Life Group Discussion Questions
“After Ephraim”- John 12
JJ Johnson
January 18, 2026
After Ephraim- 4 things we need to know
1. JJ emphasized reading the Bible well—paying attention to context, culture, and then placing ourselves in the story.
Question:
What helps you read Scripture deeply rather than quickly or casually? What are some barriers that keep you from letting the Bible truly saturate your life, and how can your group help one another grow in this?
2. Mary’s worship was personal, costly, and misunderstood, while the crowds focused on what Jesus could do for them.
Question:
In your own life, where do you feel the tension between worshiping Jesus sincerely and caring about how others might perceive it? What would it look like for your worship to be shaped more by who Jesus is than by public opinion?
3. The disciples obeyed quietly before they fully understood, and only later realized what God was doing.
Question:
Can you think of a time when God asked you to obey before you had full clarity? What did that experience teach you? Is there a simple act of obedience God might be placing in front of you right now?
4. Jesus explains that His being “lifted up” would defeat darkness and draw people to Himself.
Question:
How does keeping the cross at the center change the way you face fear, uncertainty, or hardship? What happens when the cross slips from the center of how you see your life?
5. Some believed in Jesus but stayed silent because they loved human praise more than God’s.
Question:
In what subtle ways can pride—or fear rooted in pride—keep us from fully trusting or openly following Jesus? What does it look like, practically, to “walk in the light” of what Jesus has revealed to you?
“After Ephraim”- John 12
JJ Johnson
January 18, 2026
After Ephraim- 4 things we need to know
1. JJ emphasized reading the Bible well—paying attention to context, culture, and then placing ourselves in the story.
Question:
What helps you read Scripture deeply rather than quickly or casually? What are some barriers that keep you from letting the Bible truly saturate your life, and how can your group help one another grow in this?
2. Mary’s worship was personal, costly, and misunderstood, while the crowds focused on what Jesus could do for them.
Question:
In your own life, where do you feel the tension between worshiping Jesus sincerely and caring about how others might perceive it? What would it look like for your worship to be shaped more by who Jesus is than by public opinion?
3. The disciples obeyed quietly before they fully understood, and only later realized what God was doing.
Question:
Can you think of a time when God asked you to obey before you had full clarity? What did that experience teach you? Is there a simple act of obedience God might be placing in front of you right now?
4. Jesus explains that His being “lifted up” would defeat darkness and draw people to Himself.
Question:
How does keeping the cross at the center change the way you face fear, uncertainty, or hardship? What happens when the cross slips from the center of how you see your life?
5. Some believed in Jesus but stayed silent because they loved human praise more than God’s.
Question:
In what subtle ways can pride—or fear rooted in pride—keep us from fully trusting or openly following Jesus? What does it look like, practically, to “walk in the light” of what Jesus has revealed to you?