A Study Through the Gospel of John

It’s no secret that what people are going through with the corona virus has thrown a monkey-wrench into everyone’s plans.  But God is bigger than this virus.  Let the Word of God encourage you to be able to take your thoughts off the news, the stock market, and the idea of having to hunker down and wait out this virus.  Let it change your perspective onto something encouraging.  Originally timed to celebrate Jesus' victory over death on Resurrection Day, you are invited to travel with us through the Gospel of John.  

April 13

GOSPEL OF JOHN - Chapter 21

Read chapter twenty-one of the gospel of John. Then, consider the passage as you answer the following questions.

1.   Chapter 21 provides several reasons to remember past events.  With the phrase “after these things” John put resurrection of Christ as a marker on the timeline. Peter and the other disciples went to Galilee and returned to their fishing boats. Working all night, they caught nothing. (This account is a reminder of a similar episode in Luke 5.) Jesus told them to cast their nets on the other side. Why did the disciples not recognize Jesus until the miracle occurred? Are you surprised that Peter wanted to hurry to be with Jesus? Why?

2.   In the same way that the fishing miracle was a reminder of past events, Jesus’ three questions to Peter bring a logical connection to the disciples’ three denials of Christ near Antonio’s Fortress.   Did Jesus seek to embarrass Peter by this reminder? To demonstrate tender forgiveness? To re-commission him to service?

3.   Did Jesus promise Peter an easy ministry?  Why do you think Jesus revealed to Peter that his future would be challenging? (See verses 18-19) What do you think of Jesus’ invitation to Peter to “Follow Me? (Compare with Matthew 4:18-19)

4.   John ended his gospel with this statement: “there are many other things which Jesus did” (verse 25), demonstrating that he had not given a complete list of “signs” or miracles of Jesus. Which of the miracles the apostle did report is most significant to your faith?

APRIL 12

GOSPEL OF JOHN - CHapter 20

Read through chapter twenty-one of the gospel of John. After reading, consider the passage as you answer the following questions.

1.       When Peter and John raced to the empty tomb, they discovered the grave clothes there, but the Savior was gone. Some deniers of the reality of the resurrection claim the missing body of Jesus was because of grave robbers. Would any grave robber stop to unwind the body of a deceased man before stealing it?  The face-cloth was rolled up by itself, in a separate place from the rest of the strips of cloth. Does this seem significant?

2.       Mary Magdalene spoke with angels, then didn’t recognize Jesus? Why would Mary not have recognized the Lord immediately when she saw Him in the garden? What was her response after she did recognize Jesus?

3.       After Jesus appeared the second time to His disciples, this time including Thomas, He invited Thomas to touch His body. Some believe Jesus resurrection body was ethereal or mystical, not physical. What does Jesus’ invitation to touch Him do to misguided notion that His resurrection body was immaterial?  

4.       John summarized the material in his book, up through chapter twenty, by stating that he had written so that his readers would believe that Jesus is “the Christ.” What does verse 31 say is the result of believing the facts of his gospel as John presented them?

April 11

The death of jesus remembered


Rather than assigning another chapter in the Gospel of John to consider, spend time remembering the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, and consider what the disciples felt the day after crucifixion.  Lacking a full understanding of what we now know by the revelation of God in Scripture, their hopes were lost. Their emotions were crushed.  We, however, with knowledge of victory over death sometimes rush passed the enormity of the death of Christ for us in our zeal to get to the celebration of life. Today, please pause and consider what Jesus did for those of us who believe.  Allow what some have called this "Silent Saturday," when the gospel writer added no details of what transpired, to allow you to delve deeply into the death of Christ on your behalf.  (Read the crucifixion accounts in one of the other gospels to renew your understanding of the death He died.)

