The Seven Signs Of Jesus of Nazareth

Post-Modern Experiences of God God Investigation Groups InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

John Teter Los Angeles, CA July 2002

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Seven Signs of Jesus of Nazareth God Investigation Group Studies John Teter InterVarsity Christian Fellowship July 2001 The good news for today’s post-modern evangelism movement is that our friends want God. They are eager to experience his love in their lives. Even better news is that God the Father is actively seeking people to worship Him (John 4.23). The odds are that God is actively drawing our friends, and that though are friends want him, they are unaware of how to experience him. They must learn how to seek God so that they will find him for themselves. Relationships require both parties. Relationships require investment. For two people to truly know each other, they must both choose to enter into the relationship. If it is merely one sided, it is not a genuine relationship, but a cycle of unanswered contacts. This is true for humans. And it is true in our relating with God. I believe that many of our friends experience God as a distant relative that lives out of state. They know he is out there, somewhere, but he isn’t involved in the day to day of life. If by some chance he happens to drop in for a visit, they might make room to say hi. But he sure isn’t worth the time of changing the schedule to go and visit him. They have only heard reports about this uncle and never considered him someone who was eager to transform their lives and fulfill their wildest dreams. Their soul consistently urges for something more, but they do not know what to do with their spiritual hunger and thirst. I relate with the post-modern non-Christian. Before I became friends with Jesus of Nazareth, I longed for something more. I just didn’t know where to get it. I had heard some rumors about him. When I began to proactively seek God in a GIG, the windows to the spiritual world opened up for me. The Living One began to breathe life into my soul. I saw God in his word, acted on what I learned and before long I was falling in love with a God I could not see. It was the most thrilling experience of my life. Our friends need someone or something who can teach them to relate with God. The biggest barrier they experience coming to genuine faith is their inability to see God in his word and act on what they learn. That is how they are to actively seek God out. They need someone to open up the Word to them and teach them to invest in the relationship. They need someone to help them know that the Bible isn’t a book that says “Do Not Have Sex” or “Do Not Get Drunk” on every single page. They need a friend to help them become friends with God.

Why The Seven Signs in John? As I have journeyed into the world of John’s Gospel, the Jesus in John is someone that our non-Christian post-modern friends can understand. They will really like him. He The Seven Signs – Post-Modern GIG Series 2

speaks of hidden food, invisible water and a superior life that is given to those who follow his leadership. He calls people to respond to him off of their experience with him. He calls people to honestly assess the satisfaction of their soul. He calls them to experience his life and then make a choice about which is better for their soul. If they are around Jesus, they will experience his life. Jesus draws people into his reality through the use of signs. He gives them signs; God’s actions in our physical world, that point to otherwise unseen realities. Through these signs people are given the opportunities to know God and experience genuine faith.

The Structure of The Seven Signs John’s Gospel from chapter 1 to 11 is framed with seven signs. The wedding at Cana is the first sign and the raising of Lazarus from the tomb is sign that brings the completion of the seventh sign. Here is a chart of each sign and the spiritual reality the sign declares:

The Sign

The Unseen Spiritual Reality

1. Jesus turns water into wine

Jesus’ blood is a foreshadowing of the Holy Spirit. The Wine of God brings forgiveness, healing and new life. The best wine comes last.

2. Jesus heals the Official’s son

Jesus is the One who carries life in himself. He gives it away to those he wishes, freeing his children from even the point of death.

3. Jesus heals the man at the pool

Jesus seeks out the one who has lost hope and live in darkness. He offers oceans of living water for healing and wholeness to the people who are willing to be made well.

4. Jesus feeds the multitudes

Jesus is the bread that the Father has sent from heaven to give nourishment and spiritual life to the world. The Father fed Israel with bread in the wilderness. He feeds the world with his Son. Jesus is the Bread of Life that offers the cure to sin.

5. Jesus crosses the sea

Jesus, during the backdrop of Passover, crossing his people over the sea again. The enemy is no longer Pharoah, but now sin itself. This deepens the truth that Jesus is the bread that gives the world life.

6. Jesus heals the blind man

Jesus, the Light of world, gives sight to a hopelessly blind world. Those who follow him will not walk in spiritual darkness.

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7. Jesus raises Lazarus

Jesus, the Shepherd who calls his sheep by name, will himself walk out of the grave, having conquered death. Those who choose to follow him now will follow his resurrection from their own grave and experience eternal freedom.

