Grace in the Questions
Study Guide Week One
What Are You Looking For?
John 1:35–39
Enter the Scene
They are already moving when the moment begins.
Not boldly. Not with clarity. Two disciples follow Jesus at a distance—close enough to keep him in sight, far enough to remain unnoticed. Their steps carry a quiet hesitation, as though they are unsure how near they are allowed to come. Something in them has been stirred by what they have heard, but that stirring has not yet found language. They are drawn, but they do not yet know why.
This is how the Gospel begins—not with certainty, but with movement. Not with belief fully formed, but with desire leaning forward before it understands itself.
Jesus turns.
He notices what others might overlook—the quiet following, the half-formed longing, the tentative steps of people who are not yet ready to be seen. And instead of asking for explanation, instead of asking for belief, he asks a question that reaches deeper than either.
The Question
“What are you looking for?”
The question is simple, but it opens something profound. Jesus does not ask what they believe.
He does not ask what they are prepared to say or defend. He asks about desire—the deeper pull already shaping their lives. This question does not demand performance. It invites honesty.
What This Reveals
Jesus begins not with belief, but with desire. Before faith is spoken, it is felt. Before commitment is declared, it is carried quietly in what draws us forward. The disciples do not yet understand who Jesus is. They do not have clarity. They do not have language. But they are moving toward him.
Scripture honors this kind of beginning. Desire is not treated as a weakness to correct, but as the place where formation begins. Even when it is unclear. Even when it is incomplete.
And yet, desire is not always easy to face.
We learn how to manage it. We learn how to name what sounds right. We learn how to say what is expected. But Jesus’ question slips past all of that.
“What are you looking for?
Not what should you be looking for. Not what sounds faithful. But what is actually pulling your life right now? The question does not rush to fix desire. It brings it into the light—trusting that what is honestly seen can begin to be gently formed.
Reflection
Take your time here. Do not answer quickly.
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What is quietly pulling your life right now?
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What do you find yourself returning to, again and again?
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Where are you following Jesus from a distance—close, but not fully near?
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What do you hope he will give you?
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What are you afraid he might ask of you?
You do not need to organize your answers.
Let them come as they are—partial, unclear, even contradictory.
Stay With It
Resist the urge to give a “right” answer. This question is not looking for correctness. It is creating space for honesty.
Desire often speaks slowly. It knows where to go before it knows how to explain itself.
Stay with what surfaces—even if it feels unfinished. Even if it feels uncomfortable.
You are not being asked to resolve your desire. You are being invited to notice it.
Practice
Set aside 5 minutes of quiet. Sit comfortably.
Let your breathing slow. Gently return to the question:
What am I really seeking?
When your mind wanders, return without judgment. If no clear answer comes, remain anyway.
This is not a moment to produce clarity. It is a moment to remain present.
Optional Journaling (Deeper Practice)
If helpful, write without editing:
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“Right now, I am seeking…”
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“If I am honest, I want…”
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“What I rarely admit is…”
Let the words come without correction.
Scripture Connection
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
This does not mean God fulfills every desire. It means God reshapes desire as we remain near.
Breath Prayer
Inhale: Jesus, you know my longing
Exhale: Lead me closer to you
Repeat slowly for 1–2 minutes. Let the prayer settle beneath your thoughts.
Closing Thought
The disciples did not answer Jesus clearly. They asked a different question instead:
“Rabbi, where are you staying?”
And Jesus did not correct them. He simply said:
“Come and see.”
You do not have to answer perfectly to begin. You only have to remain close enough to be asked.
And that is enough.