I Need To See Your ID: Discussion Guide

1.23.22
In Person Series
John Chapter 2

I Need To See Your ID

What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed him.
John 2:11

OPEN
When are you typically asked to show some form of identification? What are some of the
scenarios that have you digging through your purse or wallet to verify who you are? Why are you asked for ID at those specific moments? Why is it important at those times that someone can be sure that you are who you say that you are?

NEXT
John doesn’t use the word “miracle” in his gospel. Seriously, do a search. The translators
involved in the NIV use the word miracle one time (7:21) but the Greek word behind it is not the word “dynamis” that comes up over and again in the other three gospels. It is a word that most often is simply translated “work.” John doesn’t use the word “dynamis” to describe the things that Jesus does. Instead, he specifically uses the word “semeion” which is most often translated “sign.” Why do you think that is? Why is that word important to John as he tells the story of Jesus? Look at that word in context the first time it appears in the gospel John has written (2:11). What does that word seem to mean to John?

In some sense the “signs” that John refers to are a way of verifying that Jesus is who he says he is…that he is who John says He is. But they are more than Jesus simply holding up his ID card. These “signs” don’t just verify Jesus’ identity…in many ways they reveal Jesus’ identity. So in chapter 2 Jesus turns water into wine…how does that “reveal his glory?” Is this more than just a cool trick to relieve a wedding host of the embarrassment of running out? Did he do this just as a favor to his mom? Consider the details that John provides…

– “…six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing”

• o Why these jars specifically? Were they simply the closest vessels?

• o Is it significant that these jars were apparently empty? Why might that be significant?

▪ “Fill the jars with water…”
• How much faith does it take to fill vessels that large with over 120
gallons of water (assuming they did not have a faucet and a hose)?

o Read 2 Corinthians 5:17. How might that relate to ceremonial water jugs now
filled with new wine? What does this reveal about Jesus?

– “…so they filled them to the brim…you have saved the best till now…”
o What does this tell us about Jesus?

CLOSING
If these are signs of what Jesus is like, if they reveal his glory, what hope do you find in these signs that speak to our world today? If this is what Jesus is like, what does that mean for you personally? Pray together as those who like the disciples… “believed in him.”