Bible Study: The Gospel of John

John 7:1-18

1. The contrast between Jesus and his brothers is seen in terms of their different attitudes toward “the world”. At one level, “the world” means the whole created universe, including all the peoples of the earth (v.4). But at another level it means the deep-seated attitude that turns away from the loving Creator and tries to organize its life differently from him (v.7).

How are we sometimes deceived into living and acting according to the principle of “the world” rather than the radically different way that Jesus demonstrates?

2. A central clue to this chapter is verse 17: if anyone wants to do God’s will, they will know whether the teaching which Jesus gives comes from God, or whether he’s just making it up to boost his own position or reputation.

What does this imply about the Judeans – the religious leaders – in this passage?

3. Jesus was not trying to boost his own reputation, but God’s (v.18). How might we follow Jesus’ example in this as we seek to speak to the truth in our own day?

John 7:19-52

4. What are the two radically different attitudes to the law of Moses that Jesus highlights in verses 21-24?

5. What was Jesus trying to communicate about the ultimate purpose of the law?

6. Some first-century Jews believed the Messiah would appear mysteriously, with nobody knowing where he came from (v.27). Jesus’ reply is not what we expect. Instead of saying, “Ah, but you don’t know where I really come from” (meaning, from God), he agrees that they know where his hometown is. He then turns the question around. While insisting they are indeed ignorant of something, their real ignorance is not so much about him, Jesus, but about God. So naturally they cannot associate the Jesus they are seeing with the true God.

The same challenge comes to today’s world. Often people look at Jesus and draw conclusions about him based on faulty ideas of God and the world. But the Christian message insists that people must learn afresh who God is, what the world is and who we ourselves are, by looking at Jesus.

In what ways has the Jesus you have encountered so far in John’s Gospel challenged the way you understand God, yourself, and the world?

7. John’s gospel portrays a wide variety of responses to Jesus, just as we have today. How do you respond to the different ideas people have about Jesus today? Adapted from John: 26 Studies for Individuals and Groups, by N.T. Wright (IVP, Downers Grove, MI. 2009) 99.54-59 1