The Format of the Studies The following notes are for you, the GIG leader. It is not to be passed around to the people participating in the GIG. All of the ink on the paper is entirely optional. If you have a better opening question, by all means use it. If you have other questions from the text you want to ask, know that my questions are only meant to be one guide. The questions are laid out in a general linear fashion. If you follow the questions chronologically, you should have a good grasp of the passage. However, the beauty of the GIG is that each one can go in ten different directions. If God leads you down another path, feel free to see where the Spirit leads you. I lead GIGs with four basic components. Here are the four sections and some thoughts on the goal and experience of each one. The Hook - The first section is to help the folks in your GIG feel comfortable with each other and introduce the themes of the coming study. I recommend a provocative question, a good movie clip or current song to tie into some of themes of the coming Sign. In the following teaching notes, I will offer a question or two and some of the points of connection I have used. I personally think that as the GIG series begins, the use of DVD clips are your best bet. It helps people relax and is a way to build trust using common culture. I recommend using either the movie clip or the question, but not both. Understanding the Message - This is where folks ask their questions to understand the text. This is one of the most crucial elements of the GIG. Jesus’ reveals his glory through the word. It is entirely worth it to work extremely hard to make this section excellent for the people, because they need to see Jesus as his first audience saw him. Please do not be afraid to lead strongly during this time and answer the questions our friends have. Teaching the message well is critical to a GIG that transforms. If they do not understand Jesus in his word, they will not come to know him. “Come See This Man” Personal Testimony - The Woman at the Well is the most effective evangelist in John’s Gospel because of her personal testimony. With great conviction and passion, she tells her village that Jesus has done something real for her and invites them to experience Jesus for themselves. This is the heart of evangelism. This section brings to real life the signs and teaching of Jesus. The goal for this section is to help them develop the habit of applying Jesus’ word and experiencing his life. Our friends are not necessarily asking if it is true. They are asking if it works and if it helps The Seven Signs – Post-Modern GIG Series 4

their lives. This section needs a story (ideally your own experience), showing that Jesus’ way does work. They need to hear fresh reports of Jesus’ peace, joy, love for your family and provision. Your life is the clearest picture of the gospel your friends will see. As a side note, post-modern GIGs call for all of us to become effective story-tellers. If we have a great understanding of the passage, yet are unable to communicate how it is true, we stop speaking their language and we will lose them. Therefore, learn storytelling lessons as you lead your GIGs and develop a game plan to grow as a storyteller. Real Steps of Faith – The goal of this section is to persuade and nudge our friends to take an actual spiritual step in their lives. If they do not apply the word, they will not grow. It will be a mental exercise and very easy for them to write off. As you help them apply the word, you are helping them become true seekers. In “The Seven Signs” series, I encourage applications towards prayer and other practical applications that they might truly see the signs. As they actively step towards God, He will show up for them. I have not included group applications in the studies because the possibilities are literally endless. Please take time before the studies to think ahead of what your friends need to experience. As you give them the experiences of meeting others’ needs, caring for the outcasts and the poor, I am sure God will use that to open up their hearts more to the Light of the World.

Details and Suggestions Personal Study - The signs of Jesus point to one greater unseen reality. It will most likely be challenging to crisply identify the sign and nail it down exactly, especially since so much of what John builds on is the Old Testament symbolism. Therefore, I urge you to gain a profound understanding of the signs. I intensively studied John’s Gospel before teaching the signs. Become an expert and lead people where you have already gone. God will surely honor you and your evangelism ministry for the time you invest in his word. Personal Experience – I cannot reiterate how important the Personal Testimony section of the GIG truly is. If done well, the story can become a short sermon that opens up the heart of the non-Christian on the spot. I exhort you to apply the material yourself before teaching The Seven Signs. You need your own fresh story about Jesus filling you with new wine, telling you to get up, crossing you over the sea and calling you out of the grave. DL Moody once said he would walk twenty miles for a good teaching illustration. Will you apply Jesus’ scripture for one? Will you first own the word for yourself and speak from your own experience? Will you walk that road? Leadership - Your friends see you as a spiritual hero. They might not say it to you, but if they are coming to your GIG, they see you like that. I encourage you to take spiritual leadership in their lives. Help them see that what their soul really longs for is their own story to tell of how God has been personally good to them. Challenge them to take the next step. I urge you to look your friends in the eye during the course of the seven week

