Harvest of the heart fpc small group copy

Harvest of the HeartTogether We Grow in the Word

WHEN FACILITATOR(S) HOST(S) WHERE CHILDCARE

Sundays 8:45 – 10:15 AM

Sundays 7 – 9 PM

Mondays 7 - 9 PM

Tuesdays 9 - 11am

Tuesdays 7 – 9 PM

Wednesdays 7 - 9 PM

Thursdays 10 AM - 12 PM

Thursdays 7 – 9 PM

Saturday 7 - 9 PM

Small GroupsQuick Reference

Introduction

This study guide outlines a 6-week study based on the Gospel of John, and passages in which Jesus reveals his mission and purpose:

1. John 6:28-40 (and perhaps 60-70)--"I am the Bread of Life" 2. John 7:53-8:11--the woman caught in adultery 3. John 9:1-12, 35-41--the man born blind 4. John 11:1-44--the raising of Lazarus 5. John 13:3-17--Jesus washing the disciples' feet 6. John 4:27-38—Jesus reveals his true mission

Each week consists of a brief worship [reading of a Psalm, playing or singing Lenten music], a brief group-building check-in [sometimes integrated with the Bible study], a Bible study with the text first read, then discussed using questions supplied in the study guide, a time of sharing concerns and joys, and a period of prayer. In the check-in, the time for sharing concerns and joys, and the prayer, an opportunity is given for each participant in the group to speak, or to pass. This is how we come to know each other better. Discussion in the Bible study portion of the meeting is more free-flowing and voluntary, though managed so that no one (including the leader) dominates.

The study guide is for the use of the leader, not to be distributed generally to the group. It contains an outline of each meeting, with suggestions for the worship time and the check-in, background on the Bible passage, and suggested questions for the Bible study, as well as prompts to facilitate the sharing and prayer time. A meeting time of at least an hour and a half, plus social time, should be allowed. The first meeting would include a brief discussion of a rudimentary covenant of the group [meeting time and day, a commitment to attend every meeting if not sick or out of town, and absolute, permanent confidentiality of all sharing].

An experienced small group leader may choose to prepare for a meeting and not require all these prompts, or even the suggested questions for the Bible study portion of the meeting. These suggestions on sharing, prayer and Bible study provide a general structure that is to be followed, though, with suggested texts and questions for those who would be more comfortable with a little more guidance on how to lead or how to bring a group together.

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FPC small groups have four activities, including mission together, as well as prayer and worship, community-building and burden-sharing, and Bible study. Sometime during the 6 weeks series, the group should plan and carry out a mission activity together, in addition to their weekly meeting.

It is certainly not expected that any group would have time to answer all the suggested questions in the Bible study. These questions are discussion-starters, thought-provokers, and a group may have meaningful discussion of how the Scripture they have read relates to their life, without getting past the first question the leader poses. It is useful, however, to close the Bible discussion with a question or challenge for the group to respond to in the time between meetings, when they are apart.

Background on the passages from the Gospel of John to be studied

In our time together in the Gospel of John, we will be studying what the Incarnation means, and what it means for you and the members of your group. These passages from John are about who Jesus is, to those who know him. As New Testament scholar Raymond Brown says, "In John, the reality represented by the Kingdom of Heaven in the other Gospels, stands in our midst in the person of Jesus."

The Gospel of John was written and edited about 90 to 110 A.D., by one who regards himself in the tradition of "the disciple whom Jesus loved". It is thought to have been written in Ephesus (now Turkey) or Antioch (Syria), both centers of Johannine thought (following the tradition of John), probably addressed at first to Jewish Christians. Some scholars speculate the Gospel of John was edited to counter a gnostic strain of thought that had sprung up in the early church, which denied the truth of the Incarnation. In any event, it was written after the fall of Jerusalem and the destruction of the Temple in 70 A.D.

Most of the passages to be studied are from the Book of Signs where Jesus reveals himself to the world. (The Book of Signs is usually considered by scholars to be Part One of John, chapters 1:19-12:50, after the Prologue of 1:1-18). The fifth week's passage is from the beginning of the Book of Glory (chapters 13-20 containing the Last Supper, final discourses, and the Passion). Chapter 21 of John is often thought of as an epilogue.

