We realize you may not be able to discuss c. If you were to build a case for Christianity, how all the questions. Pick the ones you like. important would it be to present credible witnesses that could be believed? What would Small Group Questions happen to Christianity if non-credible witnesses “Witnesses of Christ” were selected to testify about Christ? John 5:30-47 d. Would you consider yourself a credible witness Previous message summary: After Jesus heals the for Christ? lame man on the Sabbath, the Jewish religious leaders Discussion Questions confront him about breaking the Sabbath law. This leads Jesus to make several claims about who he is and the Read John 5:30-47 authority that God has given to him as the Son of God. 2. What does Jesus say about his ability to act Jesus calls God his Father, and claims that he is equal in independently from the Father and accomplish his works (healing), judgment, and as the giver of life. Jesus own will? How does this statement bear testimony precisely and accurately proclaims his rightful position as about who Jesus is and what he has come to do? the Messiah who has come into the world so that men a. What does Jesus say about his testimony and women everywhere can have eternal life. about himself and how it is received? Is this What we learned: Since Jesus is equal in every way to true today in a court of law when a person God, our response to Jesus should be to honor him with gives testimony about themself? our entire life. We should seek to honor him in our b. What does the Bible say about the number of worship, in our relationships, and in our work. We should witnesses that are required to prove something seek to honor Jesus with our time and our resources. We legally? Read Deuteronomy 17:6, 19:15, and should seek to honor Jesus in the way that we share his John 8:17. message of love and mecy to a world that is in desperate need of love and mercy. c. How many witnesses does the Apostle John present in this passage of Scripture? Does this Introduction number meet the requirement mentioned in Old Testament Law? 1. What is the purpose of a witness in a court of law? When a witness is called, how important is the d. If Jesus could not provide witnesses to back up credibility of the witness in determining the strength his claim to be the Son of God, would it be of their testimony? difficult to believe in him? 3. John the Baptist is mentioned as a witness of Jesus. a. Have you ever been called to give witness in a What was John’s testimony concerning Jesus? court of law? What did you testify about, and in Read John 1:7-8, 1:19-23, 1:29-30, 3:28-30. what way did you as a witness help prove the case that was being presented? a. Was John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus important? Read John 5:33. b. Have you ever listened to the testimony of a someone who was not a credible witness? b. Was John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus Was their testimony hard to believe? received by the Jews? Why did the Apostle John describe John the Baptist as a light that b. What does the witness of Moses do to those people rejoiced in for a while? who say they believe in the Law, but not in 4. How did the works that Jesus was doing bear Jesus (verse 45)? witness about him? Read John 3:2, 10:25, 14:11. 8. What should our response be to the witnesses that a. How many miracles does the Apostle John Jesus presents to back up his claim to be equal to record in the Gospel of John? What is the God? (The word believe shows up 6 times in this purpose of these miracles? passage.) b. Up to this point in history, how many people Challenge: You can know that the witnesses of Christ are had been turning water into wine, healing the credible and point to the reality that Jesus is who he lame, opening the eyes of the blind, and raising claims to be as the Son of God. He is the one who grants the dead? When Jesus does these things, how eternal life to all who believe in him. May this truth give should people respond? you confidence to be who God created you to be, and strength to overcome any obstacles that stand before you 5. In addition to John the Baptist and the works of this week. Jesus, he also has the witness of the Father. What do verses 37 & 38 tell us about the Father? Action: Resolve to be a witness for Christ this week. May your life (the things you do and don’t do) and the things a. John mentions that the Jews have not heard you say point to the reality that Jesus really is the Son of his voice. When would they have heard the God who has given you eternal life. voice of God? Read Matthew 3:16-17, 17:5, and John 12:28. b. How is God revealed through his Son? Read Next Steps: Hebrews 1:1-3. How does this substantiate the G I will search and apply the Scriptures, knowing that witness of the Father? they bear witness about Jesus. (Jn 5:39) 6. How does Scripture bear testimony about Jesus? G I am willing to accept the evidence concerning Jesus Where is eternal life really found? Christ and come to him for life. (Jn 5:40) a. There are 500 prophecies about Jesus in the G I will allow my life to serve as another “Witness of Old Testament. What do all those prophecies Christ.” point to? Read Isaiah 35:4-6, 53:1-9, and G One way I can serve as a witness for Christ is to: Micah 5:2. ______. b. When Jesus shows up and fulfills prophecy perfectly, how should people respond? 7. What does Jesus say about the witness of Moses? Read John 5:45-47. a. In what way does Moses point to Jesus? Read Deuteronomy 18:15, Numbers 21:4-9, and John 3:14-15.