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study and tell them that they are missing out by not following Jesus with you. They will respect your thoughtful (and not pushy) directness. Preparing To Teach - Leaders must be committed to making sure that those who follow them are lead well. I can think of nothing more terrible than a non-Christian going to a GIG and having a bad experience because the leader did not prepare to teach thoroughly. I encourage you to study the passage, think about how to connect it culturally to your audience, practice your illustrations and think about how to challenge your friends in a way that will move them to action. Your non-Christians friends are worth the investment! (Also, please find more experienced teachers of the Word than you. Go to their bible studies and see how they prepare and teach. These mentors will prove to be great guides for your on-going development as a GIG evangelist). Community – I encourage your friends get around your larger community of faith. Pick the friends in your fellowship or church that they would feel most comfortable around and do things together. Help them feel at home with the people of God. Their souls will open up in a profound way as they experience the joy and integrity of Christian community. Be sure to invite them to conferences where rapid growth can happen in a weekend setting. Index Cards - I end each study by passing out index cards and having each person write their name and information, one bible question they have and one current issue they are grappling with. This really helps develop vulnerability and gives the GIG leader great follow-up opportunities outside of the actual GIG. The Bible – What Bible translation and form should we use for our GIG? I personally like to give my friends their own Bible so that they can have their own Bible to study and learn when they aren’t in the GIG. I also recommend a version that is easy to read for a newcomer to the Scriptures. I have personally used the New Living Translation, the NRSV and Peterson’s The Message. The Rules – As the leader of the GIG, it will be important for you to set the expectations for the study. Remember, most of your friends will never have been to Bible study, so how you act will be the norm for them. I encourage you to be upbeat, use humor and set these rules to help you establish a good teaching environment. Community Rules for The Seven Signs – Explain and remind at each study 1. Be open to spiritual growth and applying what you learn 2. Choose curiosity and ask your questions 3. Answer our questions from the text 4. Be cool with each other If you are in a one-on-one setting, you will want to avoid communicating the rules in a way that detracts from the conversational nature of your GIG.

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Further Resources – For a more developed explanation of the GIG concept, the flow of the GIG unto conversion and leadership notes to help you with the GIGs, please see the following articles at metrosouthbay.org. (the site will become live September 2002). • • • •

Becoming a GIG Leader – John Teter Using The Bridge Diagram – John Teter The Process of Post-Modern Conversion – Doug Schaupp (ivcf.org) “God Goes to Hollywood” GIG Series – John Teter (ivcf.org)

Closing Exhortation I hope that you enjoy entering deeper into the world of John’s Gospel and post-modern evangelism. Jesus is very excited the Father is using you to draw your friends. He is sending you to them that they might also believe. May you have great joy as you help your friends see the seven signs and invest in relationship with God. Jesus is with you and he is so glad you are leading your GIG. As you give away the seven signs, may they become a great joy in your own relationship with God.

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Sign 1: The Water Becomes Wine John 2.1-11 I. • •

The Hook What words would you use to describe Jesus Christ? What have you experienced? If you were God and came to earth, what would you do first to have people believe?

• Movie Clip Suggestion: The Wedding Singer Go to chapter 6 on the DVD. This scene shows Adam Sandler as a wedding singer that goes really bad, really fast. This scene will help break the ice and create some laughs.

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Understanding the Message Read John 2.1-11 What do you picture Jesus doing and acting like at the wedding party? Why? What do you think of Jesus being invited to the wedding celebration? How would it feel for the bride and groom to run out of wine at their wedding? “Woman” is full of affection - not a chauvinistic slam (cf. same word as John 19.26) How would you feel if you were a servant and took water to the best man? What do you think of Jesus using these “religious” articles to produce the wine? What do the servants get because they acted on Jesus’ words? What is the quality and quantity of this wine? What happens to the party? The Bridegroom’s testimony is still true today (People drink bad beer after the good) What is the most glorious thing you have ever experienced? How did it affect you? Who in the text knows that a miracle took place? What do you make of Jesus hiding his signs so that only some see? What is the greater unseen reality Jesus’ 180 gallons of the best wine points to? What are lessons we can learn from the Sign? (Focus on one or two for time’s sake) a. Jesus loves being invited into our every day life and he makes great things happen b. Jesus changes physical reality to win the trust of his followers c. Those who obey Jesus see the glory; those who do not leave ignorant d. Jesus’ blood points to God’s overflowing mercy and passion for sinners

“Come See a Man” – Personal Testimony Tell a story about an area of your life where you have run out wine and Jesus filled that void with his good wine.