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The passages from chapters 6, 7, 8, and 9 are selected from passages in which devout scholars see the intent to portray Jesus as replacing the Old Testament feasts, which were central to Jewish worship, and connecting Jesus to themes of life and light. Chapter 5 [not included here] shows Jesus as a new Moses replacing the Sabbath ordinances. Chapter 6 deals with Passover (as does John's account of the Passion), showing Jesus as the Bread of Life (revelatory wisdom and the eucharist) replacing manna. Chapters 7-10 take place during Jesus' visit to Jerusalem for the feast of Tabernacles, and show Jesus as the Source of Living Water, and the Light of the World, replacing the water and light ceremonies which were a key part of Tabernacles observances.

In chapter 11 with the raising of Lazarus, Jesus reveals his love and power, foreshadowing his own death and resurrection. Then, the washing of the disciple's feet in John's version of the Last Supper (chapter 13) defines sacrificial leadership, the character of Jesus that we are called to emulate. So in these passages Jesus reveals more and more of his character, and the character of God.

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Week 1Harvest of the Heart

Leader Guide Week 1 of 6

[October 4-10] Opening worship [5 minutes]

Start with a word of welcome, and an opening prayer. You may create one of your own, or use this one:

Dear Lord, as we come together this fall, we know you are with us. We are excited about this chance to get to know you and each other better, and to study your Word. Care for us, guide us, and lead us into a fellowship of love and acceptance. Thank you for gathering us to receive your love. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Then read Psalm 91, or play a recording of some appropriate music, or sing a verse or two of a favorite song or hymn (suggestion: #460 “Break Thou the Bread of Life, or #606 Doxology). You might want to try singing a chant through several times. Some in our hymnbook are: #205 “Live in Charity,” #227 “Jesus, Remember Me,” #700 “Lord Prepare Me.”

Community Building [35 minutes]

Tell the group your expectations for your time together, and seek their agreement. Say something like: As we meet together through these six weeks, we will be encountering Jesus as he reveals himself to us in a series of passages from the Gospel of John. You will want to bring your Bible every week, to follow along. I will tell you what the following week's passage will be, but you will be able to take part in the discussion, even if you don't have time to read it before the meeting. This isn't academic Bible study; we will explore what John's Gospel text says and means, and then move on to making connections with our daily lives and encouraging one another to live according to what we are learning.

We will also build community in our group, and care for each other. We will listen to each other, and we will pray for each other. And we will worship together. So, these are our expectations for our time together.

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Week 1First, we will commit to be here every week unless we are sick or out of town. We will try to start on time and end on time, because we have baby sitters and other commitments, too.

Second, we will hold everything we hear in confidence, not repeating it outside the group. This will be our commitment now, and for the future when the group may not be meeting. We will build trust in the group. And third, we will listen lovingly and accept each other unconditionally. We will support each other. We will not offer advice, only support and encouragement, and prayer.

Is that all right with everybody? Can you all commit to that?

Now, let's get to know each other a little better. Let's go around and introduce ourselves, and make it more interesting by giving a brief answer to a few questions. I'll ask each question and give my answer first, so you get the idea. Then, everyone can take a turn. You can share as much or as little as you want, and if you prefer not to answer, just say "pass". In fact, that's how we will work all our sharing in this group.

[Ask one question at a time, and allow each group member to answer before moving to the next question. Model brevity; a suggestion of reasonable time for each person is noted after the question.]

Tell us your name, where you live, how many brothers and sisters you have, and one place you lived before you were 12. [30 seconds each] How was that place where you lived when you were a child heated? [30 seconds each] Who was a source of human warmth for you during that time? [1 minute each] When--if ever--did God become real, alive, and warm for you? [1-2 minutes each]

Bible Study--John 6:28-40 [25 minutes]

Start with a moment of silence, in which group members are invited to open their minds and hearts to the Word. Try for a full, measured minute of silence, though it may seem an eternity at first. Then, after the reading of the text, have another moment of silence, in which to consider the Word and allow it to take root. You may read the text yourself, or ask one person to read it all, or have several read two or

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Week 1three verses at a time. [For this week, you may consider asking the group to read John 6:60-70, as well.]

Background on John 6 (Any of this background may be shared, at points in the discussion when you think it is relevant, but the purpose of this Bible study is the shared reflections of the group, not a lecture.)

