part0014

They turned again to the blind man, “What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened.” The man replied, “He is a prophet.” . . . A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. “Give glory to God by telling the truth,” they said. “We know this man is a sinner.” He replied, “Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

If you are a believer, you probably remember the moment you accepted Christ. Recall that time now. Where were you? What did you feel and experience? What was your life like after you came to Jesus as compared to what it had been like before?

When you experience the love of Christ for the first time, it can feel as if you are seeing for the first time. Colors are more vivid . . . the trees, sky, and sound of birds more beautiful. Jesus’ love changes us, and it changes how we see the world, ourselves, and others. This is because Jesus is our light and our life. As John wrote, “In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (1:4–5).

The darkness is powerful and comes in many forms: guilt, sin, trauma, anxiety , fear . When you are in Christ, it’s not that you will never experience these things again. Rather, in the midst of them, you will have the light of hope and healing. You will view the darkness in a new way—as something that is temporary, that does not define you, and from which you are safe.

Unfortunately, even the most religious among us can still be held captive by darkness if we have not received the freedom of Christ. This week, you will look at a miracle that John relates in which Jesus gave sight to a blind man. Although the feat was truly miraculous, the most religious of the group—the Pharisees—were not impressed. The reason is because they were themselves blind . . . not physically but spiritually .

Perhaps you will see a part of yourself in these characters, either in the Pharisees or the blind man who experienced the healing touch of Christ. Perhaps you will be reminded of the moment you first saw when you accepted Christ. Or perhaps that moment is still to come for you. Either way, keep your eyes open. Don’t miss what Jesus has to offer you.

Begin your group time by asking anyone to share his or her insights from last week’s personal study. Then, to get things started, discuss one of the following questions.

• If you are already a Christ-follower, do you remember the moment you believed in Jesus? Did it affect how you saw the world or yourself?

• Have you ever had a dark place in your life that was healed by Jesus? What was it like to see that darkness turn to light?

Invite someone to read the following passage aloud. Listen for fresh insights as you hear the verses being read, and then discuss the questions that follow.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

Play the video segment for session four. As you watch, use the following outline to record any thoughts or concepts that stand out to you.

The disciples didn’t really see the man. At least, not in the way that Jesus saw him. Rather, they just asked, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (John 9:2).

We often wonder if Jesus sees us in our plight. Does he understand our pain? Will he guide us when we can’t see the way forward? John’s story reveals the answer is yes .

Why was the man sightless? So that “the works of God might be displayed in him” (John 9:3). If we follow our troubles to the headwaters, we won’t find a wrathful or befuddled God standing there. But we will find a sovereign God. Our pain has a purpose.

The man received sight not because he deserved it, earned it, or found it but because he obeyed the One who was sent to “open eyes that are blind” (Isaiah 42:7).

Sadly, some choose to remain blind to the work that God is doing in their midst. In this case, it was the religious leaders in the man’s own community who chose to remain blind.

If you believe in Jesus, he has given you this pledge: “No one can steal [you] out of my hand” (John 10:28 NCV ). Apart from Christ we are all like the blind man beside the road. But Jesus finds us, applies his miracle mud to our eyes, and guides us out of the darkness.

Take a few minutes with your group members to discuss what you just watched and explore these concepts in Scripture.

1. Have you ever felt spiritually blind to something—whether blind to Christ himself, blind to a sin area in your life, or blind to the power of God? If so, what moment, person, or experience helped you see more clearly?

2. What question did the disciples pose to Jesus when they first saw the blind man on the road? Why do you think they asked this question? What was Jesus’ response?

3. What do you think about Jesus’ reasoning that sometimes we have hardships or ailments in order to bring glory to God? Have you experienced this in your life or know someone who has? If so, how has God been glorified in this difficult circumstance?

4. It couldn’t have been pleasant for the man to have Jesus streak saliva-soaked mud on his eyes. But be forewarned: God still uses less-than-pleasant remedies today to help us see. Have you ever had to undergo a difficult remedy to see something that God wanted to show you? If so, what was the remedy? What were you able to see as a result?

5. Why did Jesus choose to heal the blind man? What did the blind man have to do to receive it? What lesson can you take away from this story?

6. Not everyone was impressed with Jesus healing the blind man. How did the Pharisees treat the man? Why do you think they responded this way?

7. Have you ever experienced something similar—someone in your life not understanding or believing in the hope you have in Jesus? What was that experience like for you?

8. What did Jesus do when he discovered the man born blind had been cast out of his community? What hope does this give you in your own life?

If you wear glasses or contacts, you know what a difference those vision-enhancements can make . . . and you can only imagine what it would be like to naturally have 20/20 vision. Spend some time in your group brainstorming what it would look like to have 20/20 spiritual vision. What would you know and understand? How would this vision affect your behavior, your relationships, your thoughts, and your attitudes?

Use the notes you captured above in your response time as a list of prayer requests. Have one person pray through the list for the group, asking God to give you eyes to see his will, his love, and his grace—20/20 spiritual vision.