Real Steps of Faith What area of your life are you out of wine in? How can you be like the servants and obey Jesus and experience his great provision? Index Cards a. What is a question about God or the bible you are thinking about? b. What is an area of your life you are struggling with I can be praying for?

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Sign 2: Seeing is Believing John 4.46-54 I. • •

The Hook How did God meet you with his good wine this past week? (Share in twos) Have you ever seen a sign from God that made you think he was getting involved?

• Movie Clip Suggestion: Pulp Fiction Go to the final diner scene. Samuel L. Jackson’s character sees a sign from God as he is spared from being gunned down. He decides to follow God after the sign. John Travolta disregards the sign from God. What is the difference in how they see the signs?

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Understanding the Message Read John 4.46-54 Describe this royal official’s experience of having his son at the point of death Why is it important to know that the official is a great man of this society? Why is it true that unless the man sees signs and wonders he will not believe? How are signs meant to be a part of our faith experience? Why does he tell the royal official this before he heals the boy? What do we learn about Jesus and the authority of his word? (Modern example) What is the significance of the man knowing exactly when the healing happened? What is the unseen spiritual reality the healing of the official’s son points to? 1. Jesus has life in him and life itself is at the command of his word 2. The official’s want his son to live; God the father kills his son that all might live 3. God is the Father and Jesus is the Son who will be raised at the seventh hour What are lessons we can learn from the Sign? a. Jesus wants us all to believe and therefore gives signs so that we might believe b. Jesus is compassionate and loves to heal today c. Jesus has total authority in this world and can change any reality with his word d. It is a natural next step to tell others about the great deeds of God – encourage it!

“Come See a Man” – Personal Testimony Tell a story about a sign that God gave to you to help you believe in him. Make sure to explain the process of your coming to faith.

Real Steps of Faith What are the crises in your life that you need Jesus to heal? Would you consider asking Jesus for a sign that you might believe? How can you be like the Royal Official and tell others of God’s love and his deeds? Index Cards – Question or issue and prayer request

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Sign 3: Do You Want To Be Healed? John 5.1-9 I. • •

The Hook How did God show you signs and wonders that you might believe last week? (Share) Was there ever a time that you faced an enormous challenge and felt like giving up?

• Movie Clip Suggestion: Shawshank Redemption Go to Brook’s re-entry into society. Brooks is a character who has been in prison for over 50 years. He is paroled and doesn’t fit in. He feels like giving up in life.

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Understanding the Message Read John 5.1-9 Vividly describe the setting. What do you see? Smell? Hear? Feel? Describe the water and how the pool would provide healing from the angel’s touch Describe the experience of the man having laid there for 38 years? Why would he stay in this position for so many years without relief? Why does Jesus ask him if he wants to be well? Isn’t Jesus being mean to him? What might internally block him from wanting to be well? What are the reasons that this man gives for why he is not well? Teaching Note - Irony: John is using the literary device of irony in the man’s response. The two reasons he gives are exposed as foolishness when compared to Jesus’ person. There is “no man” because Jesus is the Son of God, not a mere man. He can’t make it into the pool. Yet, before him stands the very source of the Living Water. The man thinks of God as offering a Dixie cup of healing. God is offering an ocean of healing in Jesus.

What might it have felt like for the man to begin walking again? What is the unseen spiritual reality the healing of the lame man points to? 1. God offers wholeness and healing in oceans, not small pools 2. Jesus, in whom is life, can come into any dark, despondent situation and offer life What are lessons we can learn from the Sign? a. Jesus will not take our excuses for why we are not well. b. Jesus gives us the power to get up and be well – if we are not it is our block. c. Change is scary and we often choose to stay in our brokenness rather than change.

“Come See a Man” – Personal Testimony Tell a story about Jesus helped you to “Get Up” and brought healing to your life! Highlights the struggle to believe that life could be different.

Real Steps of Faith Do you see patterns of becoming more comfortable with brokenness in your life? What is one area of your life Jesus calling you to “Get Up and Be Well” in? Would you consider allowing the GIG leader or an IV friend pray for you this week? Index Card – Question or current issue and prayer request

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Sign 4: The Bread of Life John 6.1-15, 25-27 I. •

The Hook What is your favorite food? Describe your most satisfying meal of all time

• Movie Clip Suggestion: Training Day Go to chapter 18 on the DVD. Alonzo (Denzell Washington) has just lead Jake (Ethan Hawke) into a terrible crime for money. After watching the scene, ask your friends why Jake believes Alonzo and how they would handle such believable deception.

