John 12:20–22 – The Greeks Seeking Jesus

1. Who were the 'Greeks' mentioned in John 12:20, and why is their presence significant?

2. What does their desire to worship at the feast suggest about their relationship with the God of Israel?

3. How do these Greeks symbolize the fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all nations through Abraham’s seed (Genesis 22:18)?

4. Why do you think the Greeks approached Philip first? Does his Greek name or origin from Bethsaida play a role?

5. How does the arrival of these Gentiles connect to Paul’s quotation from Hosea in Romans 9:25–26?

6. How is the rejection of Jesus by the Jewish leaders related to the acceptance of Jesus by the Gentiles?

7. How does Daniel 9:26 support the prophetic timeline of Jesus being 'cut off'?

8. What does Acts 15:14 tell us about God's intention in turning to the Gentiles?

9. How does John 10:16 support the idea that Jesus always intended to bring 'other sheep' (Gentiles) into His flock?

10. What parallel can be drawn between the Greeks seeking Jesus before His death and the wise men seeking Him after His birth?

11. What spiritual contrast do you see between the Jews plotting to kill Jesus and the Gentiles desiring to see Him?

John 12:23 – The Hour of Glory

12. What is the significance of Jesus saying, 'The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified'?

13. How does this verse mark a turning point in the Gospel of John?

14. How does the arrival of the Greeks relate to the timing of Jesus' 'hour'?

15. What did Jesus mean when He previously said, 'My hour has not yet come' (John 2:4; 7:30; 8:20)?

16. How is the cross connected to Jesus being glorified?

17. According to Acts 2:23, who was ultimately in control of Jesus’ death?

John 12:24 – The Grain of Wheat Must Die

18. What spiritual law does Jesus teach using the image of the grain of wheat?

19. Why must the grain fall into the ground and die to bear fruit?

20. How does this principle apply to Jesus’ death and our salvation?

21. What does this metaphor teach us about personal sacrifice and spiritual growth?

22. How does Isaiah 53:10–11 connect to the grain of wheat analogy?

23. How does baptism symbolize this same spiritual truth?

24. How does John 10:11 reinforce the need for Christ to die?

John 12:25 – Losing Life to Gain Eternal Life

25. What does Jesus mean by 'He who loves his life will lose it'?

26. How does 'hating' one’s life in this world lead to eternal life?

27. How does Galatians 5:17 describe the battle between flesh and spirit?

28. What does Romans 7:14–25 reveal about Paul’s own struggle with the flesh?

29. Why is it impossible to grow in the Spirit while clinging to the desires of the flesh?

30. How do these scriptures relate to your personal experience with spiritual conflict?

31. According to Matthew 16:24–26 and Galatians 2:20, what must happen for someone to follow Jesus truly?

32. What does Philippians 3:7–8 teach about valuing Christ above worldly gain?

33. What warnings do 1 John 2:15–17 and James 4:4 give about loving the world?

John 12:26 – Serving and Following Christ

34. According to Jesus, what is the link between serving Him and following Him?

35. What promise does Jesus make to His servants in this verse?

36. How did Jesus demonstrate this servant mindset at the Last Supper?

37. How is Jesus’ teaching in this verse countercultural to worldly views of greatness?

38. How does 1 Samuel 2:30 support the idea that God honors those who honor Him?

39. What sacrifices might you need to make to truly serve Christ?

John 12:27–34 – Jesus Foretells His Death

40. Why was Jesus troubled in soul before His crucifixion?

41. Was His trouble due primarily to physical suffering or something deeper?

42. What does it mean that Jesus had to 'become sin' for us (2 Corinthians 5:21)?

43. How does Hebrews 12:2 help explain how Jesus endured the cross?

44. What does Jesus mean when He prays, 'Father, glorify Your name'?

45. How does the Father’s audible response affirm Jesus’ obedience?

46. What two previous events did God glorify His name through Jesus?

47. Why did some in the crowd hear thunder while others heard an angel’s voice?

48. How does this moment illustrate the difference between spiritual and natural hearing?

49. What does John 8:43 say about why some people cannot hear God’s Word?

50. What are the three key truths Jesus reveals in verses 31–32?

51. How does John 3:17–21 describe the judgment that comes through Jesus?

52. How did Jesus begin the process of casting out the ruler of this world?

53. What does it mean that Jesus, when lifted up, would draw 'all' to Himself?

54. How does this connect with the story of the bronze serpent in Numbers 21:4–9?

55. How does Jesus' death fulfill that Old Testament symbol (John 3:14–15)?

56. How does John clarify what Jesus meant by being 'lifted up'?

57. Why was it important for Jesus to die a public, shameful death on a cross?

58. How does Jesus' response to Pilate in John 19:10–11 affirm that no one took His life from Him?

59. What does it mean for us today that Jesus voluntarily gave His life?