Talking John

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?

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?

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?

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?

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?

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)?

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?

Episode 15 - The Darkness Will Not Overwhelm
Scripture: John 8:12-59
Description: We discuss the rising conflict between Jesus and the Jewish Leaders. We also address how Chapter 8 has falsely and tragically been used to justify anti-semitism.  And we will close out this chapter reflecting on damaging theologies around suicide. If you or someone you love is considering suicide, call or text the suicide emergency number at 988.
 
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
Why do you think it is nearly impossible for some people to choose to follow Jesus?
When have you had to change your perspective on something? How did you go about making that change?
What is a belief or perspective that you have that you would never give up? Why would you not give it up?
When have you seen the Bible used to justify perspectives that seem contradictory to what God wants for us?
What does it mean to you to realize that the church no longer condemns those who die by suicide?

Episode 14 - Stoned
Scripture: John 8:1-11
Description: We stay focused on the story of the woman caught in adultery, who John White names Sindy. We recognize that all of us at one time or another have picked up a stone to hurl at others, and we name some of those stones that we hurl.
 
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
What do you love about this story, and what bothers you about it?
Do you think it is authentic to the Gospel of John or not? What do we lose if it is not included?
What color of metaphorical stone(s) have you picked up in your lifetime to throw at someone else? How have you learned to deal with this kind of judgment?
What color of stones have been thrown at you? What was the impact on your life?
What color stones are you holding in your hands right now? What would it take to drop them?

Episode 13 - Water Thicker than Blood
Scripture: John 7:1-53
Description: In this episode, we learn some background on the Festival of Tabernacles (aka the Festival of Booths).  We also discuss the potential sibling rivalry between Jesus and his brothers. Then we consider how we all judge one another on external conditions - where we grew up, what our schooling level is, etc. and challenge us all to see more clearly - with the eyes of Jesus.
Questions to consider if you are using this podcast for study:
What did you learn that was interesting about the Festival of Tabernacles?
How in your family have you seen sibling rivalry at work? 
What is good about sibling rivalry, and what can be disastrous?
Have you ever been judged unfairly because of something in your background or your current condition? How did you respond?
When have you judged someone else unfairly, and what did you learn from that experience?
What is special about you that you think God sees, even if no one else sees it?