All Scriptures are from The Message Version
It is helpful to use this blog as a discussion starter for two or more people but it will also stimulate some thoughts if used by one reader. The material is used by a Sunday Study Group at Hamilton Christian Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
Today is the second Sunday of Epiphany. One definition (Wikipedia) of an epiphany is that “it is the sudden realization or comprehension of the (larger) essence or meaning of something. Such as new information or an experience, often insignificant by itself, that illuminates a deeper truth.” The gospels and indeed much is scripture is the story of the many ways in which God has been revealed to mankind throughout history. The gospels first epiphany stories are associated with the events surrounding the birth of Christ. Another records the events of Jesus’ baptism and John the Baptists relating of his own personal epiphany on that day. We will look at his story today:
The Witness John 1:29-31 The very next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and yelled out, "Here he is, God's Passover Lamb! He forgives the sins of the world! This is the man I've been talking about, 'the One who comes after me but is really ahead of me.' I knew nothing about who he was—only this: that my task has been to get Israel ready to recognize him as the God-Revealer. That is why I came here baptizing with water, giving you a good bath and scrubbing sins from your life so you can get a fresh start with God."
32-34 John clinched his witness with this: "I watched the Spirit, like a dove flying down out of the sky, making himself at home in him. I repeat, I know nothing about him except this: The One who authorized me to baptize with water told me, 'The One on whom you see the Spirit come down and stay, this One will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' That's exactly what I saw happen, and I'm telling you, there's no question about it: This is the Son of God."
· What does John say about himself, why is he baptizing? What does John’s gospel leave out of our traditional picture of John? Look at Matthew’s Gospel for some ideas:
Matthew 3:1-2 While Jesus was living in the Galilean hills, John, called "the Baptizer," was preaching in the desert country of Judea. His message was simple and austere, like his desert surroundings: "Change your life. God's kingdom is here."
3 John and his message were authorized by Isaiah's prophecy: Thunder in the desert! Prepare for God's arrival! Make the road smooth and straight!
4-6 John dressed in a camel-hair habit tied at the waist by a leather strap. He lived on a diet of locusts and wild field honey. People poured out of Jerusalem, Judea, and the Jordanian countryside to hear and see him in action. There at the Jordan River those who came to confess their sins were baptized into a changed life.
· Matthew gives us a vivid picture of John the Baptist, what do you think that the writer of this gospel wants us to understand about him? On the other hand, what do you think that the writer of John’s Gospel wanted us wanted to remember about him?
· Based on Matthew’s description of John why these visitors come to see him? What other paths might he have taken to utilize or take advantage of the reputation he had developed? In contrast what does John’s Gospel tell us he said about his purpose?
· What does the Baptizer say about Jesus in John’s gospel? What words or phrases does he use in describing him and what he is to do? Why did he baptize him? What validated the nature of Jesus to him? What does baptize ‘with the Holy Spirit’ mean to you?
· What imagery does John’s Gospel use in 1:32-34 to describe the Spirit? What understanding does John want us to have of the Spirit? How would you describe the nature of the Spirit, what imagery would you use to explain it to someone?
· What do John’s words in 1:32-34 tell us about his response to being in the presence of Jesus? Who is he saying this to and what might the potential reactions have been? Would there have been those who might have reacted negatively or even saw him as a threat because of his declaration?
· What was your own personal epiphany? Not when did you begin attending worship or religious services but what caused you to begin your own personal faith journey? Did or have you told others about it? Why or why not?
· How would you describe your faith journey, has it included multiple epiphanies? Another way of considering the question – what has sustained you as you have lived out your faith?
Followers and Leaders John 1:35-36 The next day John was back at his post with two disciples, who were watching. He looked up, saw Jesus walking nearby, and said, "Here he is, God's Passover Lamb."
37-38 The two disciples heard him and went after Jesus. Jesus looked over his shoulder and said to them, "What are you after?"
They said, "Rabbi" (which means "Teacher"), "where are you staying?"
39 He replied, "Come along and see for yourself."
They came, saw where he was living, and ended up staying with him for the day. It was late afternoon when this happened.
40-42 Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, was one of the two who heard John's witness and followed Jesus. The first thing he did after finding where Jesus lived was find his own brother, Simon, telling him, "We've found the Messiah" (that is, "Christ"). He immediately led him to Jesus.
Jesus took one look up and said, "You're John's son, Simon? From now on your name is Cephas" (or Peter, which means "Rock").
1. What is the chain of events that begins with John’s revelation to his followers? What does it say about the effects of our willingness to tell others about our epiphany experiences? Has the relating of events in your faith journey ever affected someone else?
2. What terms are used to describe Jesus, what names is he given? What names would you use to describe the nature of Jesus to someone? Each name represents the picture of Jesus that each has come to believe. That understanding is a combination of the life’s experience of each one and their interpretation of their epiphany experience? What benefit comes from a willingness to share our personal revelations with others?
3. How does Jesus respond to John’s disciples in verse 39? What does he say to them? What are you looking for and what have you seen in your faith life? How would you like others to benefit from what you have experienced.
4. Sometime later John begins to have doubts about Jesus – a story for another day. Does epiphany mean that all of our doubts and questions go away? What has helped you maintain a faith journey in spite of the inevitable experience of uncertainty and the seemingly unanswerable?
5. The scripture describes good followers, responding to a leader. What are some characteristics of a good follower? What do these characteristics tell us about a robust faith life?
6. What are the attributes of a person you will follow? Who has been a leader/mentor in some aspect of your life and what caused you to value them? What is it about Jesus that causes you to be a Christian? Why do you value his presence in your life?
Closing Prayer
Loving God, we thank you for the Spirit that has descended upon us from heaven. Empower us to invite others to come and see through our words and works. For we seek to be faithful followers of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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