The Glorious Giver (Epiphany 2C Gospel)

Download a PDF of the Word One Bible Study for Epiphany 2 Gospel.

Text: John 2:1-11 for the Second Sunday after Epiphany, Lectionary Series C

OBJECTIVE

Participants will:

1. See the glory and compassion of Jesus Christ in the miracle of water to wine.
2. Trust Him as their personal Savior.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Bibles

GROUP GUIDELINES

Gather in groups of 3-5 people.  Choose as the leader of each small group, the person who most recently had a drink of ordinary tap water.  If participants do not remember, or are too shy to serve as leader, have the main leader appoint one.  The small group leader will kindly ensure each person has equal opportunity for participation, as well as watching the time so that progress is made through the study.  Take care so that people participate willingly.

BUILDING COMMUNITY

1. Relate an amazing thing you witnessed in or with water. For example a water sport trick you did or watched.  A science experiment involving water.  A beautiful waterfall.  A flood.   Allow each person up to two minutes.
2. As a small group, spend two minutes considering how common and ordinary water is. Discuss how amazing it can be and how vital it is to life.

LOOKING AT GOD’S WORD

1. Read John 2:1-11. Assign participants one of the following parts to read:  Narrator, Mary, Jesus, and Banquet Master.
2. Why was Jesus at the wedding? Do you suppose He and His disciples drank wine?  How might the bridegroom have felt when the wine ran out?
3. What was Jesus’ mother thinking? Why was she concerned about the wine supply? What did she expect Jesus to do?  Did she believe He could/should do something?
4. How does Jesus refer to Mary? Why?  (Why doesn’t He call her “mom”?)  Is this disrespectful?  Compare John 19:26.  How is Jesus’ relationship with His mother ordinary?  Unique?
5. What does Jesus mean in His reply to Mary about His “time”? See John 7:6-8, 30; 8:19-20; Matthew 26:18.  What is His “time”?
6. In light of His words to His mother, why did Jesus perform the miracle? How does the quantity and quality of wine reflect Jesus’ glory?
7. What is the purpose of this miracle? Why did He choose this to be His first?

REINFORCING WHAT HAS BEEN LEARNED

1. Read John 2:23-25. What does Jesus know about everyone?  See Genesis 8:21.  How is Jesus’ knowledge of people evident in the account of the Wedding at Cana?  How is it evident in your life?  Jesus did the miracle AND fulfilled His mission!  What does this reveal about the heart of God?
2. Read John 20:30-31. What does this miracle of changing water into wine mean for you?  What is the purpose of Jesus’ work for you?  See John 3:14-18.  Is there anything in your life too insignificant for Jesus to care about?  Read Romans 8:32.
3. What miracle has Jesus worked with water in your life? What is ordinary about this?  Extraordinary?  What miracle with wine does Jesus continue to work in your life?  What is common about this?  What is amazing?

CLOSING

Have a volunteer lead the group in a prayer based on this study.

By Gregg Hein

 Originally published in Discovery Bible Studies.

Updated for youthESource in December 2015