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Johns Gospel 2021 Bible Study Guide

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Johns Gospel 2021 Bible Study Guide In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it John 1:4-5 Bible studies and notes for individuals and groups. St Phil’s Anglican Church Eastwood. 2021. 1 An introduction to John’s gospel Background John was one of the first chosen to follow the Lord Jesus as part of His 12 Apostles. John also formed part of the Lord’s “inner Group” of 3. In his gospel John does not mention his name, but describes himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7, 21:20, 24). John also wrote 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and the book of Revelation. Unlike the other gospel writers, John did not describe all aspects of Jesus’ life and ministry (e.g. His birth, His time of temptation by Satan in the desert, His distress in the Garden of Gethsemane, return to heaven, any of Jesus’ parables, etc.) However, he chose only 7 miraculous signs to show who Jesus really is. John probably wrote his gospel in about 90 AD. He focussed on certain parts of Jesus’ life, ministry and teachings. Unlike the other apostles, he died of old age. He was exiled to Patmos Island. From the cross Jesus told John to look after His mother Mary (19:25-27). John’s Purpose in writing His gospel In John 20:30-31 he says there were many miracles of Jesus he did not record in his book, and he gives two reasons why he did write what he did about Jesus’ life and ministry. 1. That you, (the reader), may believe that Jesus is the Christ (Promised One/Messiah), the Son of God. 2. And that by believing you, (the reader), may have (eternal) life in His name. The “I Am” passages recorded in John’s gospel The book of Exodus 2-4 describes the early life of Moses, born a Jew, but educated as an adopted grandson of Pharaoh, Egypt’s king. Aged 40 he had to run away from Egypt after murdering an Egyptian for beating a Jewish slave. He worked as shepherd for 40 years at Midian. God spoke to Moses (Exodus 3) from a burning bush. God told him to return to 2 Egypt to lead His chosen people, descendants of Jacob/Israel from slavery in Egypt into the land of Canaan which God had promised to Abraham’s descendants (Genesis 12:7). Moses tried to give God many reasons why he was not the right person. Moses asked God what name he would give to the descendants of Israel to describe who God was. God said (3:14) His name was “I AM”, meaning God was always present eternally. Jews knew that only God could have such a name. So, in John’s gospel whenever Jesus said “I am …” He was claiming to be equal with God. He said I AM the bread of life, light of the world, gate, good shepherd, resurrection, way, life, truth, true vine. The Jewish spiritual leaders refused to believe this in spite of the many amazing things Jesus did and taught. Other helpful information to John’s gospel John highlights the reactions of people to Jesus Christ – they either responded in faith or in unbelief and rejected Him. He was in constant conflict with the Jewish spiritual leaders who were threatened by Jesus, scared they would lose their influence and authority (11:47-53). Ultimately, they had Him crucified, but He was raised to life on the third day. After 40 days He returned to heaven, an event not recorded by John. John 20:21-23 gives John’s version of the great Commission to send His disciples out with the message of forgiveness of sins. Jesus is the greatest person who has ever lived and God’s greatest gift to mankind (John 3:16) Recommended commentaries to read on the gospel of John: The Gospel According to John (Pillar New Testament Commentary Series) D A Carson. ($55) An academic but accessible book for those who enjoy a more rigorous and intense look at the background and history, as well as more engagement with the Greek language. Message of John: Here is Your King (2020) (Bible Speaks Today Series) ($25). Bruce Milne. An easily accessible commentary series – this volume written by an author well known to speak to those of all levels of understanding. 3 Outline of Studies Study 1: Jesus – Lamb of God. John 1:1-18, 19-34 Study 2. Jesus – bread of Life John 6:25-40, 41-59 Study 3: Jesus – light of the world John 8:12-20, 21-30 Study 4: Jesus – the gate John 9:13-34, 10:1-10 Study 5: Jesus – the good Shepherd John 10:11-21, 22-33 Study 6: Jesus – the Resurrection and Life John 11:1-27, 28-44 Study 7: Jesus – the Way, the Truth, the Life John 14:1-14, 15-31 Study 8: Jesus – the True Vine John 15:1-17, 18-27 Study 9: Jesus – I am He John 18:1-14, 15-27 Study 10: Jesus – the guilty John 18:28-40, 19:1-15 Study 11: Easter reflections. John 19:16-27, 28-37; 20:1-18, 19-31; 21:1-14, 15-25 4 STUDY 1: Jesus – Lamb of God. John 1:1-18, 19-34 Opening discussion Before reading the Bible passages, what do you already know about John and his gospel? READ John 1:1-18 1. This is a very well-known passage. How is it different to the introductions of the other gospels – Matthew, Mark and Luke? 2. What claims do verses 1-5 make about the identity of Jesus? 3. From verses 6-8, and verse 15, what is the role of John? (Note that John, the gospel writer, is referring to John the Baptist, not himself). Why do you think it was necessary for John the Baptist’s role to be explained here? 4. What do verses 9-13 tell us about Jesus’ mission? 5 5. Which verses and words talk about Jesus as God’s revelation? (Note here that John also wrote the book of Revelation – Jesus’ identity as the “revealer” of God is an important theme here) 6. In verse 17, what comparison is made between Jesus and Moses? Why is this comparison made? 7. Discuss the themes of “light” and “dark” in this passage. READ John 1:19-34 8. In verses 19-28, again we see an attempt to clarify the identity of John the Baptist. Why was his identity so confusing to people? Compare also Malachi 4:5-6 and Isaiah 40:3. 9. In verses 29 – 34, how does John the Baptist identify Jesus? 10. What is the difference between John the Baptist and Jesus? 6 STUDY 2. Jesus – bread of Life John 6:25-40, 41-59 Opening discussion What is your favourite miracle of Jesus? Why? READ John 6:25-40 1. Jesus had just performed the miracle of feeding the 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish. Then he walks on water to the disciples in their boat. Then the crowd followed him to Capernaum. Why does Jesus say the crowd were following him? (verses 25-27) Why do you think non- believers seek out Jesus today? 2. The theme of bread continues. The comparisons of Moses and Jesus also continue. How does Jesus compare the bread the Israelites received in the wilderness under Moses with the bread that he offers them? 3. In verse 29, what is the work that God requires of us? What does this mean in practice? 4. In verses 38-40, what is the will of the Father that Jesus is seeking to do? 7 5. Jesus has already been identified in chapter 1 as being God himself. (1:1) Now Jesus identifies himself again in relationship with the Father – Verse 32 – my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. Verse 35 – I am the bread of life. What does this say about the relationship between the Father and the Son (Jesus)? Why are these titles an important distinction, given that they are one and the same person? READ John 6:41-59 6. Why are the Jews struggling with Jesus’ identity? 7. In verses 48-51, and again in verses 53-58 we see Jesus speaking very clearly about his mission and his death for the world. He speaks openly about the need for people to “eat his flesh and drink his blood”. Firstly, what does Jesus mean by this? Secondly, why does he speak so plainly about things the Jews are surely not able to understand at this point in time? 8. How would you explain the Lord’s Supper to someone who was not a believer? 9. How would you describe the difference in the leadership of Moses and Jesus? 8 STUDY 3: Jesus – light of the world John 8:12-20, 21-30 Opening discussion Whose testimony would you trust? Whose testimony would you be unlikely to trust? READ John 8:12-20 1. Again, we find the Jews (Pharisees) in conflict with Jesus over his identity. What is their problem this time? Is it a valid concern? 2. In this second “I am” statement, Jesus calls himself the light of the world. Read a few of these Old Testament references to light and the importance of this image. Make notes on each as to the meaning of why God is referred to as light: a.
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