Come and See
Belonging Before Belief
Untying What Binds Us
Grace that frees us for life together

This series is a Lenten journey through the Gospel of John that invites us to move beyond faith as belief alone and into faith as a lived way of freedom. Week by week, we name what binds us—fear, shame, control, violence, despair—and listen for Jesus calling us out, just as he called Lazarus from the tomb. But the story does not end with being raised; it continues with the community commanded to “Untie him.” This series explores how grace is not only something God does for us, but something God works among us, shaping us into people who help one another live free. As we walk from the tomb to the cross to the empty garden, we ask together: What might need to change in how we listen, love, serve, and follow—so that we and others can live free?

LENT 1 – February 22, 2026
Untied From Death-Shaped Living • John 11:1–44

Binding Named
Resignation & Death-Shaped Living - The quiet belief that “this is just how it is.”

Resurrection begins with Jesus’ voice—but freedom requires participation.

Reflection Question
Where have I grown accustomed to living in a tomb that Jesus is calling me out of?

Practice
The Stone Bowl 

Communal Focus
We are not spectators of resurrection. Who in our community needs help being untied?

LENT 2 – March 1, 2026
Power Untied by Service • John 13:1–17

Binding Named - Status & Misused Power

Holiness looks like humility embodied.

Reflection Question
Where am I clinging to power instead of using it to free someone else?

Practice
Kneeling Exchange

Communal Focus
How might our church use influence not to preserve itself—but to bless others?

LENT 3 – March 8, 2026
Shame Untied by Truth • John 18:12–27

Binding Named - Shame & Self-Preservation 

Failure does not disqualify us from grace.

Reflection Question
What false story about myself is shame-telling that Jesus does not agree with?

Practice
Turning Back

Communal Focus
Can the church be a place where confession leads to restoration, not rejection?

LENT 4 – March 15, 2026
Truth Untied from Fear • John 18:28–40

Binding Named - Fear of Losing Control

Truth rooted in God is steady, not defensive.

Reflection Question
Where am I avoiding truth because I fear what it might cost?

Practice

Open Hands

Communal Focus
What would it look like for our church to be truth-telling and gentle at the same time?

LENT 5 – March 22, 2026
Violence Untied by Love • John 19:1–16a

Binding Named - The Myth that Force Saves

Jesus refuses to mirror violence.

Reflection Question
Where am I tempted to fight like the world fights instead of loving like Christ loves?

Practice
Non-Anxious Presence

Communal Focus
How might we practice non-anxious presence in a culture of outrage?

LENT 6 (Palm Sunday) – March 29, 2026
Expectations Untied • John 19:16b–22 [John 12:12–27]

Binding Named - Control & Projection

Following Jesus requires surrendering our version of him.

Reflection Question
What expectations of Jesus might I need to release to follow the real Christ?

Practice
Release the Script

Communal Focus
Are we willing to be shaped by Jesus rather than shaping him to fit us?

MAUNDY THURSDAY – April 2, 2026
Love Poured Out • John 19:23–30

Binding Named - Fragmentation & Isolation

Grace creates new community at the place of pain.

Reflection Question
Who is Jesus inviting me to receive as family?

Practice
Receive, Don’t Initiate

Communal Focus
How do we embody cross-shaped love toward one another?

GOOD FRIDAY – April 3, 2026
Held in the Silence • John 19:31–42

Binding Named -Despair

Sometimes grace is simply staying.

Reflection Question
Where is God asking me to remain faithful without visible results?

Practice
Stay

Communal Focus
How can we accompany one another in seasons when hope feels hidden?

EASTER – April 4, 2026
Named and Sent • John 20:1–18

Binding Named - Death Itself

Resurrection is personal and missional.

Reflection Question
How will I live differently because Christ has called my name?

Practice
Name and Send

Communal Focus
We are sent as people who have been untied.
Who needs to hear that freedom is possible?

ACT I: BELONG
Before anyone understands who Jesus is, he invites them to be with him.

Week 1 – Jan 4
Come and See: You Belong Before You Understand • John 1:35–51

 Focus: BELONG

  • Jesus’ first question: “What are you looking for?”

  • Jesus’ first invitation: “Come and see.”

  • The disciples don’t make a confession of faith first—they stay with him.

 Theological Emphasis:

  • Prevenient grace at work

  • Belonging precedes believing

  • Discipleship begins with relationship, not certainty

Key Quote:
Jesus doesn’t ask for a statement of faith—he offers a place to stand.

 

Week 2 – Jan 11
Saved a Seat at the Table • John 2:1–11

Focus: BELONG

  • Jesus’ first sign happens at a wedding, not a synagogue

  • He provides abundance for people who may not even notice

  • Grace is poured out before anyone asks

 Wesleyan Thread:

  • God’s grace is joyful, abundant, and communal

  • God shows up in ordinary life and celebration

Key Quote:
Jesus shows his glory by making sure no one is shamed or left out.

 

ACT II: BEHAVE
Belonging to Jesus begins to disrupt old patterns and form new ones.

Week 3 – Jan 18
When Belonging Changes the House • John 2:13–25

Focus: BEHAVE

  • Jesus cleanses the temple—not out of anger alone, but love

  • Belonging to God means old systems must change

  • Faith affects how we organize worship, money, and power

Wesleyan Emphasis:

  • Social holiness

  • Grace confronts injustice

  • Discipleship reshapes both personal and communal life

Key Quote:
Grace doesn’t leave us as it finds us—it rearranges the furniture.

 

Week 4 – Jan 25
Learning a New Way of Life • John 3:1–21

Focus: BEHAVE (with tension toward BELIEVE)

  • Nicodemus belongs socially and religiously—but must learn a new way

  • “Born from above” isn’t about behavior modification but reorientation

  • New life means learning to live by the Spirit

Wesleyan Thread:

  • Justifying grace begins transformation

  • Faith is formed over time, not instant clarity

Key Quote:
Being born again isn’t about starting over—it’s about being reshaped.

 

ACT III: BELIEVE
Belief emerges through encounter, obedience, and testimony.

Week 5 – Feb 1
Belonging Breaks the Rules • John 4:1–42

Focus: BELIEVE (emerging)

  • Jesus offers belonging to a Samaritan woman before belief

  • Her belief grows through honest conversation

  • She becomes a witness before she has all the answers

Wesleyan Emphasis:

  • Grace crosses boundaries

  • Testimony flows from encounter

  • Evangelism is invitation, not argument

Key Quote:

She didn’t believe because she understood—she believed because she was known.

 

Week 6 – Feb 8
Believing Enough to Act • John 4:46–54 (optionally 5:1–18)

Focus: BELIEVE

  • The official believes Jesus’ word and goes home

  • Faith shows itself in trust-filled action

  • Healing unfolds along the road

Wesleyan Thread:

  • Faith is trust, not certainty

  • Obedience deepens belief

Key Quote:
Sometimes belief looks like taking the next step before the proof arrives.

 

Week 7 – Feb 15
Now I See • John 9:1–41

Focus: BELIEVE (mature, embodied)

  • The healed man’s belief grows as he tells his story

  • Religious leaders cling to certainty but remain blind

  • Belief becomes courage and public witness

Wesleyan Emphasis:

  • Sanctifying grace

  • Faith lived boldly

  • Testimony as spiritual formation

Key Quote:
Belief isn’t having all the answers—it’s standing in the light you’ve been given.