LISTEN -

Verses: John 12:37-50

Main Point: God’s sovereignty should lead us to belief in Jesus

1. The Old Testament Connection (John 12:37-43)

2. Light and Darkness (John 12:44-46)

3. Judgement and the Final Verdict (John 12:47-50)

REFLECT

Other Scriptures to Read:
Isaiah 6, 52-53, Romans 9-11, John 5 & 8, Mattew 13, Acts 28
1. What impacted you most from this week’s message? What challenged you or encouraged you?
2. Read John 12:37-41 – John tells us that the Jews in Jesus time could not believe because their eyes had been blinded and their hearts had been hardened. What do you think that means and why does John highlight it for us?
3. Read Matthew 13:10-17 and Acts 28:23-28 – How do these quotations by Jesus and Paul elaborate or explain John’s usage of the text?
4. What is the primary characteristic or end result of a “hardened” heart or blinded eyes in these passages? (John 12:37, Matthew 13:18-22, Acts 28:24)
What would the opposite of that be? (John 12:44-46, Matthew 13:23, Acts 28:28)
5. Read Isaiah 52:13-53:12 – In what ways should this passage inform our understanding of God’s will and sovereignty not only in our lives, but in the life of Jesus and His ministry?
6. Read John 12:42-43 – If the antidote to a hardened heart is belief in Jesus Christ what should we do? What does it mean for us to do that? What does it look or not look like?
7. What is the difference between a hardened heart or rejection of the gospel and impotent or ineffectual belief? How do we respond to the gospel effectually?
8. Read John 12:44-50 – What does this passage say about God’s heart for us?
9. Jesus’ final words in public ministry concerns His desire that people would believe and a warning concerning the judgement that is to come. What should we take from this passage as we live awaiting Christ’s return? What has changed? What remains the same?

ACT

- What is one specific thing you can do this week to put into practice what you learned in this message?
- Who is someone you can share what you learned with?