Cove Group Guide: “No Middle Ground: Why Jesus Is the Most Polarizing Figure in Human History”

Based on John 12:1-8

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Open your time together in prayer, asking God to soften hearts and make the conversation fruitful. Encourage group members to bring their Bibles and to have read John 12 before gathering.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Jesus is polarizing. There is no neutral ground with him. Every person in John 12 is either moving closer to Christ or drifting further away. The same is true for us today.

2. Three postures draw us closer to Christ.

Lazarus reminds us that Jesus calls us his friend — not because we have earned it, but because of his grace.

Martha reminds us that serving Christ draws us closer to him and brings life to a stale faith.

Mary reminds us that walking humbly at the feet of Jesus is the foundation of genuine worship.

3. Three attitudes push us further from Christ.

Judas was led away by the love of money, a seductive idol that corrupts from the inside out.

The chief priests were led away by pride — they would rather be right than encounter the truth.

The crowd was led away by a self-made version of Jesus that did not match who he actually is.

4. Knowledge alone is not enough. Judas heard every sermon, witnessed every miracle, and still walked away. What matters is the condition of the heart, not the appearance of devotion.

5. Jesus is a sacrificial Messiah before he is a conquering king. He came first to pay for sin. Expecting him to simply make life comfortable will lead to disappointment and distance.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

OPENING — Getting the Conversation Started

The pastor opened with examples of things that polarize people — the dress, toilet paper, baseball teams. What is something that tends to divide people you know? What does it feel like to be on the unpopular side of a debate?

C.S. Lewis argued that Jesus is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord. Before you came to faith — or in seasons of doubt — which of those options did you find yourself leaning toward, and why?

DIGGING IN — Exploring the Text

Read John 12:1-8 together. What details stand out to you about this dinner party? What does the atmosphere of this gathering tell you about how different people relate to Jesus?

The pastor described Lazarus as a “friend of Jesus” and said that many Christians struggle to truly believe Jesus loves and likes them. Do you relate to that struggle? What has helped you — or what is hindering you — from believing that Jesus genuinely calls you his friend?

Martha is shown serving, and the pastor pointed out that serving draws believers closer to Christ. Have you experienced a season where serving reignited your faith? What happened? If you have never served in a meaningful way, what has held you back?

Mary is always found at the feet of Jesus — learning, grieving, and worshiping. What does it look like practically in your life to walk humbly with God? What gets in the way of that posture for you?

The pastor said Judas scares him because Judas looked the part completely. He knew the sermons, witnessed the miracles, and even prayed for people who were healed — yet his heart was dominated by the love of money. What does this teach us about the difference between external religion and genuine faith?

Read 1 Timothy 6:9-10 together (Paul’s warning about the love of money leading people away from faith). In what subtle ways does money compete for the loyalty of your heart? How do you know when money has moved from a tool to an idol?

The chief priests refused to reconsider their beliefs even when confronted with hard evidence in the form of Lazarus being raised from the dead. Can you think of a time when pride kept you from seeing the truth clearly? What finally broke through that pride?

The crowd shouted “Hosanna” on Palm Sunday and “Crucify him” just days later because Jesus did not meet their expectations. Have you ever been disappointed with God because he did not do what you expected or wanted? How did you process that disappointment?

GOING DEEPER — Personal Reflection

The pastor asked the group to consider honestly: is there something in your life right now that is pulling you away from Christ? Without requiring anyone to share publicly, take a moment of quiet reflection. Then, if anyone feels comfortable, share what the Lord may be surfacing for you.

The pastor closed by saying that we get stuck when all we do is listen, and that we must do something with what we hear. What is one specific step you sense God is asking you to take this week based on this message?

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The following are concrete ways to respond to this sermon in the coming week. Encourage group members to choose at least one.

For those who resonated with Lazarus — receiving friendship with Christ: Spend time this week reading Romans 8:31-39, which describes the depth of God’s love. Each morning, before getting out of bed, say out loud: “Jesus calls me his friend.” Notice how that simple act shapes your day.

For those who resonated with Martha — the call to serve: Identify one area where you can begin serving at your church or in your community. If you are unsure where to start, reach out to a church leader this week and ask how you can plug in. Do not wait for the perfect opportunity.

For those who resonated with Mary — walking humbly: Set aside 15 minutes each day this week to simply sit quietly before God. No agenda, no list of requests. Just be present with him. Bring your Bible and read a passage slowly, asking God to speak to you through it.

For those convicted by Judas — the idol of money: Prayerfully review your finances this week. Ask honestly: does how I spend and save reflect someone who trusts God, or someone who trusts money? Consider taking one practical step of generosity — giving to your church, a neighbor in need, or a ministry you believe in — as an act of worship and a declaration that God is Lord over your finances.

For those convicted by the chief priests — pride: Think of one relationship or one belief where you may be holding on to being right rather than being open to truth. Pray specifically about that area. If appropriate, reach out to someone you have been in conflict with and take a step toward humility and reconciliation.

For those convicted by the crowd — a self-made Jesus: Write down your honest expectations of what following Jesus should look like. Then open the Gospels and compare those expectations to what Jesus actually said and promised. Ask God to replace your version of Jesus with the real one.

CLOSING PRAYER GUIDE

Close your time by praying together. You may use this as a guide:

Thank God for the grace that calls broken, flawed people his friends.

Confess any specific idols, pride, or false expectations that have created distance from Christ.

Ask for the Holy Spirit to produce in each group member a heart like Mary’s — humble, devoted, and always at the feet of Jesus.

Pray for one another by name, asking God to meet each person in whatever they are facing this week.

FOR FURTHER STUDY

The following passages connect directly to themes from this sermon and are worth exploring on your own or as a group in the coming week.

John 11:1-44 — The raising of Lazarus, which sets the stage for everything in John 12

• John 15:12-17 — Jesus calls his disciples friends
• Luke 10:38-42 — Mary and Martha, and the tension between serving and sitting at Jesus’ feet
• Zechariah 9:9 — The prophecy of the king coming on a donkey, fulfilled in the triumphal entry
• 1 Timothy 6:6-10 — The dangers of the love of money
• Micah 6:8 — Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with your God
• Matthew 20:25-28 — Jesus came not to be served but to serve