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Understanding the Message Read John 6.1-15 How would you describe the multitude that is following Jesus? What would Jesus’ popularity look like today in America? What is the test for Philip? What did Jesus hope Philip’s faith would be? How does it make you feel to know that God tests people to help them know him? Has God ever tested you? (Briefly share the test and how you did). Describe this miraculous feeding from the point of view of the crowd. Describe this miraculous feeding from the disciple’s point of view. What is the significance of the 12 baskets being left over at the end? Why does the crowd look for Jesus? (6.25) What is the perishing bread and why does Jesus tell them to eat the real bread? What is the unseen spiritual reality with the sign of the bread? 1. God offers his heavenly bread, in the person of Jesus 2. We are surrounded by perishing bread that appears to be just what we need What are lessons we can learn from the Sign? a. Jesus provides abundantly the food that nourishes us spiritually b. We must learn to discern whether we labor for living or perishing bread c. Jesus tests his followers to make sure that we are in faith and growing

“Come See a Man” – Personal Testimony

• Give testimony about Jesus giving you the bread of life. Give testimony about the joy of eating the bread of life. Be sure and explain, on a vulnerable level, your own experience of laboring for bread that perishes. Have you labored in the area of career, studies, family dynamics, sexuality? Help your friends know that The Bread of Life will not let them down like the other bread. They must hear from you the unfulfilling nature of the bread that perishes.

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Real Steps of Faith What kind of bread are you working for in your life? Are you satisfied? What steps can you take to eat more of Jesus’ bread (conference, prayer, etc)? Index Card – Question or current issue and prayer request The Seven Signs – Post-Modern GIG Series 11

Sign 5: The Storms of Life John 6.1-15, 25-27 I. • •

The Hook “Have you ever been on a boat during a storm? If so, please tell us about it!” “When was the last time you were truly scared for your physical safety?:”

• Movie Clip Suggestion: The Perfect Storm Show chapter 22 and 23 of The Perfect Storm. Discuss the plight of the seamen and ask how they would respond in such a dangerous situation as they are rescued.

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Understanding the Message Read John 6.16-21 Give a quick summary of the Passover and God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt. (Teaching Note: Be sure to be able to answer the goodness of God in the ten plagues on Egypt. I always focus on the hardness of Pharoah’s heart and his commitment to try and thwart the plans of God. Pharoah only received what he asked for). Highlight the power of God to part the Red Sea and the experience of Israel! What must the sea have been like for fishermen to become afraid for their lives? How would you have reacted if you saw your friend, Jesus, walking on the water? What do we learn about Jesus and his authority over the sea? Why does Jesus tell them not to be afraid? Why should they not be afraid? What happens when they invite Jesus into the boat? What is the unseen spiritual reality of the crossing of the sea? 1. The same God who parted the Red Sea is now in his creation walking on the sea 2. God still delivers his people from the storms of life What are the lessons we can learn from the Sign? a. Jesus has all authority over all aspects of creation in our world b. Jesus walks toward us when we are struggling in the storms of life c. Jesus does not want us to be afraid in life, he wants us to be full of joy d. Jesus offers to get into our boat and get us safely onto land

“Come See a Man” – Personal Testimony

Tell a story about Jesus delivering you from your fears and the storms of this life. Be sure to be vulnerable about your fears and carefully document how Jesus overcame all obstacles to come to you and deliver you.

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Real Steps of Faith What is one area of life where you are afraid of the waves that surround you? What steps can you take to invite Jesus into the boat and lead you to shore? Index Card – Question or current issue and prayer request

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Sign 6: Seeing Spiritually John 9.1-41 I. • •

The Hook Have you ever been so excited about an experience you told everyone you knew? How do you handle conflict from authority when they disapprove of your actions?

• Movie Clip Suggestion: Enemy of the State Show scene 15 on the DVD. Will Smith does not understand the big picture of what he has stumbled into. It is through his enduring perseverance (and help from Gene Hackman) that he comes to see clearly. Ask your friends how well they see the signs?

