Presence in Absence: The Departed Jesus Who Remains 

A striking feature of the Gospel of John is how frequently Jesus announces his impending departure from “this world.”  These statements bewilder the crowds and worry his disciples.  In his lengthy conversation with his disciples on the eve of his arrest, however, Jesus makes the seemingly contradictory claim that his departure ensures his ongoing presence among them.  Join us for our Lenten study on this provocative, fascinating, and ultimately encouraging message Jesus delivers to his disciples in John 13-17.

Weekly small groups will discuss the coming Sunday’s adult education topic and sermon text. Shane Berg, Executive Vice President of Princeton Theological Seminary, is the Adult Education Lenten Leader. He graduated from Yale University with a doctorate in New Testament studies and is eager to return to Nassau Adult classes and discuss the relevance  of Jesus’ message in John. Pastor Dave Davis will then preach on these same texts each Sunday in Lent.

Study Guide

If you are unable to attend a small group or the adult education class, you can use this guide each week to prepare to hear the sermon in worship on Sunday or during the week on the Nassau Church website. This guide can also help in your preparation for the adult education presentations by Dr. Berg. Or read the text and discuss the questions together as a family or couple. Perhaps you didn’t sign up for a small group because the times were not convenient. At any time during Lent you can gather three or four friends on Zoom to talk about the Gospel of John using this guide.