 

Our journey through the gospel of John has taken us from eternity past when Christ existed with God the Father as equally divine, the living Word of God.  Jesus spoke and caused the world to exist, creating everything that was formed in the universe by the power of His might (John 1:1-3). The apostle described how Jesus came unto His own, but they did not receive Him as the Messiah (John 1:11).  He set forth “signs” that demonstrated the authority and majesty of Jesus, from His miracle at the wedding feast in Cana, the restoration of life to Lazarus, and even healing the ear of the high priest’s servant who came to arrest of Jesus.  The darkness of disbelief is set against the fact that Jesus is the Light (1:5; 8:2).  Christ died through the murderous plot of religious leaders, because of the cowardly actions of injustice by Pilate . . . but really because it had been God’s foreordained plan.  Only the death of the sinless Savior could erase the debt of sinful people.  Just died to pay the price every sinner owes for offense against the holiness of God.  On this day after crucifixion, and the one before Resurrection Day, contemplate the dept of love that caused Jesus to go to the cross for you.  While awaiting the Lord's victory over death, express your gratitude for His paying the price for your salvation.

April 10

GOSPEL of john - chapter 19

Read chapter nineteen of the gospel of John. Then consider the passage as you answer the following questions.

 

1.      Pilate tried several approaches to avoid sentencing Jesus to death, including allowing Him to be mocked and scourged; offering a prisoner swap; and, washing his hands (see Matthew 27:24) to try and cleanse his own conscience.  Could Pilate legitimately blame others for his actions? Can anyone?

2.      While Jesus was dying, the soldiers who were carrying out the crucifixion were gambling for His clothing. Are people today equally unconcerned about what Jesus did on the cross?  Does complacency ever creep in to your attitude about the Lord’s sacrifice when there is something to gain?

3.      Even while being crucified, Jesus demonstrated concern for His mother, charging John, His disciple, to care for Mary.  When you are suffering, do you consider others?

4.       With the cry “It is finished,” Jesus gave up His spirit in death.  Some liberal theologians assert that Jesus’ resurrection was not truly a return to life because, they claim, He was buried while still living, and revived in the coolness of Joseph’s tomb. (Those claims steal the miracle from the resurrection.)  What facts about the Lord’s death did John include that makes it a certainty that He literally died while on the cross?

April 9

gospel of john - chapter 18

Read through chapter eighteen of the Gospel of John. Then, consider the passage as you answer the following questions.

1.      Having just spent time agonizing in prayer, Jesus was betrayed by Judas with a kiss (Cf. Matthew 26:47-50).  How could Jesus demonstrate such self-control under the most trying of circumstances? What part did His having just prayed play in His peaceable response?

2.      As the cohort of soldiers came to arrest Him, the Lord asked them whom they were seeking? They answered Jesus the Nazarene. When He identified Himself, He used the phrase “I Am.”  From Exodus 3, and often in the book of John, the “I Am” has a powerful meaning. Why did the guards and others in the group fall back?

3.      Peter followed the Lord to the house of the High Priest Caiaphas, but denied knowing Jesus as the pressure mounted.  His previous boast of being willing to die with Christ (Matthew 26:35) seemed to go up in smoke like the fire by which he was warming himself.  Have you ever promised your loyalty to Christ only to fail to follow through?  At those moments, what has become the priority?

4.      Pilate and Jesus had a crucial conversation about truth.  Jesus said, “Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” What does it mean to be “of the truth”?  Did Pilate live up to what he personally believed about Jesus, or fold under pressure, too?

April 8

gospel of John - chapter 17

Read through chapter seventeen of the Gospel of John. Then, consider the passage as you answer the following questions.

1.      Before His arrest, Jesus spent time in communion with God in what is called His “High Priestly Prayer.”  The overarching theme in this prayer is accomplishing the will of God in everything He did. How frequently do you seek the Lord with the same request?

2.      Verse three describes eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ.  The partnership of the Father and Son is indisputable. This fact is underlined by John 14:6; and by the same author, in 1 John 5:11-12.  What does this say about those who seek a relationship with God apart from Christ?

