Cove Group Guide – John 3:22-36

by | Feb 15, 2026 | Uncategorized, Weekly Message Content

Cove Group Guide: “He Must Increase”

Based on John 3:22-36

OPENING PRAYER & ICEBREAKER

Icebreaker Question: If you could be known for one thing in your lifetime, what would you want it to be? Why?

SERMON RECAP

This week we looked at John the Baptist, whom Jesus called the greatest man who ever lived. Despite his humble lifestyle and tragic end, John exemplified three qualities that made him great:

  1. He wasn’t afraid to stand up to evil
  2. He understood his assignment
  3. He knew and believed in the true Jesus

His famous words, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30), reveal the secret to true greatness and spiritual satisfaction.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Part 1: Standing Up to Evil (John 3:22-24)

  1. Why do you think Jesus called John the Baptist the greatest man who ever lived, especially considering his lifestyle and how his life ended?

  2. John stood up to Herod’s sin knowing it could cost him everything. What made him willing to do this? How does “the fear of the Lord is the hatred of evil” (Proverbs 8:13) apply to our lives today?

  3. Where do you see evil being normalized or celebrated in our culture today? What are the risks of speaking against it?

  4. Pastor Chad prayed for courage that we “would never manufacture on our own.” Why is divine courage necessary? Can you share a time when you needed supernatural courage to stand for Christ?

Part 2: Understanding the Assignment (John 3:25-30)

  1. Read John 3:27-30. What does John’s response to his disciples reveal about his understanding of his purpose? How did this perspective protect him from jealousy and insecurity?

  2. “He must increase, but I must decrease” is the litmus test for real Christianity. What does this look like practically in daily life? What are some areas where we tend to resist this?

  3. The message contrasted two paths to greatness: the world’s way (self-promotion, achievement, accumulation) and Christ’s way (self-surrender, worship, decrease). Why does the world’s path ultimately fail to satisfy? Have you experienced this?

  4. How can you tell if Christ is increasing in your life? What are some indicators that we’re growing in our love for Jesus?

Part 3: Knowing the True Jesus (John 3:31-36)

  1. Read John 3:31-36. What does this passage teach us about who Jesus really is? Why is it important to have a “big God” in the times we’re living in?

  2. The message mentioned the onslaught of propaganda about who Jesus was. What are some false versions of Jesus you’ve encountered in culture, social media, or even in churches?

  3. Verse 36 speaks about both eternal life and the wrath of God. Why is it important for Christians to understand and talk about both realities? How can we communicate these truths with both clarity and compassion?

KEY TAKEAWAYS

✓ True courage comes from God, not ourselves. We need to pray for supernatural courage to stand for Christ when it matters most.

✓ The secret to greatness is making much of Jesus, not ourselves. “He must increase, but I must decrease” is both the test of genuine faith and the path to soul satisfaction.

✓ We must know the true Jesus—sovereign, divine, full of the Spirit, loved by the Father, and holding all authority. A big view of Christ helps us navigate dark times with hope.

✓ Salvation comes through faith in Christ alone. Those who believe have eternal life; those who reject Him remain under God’s wrath.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Personal Reflection:

Take time this week to journal or pray through these questions:

  • Where is God asking me to take a stand? Is there an area where I’m compromising or staying silent when I should speak?

  • What needs to decrease so Christ can increase? What dreams, habits, relationships, or desires am I holding onto that need to be surrendered?

  • Am I believing in the true Jesus? Have I allowed cultural influences to reshape my understanding of who Christ is?

This Week’s Challenge:

Choose ONE of the following:

  1. Courage Step: Identify one area where you need to stand for Christ (at work, in your family, on social media, etc.) and pray daily for courage to do so. Share your decision with one trusted friend for accountability.

  2. Decrease Step: Pick one thing that’s been competing with Christ for your attention, affection, or time. For the next week, intentionally decrease that thing and replace it with worship, prayer, or Bible reading.

  3. Truth Step: Study one passage about who Jesus is (try John 1:1-18, Colossians 1:15-20, or Hebrews 1:1-4). Write down what you learn and share it with someone this week.

PRAYER PROMPTS

Pray together as a group for:

  • Supernatural courage to stand against evil in our generation
  • Hearts that genuinely want Christ to increase while we decrease
  • Clear vision of who Jesus truly is, undistorted by culture
  • Friends and family members who don’t yet know Christ
  • Boldness to share the gospel with both grace and truth

CLOSING THOUGHT

“You’re built by Jesus. You’re made by Christ. You have been designed to be in relationship with Jesus. It’s why everything else is letting you down. It’s why everything else seems to come up short. Christ is what your soul is hungry for.”

What would change in your life this week if you truly believed that Christ is what your soul is hungry for?

FOR NEXT WEEK

Read John 4:1-26 in preparation for next week’s discussion.