Talking John

Talking John - Episode 25: "Greater Things?"

Episode 25 - Greater Things?
Scripture: John 14:12-17
Description: More tough, somewhat unbelievable teaching from Jesus, including the promise that we will do greater things than he does.  What?!?! How is that even possible?!?! Listen, and learn even more about the joy and challenge of following Christ. 
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
Jesus tells the disciples they will do greater things than He did. How do you interpret that promise in your own life? What might "greater things" look like for you in terms of faith and service?
How does it help you to understand “greater things” as helping to bring people to Jesus? When have you been part of such an experience?
Has anyone ever spoken in your name by crediting something to you that you never said? Or has anyone tried to protect you by not sharing all the information with you that they could? How did that impact your relationship with that person?
Have you ever struggled with understanding why certain prayers weren’t answered the way you hoped? How did that experience impact your relationship with God?
How does obedience to God reflect your love for God? Are there any commands or teachings that you find particularly challenging to follow?  How does this command to love influence your daily interactions with others, especially when it's difficult to show love?
How have you experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life? In what ways has the Spirit taught or reminded you of God's truth?
Have you experienced healing in a way that wasn’t necessarily physical? How does your understanding of healing shape your prayers and expectations?
The disciples likely felt confused and uncertain after hearing Jesus' words. Have you ever faced a time of doubt or uncertainty in your faith? How did you handle it, and where did you see God at work during that time?

Talking John - Episode 24: "Department of Redundancy Department"

Episode 24: "Department of Redundancy Department"Scripture: John 14:7-11
Description: No matter how many times Jesus tries to teach the disciples who he is, they just don’t seem to understand. But we acknowledge, as frustrating as it is for teachers, sometimes repetition is needed to truly allow learning to take hold.
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
What does it mean to you to really know someone? Who really knows you? Whom do you really know?
What are some of the things you do to know Jesus better?
When have you been frustrated by someone with “instant forget”?
Do you understand things better with concrete examples or symbolic metaphors? Which helps you to better understand God?
What are some words you know by heart that you rely on?
How has repetition helped you learn something?
Which of the people from the Gospel of John that John White has named feel more real to you now? Why?

Talking John - Episode 23: "A House With Many Rooms"

Episode 23: "A House with Many Rooms"
Scripture: John 14:1-6
Description: As we ponder what troubles hearts, we also imagine what it will be like when we are beyond trouble in the Father’s house of many rooms.
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
What troubles your heart today?
How have you seen fear and misunderstanding collide recently? What issues did it create? If it was overcome, how did that happen?
What does heaven look like to you? What room are you headed for?
Can you think of a situation that required assent from everyone in the group in order for it to come out well? What happened?
When have you seen someone go from a question mark to an exclamation mark?
How do you understand Jesus’ words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”?

Talking John - Episode 22: "They'll Know We Are Christians"

Episode 22 - "They’ll Know We Are Christians"
Scripture: John 13:31-38
Description: We look at the actions of Judas and Peter at the end of this chapter, anc consider what each of them tell us about following Jesus, especially when it gets tough.
 
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
When have you seen a pastor who is too trusted take advantage of that trust, or seen a pastor not trusted enough face unfair critique in your experience in church?
When have you wanted the Bible to include more detail than it does?  What are some details you imagine or would like to know about this passage?
What words of Jesus do you think are too often misunderstood?
What does it take for you to really hear Jesus?
When do we do well at loving one another? When do we fail at it?
When have you, like Peter, made a promise to God that you didn’t keep, at least initially?

Talking John - Episode 21: "Pay Attention"

Scripture: John 13:1-30
Description: We have entered the Farewell Discourse, where Jesus is sharing his last words with the Disciples. We look at the significance of last words and actions, and the consequences of not paying close enough attention, especially to the people in our lives.  Note: We will discuss a suicide in this episode. Please take care as you listen, and if you are considering suicide, reach out to someone who loves you or call the suicide hotline - 988.
 
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
What words do you most want to share with the ones you love? What is keeping you from sharing them?
Have you ever been part of a foot washing? If so, what was the experience like?
What does it mean to you that Judas is seated in the position of honor?
Do you think Judas had a choice? Why or why not?
Has someone ever sold you out? How did you navigate that situation?
When have you not paid attention and regretted it later?

