“We must work the works of him who sent us” Re-reading John 9:1-41 Contextual Bible Study as a resource for moving beyond stigma and discrimination

1. Listen to the dramatic reading of the text, and then share briefly in twos how this text has been interpreted in your context. 2. Jesus engages with a man born blind in a number of ways: Jesus saw him (v1); Jesus touched him (v6); Jesus spoke to him (v7); Jesus found him (v35); Jesus has a conversation with him (v35). Re-read each of these encounters; what do these encounters say about Jesus and his attitude to the man born blind? Draw a picture which ‘captures’ these encounters.

3. The question the disciples ask in verse 2 reveals their theological orientation. What is this theological orientation? 4. What Jesus says to his disciples in verse 3 and his subsequent actions (see 2 above) reveal an alternative theological orientation. What Jesus literally says (in the Greek) is: “No, neither this man sinned nor his parents; but so that the works of God may be made manifest in him”. He then demonstrates tbis alternative theology in his actions towards the man born blind. What is this alternative theological orientation?

{Four other groups of people also interact with the man born blind: the disciples (v2); his neighbours and acquaintances (v8); the Pharisees (v13); the Jews/Joudaioi/leaders of the Jews (v18, 24-34); his parents (v20). What do these encounters say about each of these groups and their attitudes to the man born blind?} {What is the theological orientation of the Pharisees and the Jewish leadership?}

5. How do each of these theological orientations (of the disciples and Jesus) resonate with theological orientations towards HIV and AIDS in your own contexts (including the church)? What is ‘the shape’ of a life-giving theology of HIV and AIDS? 6. How will you respond to this Bible study in your context? Here are some examples: How would you preach about HIV and AIDS in a way that counters the dominant theological position that it is a punishment from God? What structures could be set up in your local congregation to prevent it becoming a Pharisaic form of ‘salvation by church tradition’ with respect to HIV and AIDS? If as John 9 says, God is also at work with those outside the synagogue/church, what does this mean for our collaborative work with other faith traditions in the area of HIV and AIDS?

7. What other aspects of HIV and AIDS does this text address? 7. What other aspects of HIV and AIDS does this text address? eg. Creating a safe space for the man ‘to own’ his healing eg. Creating a safe space for the man ‘to own’ his healing eg. The affirmation of dignity and the emergence of identity and agency eg. The affirmation of dignity and the emergence of identity and agency ??? ???

Has God sent this beast, or is God at work against this beast?