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Understanding the Message Read John 9.1-41 (In this longer section you might want be creative and act it out) Teacher Notes: Introduce the Pharisees and Jews as not being an ethnic term but used for the religious leaders. They had power to cast people out of society. Do you ever think suffering and illness occurs that God’s power might be revealed? What would it be like to be blind? Have you ever personally known a blind person? What would it have been like to have been the man and followed Jesus’ commands? At the outset, what does the blind man know of Jesus? What happens to the spiritual sight of the blind man as the account unfolds? What happens to the spiritual sight of the Jewish leaders as the account unfolds? What do you think of the blind man’s family? How does Jesus receive someone persecuted for aligning themselves with him? Who in the passage sees? How does the sight come? Who in the passage is blind? Why do they think they see? What is the unseen spiritual reality in the healing of the blind man? 1. All are blind in darkness until the Light of the World gives them spiritual sight What are lessons we can learn from the Sign? a. Jesus is the Light that shines in the darkness and gives sight to the blind b. For those who follow Jesus, expect persecution, even from your own family c. Spiritual sight is a process – articulating God’s work to others brings growth

“Come See a Man” – Personal Testimony

• Tell a story about your process of Jesus giving you sight. What were your emotions and thoughts while in the dark? What were the most helpful steps of you coming to see Jesus clearly? Also highlight the experience of joy of knowing Jesus personally and worshiping him with your life.

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Real Steps of Faith Are you growing in your understanding of Jesus by telling others? What have you learned about how to handle people who might not understand and even oppose your spiritual growth? Index Card – Question or current issue and prayer request The Seven Signs – Post-Modern GIG Series 13

Sign 7: The Death of Death John 11.1-44 I. • •

The Hook Do you think about death very often? Has it affected your life personally? Do you think about it more after the events of September 11?

Movie Clip Suggestion: The Matrix View scenes 36 and 37. In these scenes we see a human being who has overcome death. We see the power of light to overcome the darkness of even death. After viewing the scene, ask your GIG what it would be like if “The One” were truly a human being.

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Understanding the Message Read John 11.1-44 (In this long section, you might want to be creative and act it out) Jesus loves Lazarus and his sisters, so why does he stay when he hears he is sick? What do the disciples understand of Jesus’ plan? What do they think of him? What are the promises Jesus gives to Martha and Mary in the passage? How does Martha respond? How does Mary respond? Why does Jesus weep as he approaches Lazarus’ grave? What does that teach you about Jesus and his love for people and their families? What would you have seen if you were there when Jesus spoke into the grave? What if you were one of the men who let Lazarus go by unwrapping him? What is the unseen spiritual reality in the raising of Lazarus from the grave? 1. Lazarus’ raising points to Jesus who will himself rise from the dead and break through death that we all might have our graveclothes removed. What are lessons we can learn from the Sign? a. Jesus allows suffering to happen that God’s glory might be revealed. b. We must ask God to intervene in the crisises in our lives. c. Jesus gives Mary and Martha words to believe before he reveals the glory. d. God has the power to remove death itself from the lives of his people. e. The life that God offers is free from the graveclothes that bind.

“Come See a Man” – Personal Testimony

• Tell a story about your experience of wearing “graveclothes”. What are the sins and the brokenness that have bound you in your life? How has Jesus’ words called you out of the grave and given you power to live a new life?

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Real Steps of Faith What are the graveclothes that you are wearing? Are you happy? Have you heard Jesus calling your name during this GIG? Do you want to leave the grave and follow “The One” who has defeated death?

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The Appendix: Calling for Commitment The Good Shepherd and the Abundant Life John 10

Challenge is Inevitable In post-modern evangelism, challenging our friends to faith is inevitable. They will not just fall in Christianity and become Spirit-filled disciples of Jesus without help. I have seen many people who were not challenged and never committed to faith. I have also seen people who were ready to follow Jesus and wasted a great while because no one asked them to commit. Helping our friends make the commitment of their lives is part of the package and at the core of what it means to be burning and shining lamps for Jesus. Here are some thoughts about when and how to help our friends commit to Jesus: When Do I Call To Faith? Our friends do not have to dramatically experience multiple signs from God before they are ready to be called to faith. Here is the grid I use when calling to faith: • • • • •

They see Jesus in the word and respond at the spiritual level they are able They understand the gospel (See The Bridge Diagram at metrosoutb ay.org) They know that the gospel requires their obedience to Jesus in all areas of their life They know that the gospel requires a commitment to long term spiritual growth They know that they will need other followers to help them grow

