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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 :4-5

Bible studies and notes for individuals and groups. St Phil’s Anglican Church Eastwood. 2021.

1 An introduction to John’s

Background

John was one of the first chosen to follow the Lord 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 :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/), the Son of God. 2. And that by believing you, (the reader), may have (eternal) life in His name.

The “” 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, , gate, , resurrection, way, life, truth, . 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 (:16)

Recommended commentaries to read on the :

The Gospel According to John (Pillar 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) ( 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 :25-40, 41-59

Study 3: Jesus – light of the world :12-20, 21-30

Study 4: Jesus – the gate John 9:13-34, 10:1-10

Study 5: Jesus – the good Shepherd :11-21, 22-33

Study 6: Jesus – the Resurrection and Life :1-27, 28-44

Study 7: Jesus – the Way, the Truth, the Life :1-14, 15-31

Study 8: Jesus – the True Vine :1-17, 18-27

Study 9: Jesus – I am He :1-14, 15-27

Study 10: Jesus – the guilty John 18:28-40, 19:1-15

Study 11: Easter reflections. :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 – 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 , 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 . 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 () 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. Exodus 13:21-22

b. Psalm 27:1

c. Psalm 119:105

d. Habakkuk 3:3-4

e. Isaiah 49:6

9 f. Isaiah 60:19-22

g. Zechariah 14:5-7

3. Given the above references from the Old Testament, why do you think Jesus refers to himself as the light of the world?

4. The Pharisees are judging Jesus by human standards – how can someone testify to themselves? However, Jesus claims to know his beginning and end – where he came from and where he is going. No one else knows this. Therefore, only he can testify to the truth of who he is. Since he is from “out of this world”, this world cannot judge him. Jesus’ appeal is then to Jewish law - verse 17 – the testimony of two or three witnesses – himself and the Father. So, here is another claim to being God, and another fight with the lawyers of the day.

How important is Jesus’ identity as God himself, and also as “the Son of the Father”?

READ John 8:21-30

5. Jesus appears to be talking in riddles. Which verses or phrases do you find difficult to understand?

10 6. The question here is again over the identity and mission of Jesus. How do you explain the following aspects of Jesus’ identity and mission?

a. Where I go you cannot come (verse 21)

b. Jesus is not of this world (verse 23)

c. Jesus was sent (verse 26)

d. Jesus will be lifted up (verse 28)

e. The one who sent me is with me (verse 29)

7. Why do you think so many believe him, given that what he is saying is so difficult to understand? (verse 30)?

11 STUDY 4: Jesus – the gate John 9:13-34, 10:1-10

Opening discussion What people have been instrumental in leading you in your life? What has made them so important to you?

READ John 9:13-34

1. The healing of the man born blind opens up for us the frustration the Pharisees are now facing. They will not believe who Jesus is, yet they cannot respond to the healed man’s testimony.

a. What questions do the Pharisees ask the man who was healed?

b. What questions do the Pharisees ask the man’s parents?

c. What answers do the parents give?

d. What answers does the healed man give?

2. What is the final response of the Pharisees to the healed man? Why?

READ John 9:35-41.

3. This is a wonderful ending to the story of the healed man. What were the final results?

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READ John 10:1-10

4. From these verses, what is the role of a regular, good shepherd?

5. What does a bad shepherd do?

6. How does Jesus shepherd his people?

7. What is the purpose of a sheep gate? Why does Jesus refer to himself as a gate?

8. Verse 8 – who is Jesus referring to in this verse?

9. Verse 9 – what does it mean to find pasture? Have you “found pasture” in your life?

13 STUDY 5: Jesus – the good Shepherd John 10:11-21, 22-33

Opening discussion What people have been sacrificial to you in your life? Why and how?

READ John 10:11-21

1. Jesus makes a distinction here between a shepherd who owns the sheep and a hired hand who does not. Why does he do this? And what is the difference between the two?

2. In verse 16, who are the “other sheep” that Jesus must bring over?

3. How many times in this passage does Jesus talk about laying down his life? Why so often?

4. What are the two responses from the Jews in verse 19-21? Why do you think people respond each of these ways?

a. Response 1 (verse 20):

b. Response 2 (verse 21):

14 READ John 10:22-33

5. Again, Jesus’ identity is under discussion. How does Jesus now identify himself in verses 25-30?

6. How does Jesus identify the people who are asking his identity? (verse 26). Why does Jesus identify them in this way?

7. Verse 31 suddenly leaps into a quite violent scene. A stoning was not something which could just be “done”. There should have been due process and a trial. Yet, in almost just “happens”.

a. Why do they respond so violently and so quickly?

b. How does Jesus respond to them?

