Cove Group Guide – John 1:19-34

by | Jan 19, 2026 | Uncategorized, Weekly Message Content | 0 comments

Cove Group Guide: Pointing People to Jesus

Based on John 1:19-34

OPENING PRAYER

Begin your time together by asking God to open hearts and minds to His Word and to help each person grow in their ability to point others to Jesus.

ICEBREAKER

Share a time when someone’s character or lifestyle made you curious about who they were or what made them different. What stood out to you?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Know and Embrace Your Identity

  • John the Baptist knew who he was AND who he was not
  • Our identity should be defined by God’s Word, not by feelings, culture, or circumstances
  • We should live in such a way that people ask, “Who are you?”

2. Know the Significance of Baptism

  • Baptism is an outward expression of an inward change
  • It’s a public declaration that Jesus is not just Savior, but Lord of our lives
  • It symbolizes dying to ourselves and rising to new life in Christ

3. Know the Power of Your Witness

  • Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world
  • Our personal testimony is powerful – sharing what Jesus has done and is doing in our lives
  • The tests we go through become powerful testimonies of God’s faithfulness

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Identity in Christ

  1. Read John 1:19-23. Why do you think John the Baptist was so clear about who he was NOT? How does this help us in our own identity?

  2. Review the list of identity statements from the sermon (child of God, chosen, treasured, new creation, etc.). Which one resonates most with you right now and why?

  3. Pastor Jeremy said, “The bar has never been lower” for standing out as a Christian. In what specific areas of your life could your character cause people to ask, “Who are you?”

  4. What are some ways culture tries to define our identity? How can we consistently let God’s Word define us instead?

Baptism and Lordship

  1. Read Romans 6:3-4. What does baptism symbolize? If you’ve been baptized, what did that experience mean to you?

  2. The sermon emphasized that Jesus must be not just Savior but LORD. What’s the difference? What areas of your life might you be holding back from His lordship?

  3. Pastor Jeremy shared that “when we tackle the areas of our life where we’re often the most fearful, we often experience the most freedom.” What does this mean practically? Can you share an example?

Witnessing and Testimony

  1. Read John 1:29-34. John pointed people to Jesus as “the Lamb of God.” How can we effectively point people to Jesus in our everyday conversations?

  2. What is your testimony? Take time for each person to briefly share how they came to Christ or what God is currently doing in their life.

  3. Pastor Jeremy shared about his daughter Leah (a miracle) and son Jake (special needs) as parts of his testimony. What current challenges in your life could become powerful testimonies of God’s faithfulness?

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

This Week’s Challenge:

Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:

Option 1: Identity Check

  • Write down the identity statements from the sermon and place them where you’ll see them daily
  • Each morning, speak these truths over yourself before checking your phone
  • Journal about how this changes your perspective throughout the day

Option 2: Baptism Step

  • If you’ve never been baptized as a believer, fill out a baptism card and commit to taking this step
  • If you have been baptized, reach out to someone who hasn’t and encourage them to take this step
  • Share your baptism story with at least one person this week

Option 3: Testimony Preparation

  • Write out your testimony in 3-5 minutes (include: life before Christ, how you met Christ, life after Christ)
  • Practice sharing it with someone in your group
  • Ask God for one opportunity this week to share your story with someone who needs to hear it

Option 4: Character Witness

  • Choose one area where you can stand out this week (generosity, kindness, integrity, compassion)
  • Intentionally act differently than the world would expect in that area
  • Be ready to point to Jesus if someone asks why you’re different

GROUP ACTIVITY

Pair up and practice:

  • Share your testimony with your partner (3-5 minutes each)
  • Give each other feedback: Is it clear? Does it point to Jesus? Is it relatable?
  • Pray for each other to have opportunities to share this week

PRAYER FOCUS

Pray together for:

  1. Boldness – That group members would have courage to live distinctly as Christians and share their faith

  2. Clarity – That each person would know their identity in Christ and not be swayed by culture’s definitions

  3. Opportunities – For divine appointments this week to point people to Jesus

  4. Obedience – For those who need to take the step of baptism or surrender areas of their life to Jesus’ lordship

  5. Specific Needs – Share and pray for personal requests related to witnessing or identity struggles

CLOSING THOUGHT

“The point of your life is to point people to Jesus.”

Remember: People should look at your life and wonder, “Who are you?” Your character, your testimony, and your willingness to publicly identify with Christ all work together to point others to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

BEFORE NEXT WEEK

  • Continue reading through the Gospel of John daily
  • Follow up on your chosen practical application
  • Be prepared to share one story of how God used you to point someone to Jesus

Memory Verse: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” – John 1:29