Chapter Summary

Healing of the man born blind. The fault finding of unbelievers.

Discussion Questions for John, Chapter 9

1. What is the underlying meaning of the disciples question about the blind man in verse 2? What does this teach us about the assumptions of physical disabilities? In what ways are we tempted to make those with disabilities inferior to ourselves simply because of a disability?
2. Why do you think Jesus chose to heal the man this way (spitting, mud, etc.)? Why do you think that He did not immediately heal the blind man? What kind of healing have you experienced in your life?
3. What does this encounter teach us about Jesus's compassion? How does that change your view of Who Jesus is? In what ways have you experienced His compassion in your life, and what did it change?
4. Does it seem intentional that Jesus continues to heal on "the Sabbath" (HCSB)? Why do you think He continues to do this?
5. Why did the religious leaders "ridicule" (HCSB) the man who was healed? Why do you think they were so desperate to discredit Jesus?
6. Verse 29 represents yet another reference to the religious leaders claiming they did not know where Jesus had come from. Why do you think they were so insistent to deny His birthplace? What prophetic role did Jesus's birthplace play in the narrative of the coming Messiah?
7. In what ways does the Pharisees' claim in verse 34 contradict Jesus's claim in verse 3? What does this reveal about their understanding of sin and grace?
8. Why do you think the man born blind believed in Jesus much more quickly and easily than the Pharisees? What does this say about how God receives people into His kingdom?
9. How does Jesus compare and contrast the Pharisees' spiritual blindness with the physical blindness of the healed man? In what ways does the metaphor of blindness teach us about sin and its effects?
10. What is the response of the blind man to Jesus's claim to be the "Son of Man"? How does this encourage you to be obedient in our response to Jesus?

Key Words/Phrase

Light, vv. 7, 37.

Characters

Jesus, blind man, disciples, Pharisees, neighbors, Moses.

Strong Verse(s)

4, 31.