Summer Reading Series – Week 6

August 20, 2024 | Andrew Zakhari

During the second half of this summer we are encouraging every Stone Hill attendee to spend time in God’s Word each week.  We have designed a bible reading plan that will help you review the previous week’s sermon but also prepare for the following week’s sermon. This reading plan will help you read through the entire gospel of John by Labor Day. I hope that you will spend time in God’s Word as we walk through the 7 miracles of the gospel of John.

This week’s reading is designed to follow the August 25 sermon.

Day 1: John 9:1-17

  • (v. 1-7) What does Jesus teach us about the nature of suffering and his plan for it that the disciples miss?
  • (v. 8-12) The neighbors of the blind man are incredulous that he has received sight. What does the healed man’s interaction with his neighbors teach us about how our neighbors may respond to our faith in Jesus?  What does the healed man teach us about how we should act in such circumstances?
  • (v. 13-17) Who does the blind man say who Jesus is at this point in the story? Look ahead… does it stay that way? What does his testimony teach us about how faith develops in our lives and in the lives of others?
  • (v. 18-23) The parents are fearful to admit that their son was healed by Jesus. Do you have fears about being a witness for Jesus where you are? What consequences are you concerned about? Take a moment and pray about them. How is God responding to your fears? Who can you learn from about how you can share your faith with others?
  • (v. 24-41) How does the healed man’s faith progress in these verses? What does he end up confessing about Jesus by the end of the story?
    The Pharisees are plagued with spiritual blindness. What sins do you struggle with that bring spiritual blindness in your life? How does a living and ongoing encounter with Jesus and his Word address spiritual blindness in your life? Ask God and others you trust what it would look like to better live as a disciple for Jesus this week.
  • How do the themes found in these verses relate to the story of the man healed in John 9?
  • How does this passage encourage you about the work of Jesus in your life and in the world?
Day 5: John 11
  • Preparation for next week’s sermon