Cove Group Guide: “The Question That Demands an Answer: Who Is Jesus?”

Based on John 7:1-9

Opening Prayer & Icebreaker

Icebreaker Question: If you could ask Jesus one question face-to-face, what would it be and why?

Sermon Summary

Pastor Bob explored John 7, examining how different groups of people responded to Jesus during the Feast of Tabernacles. The sermon focused on two main themes: Talk (what people said about Jesus) and Water (Jesus’ invitation to satisfy our spiritual thirst). Six months before His crucifixion, Jesus faced skepticism from His own brothers, division among the crowds, and opposition from religious leaders—yet He offered living water to anyone who would come to Him.

Key Takeaways

• Proximity doesn’t guarantee faith – Even Jesus’ own brothers initially didn’t believe in Him
• Jesus moves on God’s timetable, not ours – “My time has not yet come”

We often judge by appearances rather than truth – The crowds dismissed Jesus based on His background

Spiritual opportunities don’t last forever – “You will seek me and not find me”

• Jesus offers living water freely to anyone who is thirsty – The invitation is open to all
• The Holy Spirit flows from within believers – We’re meant to overflow, not run dry
• Discussion Questions
• Section 1: The Talk About Jesus
• Jesus’ Brothers (John 7:1-9)

Why do you think Jesus’ own brothers struggled to believe in Him? What does this teach us about faith?

Who in your life seems close to Jesus physically (attending church, knowing about Him) but far from Him spiritually? How can you pray for them?

Jesus waited for God’s timing rather than seeking public recognition. Where in your life do you struggle with waiting on God’s timetable?

The Divided Crowd (John 7:10-24)

The crowd judged Jesus by His hometown, occupation, and education. What superficial things do people use today to dismiss Jesus or Christianity?

Jesus said, “Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly” (v. 24). What’s the difference between these two types of judgment?

If someone examined your texts, social media, and conversations, would there be enough evidence to identify you as a Christian? Why or why not?

The Religious Leaders (John 7:25-36)

The Pharisees were religious but resisted Jesus. How can someone be very religious yet far from God?

Jesus warned, “You will look for me but not find me.” What does this teach us about responding to spiritual conviction when we feel it?

Section 2: The Invitation to Drink

Living Water (John 7:37-39)

Jesus interrupted the biggest celebration in Israel to declare He is the living water. What does this dramatic moment reveal about how important His message is?

What are some “broken cisterns” (false sources) people turn to today to satisfy their spiritual thirst?

Pastor Bob mentioned a “spiritual low fluid indicator light.” What are the warning signs in your life that you’re running spiritually dry?

Personal Application

On a scale of 1-10, how spiritually thirsty would you say you are right now? What contributes to that rating?

What specific steps can you take this week to “drink” from Jesus—to open yourself up to the Holy Spirit’s refreshment?

Practical Applications

• This Week’s Challenge:
• Choose one of the following to practice this week:
• Option 1: Thirst Assessment
• Each morning, honestly assess your “spiritual fluid level”
• Journal about what depletes you spiritually and what fills you

Commit to one daily practice that helps you drink from Jesus (prayer, worship, Scripture, silence, etc.)

Option 2: Conversation Audit

Review your recent texts, social media posts, and recall your conversations

Ask: Do my words point people toward Christ or away from Him?

Identify one change you can make in how you talk about or represent Jesus

• Option 3: Persistent Prayer
• Make a list of family members or friends who don’t know Jesus
• Commit to praying for them daily, remembering that Jesus’ own brothers eventually believed
• Look for one opportunity this week to invite them into a spiritual conversation or to church
• Option 4: Spirit-Filled Living

Study what the Bible says about being filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:22-23)

Identify one area where you need the Spirit’s power to “overflow” to others

• Ask God specifically to fill you fresh with His Spirit each day
• Scripture Memory

John 7:37-38 – “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ’If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”

Closing Reflection

Personal Inventory:

Am I thirsty for more of God, or have I settled for spiritual complacency?

What is my honest answer to the question: “Who is Jesus to me?”

Is there anything preventing me from drinking deeply from the living water Jesus offers?

Prayer Prompts

• Pray for those who are spiritually dry and need refreshment
• Pray for family and friends who don’t yet believe in Jesus
• Ask God to increase your spiritual thirst and hunger for Him
• Thank Jesus for being the living water that satisfies completely
• Invite the Holy Spirit to flow through you to others this week
• Looking Ahead
• Next week: One service at 5:00 PM

Preparation: Read John 8 and consider: What does it mean that Jesus is the “light of the world“?