Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (John 2:13-22), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• Jesus brings distorted religion to a violent end. How is Jesus’—and therefore God’s—righteous anger actually a feature of his love? What are some examples from the Bible and/or your life where love expresses itself in anger? Does that make sense? Is it disturbing to know that God’s love has this shape? Reassuring? Captivating? Do you know anyone who thinks of God as “angry” who could benefit from thinking about God’s love in this way? Could you explain the temple cleansing incident to others?

• [19, 21] The temple of Jesus’ human body would be “destroyed” then “raised.” How is he—a person—the temple? Can you describe his current state in ways that are relevant to his being the temple? The New Testament also knows his “body,” the church, to be the temple (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-22). How does that work? Does your experience of the church align with that reality? Why or why not, do you suppose?

• [22] When Jesus’ disciples believed in him they modeled John’s purpose for writing the Gospel (20:30-31). What does it mean to believe in Jesus? (This will lead into the following passage, vv. 23-25…)