Sermons
Reflection Guide: John 4:16-30
Reflection Guide Key Terms This mountain/Jerusalem – This mountain refers to Mount Gerizim, on which the Samaritans built their own temple. Jews, on the other hand, believe that true worship must take place at the temple in Jerusalem. Spirit and truth – The exact meaning of this phrase is uncertain but Jesus is clearly using…
Read MoreJohn 4:1-18: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Key Terms Samaria – The region between Judea (where Jerusalem is located) and Galilee (where Nazareth and Capernaum are located). After Assyria conquered the area in the 700’s BC, the remaining Israelites intermarried with Assyrians, leading to centuries of hostility between Jews and Samaritans, whom Jews viewed as impure. Living water – In…
Read MoreReflection Guide: John 2:1-11
Reflection Guide John 2:1-11 | Overcoming a Joy-Shortage Mother of Jesus – John never names Jesus’ mother—only referring to her as the mother of Jesus—but the synoptics (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) identify her as Mary. Six Stone Water Jars – The stone water jars were used for cleaning hands before eating as part of Jewish…
Read MoreReflection Guide: John 1:35-51
Reflection Guide John 1:35-51 | What It Means to Follow Jesus Key Terms Rabbi/Disciples – Rabbi was a title of honor meaning “teacher.” Disciple literally means “learner” and can also be translated “follower” or “apprentice.” This scene in John’s gospel shows that Jesus and his disciples will have a teacher and apprentice relationship. Messiah/Christ –…
Read MoreReflection Guide: John 1:19-34
Reflection Guide John 1:19–34 | Make Way for a New Day Key Terms Jews, priests, Levites, Pharisees – Each of these terms represents a group who regularly shows up in John. Jews can refer to Jewish people in general, but is also used to refer to Jewish leaders who oppose Jesus. Priests were those who…
Read MoreReflection Guide: The Most Marvelous Thing You Will Ever See
Reflection Guide John 1:14–18 | The Most Marvelous Thing You Will Ever See Key Terms Glory – In the OT, the word glory is used to convey God’s intrinsic goodness and holiness, often connected with his presence—and thus a display of his goodness and holiness—with his people (see Ex 24:16 & 1 Kgs 8:10-11). John…
Read MoreReflection Guide: John 1:6-13
Reflection Guide John 1:6–13 | A Reasonable and Transformative Faith Key Terms Witness – The concept of “bearing witness” (or “giving testimony”) about Jesus plays a big role in John’s gospel. As the story progresses, John applies this term to testimony about Jesus given by God the Father, God the Spirit, Jesus’ miracles, the OT…
Read MoreReflection Guide: John 1:1-5
Reflection Guide John 1:1–5 | Life and Light for Restless Hearts Key Terms John – While the Gospel of John itself does not identify an author, the internal evidence and Early Church history affirms the apostle John as the author. 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation are also attributed to the apostle John. Word –…
Read MoreIt’s a Wonderful Life – Genesis 48:8-21: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 48–49 | It‘s a Wonderful Life Key Terms Joseph – Joseph was Jacob’s 11th son and the first son of Rachael—Jacob’s favorite wife. As Joseph grows up, Jacob shows him favor and Joseph’s brothers become angry at him, eventually selling him into slavery in Egypt. While in Egypt, Joseph advances to become…
Read MoreOn the Road Again – Genesis 35:1-28: Reflection Guide
Reflection Guide Genesis 35:1–29 | On the Road Again Key Terms Foreign gods – Before leaving Shechem and returning to Bethel, Jacob instructs his family to put away their foreign gods (v. 2). These items were most likely taken from the destruction of Shechem and include earrings (v. 4), which were likely associated with the…
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