Talking John - Episode 20: "A Donkey's Path or a Purposeful Path"

Scripture: John 12:12-50
Description: We talk about the short shrift John gives to the Palm Sunday entry, and learn about the role donkeys played in building roads. We also consider what it means to follow Jesus, and to follow a God who is so purposeful in all God does.
 
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
What does the phrase “The Lord works in purposeful ways” mean to you? How does it differ from the usual expression that “The Lord works in mysterious ways”?
When in your life has it been important to pay attention to each step you take, either literally or figuratively?
When have you taken the easy path as opposed to the more difficult path? What was a result? 
What does the verse, “Those who love their lives will lose them, and those who hate their lives in this world will keep them forever” mean to you? When have you had to give up something that was deeply precious to you for the benefit of someone else? How did that feel?
What do you think is good about our focus on the individual over the collective in this culture? How do you think we suffer because of that perspective?

Talking John - Episode 19: "There's Something About Mary"

Episode 19: There’s Something About Mary
Scripture: John 12:1-11
Description: The anointing of Jesus takes place in all four Gospels, one of the few scenes to show up in all of them. What was so significant about this story? Is it the action taken, or the woman who cares for Jesus in such a tender and profound way?
 
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
How many anointings do you think took place in Jesus’ lifetime? Why do you think that? Does it significantly change the story if there are one, two, or three?
Why do you think this story is remembered in all four Gospels? What is significant about how it is remembered (ie what details are remembered and what are left out)?
When have you been displaced in your life? How did you find ways to serve the people who were helping you? 
Have you ever felt disregarded? How does your faith strengthen you in those moments? 
What did you learn about the biblical Marys in this episode? When you think about these Marys, what is most meaningful to you about them?

Talking John - Episode 18: "Thomas, Tombs, Tattletales, and Time"

Episode 18 - "Thomas, Tombs, Tattletales, and Time"
Scripture: John 11:1-57
Description: This episode covers the raising of Lazarus.  We start out considering whether Thomas is unfairly maligned and end knowing that Jesus definitely is. In the middle we consider how to understand the miracle and to remember to include Jesus’ humanity as we think of him.
 
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
Thomas gets associated with the adjective doubting, but we see Thomas behave other ways, like in this passage.  When have you or someone you have known been incompletely characterized by one moment? How does a relationship with Jesus expand who we can be?
Martha takes a few steps forward in faith, and then slides a bit back. How has your journey of faith proceeded? Like Martha’s or some other way?
What does it mean to you to know that Jesus wept?
What helps you connect with Jesus’ humanity? Why is it meaningful to see the humanity of Jesus?

Talking John - Episode 17: "Counting Sheep and Penguins"

Episode 17 - Counting Sheep and Penguins
Scripture: John 10:1-42
Description: In this episode, we account for sheep and penguins.  It turns out, they both need to hear the voice of the one who loves them. We do too.
 
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
Whose voice would you recognize in any time or place? Why is that voice meaningful or noticeable to you?
What was something new or interesting you learned about sheep in this episode?  How will it inform your understanding of faith?
What is an experience you have had in nature that has taught you something about God and God’s love for us?
Shepherd is used to describe Jesus for the people of the first century, and it would have had real meaning for them. Shepherds were everywhere, and it is likely that people knew the difference between a good and a bad one.  What would be a meaningful image for us today in place of shepherd?
Have you ever carried around metaphorical rocks to throw at someone in your life? How did that feel? Why did you feel like you needed them?
What is a biblical passage that has meaning for you (whether you could remember the chapter and verse or not)?

Talking John - Episode 16: "I Once Was Blind"

Episode 16 - I Once Was Blind
Scripture: John 9:1-41
Description: In this Chapter, a favorite of John White’s, we look at the healing of the blind man, and the subsequent negative reaction that occurs all around him.  We then ask questions about who was really blind in this story.
 
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
Why do you think there was so little celebration for this man who was healed of his blindness?
When have you felt treated like just an object and not a person, or when have you realized you treated someone else that way? How did it feel? What do you wish had been done differently?
When has someone you didn’t expect brought wisdom or talents or understanding? How did you respond?
Who was blind in this story for you?
What does it take to change someone’s perspective?  Why do people resist such change?