Pray
Read John 9:1-2
The Man Born Blind
John 9:1 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
2“Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
What do we know about any of Jesus’ patterns at this point?
What can we learn about God’s character knowing that Jesus noticed a man who was born blind and cared enough to stop?
What are the disciples assuming about the relationship between sin, even generational sin and sickness?
Cross reference some scriptures regarding sin and sickness.
Exodus 34:6-7 (one from Dr. Prince’s message)
How can we relate to the disciples’ questioning?
Read John 9:3
3“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
What is Jesus’ answer in this particular situation?
What power is Jesus talking about?
What do you think the disciples were thinking at this point?
What might you have thought if you were standing there and Jesus said this to you?
When you are going through difficult situations are you aware of the presence of Jesus?
What does His presence mean to you?
Read John 9:4
4We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. 5But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.”
What is Jesus saying here?
Why does Jesus appear to be avoiding the question?
What does Jesus’ offer as a solution for the world in this passage?
Describe some of the attributes of light, and how this might help us to understand some of Christ’s nature.
Read John 9:6-7
6 Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
What might be some significance of Jesus using mud and saliva?
What might this blind man have been thinking?
What further instructions does Jesus give him?
Why do you think Jesus does this particular miracle in this unique way?
What might this tell us about His character and His power?
Are we quick enough to listen to the Word of God? When the Lord gives you a directive or an impression to do something or not to do something how quickly do you listen and obey His voice?
Read John 9:8-9
8His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, “Isn’t this the man who used to sit and beg?” 9Some said he was, and others said, “No, he just looks like him!” But the beggar kept saying, “Yes, I am the same one!”
After this man has been with Jesus is so different that the neighbors contested whether it was really him. How do our lives look different after we have been with Jesus? Do they look different?
What is the beggar’s testimony about having met Jesus? How is he responding to this miracle in front of others?
Read John 9:10-16
10They asked, “Who healed you? What happened?” 11He told them, “The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, ‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.’ So I went and washed, and now I can see!” 12“Where is he now?” they asked. “I don’t know,” he replied. 13Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, 14because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. 15The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, “He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!” 16Some of the Pharisees said, “This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath.” Others said, “But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?” So there was a deep division of opinion among them.
Describe this man’s interaction with others after this miraculous change in his life.
How can we relate with this man in sharing with those around us what God has done in our lives?
What is the response of the crowd, and the Pharisees?
How might people respond today to such a miraculous change in our lives?
Why would the Pharisees be focused on something so small as Jesus healing on the Sabbath and miss the entire miracle?
What groups today are missing the entire miracle because they are hyper focused on the wrong things about God or His people?
Read John 9:17-21
17 Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, “What’s your opinion about this man who healed you?” The man replied, “I think he must be a prophet.” 18 The Jewish leaders still refused to believe the man had been blind and could now see, so they called in his parents.
19 They asked them, “Is this your son? Was he born blind? If so, how can he now see?” 20 His parents replied, “We know this is our son and that he was born blind, 21 but we don’t know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.”
How did the Pharisee’s actions show they were questioning whether this was a genuine miracle or some kind of trickery?
Why did they have such a hard time believing?
What are some of the reasons people at work in your families have a hard time believing God?
Read John 9:22-37
22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. 23 That’s why they said, “He is old enough. Ask him.”
24 So for the second time they called in the man who had been blind and told him, “God should get the glory for this, because we know this man Jesus is a sinner.”
Both Jesus and the Pharisees agree that God should get the glory for this—This is exactly what Jesus had said earlier was the reason for the blindness—the problem is that the Pharisees don’t see Jesus as God
25“I don’t know whether he is a sinner,” the man replied. “But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!”
26“But what did he do?” they asked. “How did he heal you?” 27“Look!” the man exclaimed. “I told you once. Didn’t you listen? Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples, too?” 28Then they cursed him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses! 29We know God spoke to Moses, but we don’t even know where this man comes from.” 30“Why, that’s very strange!” the man replied. “He healed my eyes, and yet you don’t know where he comes from? 31We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but he is ready to hear those who worship him and do his will. 32Ever since the world began, no one has been able to open the eyes of someone born blind. 33If this man were not from God, he couldn’t have done it.” 34“You were born a total sinner!” they answered. “Are you trying to teach us?” And they threw him out of the synagogue. 35 When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36The man answered, “Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him.” 37“You have seen him,” Jesus said, “and he is speaking to you!” 38“Yes, Lord, I believe!” the man said. And he worshiped Jesus.
How many times do the Pharisees have to hear this story?
What is their final response to this man’s miraculous healing?
What does this teach us about the people around us and their willingness to believe?
What do you think was clouding their vision and how can we keep from getting wrapped up in the same lies?
What is our requirement anyway?
How does Jesus encourage this man after the Pharisees have belittled him and bullied him?
Think on This…
What is our responsibility after we have had a touch from Jesus? What bearing does the opinion of what others may think of our testimony have on our sharing it?