Bring on the tough stuff - there’s not just one right answer.
- What's in a name? The Bible is kind of fond of name changes and here, Jesus changes Peter's name within seconds of meeting him. How do our names define us? Based on their meanings, is Peter a better name for this disciple than Simon?
- Who do you think was getting married in Cana? What was their story? And why was Jesus on the guest list?
- Is Peter the best choice to lead the disciples and the future church? If not, who would be better? The Beloved Disciple? Mary Magdalene? Lazarus?
- For the woman caught in adultery in Chapter 8: Leviticus 20:10 requires that anyone discovered committing adultery should be stoned to death. So where was the guy?
- Why did Jesus cry when he visited Lazarus's tomb? If he knew he would be able to bring him back, why would it be a sad moment? What does this say about grief? About death itself?
- Who is responsible for Jesus's death in the Gospel of John? Judas? The religious authorities? Pilate? Or is it God?
- Sure, popularity isn't everything, but is Jesus purposely trying to be unpopular? Is Jesus a hipster?
- How are the healing stories of the man by the pools (Chapter 5) and the man who was born blind (Chapter 9) similar? How are they different?
- The disciples lock themselves away after Jesus's death. Are their feelings of fear understandable? Or are they being cowards?
- John's Gospel has been used by some people to promote violence and intolerance against other religious groups. Do you think these interpretations hold up? Can a reader still find value in a text that has sometimes been used to hurt others?
- How would John's Gospel be different if it were written specifically for non-Christians?
- Is it really fair to condemn Judas? After all, if it's God's plan for Jesus to die, isn't Judas just helping that along? Does Judas really have a choice in the matter or has he just been set up as the fall guy from the beginning?
- How would this story be different if Jesus were a woman? Would the world have responded differently to God's only daughter?
- C.S. Lewis once wrote there were only three ways a person could view Jesus: either he was a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. Do you agree or disagree?
- Why is John's Gospel so different from the other three gospels? Do you think the authors had read Matthew, Mark, and Luke? How do its differences set it apart and make it special?
- John's Gospel is the last of the four gospels to be written. How does this affect our view of it?