8.03 Mix Starter

Facilitator: In advance of the session

Have the Bible Background Video ready to view.
Review today’s scripture text and the session activities to help better facilitate the discussion.
Encourage your group to listen to the Faithelement podcast ahead of the next session (Share the link via email or social media)

Share these quotes with the group. Ask them to respond with how they feel about each quote and why:

“That’s something I’ve noticed about food: whenever there’s a crisis if you can get people to eating normally things get better.” – Madeleine L’Engle
“Clearly, the pleasures wines afford are transitory – but so are those of the ballet, or of a musical performance. Wine is inspiring and adds greatly to the joy of living.” — Napoleon Bonaparte
“Compromises are for relationships, not wine.” — Sir Robert Scott Caywood

Ask:

Why do we often find that “transitory” things like food and wine seem to be present at times that hold great meaning – family gatherings, weddings, funerals?
In what ways does our view of food and celebration affect the way we conduct our faith and why?

Read John 2:1-11, then watch the Bible Background Video. (Bonus – enjoy the full video this week!).

Ask questions like these:

What kinds of things happen on third days in scripture, and why might the writer have chosen to include this detail?
Why do you think Mary was so insistent in bringing Jesus into the situation?
What does this say about their relationship, and how might Mary have changed over the years?
Why might Jesus have been reluctant to do as his mother asked?
Why do you think the writer stated that Jesus chose to use water, instead of just making the wine appear somehow?
What do you make of the head steward’s comment about the quality of the wine?
Understanding that wine was a symbol of abundance and joy, what does this miracle say about Jesus’ coming ministry and God’s work?

Play the “Cats and Cucumbers” video and ask questions like:

While they typically didn’t react like these cats did, in what ways do you think people were surprised by the way Jesus conducted himself in the gospels?
Some would say that this miracle of the feast was the first told in John’s gospel because it establishes the element of surprise, and just like no one could have seen Jesus making wine out of water, no one could have imagined Jesus dying for them, either. What do you think of that assumption and why?
What are some ways that you have found yourself surprised by Jesus and what have you learned from them?
There are those who might say that small, everyday things that bring about God’s purpose are miracles that God still uses to change our lives. How do you feel about this and at what points have you seen such a miracle in your own life?
How can we help people see that God sometimes works in small ways that eventually lead to big things?

Close in prayer, that you can still be surprised by God’s working in your lives.