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Chapter 9

1. The disciples ask Jesus if the man’s blindness was due to his or his parents’ sin. Do you believe people still think this way?

 

What would say to someone who believed this way?

 

Can you think of any instance where this might be true? Please explain.

 

2. What was Jesus’ response in v. 3?

 

How do you feel about the man’s being born blind so the power or work of God could be seen?

 

What was this power or work?

 

3. Read carefully Jesus’ comments in vv. 4-5. What do you think Jesus meant when He referred to its being day? (Some versions do not have this phrase but simply say things must be done quickly. Why?)

 

What did the night falling represent?

 

4. What is the significance of Jesus’ "I am" statement in v. 5 in relation to man’s condition and the miracle about to take place?

 

5. Did the man ask to be healed? How do we know the man had faith?

 

Why do think Jesus chose to heal him by spitting on the ground and applying the mud to the man’s eyes?

 

Suppose you asked for healing of one eye (the other being okay). The minister takes you outside, spits on the ground, and stirs it with his finger. You see him take the mud and start to put in on your other eye. What would you do?

 

6. After the man is healed, what questions do his neighbors and other who have seen him begging ask?

 

Why are they discussing his identity instead of the miracle?

 

7. What is man’s response when asked how his eyes were opened?

 

8. Read John 9:13-41. On what grounds do the Pharisees object to this miracle (vv. 16, 22, 24, 29)?

 

9. Why does Jesus keep healing on the Sabbath?

 

10. The Pharisees decide to get to the bottom of the situation. First they ask the man (who had been blind) how he received his sight. What was the man’s answer (v. 15)?

 

What was their response to this "eyewitness" testimony?

 

What conclusion do they reach about Jesus (vv 16-7)? About the man (v. 18)?

 

11. Still skeptical, the Jews send for the man’s parents (v. 18). How would you describe the parents’ attitude and response (vv. 19-23)?

 

Of what are the parents afraid?

 

How do you think you would respond in a similar situation?

 

12. The Pharisees send for the man a second time (v. 24). What do they ask him this time?

 

How does the man respond (vv. 25 & 27)?

 

13. The man begins to teach the teachers in vv 30-33. His answers are very logical. What does he answer?

 

How do the Pharisees respond?

 

14. What is ironic about the Pharisees’ search for the truth?

 

In their quest for the truth, what one fact gets lost or totally ignored?

 

Is the same thing happening in the church today? In other words, are we sacrificing the truth in our search for truth? Can you think of any examples?

 

15. What do you think was the man was feeling when he was first healed? When he was first called to "testify" to the Pharisees? When he was called the second time? When he was thrown out of the synagogue? When Jesus came to him a second time?

 

Can you think of a time when you found yourself going through a range of emotions following a mighty blessing from God?

 

16. What happens the first time the man encounters Jesus?

 

What happens during this second encounter with Jesus?

 

Why does Jesus go to the man a second time?

 

How can this give you hope for a lost loved one who has encountered Jesus but has not yet "seen" the truth?

 

17. How would you explain Jesus’ comment in v. 39?

 

18. Jesus says that if the Pharisees were blind, they would not be guilty of sin. What blindness is He talking about?

 

How would blindness keep them from being guilty of sin?

 

Since they are not blind, of what sin are they guilty?

 

19. What can we learn from this chapter that can help our spiritual eyesight?

 

What can we learn about persecution?