Grow Guide | February 8, 2026
Text Study for Sunday, February 8, 2026
Series Theme: We Have Heard
Reading: John 4:46-54
CONNECTING QUESTIONS
What was the last “project” that took more than just you to complete? What was it like?
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Gracious God, In this season of Epiphany, we gather as those who have heard the good news proclaimed:
that light shines in the darkness,
that hope is born among us,
that Christ is revealed for the world.
Open our ears again to hear Your Word with clarity and joy.
Open our hearts to receive the mystery made known in Jesus.
By Your Spirit, let what we have heard take root in us, so that our lives may bear witness to Your glory.
Through Christ, the Word made flesh, we pray. Amen.
CONTEXT
Epiphany celebrates the Magi finding Jesus and declaring his birth – it’s a season for talking about how the gospel crosses culture and language. Our sermon series, We Have Heard, will show the value of public witness. How will the witness of others grow our faith? How can we be changed by the good news that is Jesus? Often there are cultural barriers to sharing our faith or hearing others' stories, Jesus broke all those barriers for us! Jesus traveled to learn and to teach, to listen and to speak truth, He shared stories to build relationships, to grow His faith. Now it is our turn. Jesus is good news!
From Dr Karoline Lewis at EntertheBible.org:
The miraculous actions that Jesus carries out are called “signs” in the Gospel of John. As things that point beyond themselves, the signs that Jesus performs direct attention away from the miracle itself and toward the power and the presence of God (2:11). There are seven signs of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John and the very first act, the changing of water into wine and last act, the raising of Lazarus are signs that reveal the abundant life Jesus offers.
LOOK AT THE BOOK
How is it with your spirit this week?
What was one take-away from listening to the Carry On Cast podcast that connects with this Grow Guide?
We have concluded the story of the Samaritan Woman this is the story immediately after. Why might John have put this story right here? How does it connect with the Samaritan woman’s story?
Verse 46 tells us some important location details. Where is Jesus? It is not often that he returns to someplace he has been before. Is there a place where when you return to that has a special meaning?
How many signs does Jesus do in the Gospel of John? Turning water into wine is number ______. What was the point of turning all that water into wine?
The second half of verse 46 tells us the problem in this passage. What is it?
Find a Bible map and look at the distance between Cana and Capernaum. What do you notice about the journey that the royal official has made?
In verse 47, what does the royal official believe about Jesus?
Pause and jump to John 20:31. What do you learn? What is Jesus’s intended gift to you?
How does Jesus heal the child in verse 50? He never sees the child!
How does God create life in Genesis 1? Check out Romans 10:17 and underline it.
What happens to the official in verse 53 after the slave's report? What happens to his household? Remember, household is not immediate family in this time. It’s every single person in their orbit!
How does Easter participate in the healing of our larger community? What holds us back from doing so?
How is Jesus good news for the official, his son and household in this passage?
How is Jesus good news for us this week?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
TAKING IT HOME
Invite someone to read the book “Stranger God” by Richard Beck with you this Lent! We start reading on Ash Wednesday, February 18th!
Sending Prayer
God our Creator, through your Son’s teachings you show all your people what it means to follow you. By your Spirit, hold us in this word of challenge and comfort. Keep us faithful to the ways of your Son, who calls us to hear, and in whose holy name we pray. Amen.