3.      In His priestly prayer, Jesus said that He was asking that God care for His disciples with whom He had spent the last three years. However, He did not ask for that blessing on those original disciples alone, but on “those who believe in Me through their word.”   Who are those who have believed because of the testimony of those original disciples?  Do you see yourself in Jesus’ prayer?

4.      Jesus prayed that those who believe would come to know and see the reality of the relationship that He (Jesus) and God the Father had “before the foundation of the world” (verse 24).  What does this say about Jesus? What does this say about Jesus and His eternality? (Compare to John 1:1)


April 7

GOSPEL of John - Chapter 16

Read chapter sixteen of the Gospel of John.  Then consider how the passage helps you answer the following questions.

1.  Deception by the devil is so intense that he convinces people that wrong is right.  In verses 2-3, Jesus foretold that those who follow Satan will kill believers thinking they are doing right.  Has this happened in history? Does it still happen today?

2.     Again, in chapter 16, verses 7-15, Jesus spoke about the Holy Spirit. Jesus said He would come to guide believers into truth.  What are the ministries that the Holy Spirit has in the life of an unbeliever? (Focus on verses 8-9)

3.     In verse 16-22, Jesus seems to confuse the disciples with a statement about “you will not see Me, and again a little while and you will see Me.”  How do these words actually give us a picture of what happened at Jesus’ death, then from the resurrection until His ascension?

4.     Chapter 16 closes with a word of warning and encouragement.  “In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  Jesus hadn’t sugar-coated the difficult truth (recall verse 2-3).  But He also didn’t withhold the good news.  Which reality is more significant: that we will have troubles for a while, or that Jesus has overcome the world?  (Compare this passage with 1 Corinthians 4:16-18)

April 6

gospel of john - chapter 15

Read chapter fifteen of the Gospel of John.  Then consider how the passage helps you answer the following questions.

1.   Jesus made the fifth of His seven “I AM” statements in verse 1 of this chapter.  His analogy is of the vine and branches.  How does a person become a branch in the Vine of Jesus Christ? What two expectations are described of branches in verse 5

2.   What is involved in the process that Jesus described as pruning, even for branches that bear fruit?  How might that agree with the idea of being “conformed to the image of Christ” described in Romans 8:29? Why does the Lord say that occurs?  What can be a part of the pruning process?

3.     Look again at verse 20.  Why does Jesus say that the world would reject Christians to the point of persecution?  Having been warned, should we be surprised? Is there a sense that their animosity is not simply about us?  How ought a Christian respond?

4.     In verse 26, Jesus again referred to the Holy Spirit (see John 14:17).  How does the Holy Spirit testify about the Son of God?  Verse 27 is not simply an informative statement, but actually a command. How is the Spirit’s work tied into the command to disciples that we testify of Jesus?

 

April 5

GOSPEL OF JOHN - CHAPTER 14

Read the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of John.  Then consider the passage as you answer the following questions.

1.   Which statement of Jesus offers you more hope: that there are many dwelling places in the house of the Father, or that Jesus is coming again to take us to be with Him forever?  Was Jesus hoping to get believers to concentrate more on location or relationship?

2.   In verse 9 Jesus said that “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”  Unpack the significance of that statement by explaining what Jesus meant.

3.   Jesus described the Holy Spirit in several ways. Christ called the Spirit “another Helper.”  He called Him the Spirit of truth.  What does the Holy Spirit use to “bring to remembrance all that I have said”? (See verse 26)

4.   Verse 27 tells us that Jesus offers peace, “not as the world gives.”  In what way does the world offer peace? How is that different from what Jesus offers?



