Encountering Jesus through Investigative Bible Studies

Ever studied the Bible with seekers? You will never be the same after you do.

One of the specific challenges issued at Urbana was to go home and invite friends into an investigative bible study through John 1-4 (the Scripture text we all worked through at Urbana).  Little packets were given to those willing to commit, and now the names are rolling in of those who want to go for it.

At Urbana, all 16,000 people met together to study the story of Jesus in John 1-4. I had the opportunity and privilege to lead the Canadian Student Leadership Track through their study. This is a shot of how much wine Jesus made at the wedding in Cana (lots!).

I am thrilled that this is happening.  When I look back over the years, I know that my most amazing experiences in the Scripture has been when I’ve walked through John’s Gospel with spiritual seekers. I remember our living room packed with people, most of whom were non-church yet really interested in Jesus.  And then the most incredible conversations as we see Jesus arrive on the scene, engaging people from every walk of life and invited them to follow him. And after every story, from the man at the pool (5) to the dude born blind (9) to Nic (3) or Sam (4), each and every encounter turns on the questions,  “What about you? Do you believe?” Life-changing stuff.

We will be gathering students together and helping them roll forward on this, inviting their friends to encounter Jesus with them through his story. And we know they will. It’s what happens when people “come and see” Jesus–glory dawns in the eyes of the beholders.