July 12, 2025
A video introduction using illustrations, personal stories, metaphors, or active learning examples to begin the discussion.
After the video, prompts are supplied for thinking and sharing with others personal perception and experience. This opening activity prompts participants to think about and relate to the topic, and to share with others.
Who Knew?
The people who shape history often don't set out to be heroes. They act with conviction and quietly, boldly, or simply because they can't look away. They didn't know their choices would become symbols of courage or change. Consider the five and ask: Would they be surprised or did they expect to find their names to be synonymous with "courage," "perseverance," or "compassion" for their choices?
Martin Luther King Jr. likely never imagined his dream would become a national holiday.
Mother Teresa humbly served the poor, not knowing she’d become a global symbol of compassion.
Helen Keller, without sight or hearing, inspired the world to value inclusion—her insight outshined her limitations.
Malala Yousafzai risked everything for education and became a voice for human rights.
Rosa Parks quietly stayed seated—and that simple act sparked a powerful movement for justice.
What if world changers aren't trying to change the world but are simply paying attention to what others ignore?
Who today might be remembered for noticing what others miss? And what do you see right now that others don't?
The Bible discussion begins with a careful reading of the whole passage, either from your own Bibles, or from the provided images below.
Then participants are to ask:
In John 1:29–34, we move from a brief, powerful “Behold the Lamb of God” to a richer, layered moment of recognition and testimony. John the Baptist doesn’t just point anymore, he gives us the backstory of how he came to know who Jesus truly was. He says twice, “I myself did not know him,” which is striking. These two cousins had a deeper unveiling that could only come from God’s Spirit. John admits that his clarity about Jesus didn’t come from familiarity—but from revelation.
What made it clear? The dove. The Spirit descending and remaining on Jesus. That word “remains” echoes throughout John’s Gospel (John 15:4–5)—it’s about abiding, staying, dwelling. The Spirit didn’t just visit Jesus—it rested, remained, and revealed.
John was told to watch for the one who would baptize not just with water, but with the Holy Spirit. And when John saw that sign, he knew: This is God’s Chosen One. Isaiah 42:1 had foretold this: “I will put my Spirit on him.” And here it was, fulfilled.
Sometimes the most important truths are not declared with thunder, but with quiet confirmation and spiritual clarity. The Spirit came like a dove—not loud, but unmistakable.
May we be like John and be impressed by Jesus, and say: “I have seen, and I’ll testify.”
A parting video clip with a personal invitation to apply the message to “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ” in the coming week.