Jesus is still in Capernaum, and has not yet begun his final trip toward Jerusalem. He is conversing with the crowd he fed beside the Sea of Galilee [the 5,000]. This story is part of the explanation and explication of that feeding--Jesus is the food of the faithful. This may be the deepest meaning of the feeding of the 5,000 itself [sometimes referred to as the "multiplication story"]. Jesus has thus become the replacement for manna and the Passover celebration of nourishment. This text is (i) about faith, not just the eucharist; (ii) consciously polyvalent [with multiple meanings]; (iii) about "the divine Logos, who feeds believers with the Word of God " (Origen); (iv) in "to whom shall we go" (v. 68), the great minimum of Christian faith which in times of trial can be the maximum.

After the reading and following silence, invite comments on some of the following questions, as appropriate:

Openers: 1) What type of bread are you today? Rye, crusty, all natural, fresh, moldy, easy to butter up, etc.? 2) Who is the easiest in your family for you to communicate with? With whom are you often misunderstood?

Explore: 1) What is the work God requires? 2) What is the crowd [the people conversing with Christ] looking for? 3) Why does Jesus use food images to answer them? [the group may be interested in a quick look back to earlier in John 6] 4) What are the similarities between manna and the "bread of life"? 5) What claims does Jesus make in vv. 35-40? What do these claims emphasize about Jesus being the "bread of life"? 6) What does it mean to eat the bread of life, the flesh and blood of Jesus?

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Week 1Reflect: How would you describe your daily [weekly] spiritual diet? Junk food? Baby food? Microwave food? Leftovers? Hearty pasta or meat and potatoes? Pure bread and wine?

At the end of the Bible study discussion, to continue reflection on this passage through the week, ask the group to take two minutes to think in silence about a specific way each of them will improve their spiritual diet this week, while you are apart. They do not have to disclose this, but ask them to commit to doing it.

Sharing of Concerns and Joys [15 minutes]

Say something like: Let's take a few minutes and go around the room, sharing anything that we want the group to be praying about, for us. Remember, this is all confidential. This is about you, and how we can pray for you. This is not general intercessory prayer for others in the church or the world, but for your concerns. And, of course, you can pass. Then we will pray together.

Go first, try to be vulnerable [the group will follow your example, and be comfortable sharing if you lead them in sharing]. And model the amount of time you hope each member will use to share their concerns.

Prayer [10 minutes]

Say something like: A great way to experience God's love is to be prayed for. We have learned a little about each other, and about how God feeds our hearts. Let's pray together, taking turns and thanking God for loving care and each other, and lifting up each other's needs. I'll pray first, then we'll go around the circle as we did with our sharing. When it's your turn, you only need to say a sentence or two. If you want to pass, just say "Thank you, God", or squeeze the hand of the person next to you. If you aren't sure what to pray for, out of all we have shared today, think of the person on your right and what you can pray for them. Then, I'll close at the end. Let's pray.

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Lord, we are glad to be together again. We pray that your Word will be fresh for us today, and we thank you for letting us get to know each other better, as we come to know you better. Help us to love and care for one another. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen

Then read Psalm 51, or play a recording of some appropriate music, or sing (or even read) a verse or two of a favorite song or hymn (suggestion: #649 “Amazing Grace,” or #435 “There’s a Wideness in God’s Mercy”). Again, you might want to consider singing a chant through several times. Some in our hymnbook are: #205 “Live in Charity,” #227 “Jesus, Remember Me,” #700 “Lord Prepare Me.” Maybe you’ve found someone with musical abilities in your group and you can ask them to lead this part of your worship time.


[Optional Listening Skills exercise for new groups--see Appendix] If the group is not newly formed, proceed directly to community building and Say something like:

If people really listened to you, what is one thing they would find out about how your life is going right now? I'll go first, so you get the idea. Then, everyone can take a turn. You can share as much or as little as you want, and if you prefer not to answer, just say "pass". Remember, that's how we work all our sharing in this group.


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Week 2Bible Study--John 7:53-8:11 [30 minutes]

Start with a moment of silence, in which group members are invited to open their minds and hearts to the Word. Try for a full, measured minute of silence, though it may seem an eternity at first. Then, after the reading of the text, have another moment of silence, in which to consider the Word and allow it to take root. You may read the text yourself, or ask one person to read it all, or have several read two or three verses at a time.

Background on John 7:53-8:11 (This may be shared, at points in the discussion when you think it is relevant, but the purpose of this Bible study is the shared reflections of the group, not a lecture.)

