Reflective Questions
1. How would you react if a friend told you he had seen someone raised from the dead?
2. Why is it important to you that Jesus rose from the dead? Could you still believe in him if he had died and we could visit his tomb?
Reading
John 20:1-18
Responsive Questions
1. John identifies three witnesses to the empty tomb: Mary Magdalene, Peter and "the other disciple" (John himself). What important details do we learn from each one (vv. 1-9)?
2. Why is it important to prove the tomb was empty?
3. John also records three appearances of the risen Christ: to Mary Magdalene, to his disciples and to Thomas. Why do you think Mary Magdalene doesn't immediately recognize Jesus (vv. 10-15)?
4. After she does recognize him, what impresses you most about their encounter (vv. 16-18)?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Obedient to Death - Part 3 - Devo for 07/30/08
Reading
John 19:25-42 (review this passage from yesterday)
Responsive Questions
1. Under the same circumstances, do you think you would have been more like Joseph and Nicodemus or Jesus' disciples? Explain your answer.
2. When it comes to public identification with Jesus, how is it possible to respond in the same ways today?
3. What aspect of Jesus' death has made the deepest impression on you and why?
Applying This Passage in Your Life
1. Some critics of the Bible claim that Jesus never really died on the cross. What evidence does John provide that refutes that view?
2. Why was it so important for John to establish the certainty of Jesus' death?
John 19:25-42 (review this passage from yesterday)
Responsive Questions
1. Under the same circumstances, do you think you would have been more like Joseph and Nicodemus or Jesus' disciples? Explain your answer.
2. When it comes to public identification with Jesus, how is it possible to respond in the same ways today?
3. What aspect of Jesus' death has made the deepest impression on you and why?
Applying This Passage in Your Life
1. Some critics of the Bible claim that Jesus never really died on the cross. What evidence does John provide that refutes that view?
2. Why was it so important for John to establish the certainty of Jesus' death?
Obedient to Death - Part 2 - Devo for 07/29/08
Reading
John 19:25-42
Responsive Questions
1. How is Jesus' tender care for his mother evident even while he is dying (vv. 26-27)?
2. What is the significance of Jesus' cry in v. 30; see also John 17:4)?
3. What feelings and thoughts would have gone through your mind if you had helped prepare Jesus' body for burial?
4. Where are Jesus' disciples during his crucifixion and burial (see also John 16:32)?
5. Why do you think they are conspicuously absent?
John 19:25-42
Responsive Questions
1. How is Jesus' tender care for his mother evident even while he is dying (vv. 26-27)?
2. What is the significance of Jesus' cry in v. 30; see also John 17:4)?
3. What feelings and thoughts would have gone through your mind if you had helped prepare Jesus' body for burial?
4. Where are Jesus' disciples during his crucifixion and burial (see also John 16:32)?
5. Why do you think they are conspicuously absent?
Obedient to Death - Part 1 - Devo for 07/28/08
Reflective Questions
When you think about death, what feelings and thoughts come to mind?
Reading
John 19:17-24
Responsive Questions
1. Crucifixion was obviously a brutal and tortuous form of execution. Why do you think John leaves so much of the agonizing detail out of his account?
2. Three groups are involved in Jesus' death - the soldiers, the Jewish leaders and Pilate. How would you characterize each one's attitude toward Jesus?
3. In what ways do their attitudes toward Jesus parallel those of men and women today?
4. How do you think Mary, Jesus' mother, feels as she stands by the cross?
When you think about death, what feelings and thoughts come to mind?
Reading
John 19:17-24
Responsive Questions
1. Crucifixion was obviously a brutal and tortuous form of execution. Why do you think John leaves so much of the agonizing detail out of his account?
2. Three groups are involved in Jesus' death - the soldiers, the Jewish leaders and Pilate. How would you characterize each one's attitude toward Jesus?
3. In what ways do their attitudes toward Jesus parallel those of men and women today?
4. How do you think Mary, Jesus' mother, feels as she stands by the cross?
Character Test - Part 2 - Devo for 07/15/08
Reading
John 18:38-19:16
Responsive Questions
1. Pilate obviously is trying to release Jesus. What specific attempts does he make?
2. How does it make you feel when you read the record of injustice done toward Jesus?
3. What can you conclude about Pilate's character after reading this passage?
4. The Jews' true charge against Jesus comes out in verse 7. Why do you think Pilate reacts to that statement the way he does (19:8-9)?
5. Why doesn't Jesus say more to Pilate and defend himself more vigorously (19:9-11)?
6. What does this passage teach you about how to respond when you are treated injustly?
Applying This Passage in Your Life
Who or what competes with Christ for authority over your life?
John 18:38-19:16
Responsive Questions
1. Pilate obviously is trying to release Jesus. What specific attempts does he make?
2. How does it make you feel when you read the record of injustice done toward Jesus?
3. What can you conclude about Pilate's character after reading this passage?
4. The Jews' true charge against Jesus comes out in verse 7. Why do you think Pilate reacts to that statement the way he does (19:8-9)?
5. Why doesn't Jesus say more to Pilate and defend himself more vigorously (19:9-11)?
6. What does this passage teach you about how to respond when you are treated injustly?
Applying This Passage in Your Life
Who or what competes with Christ for authority over your life?
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Character Test - Part 1 - Devo for 07/14/08
Reflective Questions
1. To what extent are you tempted to compromise your Christian faith or witness becuase of pressure from people around you?
2. Describe a situation in which you sensed that pressure.
Reading
John 18:28-37
Responsive Questions
1. A Roman trial included four basic elements. What events or statements from John's account fall under each category?
* The accusation:
* The interrogation or search for evidence:
* The defense:
* The verdict:
2. How do the Jewish leaders reveal their hypocrisy by refusing to enter Pilate's (a non-Jewish) home (v. 28)?
3. How would you describe Jesus' "kingdom" based on his response to Pilate (vv. 36-37)?
1. To what extent are you tempted to compromise your Christian faith or witness becuase of pressure from people around you?
2. Describe a situation in which you sensed that pressure.
Reading
John 18:28-37
Responsive Questions
1. A Roman trial included four basic elements. What events or statements from John's account fall under each category?
* The accusation:
* The interrogation or search for evidence:
* The defense:
* The verdict:
2. How do the Jewish leaders reveal their hypocrisy by refusing to enter Pilate's (a non-Jewish) home (v. 28)?
3. How would you describe Jesus' "kingdom" based on his response to Pilate (vv. 36-37)?
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