Studies

Pressure

John 9

Big Idea: Giving into the pressure of people makes you blind to God’s power.

Icebreaker: “What was your biggest fear as a kid?”

Discussion Questions:

The parents/neighbors

• What do the man’s parents fear in the passage? (Pharisees, their reputation)
• Do you think the neighbors really don’t recognize the man born blind? What could they be afraid of?
• What is the parents’ main concern in the passage? (maintaining image/status)
• How can a fear of losing our status or reputation influence our actions?

The Pharisees

• What do the Pharisees fear in the passage? (Jesus stealing their limelight, being incorrect and humiliated)
• What do the Pharisees’ actions say about their fears?
• How can fear of losing or being replaced influence our actions?
• How can envy or jealousy feed our unhealthy fear of people?

The Man Born Blind

• What does the man born blind fear in the passage? (Jesus’ opinion, doing the right thing)
• How was the man able to have an appropriate fear of the LORD? (“I was blind, now I see”)
• What types of things does the man say that reveal his loyalties and allegiances? (“He is a prophet…God does not listen to sinners”)
• How can we imitate the man born blind?
• What types of actions can we implement every day in order to have a God-centered fear as opposed to a people-centered fear?

Conclusion

• Which of the three characters do you associate most with? Why?
• How can you relocate your fear to be based on God?
• Why is having a healthy fear of God important in our lives?

Final Charge:
There’s a saying, “No pressure, no diamonds.” Everyone in this passage experienced pressure. But only the blind man, the one who feared God could see through the pressure and see God’s power.Let’s be like the blind man this week and defy the pressures that people pour into our lives on a daily basis. If we fear God, obey his commands no matter what pressure we feel from our friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors then we will watch God take that pressure and turn our faith into diamonds and we will see him working powerfully in our lives.