This passage was not included in the text of the Gospel of John, at this point, until 900 A.D. Some earlier manuscripts have it at the end of John, some after Luke 21:38 (when Jesus was in Jerusalem for Holy Week, rather than for Tabernacles as in John). Apparently, copyists believed it belonged with Jesus teaching in the Temple. In the surrounding text, Jesus declares himself to be the Light of the World, the light of life, replacing (or putting himself in the context of) the Tabernacles rituals. Note, in the spirit of self-examination, that Jesus charges them all with sin, bidding them call to mind their own sinful lives.


Openers: 1) When you were a child, or another time, was there a time when someone made a public accusation against you--tattled on you? A time when you were caught doing something wrong? 2) Have you ever been part of a crowd, demanding that someone be punished?

Explore: 1) How is this a trap for Jesus? How does he avoid the trap? Why does this work? 2) What is Jesus' final answer to the woman? 3) What was Jesus writing?

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Week 2

Reflect: 1) With whom do you identify in the story--the woman, Jesus, Pharisees, the crowd? For whom do you feel sorry? 2) What are "big" sins? What sins do most people think they are incapable of committing? 3) About what do you tend to be self-righteous? 4) How should we treat people who have sinned (especially big sins)? 5) What do you do when you blow it, when you know you have sinned? 6) Have you ever felt "tried and convicted" by the crowd? Who has affirmed you, despite failures?

At the end of the Bible study discussion, to continue reflection on this passage through the week while you are apart, ask the group to take two minutes to think in silence about where in their lives they could be "accused" and to identify what they can do to "sin no more"--one specific step each of them will take this week to reduce that sin. They do not have to disclose this, but ask them to commit to doing it.


Say something like: Let's take a few minutes and go around the room, sharing anything that we want the group to be praying about, for us. Remember, this is all confidential. This is about you, and how we can pray for you this week. And, of course, you can pass. Then we will pray together.


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Week 2Prayer [10 minutes]

Say something like: We have learned today a little more about each other, and about how Jesus deals with our sins. Let's pray together, taking turns and thanking God for loving care and each other, and lifting up each other's needs. I'll pray first, then we'll go around the circle as we did with our sharing. When it's your turn, you only need to say a sentence or two. If you want to pass, just say "Thank you, God", or squeeze the hand of the person next to you. If you aren't sure what to pray for, out of all we have shared today, think of the person on your left and what you can pray for them. Then, I'll close at the end. Let's pray.

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Study Guide Week 3 of 6



Lord, we praise you for bringing abundance even in our places of drought. As we meet together and care for each other in your name, teach us to seek that fulfillment, and then share it with each other. In your holy name, Amen.

Then read Ephesians 2:1-10 or Psalm 98, or play a recording of some appropriate music, or sing (or even read) a verse or two of a favorite song or hymn (suggestion: #451 “Open My Eyes, That I May See,”). Again, you might want to consider singing a chant through several times. Some in our hymnbook are: #205 “Live in Charity,” #227 “Jesus, Remember Me,” #700 “Lord Prepare Me

History Sharing [20 minutes]

Say something like: Let's spend a little time sharing our own histories. Briefly describe a time when someone cared for you and helped you through a difficult situation. I'll go first, so you get the idea. Then, everyone can take a turn. You can share as much or as little as you want, and if you prefer not to answer, just say "pass". Remember, that's how we work all our sharing in this group.

Go first, try to be vulnerable [the group will follow your example, and be comfortable sharing if you lead them in sharing]. And model the amount of time you hope each member will use to share.

Bible Study--John 9:1-12, 35-41 [25 minutes]

Start with a moment of silence, in which group members are invited to open their minds and hearts to the Word. Try for a full, measured minute of silence, though it may seem an eternity at first. Then, after the reading of the text, have another moment of silence, in which to consider the Word and allow it to take root. You may

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Week 3read the text yourself, or ask one person to read it all, or have several read two or three verses at a time.

Background on John 9:1-12, 35-41 (This may be shared, at points in the discussion when you think it is relevant, but the purpose of this Bible study is the shared reflections of the group, not a lecture.)

This story appears to be taking place while Jesus is still in Jerusalem for the feast of Tabernacles, thus the theme feast continues to have that context. [Note that in John 10:22, Jesus comes to the feast of Dedication (Hannukah) in the Temple.] John 9 contains similar details to the blindness cures recorded in the Synoptic Gospels, but here, a multi-person drama is described, and some parts take place without Jesus present. This text makes the point that we, not just Jesus, are to be doers. The famished world left by Jesus is fed by the work of his disciples. Although this story is set in Temple precincts and Temple context, remember that by the time it was written the Temple had been destroyed, there was wide-spread persecution of Christians, and the faith/works dialogue was in full flower, both among Christians and among rabbinic Jews. [Recall John 6:29: belief in Jesus is the one true work of God we are to do.] John thinks that Temple worship has been succeeded, not by Torah observance, but by the revealer of God who is himself the sower of life. This passage is not about the mystery of suffering--it is about the mystery of God's manifestation in Jesus.