April 4

GOSPEL OF JOHN - Chapter 13

Read through the thirteenth chapter of the Gospel of John. Then consider the passage as you answer the following questions.
1.   We can often feel the heavy weight of responsibility on our shoulders. What must it have been like for Jesus to know “that His hour had come,” indicating that the scene was set for His betrayal, trial, and crucifixion?   How did Jesus handle this pressure?
2.   In verses of chapter 13, John tells about how the final Passover celebration with Jesus and the disciples began.  The Lord Himself washed the disciples’ feet.  In what way do you follow the example of Jesus’ humble servanthood?  (See verse 15)  In what way does the blessing of Jesus, described in verse 17, apply to servanthood?
3.   The kindness that Jesus demonstrated to the disciples is amazing. One, Judas, had already made plans to betray the Lord into the hands of the religious leaders (verse 2). Another, Peter, would soon deny that he even knew Christ (verses 37-38).   Does your life reflect a “what have you done for me lately” attitude, or one of Christlike love?
4.   “Love one another as I have loved you” is the command of Christ.  What did Jesus say would be the result if those who believe in Him obey that command?

April 3

GOSPEL OF JOHN - Chapter 12

Read through the twelth chapter of John’s Gospel.  Then consider the passage as you answer to the following questions.

1.     Why do you think Mary was willing to make such a costly and humble gesture to honor the Lord?  Do you count Jesus as more important that your most expensive treasure?  What do you pour out as your sacrifice to God?  What kind of sacrifice can you give that leaves a fragrant aroma?

2.     Even in the way that Jesus came into Jerusalem, He always followed the will and word of God. (See verses 15-16) List at least four prophecies that Jesus fulfilled in life thereby validating His identity according to God’s truth.

3.     What did Jesus mean when He said that by being lifted up He would draw men unto Himself? (See verse 33)  Was His death an accident or the intentional work of God in answer to the problem of sin?

4.     Verses 42-43 tell us that many of the rulers (likely this refers to members of the Sanhedrin) believed in Christ, but because of fear, did not confess Him.  Has there ever been a time when you muted your testimony, or hid your faith in order to avoid ridicule or opposition?

april 2

gospel of john - chapter 11

Read through the eleventh chapter of John’s Gospel.  Then consider the passage as you answer to the following questions.

1.   In the narrative of this story Jesus received word that Lazarus was sick, but said the illness would not end in death.  Yet, Lazarus died.  Does that mean that Jesus was wrong? In verse 11, Jesus stated that Lazarus had “fallen asleep.”  Was Jesus taken by surprise that Lazarus had died?

2.   What is Jesus promise in verse 25-26?  There seem to be two categories: those who die but believed, and those who are living and believe.  What did He mean by these two categories?  For further study, compare the Lord’s statement to what Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-17.

3.   Jesus knew He was going to raise Lazarus from death to life. Yet when Mary came to Him crying, the Bible describes Jesus as “deeply moved” and “troubled.”  Why do you think Jesus felt this way about Mary’s emotions?  (Compare with Hebrews 4:15)

4.   John used the account of Jesus raising Lazarus as a demonstration of God’s power over death.  Many who watched the miracle came to believe in Christ.  But when the Pharisees heard Lazarus had been raised, they feared.   Why would the same miracle have such opposite responses?   

April 1

Gospel of john - chapter 10

After reading through the tenth chapter of John, consider the passage as you answer the following questions.

1.   Using the third of seven “I Am” statements in the Gospel of John, Jesus said, “I am the door of the sheep.”  A door can keep people out, or it will allow entrance.  How does the concept of the “door” fit in relation to Jesus and heaven?

2.   Jesus continued the analogy of the sheepfold by stating, “I am the good shepherd.” This is the fourth of the “I Am” statements.  Using verses 11-15, personalize the work of the Good Shepherd which Jesus did for you.  