8. From verse 40, as Jesus travels back across the Jordan, again people are questioning his identity. But this time it is different. Who are they comparing him with now – and why?

9. Which of the “I am” statements so far do you find the most helpful? The most confusing?

15 STUDY 6: Jesus – the Resurrection and Life John 11:1-27, 28-44

Opening discussion What are some of the reasons why we visit people when they are sick?

If you’ve ever been visited while sick, what did it mean to you?

READ John 11:1-27

In this well-known story of Lazarus, we are brought in closely to one of Jesus most personal friendship circles – Lazarus, and Mary.

1. Why does Jesus wait a few days before returning to ?

2. Why do Jesus’ disciples not want him to return at all to Judea?

3. What do verses 9-10 mean?

4. Thomas is expecting to die with Jesus upon returning to Judea (verse 16). We come to know him later as “”. Yet we can see here how faithful he is as a disciple. Why do you think Thomas is prepared to die with Jesus at this point in time?

16 5. When Jesus arrives (verse 17), what are the responses of a. Martha?

b. Mary?

6. Verse 27 is a powerful statement of the identity of Jesus. In the midst of so many questioning who he is and confused about who he is, Martha is completely clear on this. Is she the first one to recognize Jesus so clearly?

READ John 11:28-44

7. Mary finally goes out to meet Jesus. What is her response now?

8. What does verse 35 tell us about Jesus’ identity as God and as man?

9. Again, we see Jesus pointing to his relationship with his Father. He healed the blind without such prayers. But at this time, he calls to his Father (verse 41-42). Why?

10. As a Christian who follows Jesus – the one who not only promises to raise the dead, but showed on earth that he could do it (not just with Lazarus but with two others we know of) – how do you feel at funerals?

17 STUDY 7: Jesus – the Way, the Truth, the Life John 14:1-14, 15-31

Opening discussion Who has provided you with comfort when you were grieving? What helpful ways did they do that?

READ

1. Jesus begins by again directing the disciples to his identity – “you believe in God, believe also in me” (verse 1). Why is he still doing this?

2. Jesus’ famous words in verse 6 are often half quoted. What does he mean when he says: a. I am the way and the truth and the life

b. No one comes to the Father except through me

3. In verses 7-10 Jesus explains more about his relationship with the Father. What does it mean for Jesus to say that the Father is “in” him?

4. From verse 12 – how can Jesus’ followers possibly do greater things than him?

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5. Verses 13-14 are often quoted as a way to have whatever you want if you ask with faith. However, there is a condition. How is the prayer qualified by the words “in my name”? Does it simply mean we should say “I ask this in Jesus’ name”, or is it about more than simply saying his name?

READ 14:15-31

6. In this passage we are introduced by Jesus to the third person of the Trinity – the Holy Spirit. How is He introduced to us in verses 16-17? What is His introductory identity?

7. Just as the Father is “in” Jesus, we are now told that the Spirit will be “in” us (verse 17). What does this mean?

8. Verse 20 now adds that Jesus is “in” the Father, and we are in him and he is in us. Why does he explain it this way? What does he want us to know about our relationship with him?

9. In verse 23 the idea of “home” is re-introduced (compare verse 2). What does it mean for Jesus and the Father to come and make their home with us?

10. In verses 25-26, what does Jesus tell us is the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

19 STUDY 8: Jesus – the True Vine John 15:1-17, 18-27

Opening discussion In what areas of your life do you feel unproductive? How could you be more productive in those areas?

READ John 15:1-17

1. The next “I am” statement of Jesus is this: “I am the true vine”. Again, bringing up his relationship with his Father, he tells us that his Father is the gardener. How does this image help you understand the relationship between Jesus and the Father?

2. “I am the vine, you are the branches” (verse 5). What does Jesus do with branches that bear no fruit (verse 2) and why? What does this actually look like in the church?

3. “If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit:” (verse 5) What does it mean to remain in Jesus? Has Covid-19 brought challenges in this area of your life?

4. “Apart from me you can do nothing” (verse 5). What does Jesus mean by saying this?

20 5. “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love” (Verse 10). Does this mean that if we sin (breaking a command) that Jesus no longer loves us?

