Explain.
9. In what way does the man’s physical blindness represent our spiritual need? Why has John separated the physical healing from the spiritual healing (cf. 9:35-58)? Which healing was the more important for the man?