LEADER’S GUIDE RightNow Presents The Gospel of John LEADER’S GUIDE Copyright © 2018 RightNow by RightNow Ministries Members of the RightNow team involved in creating this video Bible study include: Brian Mosley: President Clint Loveness: Field Producer Phil Warner: VP, Video Production Cameron Rhodes: Field Producer Paul Lanum: VP, Publishing & Conferences Lee Sherman: Field Producer Matt Wood: VP, Marketing Austin James: Field Producer Jackie Mosley: Sr. Publisher Lindsey McNally: Field Producer Will Irwin: Sr. Producer Lindsie Herring: Field Producer Josh Holden: Sr. Producer Mark Weaver: Field Producer Chad Madden: Sr. Producer Bradley Van Strien: Field Producer Mark Blitch: Producer Jed Ostoich: Associate Publisher Brendon Lankford: Producer Alicia Heuer: Writer Courtney Davis: Field Producer Mike Marshall: Director of Marketing Jason Jean: Field Producer Mateo Boyd: Graphic Designer ISBN - 1-57275-3609 ISBN - 978-1-57275-360-0 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the publisher, except where noted on handouts and in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and review. Video: Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright© 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org. Leader’s Guide: Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Doctrinal Statement can be found at rightnow.org. For information, write: Permissions RightNow Ministries 6300 Henneman Way McKinney, TX 75070 RightNow is a non-profit ministry. Published by RightNow Printed in the United States of America. CONTENTS Welcome Letter . .4 . How to use this Leader’s Guide. 5 Session 1: John 1:1–34 . .8 . Session 1 Handout:John 1:1–34 15 Session 2: John 1:35–51 . .16 . Session 2 Handout:John 1:35–51 25 Session 3: John 2:1–25 . 26. Session 3 Handout:John 2:1–25 33 Session 4: John 3:1–36 . 34. Session 4 Handout:John 3:1–36 40 Session 5: John 4:1–5:18 . .41 . Session 5 Handout:John 4:1–5:18 48 Session 6: John 5:19–6:21 . .49 . Session 6 Handout:John 5:19–6:21 56 Session 7: John 6:22–71 . .57 . Session 7 Handout:John 6:22–71 64 Session 8: John 7:1–52 . 65. Session 8 Handout:John 7:1–52 73 Session 9: John 8:1-59 . 74. Session 9 Handout:John 8:1–59 82 Session 10: John 9:1-41. 83 Session 10 Handout:John 9:1–41 90 Session 11: John 10:1-42 . 91 Session 11 Handout:John 10:1–42 100 Session 12: John 11:1-57 . 101. Session 12 Handout:John 11:1–57 109 WELCOME LETTER For this study, we took Dr. Tony Evans back to his hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. The Gospel of John is packed with foundational truths about our Savior. Dr. Evans teaches straight to the heart, and reminds us that we only find life in and through Jesus. This study covers the first eleven chapters of the Book of John. It’s a great resource for both the long-time Christian who wants to revisit the foundation of their faith, and also for the new believer who is just beginning to learn who Jesus is. Our team hopes this resource draws you closer to Jesus and inspires you to share your faith with those around you. The mission of the church matters, Brian Mosley President, RightNow Media WELCOME LETTER 4 HOW TO USE THIS LEADER’S GUIDE Every group meeting is an improvisation. No matter But many of the questions are open for discussion, how much you prepare, there’s always a chance that so they have no suggested answers. Instead, the someone will ask a question you can’t answer, or that paragraphs that follow after might include thoughts the discussion will go in an unforeseen direction. you could add to the discussion. Maybe someone in the group has a crucial need you have to address. Maybe the Spirit gives you a new Each lesson has particular sections: understanding of how a biblical teaching applies to the lives in your group. SESSION GOALS This Leader’s Guide is a tool that helps you unpack a text. But it can be more than that. We’re giving This is the point of each session—the big idea and you a document full of possibility. Our goal with the what we hope participants walk away knowing, Leader’s Guide is to provide you with more than feeling, and doing differently as a result of studying enough content to create life-changing discussion. So the material. All of the teaching, questions, and feel free to select only those parts or questions that reflections ultimately point back to these goals. you feel will best help your group. They’re there primarily for your benefit as the group leader, but sharing them with the group may help If you’re new to group leading, you can simply structure your conversation. follow along step by step. Remember that your job is to ask questions, not necessarily to give all the answers. It’s okay to let silence stretch its arms as OPEN your group thinks through the discussion. As you honor participant’s answers—even the half-baked This is an icebreaker. Adjust it to the character of ones—they’ll be encouraged to participate even more. your group, but don’t skip it for several reasons: Some of those answers may get fully baked in the First, every group needs some transition time. group oven. Second, the people get to know each other. Finally, the introductory questions draw out practical If you’re accustomed to doing your own thing, go for connections between the subject matter and it! This guide provides ideas to help you do your job their lives. even better. Whether you’re a novice or a veteran, read through each lesson in advance. Know your options. Plan out those parts you’re likely to use. READ & WATCH Develop a game plan. We often rush into the interpretation of a Bible We’ve provided handouts to use with each lesson. passage without really hearing what it says. For this You’ll need to make enough copies for your entire study, we urge you to read the text slowly before you group beforehand so participants can make notes begin the analysis. Let people drink in the words and along the way and remember the Scripture used in the images for themselves. Then the video teaching from Bible study. The handouts also include activities for Tony Evans will make more sense. People will be able further study during the week. to compare it with their own impressions of the text. With that in mind, let’s preview the guide. The Before watching the video, take a moment or two main body of the Leader’s Guide is written as a to walk through the “things to look for” questions. conversation you would have with your group. They’ll help concentrate participants’ attention on When there’s a specific question to ask, it appears the parts of the video teaching that will be important in bold type. When we want to whisper directions for discussion afterward. Then, when you watch the in your ear, we’ll get your attention with Leader: video, make sure to set the audio at a comfortable then use italic type. If you’re looking for a quick level and everyone can see the screen. You don’t want answer, the suggested answer sometimes appears in your group to miss anything. (parentheses) after the question or in an italicized list. HOW TO USE THIS LEADER’S GUIDE 5 HOW TO USE THIS LEADER’S GUIDE DISCUSS, GO DEEPER, AND PEEK • We recommend that you go through the Go Deeper AT THE GREEK and Peek at the Greek portions in your personal preparation and choose how you will handle them. Here’s the meat of the Bible study: questions about Even the sections you choose not to use will give the meaning of the text. The section usually starts you helpful background as you lead the group. with some “easy-answer” questions that review what the Scripture actually says. But then there are tougher questions about the whys and hows. LAST WORD & LIVE IT OUT Every so often you’ll see a Go Deeper or a Peek at This is an opportunity for your group to be challenged the Greek section. These are optional features, to do something with what they’ve learned. This connecting you to other Scriptures on certain themes study guide offers a menu of responses. Any one of found in John or presenting a look at the original them would be a valuable response to the lesson, but language of the text. You’re welcome to use the consider urging the group to respond both inwardly sections you think will best suit your group discussion. and outwardly. Many of us are very good at internal Go through in advance to see which ones seem most responses in which we treasure the lessons from John promising to you. Here are some factors to consider: we just learned. But actually talking with a neighbor? Actually helping someone in need? Keep nudging your • Some people love exploring through the Bible group to the more challenging responses. and comparing references. Others, especially those who are rather new to Bible study, may get confused by it.