Sermon Notes:
1. Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed, because some people don’t.
2. The religious leaders got so angry, because some people care more about rules/traditions than God moving in people’s lives.
a. This miracle was primarily for the religious leaders in Jerusalem.
b. This miracle was to reveal Jesus’ identity as the Son of God.
3. Jesus only healed one person that day, because it was the Father’s will to only heal one person that day.
4. Healing is the sovereign prerogative of God the Father who sometimes dispenses His power to heal and at other times withholds it.
5. According to the principle of John 5:19, God decides who gets healed and directs His servants accordingly. It is our responsibility to listen for those directions and follow them, rather than to determine who gets healed.
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
1. Read Jon 5:1-6. Why do you think Jesus chose to heal the oldest person at that pool? Why do you think Jesus asked him this question? Pastor Graham is quoted as saying, “There are some people who are happier being miserable than changing”. Have you ever met people that didn’t want to get well and if so why do you think they are like this? Was there ever a time in your life when you were “stuck” and didn’t want physical, mental, or spiritual healing? Please share.
2. Read John 5:8, 14-15. Do you think Jesus was wrong to heal this man when he didn’t ask to be healed? Jesus warned the man that he is well and to not go back to a sinful life style. Do you think he did go back or do you think he experienced true life change? Have you ever seen someone squander God’s healing touch of grace and mercy in their life? Please share.
3. Read John 5:8-13. What do these Scriptures say about the heart of the religious leaders in Jerusalem? Have you ever experienced religious legalism where people are more concerned with the rules than people? Why do you think some people are like this? How do you think we can avoid becoming like these people as we follow Jesus?
4. Read Psalm 2. The word “anointed” means Messiah. This is known as a Messianic passage written at the time of King David about a thousand years before Jesus was born. What does this chapter reveal about the identity of the coming Messiah?
5. Read John 5:16-18. At the end of this third sign in John’s Gospel, two things happened: a man was healed and the beginnings of a controversy broke out between Jesus and the religious leaders over His identity as divinity. Why do you think the religious leaders had a problem with Jesus claiming to be the Son of God? Why do you think it is important to know who Jesus really is? Read John 17:1-3. If you are going to have a relationship with a person, how important is it for you to really know them? Do you think this is any different in our personal relationship with God?
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?