People sometimes talk of the 7 Signs in John’s gospel – but there are various lists of the 7, so be aware that this is more for our convenience than something John was pointing out. We will take them like this:

1. Changing water into wine at the wedding at Cana (Jn 2:1-11); and cleansing the Temple (John 2:12-17)

2. Healing the royal official’s son (Jn 4:46-54);

3. Healing the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem (Jn 5:1-15);

4. Feeding the 5,000 (Jn 6:5-14); and walking on the water (Jn 6:16-21)

5. Healing the man born blind (Jn 9:1-7); and

6. Raising Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:1-45).

which makes 6! Different lists make the cleansing of the temple, or the walking on the water, the 7th.

Session 1 John 2:1-17.

1. Read John 2:1-12. Think about Jesus’ miracles. When did he do them, and when refuse to do them? Why?

2. What do you think are the most important issues today? How do they compare with the priorities Jesus reveals here?

3. In what ways was a Wedding a suitable occasion for Jesus first sign?

4. There are many suggestions here of things which do not work – perhaps with spiritual overtones. Think about: 6 water jars; Mary and Jesus; water for cleansing becoming wine for celebration; a party going wrong; wine (a symbol of the OT Law) being improved.

5. Read John 2:13-22. We tend to interpret this as the synoptic gospels do, but is John making a different point? Look at Malachi 3:1 and perhaps Psalm 69:9. There is no reference here to Isaiah 56:7

6. Is anger always wrong? Is Jesus angry? If it is not just a failure, what is it meant to do for us?

7. Does 2:19 suggest that faith is easier to make sense of in hindsight? Does Jesus ministry work in that way? Does is also work as you understand your life?

We’ll try and spend our last 15 minutes in prayer. Perhaps this time we will practise some worship / adoration – not thanksgiving, nor intercession. (We used the hymn “Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven”)

Session 2 John 4:46-54

1. Last week we read of Jesus’ first sign at Cana in Galilee, and were told Jn 2:11 “he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” Jesus then went to Jerusalem for the Passover, and talked with Nicodemus. Chapter 4 sees Jesus travel through Samaria, talk to a woman at the well, and stay with Samaritans who become believers Jn 4:42.

2. Read John 4:43-54. Jesus travels on north to Galilee, and is welcomed. (Why?)

3. In Cana (about halfway between the sea of Galilee and the Mediterranean) he meets a royal official from Capernaum (about 15 miles away, on the shores of the lake/sea of Galilee). Why has he come? What is remarkable about that?

4. How do you understand Jesus response in v 48? What is “wrong” with signs and wonders?

5. What do you think went through the official’s mind in v50, and why did he go?

6. V52,53 explain the result. How is his faith strengthened? In general, how is faith usually strengthened; what is your experience?

7. John tells us this is “the second sign”, though he suggests there have been other remarkable events (v45). What do you see in this sign? In what ways does it move the gospel story forward?

8. I find these verses are not included in the 3 year cycle of Sunday readings. What other parts of the New Testament (which may be included in those readings) point us to similar conclusions?

Last week we spent some time in praise and adoration, using the words of a hymn. This week, we will spend a couple of minutes silently identifying who we might find it difficult to welcome and include in church, and then praying silently for them.Healing the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem (Jn 5:1-15)

Session 3 Healing the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem (Jn 5:1-15)

1. Read John 5:1-8. What is the point of verse 1; what are we told?

2. Imagine you are a journalist sent to interview the invalid. What would you want to ask, how do you think you would picture him in your article?

3. What is behind Jesus’ question in v6? Does the invalid reply?

4. What responses might there be after v8? Which sort of response do you think most common now?

5. Read John 5:9-15. In what ways are the responses of v10 and 11 [a] fair, [b] unfair?

6. Why do you think the man had no idea who Jesus was? And why did Jesus slip away?

7. What changes do you think the invalid had to make in the light of v9 and v14?

8. Was v 15 an attempt to do the right thing, to keep out of trouble, or what?

9. Often we have spoken of sin as doing wrong, and Christian Stewardship in terms of our money. What might this passage teach you about the need to actively do right, and use all our resources (money, time, energy, intelligence, practical skills, social skills, sporting ability, cooking skill, musical skills, . . ) to serve God and God’s People?

For our prayer time, spend a moment in silence (we weren’t very good at that last week!) imagining that you are told you have a serious medical problem, and then reassured that you still have at least a year of good health. What do you feel you should do with that year? Pray about how you will use your time.

Session 4. Feeding the 5,000 (Jn 6:5-14); and walking on the water (Jn 6:16-21)

1. Read John 6:1-15. Why is the Passover (v4) significant? What do we learn from v12,13?

2. The prophet v14 compare Deut 18:15,18; Ac 3:22. What other figures did the Jewish people expect as a result of the Old Testament predictions?

