Discussion Questions

John 9

IN THE SCRIPTURE

1. Read John 9:1-7. What prominent belief about sin and sickness did Jesus’ disciples allude to
concerning the blind man? How does Jesus’ response deal with their ideas? (Hint: Jesus tells them
that you can’t assume that someone is sinning just because they are sick. That most of the time
those two things are not directly, individually connected.)
2. Read John 9:8-12. What is the struggle of the people upon seeing the man healed? What is his
testimony about Jesus? What does this tell us about talking about Jesus? (Hint: We are simply
testifying about who Jesus is and what he has done.)
3. Read John 9:13-17. The Pharisees added rules for keeping the Sabbath. How did these rules
influence their opinion of Jesus? What does this tell us about how religion (i.e., man-made rules to
gain favor with God) can get things, and Jesus, wrong?
4. Read John 9:18-23. Why are the healed man’s parents afraid? What does their response tell us
about following Jesus and the relationships with have with others? (Hint: Sometimes becoming a
Christian can make things harder not easier.)
5. Read John 9:24-34. How does the healed man demonstrate a growing boldness in standing up for
Jesus? Why is his defense a strong one? (Hint: He sees!)
6. Read John 9:35-41. How do we know that the healed man in believing Jesus receives him as more
than just a man? (Hint: He worships Jesus on the spot.) In light of what has happened in John 9,
what truth does Jesus point to about himself in v. 39?

IN THE SERMON

1. Yancey mentioned that the key to finding Jesus and the salvation he brings isn’t rooted in our
sincerity, intelligence, or effort, but in our incapacity. What did he mean by that? Do you agree or
disagree? Share why.
2. Explain this statement: In order to receive the good news of the gospel you must first believe the
bad news about yourself.
3. How can bad news actually be good news? What are some reasons or responses people give for not
wanting to hear the bad news about themselves? (E.g., “Don't judge me!” or “I’m a good person.”)

4. The great Christian philosopher and thinker Francis Schaeffer said: "If I had one hour with every
man, I would spend the first 45 minutes talking to them about God's law, and the last 15 minutes
talking about His great salvation." Why do you think he came to this conclusion? How can we use
God’s Law (e.g., The Ten Commandments) to help people see the “good” bad news about
themselves before we give them the good news of the gospel?
5. How does is the good news of the gospel truly good news for those who finally realize the bad
news about themselves? How does the bad news still minister to those who’ve already received the
gospel’s good news?