Opener: Does anybody have a story about playing in the mud, or an adventure in the mud?

Explore: 1) Why do the disciples ask their question in v. 2? How does Jesus deal with their question? 2) What do vs. 4-5 have to do with being blind? 3) Is it helpful to know that the pool of Siloam is the source of the ritual libations used in the Tabernacles celebration? 4) Why does Jesus wait until the encounter with the man in vs. 35-38 to fully present himself?

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Week 35) How is the man only then able to affirm Jesus as Lord? [The man's response in v. 12 is the honest answer of one not yet a believer.]

Reflect: 1) From what "blindness" has God healed you? From what blindness, or other physical, spiritual, emotional, relational need do you wish to be healed? 2) When you see suffering, another's misfortune, do you react like the disciples, the neighbors, or Jesus? 3) How's your spiritual sight? 20-20, near-sighted, far-sighted, blind spots?

At the end of the Bible study discussion, to continue reflection on this passage through the week while you are apart, ask the group to take two minutes to think in silence about one specific action each of them will do this week to practice "working in the light". They do not have to disclose this, but ask them to commit to doing it.


Say something like: There are five areas or types of need that a person might experience: physical need, social, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual. Briefly tell us about an area of your life in which you need care right now. I'll go first, so you get the idea. Then, everyone can take a turn. You can share as much or as little as you want, and if you prefer not to answer, just say "pass". Remember, that's how we work all our sharing in this group.




Go first, try to be vulnerable, and model the amount of time you hope each member will use to share their concerns.

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Week 3Prayer [10 minutes]

Say something like: And on us has the light shined. As we live in the light of life, let's pray together, taking turns and thanking God for loving care and each other, and lifting up each other's needs. [John], you pray first, then others as they are ready to pray. Then, I'll close at the end. Let's pray.

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Start with a word of welcome, and an opening prayer. You may create one of your own, or use this one: Lord, sometimes we go through terrible trials. We thank you that you choose to be present with us in these trials, and that we can see you in the faces and hearts of those gathered around us in this group, and those you send to be with us in our trials. Bless us as we spend this time together today, sharing your love. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Then read Psalm 103, or play a recording of some appropriate music, or sing (or even read) a verse or two of a favorite song or hymn (suggestion: #250 “In the Bulb There Is a Flower,” or #286 “Breathe on Me Breath of God”). Again, you might want to consider singing a chant through several times. Some in our hymnbook are: #205 “Live in Charity,” #227 “Jesus, Remember Me,” #700 “Lord Prepare Me.” Maybe you’ve found someone with musical abilities in your group and you can ask them to lead this part of your worship time.



Background on John 11 (This may be shared, at points in the discussion when you think it is relevant, but the purpose of this Bible study is the shared reflections of the group, not a lecture.)

This is the story of a family close to Jesus: Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. They must have been well-known in the early church. Curiously, in John 11, Mary is identified with reference to an incident involving the anointing of Jesus' feet that does not

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Week 4occur in John's narrative until the next chapter. The raising of Lazarus is the most astonishing self-revelation of Jesus' character so far in John, and in Martha's faith statement in v. 27, it has the strongest Christological proclamation so far, as well. It is a parable of Jesus' own return to glory. This passage is a reference back to John 5: "the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and…will live/…come forth." Jesus' reaction to Lazarus' death and Mary's grief is also revealing; in v. 33, Jesus is described as "deeply moved in spirit" or "troubled", the same verb used to describe Jesus in Gethsemane. In v. 35, Jesus wept, even knowing that he would raise Lazarus. The teaching in this passage is central to the Gospel of John: Jesus has not "merely" the power to raise the dead, but to give new life. And, foreshadowing the Passion, Jesus the giver of life is not one to have his own life taken from him without his willing it.


Openers: 1) What polite phrases do we use to describe death? 2) Who is the closest person to you who has died, or is dying? 3) If you could raise one person from the dead, who would it be? 4) What is the most spectacular miracle you can imagine? 5) What do people seem to fear most?

