Introduction and Prayer

• Pray

Read John 2:1-4

“The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” But his mother told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

• What is happening before the wedding?

• Why does Mary involve Jesus?

• How is Jesus’ response surprising?

• What things do we involve Jesus in that may not be in His timing or even in His kingdom work?

• What do we learn about Mary from this passage?

• What can we understand about the character of Jesus?

Read John 2:6-7

Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.”

• What are the characteristics of these jars and what was their purpose?

• What if anything may be significant about Jesus choosing these kinds of jars?

• Do you think the number is significant?

• Why does Jesus tell the servants to fill them water?

• What could the wine being changed from the water and being poured out of these ceremonial jars symbolize?

Read John 2:8-10

When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!”

• Why would the servants have obeyed Jesus without questions?

• Why is it important for the servants to “dip some out and take it to the Master of ceremonies”?

• Many times we will not see the miracle until we take the first obedient step. What step right now might God be asking you to take?

• What is the response of the Master of Ceremonies?

• How is Jesus’ method different from every other wedding with the serving of wine?

• How in our culture today does Christ’s way differ from that of the world?

• How challenging is it for us to emulate Christ, being different from the world?

• In what specific areas in our lives is God asking us to follow Jesus’ example and live differently?

• How does Jesus performing the first miracle at a wedding foreshadow the wedding to come for us as Christians?

Read John 2:11-12

This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And His disciples believed in him. After the wedding he went to Capernaum for a few days with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples.”

• This miracle illustrates taking the ordinary and making it extraordinary. How does Jesus do that in our lives?

• What reasons might Jesus have had to go to Capernaum after beginning this miraculous ministry?

• With whom does He spend His time?

• How might these groups of people, disciples, brothers, mother, have viewed this incident?

• When God does something miraculous in our lives what is the response of those around us?

Think on This…

The disciples trusted Jesus because of what they saw. What actions from others have caused you to trust more in Jesus?