6. What is Jesus’ command?

READ John 15:18-27

7. Jesus is not “from this world” (8:23). Are we? Read verse 19 and discuss.

8. In what ways does the world “hate you” because you are a Christian?

9. Why should we expect the world to hate us if we follow Jesus and follow his commands?

10. Verses 26-27 – what is the role of the Holy Spirit and how should we respond to this?

21 STUDY 9: Jesus – I am He John 18:1-14, 15-27

Opening discussion Is Easter a time of sadness or rejoicing for you? How do you “celebrate” Easter?

READ John 18:1-14

1. Jesus has not often been in a garden. But now at this significant moment, here he is, in a garden. How would you compare (if at all) the significance of this garden with the other garden known so well in the Bible? (See Genesis 3:8)

2. Why did the soldiers fall back and to the ground in verse 6? And why didn’t they recognize Jesus to begin with?

3. Simon Peter cuts off a soldier’s ear. [Luke 22:51 tells us that Jesus healed the man straight away. But Matthew, Mark and John do not share this detail.] Why does Peter act in this violent way?

4. What does Jesus mean when he says “Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?”? (verse 11)

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READ John 18:15-27

5. The “other disciple” in verse 15 was most likely John himself – he simply doesn’t refer to himself by name in the gospel he wrote. John then arranged for Peter to be allowed to come in. Why does Peter then deny that he is with Jesus? Why even enter if he was going to deny his relationship?

6. In verses 19-24, Jesus does not spend much time in the presence of . Jesus may have also been challenging their protocols in verse 23 – in such an arraignment, the proper process was for the defendant to remain silent and to have witnesses speak to the charges – that is, not to question the defendant at this stage. Jesus is asking the witnesses to testify. But with minimal words, Jesus offers a solid defense – what is the heart of his defense?

7. In order for Jesus to be tried by Pilate, he must be sent there by the high priest, – the head of the . Meanwhile, Simon Peter denies his relationship to Jesus again. Whilst Jesus is asking for truth and testimony (verse 23), Peter is denying him a second and third time. Why do you think Peter is so vehemently denying that he knows Jesus?

8. As Peter denies knowing Jesus a third time, a rooster crowed, as Jesus had predicted (13:38). Have you ever denied Jesus? Either by your words or by your silence? By your action or inaction?

23 STUDY 10: Jesus – the guilty John 18:28-40, 19:1-15

Opening discussion Have you ever been accused of something you did not do? Have you ever accused someone else of something, then it turned out they were innocent?

READ John 18:28-40

1. Why did the Jews not just deal with Jesus themselves (as Pilate suggests in verse 31)?

2. Why does Jesus respond to Pilate’s question “Are you the King of the Jews?” with such a round-about answer in verse 34?

3. When Jesus talks about his kingdom in verse 36, Pilate is surprised. He has now admitted that he is a King before a Roman Governor. What is the problem with this admission?

4. “What is truth”. This is a key question for the whole gospel. Throughout John’s gospel we have wrestled with this. Jesus identity and mission have been tied up with this question – what is the truth? What IS truth? How would you answer that question today, in a world full of fake news?

24 READ John 19:1-15

5. What is the purpose (for the Romans or Jews) of all the pre-crucifixion events in verses 1-5? (the flogging, crown of thorns, purple robe…)

6. Why did Pilate seem hesitant to have Jesus crucified? (compare verses 4, 6, 8, 12)

7. How does Jesus challenge Pilate in verse 11? Why?

8. In verse 15, the chief priests answer Pilate: “We have no king but Caesar”. What does this say about the heart of the Jewish leadership at the time?

9. What are the characteristics of Jesus as a King? How do those characteristics compare to Caesar, or to other Kings or leaders today?

10. Reflect on John 18:14. What do you think was the motive behind Caiaphas’ thinking here?

25 STUDY 11: Easter reflections. John 19:16-27, 28-37; 20:1-18, 19-31; 21:1-14, 15-25

Read and reflect Read each passage then reflect using the questions if helpful.

READ John 19:16-27

REFLECT Imagine the feeling of people gambling over your clothes while you are being painfully crucified. What would Jesus have thought of them?

READ John 19:28-37

REFLECT What was “finished”?

READ John 20:1-18

REFLECT How must Mary have felt as her grief gave way to joy realizing her Lord Jesus was alive. How will you feel when you see him in the flesh?

READ John 20:19-31

REFLECT Do you ever doubt God’s promises?

READ :1-25

REFLECT As soon as Peter realizes it is Jesus on the shore, he jumps into the water to get to him. The other disciples take their time to bring back the net full of fish. So why does Jesus ask Peter 3 times if he loves him?

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Bible studies and notes for individuals and groups. St Phil’s Anglican Church Eastwood. 2021.

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