Explore: 1) What is Jesus' relationship to this family? 2) Why does Jesus deliberately delay? 3) What do the disciples think (vs. 8, 12-13, 16)? 4) What did Martha say to Jesus about his coming after Lazarus died? How did Jesus respond? 5) How would Martha or Mary feel when they heard that Jesus has finally come? 6) What did Martha and the others learn about Jesus' identity? 7) What do you learn about Martha from her conversation with Jesus? 8) What does Martha's confession in v. 27 sound like to you? 9) Martha and Mary's greetings: identical, or different? 10) Jesus knew he would raise Lazarus; why does he weep? 11) What did Jesus do before calling to Lazarus? 12) How do you harmonize Martha in v. 39 with Martha in v. 27?

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Week 4Reflect: 1) What are some old "grave clothes" that still need to be shed for you to feel completely alive in Christ? 2) Did you ever feel like Thomas (v. 16), that God was calling you to do something very risky? 3) How does Jesus' response to Lazarus' death and Mary's weeping help you to trust him more? 4) When have you been in a tough situation that ended up stretching your faith? What would have been different for you if that struggle had been avoided?

At the end of the Bible study discussion, to continue reflection on this passage through the week while you are apart, ask the group to take two minutes to think in silence about [two options for the leader to choose between]: What you can do so that others might believe in Jesus. What attitude of disappointment do you need to confess to God and ask to have it transformed to trust in God's sovereign control? Then pick one specific action each of them will do this week to carry this out. They do not have to disclose this, but ask them to commit to doing it.


Say something like: What good news from the past week would you like to share with the group. Or perhaps a challenge has come up for you this past week that you need to share. Has being a member of this group affected your daily life? I'll go first, so you get the idea. Then, everyone can take a turn. You can share as much or as little as you want, and if you prefer not to answer, just say "pass".



Say something like: Let's take a few minutes and go around the room, sharing anything that we want the group to be praying about, for us. Remember, this is all confidential. This is about

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Week 4you, and how we can pray for you this week. And, of course, you can pass. Then we will pray together.


Prayer [10 minutes]

Say something like: Jesus truly is the giver of new life. Let's pray together, taking turns and thanking God for loving care and each other, and lifting up each other's needs. [Sue], you pray first, then others as they are ready to pray. Then, I'll close at the end. Let's pray.

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[November 1-7] Opening worship [5 minutes]

Start with a word of welcome, and an opening prayer. You may create one of your own, or use this one: Dear Lord, you have shown us how to serve you through serving others. Keep us connected as branches to a vine, and help us abide in you, as your Word abides in us. Thank you for giving us friends to love in your name. Amen.

Then read Philippians 2:1-4, or play a recording of some appropriate music, or sing a verse or two of a favorite song or hymn (suggestion: #203 “Jesu, Jesu, Fill Us with Your Love,”).

History Sharing [15 minutes]

Say something like: Briefly tell about someone you know, or have heard of, who really shows what it means to live as a disciple or follower of Jesus. I'll go first, so you get the idea. Then, everyone can take a turn. You can share as much or as little as you want, and if you prefer not to answer, just say "pass".

Go first, and model the amount of time you hope each member will use to share their history.



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Week 5Background on John 13:3-17 (This may be shared, at points in the discussion when you think it is relevant, but the purpose of this Bible study is the shared reflections of the group, not a lecture.)

Here Jesus teaches the loving interrelationship among the disciples that must characterize them if they are to claim Jesus as their teacher and Lord. It is notable, however, that one response to Jesus' proof of love in washing the disciples' feet is Judas' act of betrayal. Note that the chronology of John for Holy Week differs from that of the Synoptic Gospels; the supper on Thursday is not on the first night of Passover, because the crucifixion in John is on the Day of Preparation for the Passover, and Jesus dies on the cross at the hour the Passover lamb is slaughtered for the Passover meal. For John, Jesus is the Pasch--the Lamb of God.


Openers: 1) What were the special meals in your family--Thanksgiving? Sunday dinner? Birthdays? Ozzie and Harriet Night? What was served--did anything besides food happen? 2) Who is the Mother Teresa in your family or church--tireless, selfless servanthood? 3) What do your neighbors consider signs of high position or status?

Explore: 1) Whose feet did Jesus wash? 2) Why is Peter shocked? Would you react as Peter did? 3) What does Jesus mean about the need for washing in vs. 8, 10? 4) What does Jesus explain (vs. 12-15) about his example? 5) How does Jesus redefine the role of the Messiah, and of the chief followers of the Messiah? 6) Is this story relevant for our culture?