3. Read John 6:16-21. What do we learn from these verses? In what ways are they similar to the feeding of the 5,000, and in what ways different?

4. So, what is John telling us about these miraculous signs? Read John 6:27-32. What do you think is interesting the crowd? And what is Jesus trying to explain to them?

5. Does this become any clearer in 6:35-40?

6. John 6:51-59 bring the argument to a head, and some leave (v66) perhaps taking the words literally, of cannibalism or suicide. How do you understand “eating the flesh of the son of Man and drinking his blood” v53?

7. It started with a picnic, developed into an argument about authority, and where is it leading? Jesus asks v61 if his disciples are offended; what is the “offence of the gospel”?

8. Neither sign is designed to entertain or amaze. Both lead on to deeper discussion. What causes us to discuss and pray more deeply?

Look at this prayer (one word altered from the 1662 Prayer Book, a prayer still used in the Church in Wales 2004 eucharist), and see where it comes from. We will use it together to end:

We do not presume to come to this your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in your manifold and great mercies.We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table. But you are the same Lord whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of your dear Son Jesus Christ and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him and he in us. Amen.

Session 5. Healing the man born blind (Jn 9:1-7).

1. Read John 9:1-7. What is the connection between illness and sin? Choose one of the

following:

a). Illness is caused by the sin of the person affected or someone close to them.

b). Illness is caused by sin, but it may not be the sin of the patient or anyone they know; sometimes we suffer the sins of humanity.

c). There is no connection.

2. Jesus seems more concerned with the idea that this disability can – do what? Is this something we should be more aware of as a possibility in our lives and the lives of others?

3. What is the challenge to the man in Jesus instructions?

4. Once again, the “sign” leads on to discussion. What do verses 11, 16-17, 25, 30-33 tell us about the man and his thoughts?

5. On the other hand, what is developing in verses 14-16, 24, 28-29, 34?

6. Read John 9:35-41. Verse 39 summarises the chapter: how do you understand it?

7. V41 Who is this aimed at? What relevance does it have for those who say they believe today, or even teach the faith?

For our prayer today, we will try a simple form of “Lectio Divina”: the final passage will be read, slowly, twice. Listen carefully for something that catches your attention, and spend a few moments in silence thinking and praying about that.

Session 6 Raising Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:1-45).

1. Read John 11:1-7. How does vv6-7 follow v5? Does this make sense to you?

2. Read John 11:8-16. Why is Jesus going into danger? What do you make of Thomas response in v16?

3. Read John 11:17-27. What is Martha saying and implying in v21? What does she have in mind in v22? How is v27 an advance on this?

4. Read John 11:28-37. What is causing Jesus distress in v33 (and v38)? Why does v37 miss the point?

5. Read John 11:38-44. In what way is this a sign? What does it point towards?

6. Read John 11:45-53. Even after a sign this powerful, there is division. What would John’s readers know about v48? How does John understand Caiaphas words?

7. Looking back, what is a “sign” for John? What does it do, and why?

8. What “signs” might we expect in our time and place? What effect might they have?

Look at this prayer and (in the same way as we read scripture in “lectio divina” last week) see if there is a phrase or sentence that stands out for you. In the silence, talk to God about that.

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
We your unworthy servants give you most humble and hearty thanks
for all your goodness and loving kindness.
We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable lovein the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ,for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And give us, we pray, such a sense of all your mercies that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful,
and that we show forth your praise,
not only with our lips but in our lives,
by giving up ourselves to your service,
and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be all honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Session 7 Review of our study of John’s “Signs”

1. In our first meeting, we read about the wedding at Cana, and (Q4) came across some things that didn’t work, but had significance. Can you look at the other passages, and see what else “wasn’t working”?

2. Our second session looked at the healing of the nobleman’s son, the challenge to his faith, and its growth, as Jesus told him to return home. Have you ever faced a situation where you had to put your faith on the line?

3. Session 3 took us to a man with a ready excuse, waiting beside the pool. How good are you at making excuses, and do you try to use excuses for the state of your spiritual life?

4. Feeding the 5000 showed the grace and generosity of God, but a crowd who found that hard to accept. Oddly, they want more free lunches, but not the best gifts. Do you know people who cannot receive a gift, or help?

5. Talking about the healing of the man born blind made us look again at the way John found significance in the signs. How easily do you recognise God at work today, and in your life?

6. Raising Lazarus from the dead was a powerful sign, but one which cost Martha and Mary much pain. How can we find ways of talking about heaven – and death – when this is not a welcome subject?

7. Each week, we tried different ways of praying together: adoration (not thanksgiving); welcoming the difficult; the freedom of thanksgiving; using “We do not presume . .”; “Lectio Divina”, and the General Thanksgiving. Were any new to you? Which did you find most difficult, which most helpful?

Tonight, let’s end with a moment of silence to remember the best bits of this series, and then say: “Our Father . . .”