Warm Up
Using the prompts, what are some things that you LOVE (or have loved)?
- A person who is not your partner or family member?
- An animal
- Something that you would eat
- A place to visit
- Something that you can purchase with money
#1 . Love – a word constantly used but seldom defined.
Talk to each other:
- When you hear the word love, what immediately comes to mind?
- Where has your understanding of love has been shaped most?
- Why do you think love is so easy to talk about but so hard to define?
Watch Video – Bible Project AGAPE-LOVE
Watch and listen for:
- How is biblical love described?
- What makes it different from cultural assumptions?
Discussion Questions:
- What stood out to you from the video?
- How did it describe agape differently from romantic or sentimental love?
- Why is love described as action and commitment rather than primarily emotion?
- Where do you see this kind of love embodied in Jesus?
Read 1 John 4:7-12.
What does this text speak about love?
#2 – See how he loved him!
(Exploring the text)
Read John 11:1-44
As it is such a long reading, you might like to consider assigning readers to read the parts of narrator/Jesus/Martha/Mary/Crowd etc; or reading key sections: vv.1–7, vv.17–27, vv.32–37, vv.38–44 and pausing for 30 seconds after each to let the narrative settle.
Discussion Questions:
- What stood out to you from the John 11 text?
- Do you have any questions that you would like to ask about it?
(if in a group setting, don’t rush to answer the questions, just let them sit)
Zoom in on John 11:5-6
- What surprises or unsettles you about Jesus’ actions in this story?
- How do you feel about a love that does not prevent suffering, but stays present in it?
- When have you experienced waiting as part of love?
Zoom in on John 11:32-36
- Why would Jesus weep if he knows the ending?
- What does this tell us about divine love?
Zoom in on John 11:37-44
- Would you call this “resurrection” or is it “resuscitation”?
- Why does John include this sign before the cross?
- What difference does it make that resurrection is embodied and relational?
- Why is resurrection grounded in love?
#3 – See how he loved him! (Responding to Love)
In John 11 we saw love that waits; love that weeps; love that calls life out of death. Now, in John 12, we see what love stirs a response in people … but not everyone responds the same way. Martha serves; Lazarus sits at the table; Mary pours out perfume; Judas criticises. Love revealed invites response — even in us.
Read John 12:1-8
- What jumps out for you in this passage?
- What strikes you most about Mary’s action?
- Why might Mary’s response caused others in the
room to feel uncomfortable? - Why do you think John tells us the cost?
- If we understand that Mary’s action is a foreshadowing to the cross … what do you think Mary understands about Jesus that others miss?
Reflective Question:
As we enter Lent — a season of attention, repentance, and devotion — how might you respond to the love of Christ?
- Is your response service?
- Is it generosity?
- Is it worship?
- Is it repentance?
- Is it making space?
- Is it letting go of something that crowds love out?
Prayer
Loving God,
You have loved us first.
Before we moved toward You, you moved toward us.
In Jesus, You have shown us love that waits, love that weeps,
love that endures, love that overcomes death.
As we begin this Lenten journey, awaken our response.
Where we have grown cautious, make us generous.
Where we have grown distracted, make us attentive.
Where we have grown fearful, make us trusting.
Teach us to love You not only with words but with our whole lives.
May our response be shaped not by duty, but by gratitude.
And may the fragrance of Christ fill our homes, our church, and our community.
Amen.