Reflect: 1) When and why is it difficult for you to serve others? 2) Who in your spiritual life has "washed feet"? 3) How does Jesus wash our feet today? 4) Whose service do you need to accept the next time it is offered?

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Week 5At the end of the Bible study discussion, to continue reflection on this passage through the week while you are apart, ask the group to take two minutes to think in silence about how they will put Jesus' teaching in this passage into practice in at least one relationship this week, at home, church, or work. They do not have to disclose this, but ask them to commit to doing it.


Say something like: If you feel comfortable doing so, share a specific situation in your life right now in which Jesus is challenging you to live more completely as his disciple--at home, at church, at work, or in your neighborhood. Or if you don't feel comfortable sharing an answer to that question, tell us more generally how things went for you in the past week. I'll go first, so you get the idea. Then, everyone can take a turn. You can share as much or as little as you want, and if you prefer not to answer, just say "pass".

Go first, try to be vulnerable [the group will follow your example, and be comfortable sharing if you lead them in sharing]. And model the amount of time you hope each member will use to share.




Prayer [10 minutes]

Say something like: We hope in the Lord, and we hope we have learned how to serve and care for one another. Let's pray together, taking turns and thanking God for loving care and each other, and lifting up each other's needs. I will pray first, then others as they are ready to pray. Then, [Bill], will you close at the end? Let's pray.

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[November 8-14] Opening worship [5 minutes]

Start with a word of welcome, and an opening prayer. You may create one of your own, or use this one: Dear Lord, we thank you for blessing us with this fellowship. Open our ears to your Word, and our eyes to the needs in each other's heart, for which you call us to care. Hold each of us as we meet together, and as we carry your love into the world. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Then read Psalm 95 or I Cor. 1:18-25, or play a recording of some appropriate music, or sing a verse or two of a favorite song or hymn (suggestion: #37 “Let All Things Now Living,” or #741 “Guide My Feet”). Again, you might want to consider singing a chant through several times. Some in our hymnbook are: #205 “Live in Charity,” #227 “Jesus, Remember Me,” #700 “Lord Prepare Me.”

Brief Check-in [15 minutes]

Say something like: Sometimes we have a brief check-in at the beginning of the meeting, to see if anything major is going on in our lives, that can't wait until our sharing toward the end of the meeting. We'll go around quickly, and just briefly let each other know how we're doing this week. If we hear something major, we can deal with it now, before going on the other business of the evening [afternoon], or we can agree to hear more detail later in the meeting.

Go first, model brevity, and listen attentively for truly big matters that cannot be put off for discussion later. Use caution; if comments here are too long, the meeting schedule will be derailed. If heavy burdens are postponed, however, later in the meeting there may not be time adequate to fully hear them out.


Start with a moment of silence, in which group members are invited to open their minds and hearts to the Word. Try for a full, measured minute of silence, though it

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Week 6may seem an eternity at first. Then, after the reading of the text, have another moment of silence, in which to consider the Word and allow it to take root. You may read the text yourself, or ask one person to read it all, or have several read two or three verses at a time.

Background of John 4:27-38 (This may be shared, at points in the discussion when you think it is relevant, but the purpose of this Bible study is the shared reflections of the group, not a lecture.)

Jesus has just concluded a long conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well and now the Samaritan woman leaves the very water that she came for to run and tell everyone she knows about the “living water” she found in Jesus. It seems that in the meantime the disciples have gotten some food and they are urging Jesus to join them in a meal. Jesus often uses food as a metaphor to educate his disciples about his true mission and about the true priorities that nourish life. This response throws the disciples into confusion and they turn and confer with each other because, unlike the Samaritan woman, they don’t “get it.” Jesus spells out how doing his Father’s will is what feeds him (v. 34). Then John switches from the image of “food” to the image of the “harvest” (v. 35). The time of year may be the time for sowing crops, because Jesus refers to the four months needed from planting to harvesting, but Jesus tells the disciples that there is no need to wait. It is already harvest time! Many times the “harvest” is used as a metaphor for reaching the time of judgment, but in this text John is using “harvest” to refer to the harvesting of “fruits.” In the final verse, Jesus references a proverb that was common to the people about reaping that for which you labor. In this harvest there is no ownership over who plants and who harvests and the disciples are called to be part of the harvest even though others have done the “planting” –the groundwork. In this case the “others” probably refers to Moses and the prophets.


