DISCUSSION QUESTIONS Sermon Series Bystanders - Week 1

​

Beginning with first-century followers of Jesus, trusting in Jesus has been a response to evidence—not simply a hope that something is true. The Gospel writer John referred to the miracles of Jesus as signs that gave evidence of who Jesus was. The first sign John documented was when Jesus—with a nudge from his mother—attended a wedding and turned water into wine.

​

1. What is something you once believed without any evidence? Why did you believe it?
    

2. How would you describe the difference between faith and belief?
    

3. The apostle John describes coming to faith as a process that starts with seeing actual events that serve as signs of who Jesus was. Today, we can only hear or read about those events. Should the fact that we are not eyewitnesses to Jesus’ miracles affect the process of someone coming to faith? Why or why not?
    

4. Read John 2:2–11, where the apostle John recounts the story of Jesus turning water into wine.

   • How familiar is this story to you? Is there anything that stands out as new information?

   • What are some details about this story that would lead a reader to believe this actually happened?

   • In verse 9, how would you have reacted if you were “one of the servants” at the wedding and just witnessed what Jesus did?

   • In verse 10, consider the master of the banquet’s statement. How might that be a foreshadowing of the coming shift from the sacrificial system to Jesus being the ultimate sacrifice?
      

5. What are some characteristics about Jesus that come to mind as a result of this story?
    

6. Does looking at this story as a “sign” instead of just a “miracle” change anything about your view of God? How might it shape how you approach the miracles of Jesus?

​

“The reason so many people are easily talked out of Christianity is because they were never talked into it in the first place.” —Frank Turek

​

Pray

​