Session 10 John 8:3-18

FREED (JOHN 8:7-11)

Jesus’s attitude toward the woman who had been dragged before Him.

Ask:

• If you had been in Jesus’s shoes, what verdict would you have determined for the woman?

7 When they persisted in questioning him,
he stood up and said to them,
“The one without sin among you
should be the first to throw a stone at her.”
8 Then he stooped down again and continued writing on the ground.

9 When they heard this, they left one by one,
starting with the older men.
Only he was left, with the woman in the center.
10 When Jesus stood up, he said to her,
“Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, Lord,” she answered.
“Neither do I condemn you,” said Jesus.
“Go, and from now on do not sin anymore.”

DISCOVER:

• What does this encounter show us about Jesus’s character?

Emphasize attributes of God which were on display through Jesus.
(Examples:
justice, mercy, grace, righteousness)

noting that Jesus was and is always righteous.

DISCUSS:

• How did the religious leaders respond to Jesus’s verdict?
• What does it say about their own attitudes and motives?

Point out that Jesus’s words actually condemned them instead of the woman.

ASSERT:

Jesus turned the tables on His opponents
by reminding them of their own sin.

When we truly recognize our own unrighteousness,
we also recognize our need for Jesus more deeply.
It’s not the same as completely trusting Jesus,
but it offers a solid first step in that direction.

CONSIDER:

• How did Jesus view the woman?
• How did meeting Him lead her toward righteousness?

Facilitate a discussion on how the woman trusted Jesus.
Challenge the group to consider the meaning of Jesus’s words to her.

TRANSITION:

Jesus did not ignore her sin.
Instead, He urged her to turn away from sin.
As she did, He was able to forgive her sin.