The Role of the Prophet I love to help my friends see the big picture. They need to know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd and has been proactively seeking them. I play the role of Prophet and connect all the dots for them by interpreting what they have seen and experienced. The Seven Sign series was not an accident. God has been seeking them through the study. Our friends will normally not be able to put together the grand picture of God drawing them to himself. We must help them come to the correct interpretation. Interpret the Joy of Obedience It is important that our friends understand the life they are receiving from Jesus. At this point of challenge, I interpret for them the experience of following Jesus’ commands. I teach them John 8.32 and that the disciples who continue in Jesus’ words will be free. Hopefully at this point, they will have already experienced freedom through the study, in anxiety, provision, sexual purity, honesty, prayer, and I walk them through their own experience. I will tell them that they have tasted but an appetizer of the life that God has for them and they must take the next step of ordering the entrée. Commitment Analogies Commitment can be a very scary word in our generation. I am always on the lookout for positive and fresh commitment illustrations to give to our friends a better understanding of commitment. For the past couple of years the two illustrations I have used are: The Seven Signs – Post-Modern GIG Series 15

The Marriage Analogy I introduce the concept of Jesus as the Great Bridegroom (Isaiah 54, John 3 and John 4). Jesus is not interested in dating, he wants marriage. It is in marriage that the great transformation happens. Without that commitment, the love of God will stay on a very surface level. As we call our friends to commitment, many are ready for marriage and need only the proposal. May we see ourselves as John the Baptist and be the best friend of the Bridegroom who rejoices at his voice (John 3.29) The Coach Analogy Jesus is the Great Spiritual Coach. He is the One who wants to take us to the spiritual championship, but we must commit to his team and his ways. Each coach has their own philosophy for growth and development. Jesus’ gamebook is the Bible. As we obey the coach and all of his commands, we will experience the great growth and success he promises. And Jesus is unlike any other coach in that he is the Coach who loves us and invites us to know him personally. He is the only Coach who is committed to us and especially loves to help us understand and grow from our failures. (For Laker fans, the dramatic turn around of the Lakers under Phil Jackson’s leadership has been very helpful in communicating the coaching analogy). These two analogies have proven helpful in communicating what it means to follow Jesus. Our friends must understand that Jesus is serious about discipleship because that is the way to insure the freedom that we all long for. Persuading to Follow the Good Shepherd Close the time and call for commitment with The Good Shepherd passage from John 10. I highlight the numerous traits of Jesus and the blessings that are found being under his leadership. I am proactively persuading the person at this point to look at my own life and decide if I have made the right choice. I normally use two to three compelling illustrations from my own life about how the Good Shepherd has given me the abundant life as my husband or my coach. I then look them in the eye and ask them what is keeping them from committing to follow the Shepherd. They will either commit to Jesus on the spot, have very legitimate issues they need to work through or have illegitimate fears that can be exposed and worked through on the spot through prayer. Being in Jesus’ presence will often reveal and dissolve the fears that block them from Jesus. The more comfortable we become at this ministry of persuasion, similar to Paul in the marketplace daily (Acts 17.17), the more readily we will be able to walk through the doors that Jesus opens for us. First Steps of New Life As the person has committed their life to Christ, I make it a point to encourage the following first steps of faith: • • •

Concretely identify and repent from the things God hates They should tell everyone they have decided to follow Jesus (John 9 Sight Plan) Model and teach discipline in prayer and study of the word The Seven Signs – Post-Modern GIG Series 16

• • •

Model and teach the new disciple concrete love for the poor Gather the disciples’ family, the community of faith and the non-Christian friends to celebrate the new life – this is especially effective in a baptism ceremony, deepening the spiritual commitment of the new disciple Encourage the new disciple to lead a GIG of their own with all their friends!

The New Life After the first week of commitment, I would also have a very honest discussion with the new disciple about the need for Christian community. As the GIG leader, you must be aware that the great inherent weakness in the GIG is that the person is unattached to the larger community of faith. It will be easy for them to have an amazing experience with God and then never commit to the local congregation of believers. I love to show them the model of Jesus and the 12 and point out that they have not only committed to Jesus, but also to his team. (As weird as the team might be for them). All that you can do to help them get to know the other believers will be a great blessing for them and their new life of following the Good Shepherd!

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