Jesus made extraordinary claims about himself. But why should anyone believe them?
John's Gospel doesn't simply tell us what Jesus said. It invites us to examine what Jesus did. John calls many of Jesus' remarkable works “signs” because they point beyond themselves to something greater about Jesus—who he is, why he came, and what he offers.
You don't need to know much about the Bible, and you don't need to consider yourself a Christian. You are simply invited to investigate the evidence, ask honest questions, and decide what you think about Jesus.
Each conversation explores one of the signs recorded in John's Gospel. We will read the story together, look carefully at what happened, consider what the sign reveals about Jesus, and talk honestly about what we find interesting, surprising, difficult, or compelling.
The goal isn't to pressure you into giving the “right” answers. It is to give you an opportunity to investigate Jesus for yourself.
Eight Conversations
- The Celebration Begins — Water into Wine
- Take Jesus at His Word — Healing the Royal Official's Son
- Do You Want to Be Well? — Healing the Disabled Man
- More Than Enough — Feeding the Five Thousand
- Do Not Be Afraid — Walking on the Sea
- Once I Was Blind — Giving Sight to the Man Born Blind
- Come Out! — Raising Lazarus
- The Sign Above All Signs — Destroy This Temple, and I Will Raise It
What Does a Conversation Look Like?
Each conversation is simple. There are no lectures and no homework required. We will spend most of our time reading one of John's accounts of Jesus and talking about it together.
1. Connect
We begin with a question about life or experience that introduces the subject of the passage.
2. Read
We read the passage together and begin with a simple question:
What caught your attention?
3. Explore
We ask a few questions about what happened, how people responded, and what the sign reveals about Jesus.
The goal is not to guess the “correct” answer. Look at the passage and say what you see.
4. Consider
Then we move from “What happened?” to “What do you think?”
You may find the account convincing, difficult, surprising, or raise questions you cannot yet answer. Honest questions and doubts are welcome.
5. Respond
Finally, we consider what difference this would make if what John records about Jesus is true.
Why These Signs?
Near the end of his Gospel, John explains why he included these accounts:
“Jesus performed many other miraculous signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
So one question will follow us through all eight conversations:
What does this sign reveal about Jesus?
Come and investigate. See the signs. Decide for yourself.