Opener: 1) Where are your ancestors from? To whom among your forebears do you look, especially for spiritual example? 2) Did you ever misunderstand something or someone only to have new information or experience change your mind? 3) Name an experience that moved you to a deeper understanding of your faith.

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Week 6

Explore: 1) How is Jesus’ figurative speech once again misunderstood? (See 2:19; 3:3; 4:10). Why does he continue to speak like this? In what ways is God’s will like food for him? 2) How does the parable of harvesting apply to the disciples? 3) Where do you participate in working toward God’s harvest? 4) How do you take “Sabbath?”

Reflect: 1) Considering your interest in spiritual things this week, have you been more like the disciples or the woman? Why? What distracts you from spiritual things? 2) How does obeying the will of God supply the same essentials in your life that food does? 3)What do you learn about being a witness from the woman? From the parable (v. 35-38)?

At the end of the Bible study discussion, to continue reflection on this passage, ask the group to take two minutes to think in silence about how you spent your last week. How was your time filled? What fed you spiritually? What drained you or left you feeling starved for God’s presence? How you can spend more time with those things that feed you and help you to discern God’s will? Ask them to identify one specific action each of them will take this week to bring that will feed them spiritually. They do not have to disclose this, but ask them to commit to doing it.


Say something like: Share a challenge or frustration in your life that you are carrying right now, that you would like to turn over to God. I'll go first, so you get the idea. Then, everyone can take a turn. You can share as much or as little as you want, and if you prefer not to answer, just say "pass". Remember, that's how we work all our sharing in this group.


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Week 6Sharing of Concerns and Joys [10 minutes]



Prayer [10 minutes]

Say something like: Today we learned again that we aren’t sustained by bread alone. As we celebrate the ways that our lives our fed through our relationship with Christ, let's pray together, taking turns and thanking God for loving care and each other, and lifting up each other's needs. I'll pray first, then we'll go around the circle as we did with our sharing. When it's your turn, you only need to say a sentence or two. If you want to pass, just say "Thank you, God", or squeeze the hand of the person next to you. Then, I'll close at the end. Let's pray.

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AppendixOptional Listening Skills Exercise for use in Week 2

Before the meeting, you will need to recruit a member to help you with a demonstration of listening skills. You will be the speaker in the demonstration, and the group member will be the listener. During the first part of the demonstration, you as speaker will be trying to describe a situation in your daily life that is troubling you (perhaps a problem with a neighbor or the extra workload at your job). The group member, instead of listening attentively, will tune you out--fidgeting, yawning, looking around, checking a watch--communicating that the group member is not listening.

For the second part of the demonstration, you will again describe the situation that is troubling, but this time the group member will use good listening skills--nodding, asking questions, saying "uh huh" or something else encouraging you to go on, leaning forward slightly, maintaining eye contact.

Say: "[name of group member] and I are going to perform a brief listening demonstration. Please watch for the listening skills we demonstrate."

Then demonstrate the example of how not to listen for about 30 seconds, or long enough for the group to see what is happening. Then discuss what happened.

Say: "How can you tell when a person is not really listening to you? Give specific examples. "

Discuss this for about two minutes. Answers might include: listener looks at watch a lot; listener gazes into space or refuses to make eye contact; listener slouched or yawns; listener fidgets or sits on the edge of the chair; listener changes the subject.

Say: "Now we'd like to do another brief listening demonstration. We'll try to get the skills right this time. Please watch for signs that [name] is really listening to me."

Conduct the second part of the demonstration, as a good listener, for about two minutes [always model the correct behavior longer than the incorrect]. Then, discuss for about three minutes.

Say: "How can you tell when a person is really listening? What are specific examples?"

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Appendix

Answers might include: eye contact; posture; facial expressions; verbal encouragement like "uh huh"; nodding; asking questions; not being distracted by outside noises or movement.

Say: "Now we want to take some time to practice good listening. Find a partner to practice with. Take about three minutes each now to share some important information about yourself with your partner. Describe something that you are happy or excited about. While you are talking, your partner will listen using the good listening indicators we just discussed. I will tell you when three minutes have passed, then you will switch roles and both have an opportunity to practice good listening skills, and to tell your story."

After three minutes, let the partners change roles. At the end,

Say: "This is the kind of listening we should always use in our group's times of sharing, to show Christ's love for one another."

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Documents

Harvest of the heart fpc small group copy