Locations & Times

Is your faith fueled by love, or by unresolved anger? If you're exhausted from trying to hold it all together while the world around you burns, you're not alone. Kicking off a new study in the Book of John, Jim Burgen gets brutally honest about the anger simmering under the surface of his own faith—and how Jesus’s love began to wash it away. Before we dive into the words John wrote, we have to look at the man himself: an angry young disciple transformed by the love of Jesus. This isn’t a Bible study for the polished. It’s for the burned out, bitter, and barely hanging on. John didn’t start out as the “apostle of love.” He was fiery, prideful, and ready to call down fire from heaven on his enemies. But after years of walking with Jesus, experiencing grace firsthand, and allowing himself to be served by Christ’s love, John changed—and it showed in every word he wrote. His anger didn’t disappear by willpower, but by letting Jesus kneel down, wash his feet, and touch the places he tried to hide. That same invitation is open to us today. Jesus doesn’t want to crush you—He wants to clean you, heal you, and love you back to life.

Set List 

Message Discussion Questions

Introduction to John

Jim Burgen
Jan 4th, 2026

// Bible References: 2 Timothy 3:16-17; John 1:1-5,14; 2:18-22; 3:16-17; 13:5, 12-14, 34-35; 15:12-13; 21:18-19; 21:24; Luke 9:54; Heb 1:3; 4:12; 1 John 4:7;

// Community Question: Share a New Year's resolution, hope, goal, or change for 2026 you have made or would like to make.

// Discussion Questions

1. Jim shared that God’s Word isn’t just ancient, it’s alive and still speaks into real life today.
   Can you remember a time when a verse, story, or moment in Scripture felt personal or timely for what you were walking through? What made that moment meaningful for you?
2. John waited 40-years before writing his Gospel. His story was shaped by time, reflection, and walking closely with Jesus. Looking back on your own journey, what is something God has shown you more clearly with time, something you may not have understood earlier in your faith or life?
   How has perspective changed the way you see God or yourself?
3. John was once known as a “son of thunder,” but later became known as the apostle of love. His life shows how being with Jesus reshapes a person over time. Where have you seen God soften, heal, or reshape your heart even just a little? Is there an area of hurt, frustration, or guardedness where you’d like Jesus to keep doing that work?
4. Going Deeper: Read John 13:5, 12–14, 34–35. Jesus shows His power through humility, service, and love, washing feet instead of demanding status. What stands out to you most about Jesus in this moment? How does His definition of leadership or influence differ from what we usually see in the world? What’s one small, practical way you could “wash feet” this week—at home, work, or in your relationships?

// Challenge: This week, choose 5-10 minutes once a day (morning, lunch, or before bed) to sit and read a few verses of John. Don’t rush it, but simply ask, “Jesus, what do You want me to see or hear right now?” before you start reading.

Mid-Week Group Check-In: After reading John 1 for a few days, text the group and share one thing you noticed a word, phrase, question, or even a resistance you felt. No pressure for a “right” answer just share what stood out to you and respond to few others not with a fix, but support.