Reflection Guide: John 2:1-11

Reflection Guide John 2:1-11 | Overcoming a Joy-Shortage Mother of Jesus – John never names Jesus’ mother—only referring to her as the mother of Jesus—but the synoptics (Matthew, Mark, & Luke) identify her as Mary. Six Stone Water Jars – The stone water jars were used for cleaning hands before eating as part of Jewish…

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Reflection Guide: John 1:35-51

Reflection Guide John 1:35-51 | What It Means to Follow Jesus Key Terms Rabbi/Disciples – Rabbi was a title of honor meaning “teacher.” Disciple literally means “learner” and can also be translated “follower” or “apprentice.” This scene in John’s gospel shows that Jesus and his disciples will have a teacher and apprentice relationship. Messiah/Christ –…

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Reflection Guide: John 1:19-34

Reflection Guide John 1:19–34 | Make Way for a New Day Key Terms Jews, priests, Levites, Pharisees – Each of these terms represents a group who regularly shows up in John. Jews can refer to Jewish people in general, but is also used to refer to Jewish leaders who oppose Jesus. Priests were those who…

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Reflection Guide: The Most Marvelous Thing You Will Ever See

Reflection Guide John 1:14–18 | The Most Marvelous Thing You Will Ever See Key Terms Glory – In the OT, the word glory is used to convey God’s intrinsic goodness and holiness, often connected with his presence—and thus a display of his goodness and holiness—with his people (see Ex 24:16 & 1 Kgs 8:10-11). John…

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Reflection Guide: John 1:6-13

Reflection Guide John 1:6–13 | A Reasonable and Transformative Faith Key Terms Witness – The concept of “bearing witness” (or “giving testimony”) about Jesus plays a big role in John’s gospel. As the story progresses, John applies this term to testimony about Jesus given by God the Father, God the Spirit, Jesus’ miracles, the OT…

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It’s a Wonderful Life – Genesis 48:8-21: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Genesis 48–49 | It‘s a Wonderful Life Key Terms Joseph – Joseph was Jacob’s 11th son and the first son of Rachael—Jacob’s favorite wife. As Joseph grows up, Jacob shows him favor and Joseph’s brothers become angry at him, eventually selling him into slavery in Egypt. While in Egypt, Joseph advances to become…

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On the Road Again – Genesis 35:1-28: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Genesis 35:1–29 | On the Road Again Key Terms Foreign gods – Before leaving Shechem and returning to Bethel, Jacob instructs his family to put away their foreign gods (v. 2). These items were most likely taken from the destruction of Shechem and include earrings (v. 4), which were likely associated with the…

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Breaking Bad – Genesis 34:1-31: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Genesis 34:1–31 Key Terms Shechem – A prominent city in Canaan, 50 miles north of modern-day Jerusalem. Shechem is also the name of the son of Hamor—the ruler of Shechem in Genesis 33-34. In Israel – Genesis 34:7 is the first time Jacob’s family uses the new name Israel. Although just receiving this…

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Fight Club – Genesis 32:22-32: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Genesis 32:22–32 | Fight Club Key Terms Jabbok – A river that flows westward through a cleft in the Jordan Rift Valley mountains and empties into the Jordan. By crossing the Jabbok, Jacob and his family are heading towards Esau, not away. Today the Jabbok is called the Zerqa. Israel – In this…

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Into the Unknown – Genesis 32:1-21: Reflection Guide

Reflection Guide Genesis 32:1–21 | Into The Unknown Key Terms Mahanaim – Mahanaim (v. 2) means “two camps.” Jacob chooses this name when he comes to see that—in addition to his own camp—God is present with him as well. Angels/messengers – In Hebrew, the word for angel (v. 1) and messenger (v. 3 & 6)…

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