3.   The Feast of Dedication is now more commonly called Hanukkah or the “Festival of Lights.”  It commemorates the cleansing and lighting of the Temple in 165 B.C after Antiochus offered pagan sacrifices on the altar.  Jesus plainly explained His ministry to the Jewish leaders, but they rejected Him. The religious leaders were still in darkness, even at the Festival of Lights. Identify several of the things Jesus said are true of Himself (verses 25-30)

4.    Confronted by Jesus’ claims and proofs of His identity, His critics rejected Him. Their hatred was so intense, they again tried to capture and kill Jesus.  Yet, others heard the same messages and saw the same deeds and believed.  Why do you think this is true?

march 31

gospel of john - chapter 9

Read through the ninth chapter of John’s Gospel.  Then consider the passage as you answer to the following questions.

1.   Jesus’s answer to the question about the man born blind provides interesting information about illness and sin. Obviously, illness only entered the world because of sin.  However, Jesus statement says that each illness does not have to have a direct link to specific sin. Why did Jesus say this man was blind? (Verse 3)

2.   The formerly blind man’s parents feared that if they said something positive about Jesus they could be put out of the synagogue (their religious community).   In what way can peer pressure prevent people from taking an honest look at Christ even today?

3.   The man healed from his blindness knew his former condition, and he knew he had been healed.  His circumstances opened a door to believe. Does experience always teach the right lessons?  Did this miracle open the door for the man’s faith?

4.   After coming to understand who Jesus was, the man responded immediately by worshiping.  How long was it between when you learned about Jesus before you trusted Him?  How long has it been since you worshiped Him for who He is?  How long has it been since you praised Him for what He has done for you?   

March 30

GOspel of john - Chapter 8

Read through the eighth chapter of John’s Gospel.  Then consider the passage as you answer to the following questions. 

1.   Chapter 8 begins with the account of “the adulterous woman” brought to Jesus.  The religious leaders questioned the Lord about what should be done with the woman since she was caught in the act of adultery.  If the scribes and Pharisees had wanted justice, wouldn’t they have brought both the man and the woman?  What do you think was their real motive?
2.   Verse 12 has Jesus’ second “I Am” statement (there are a total of seven) in the gospel of John. Compare His declaration here with what He said in John 3:19 and Matthew 4:16.   What does it mean to live in darkness? How do you come into the Light?
3.   A statement from Jesus in verse 32 has come into common usage, often quoted by people who do not recognize it was originally from Christ.  “The truth shall make you free.”  What do you think Jesus meant by the statement, and what is a person free from by hearing the Lord’s words?  (See verse 34)
4.   The religious leaders challenged the Lord about His authority and His message, wrongly claiming that Jesus had a demon. Their conversation included references to Abraham. Jesus said Abraham gladly anticipated His day.   What did Jesus mean?  How does Genesis 15:6 tie into these thoughts?

March 29

Gospel of John - Chapter 7

Read through the seventh chapter of John’s Gospel.  Then consider the passage as you answer to the following questions. (In this chapter, John is contrasting those who are receptive to believing with those who reject Jesus.)

1.    Jesus’s brothers, described in verse 5 as not yet believing in Him, advised that He should leave Galilee and go to a more populated area so more people would “see Your works which You are doing.” They were operating under human wisdom, recommending Jesus draw big crowd, amaze people.  Is there ever a difference between human wisdom and the plan of God?

2.    Verses 12-13 describe the differences of opinion about who people thought Jesus was. The same discussion occurs in 40-44.  Does the same kind of range of opinion about Christ exist today? The most important question, however, is “Who do you say that He is?”

3.     Jesus often slipped through crowds, avoiding the plot of the religious leaders to capture Him.  Why was it necessary for this to happen?

4.     The religious leaders dispatched a group of soldiers to capture Jesus, but they came back without Him.  One of the soldiers explained, “Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks.”  The religious leaders didn’t want to hear Jesus’ message, but a man with an open mind was receptive.  Are things any different today?

March 28

Gospel of John - Chapter 6

Read through the sixth chapter of John’s Gospel.  Then consider the passage as you answer to the following questions:

1.   Jesus performed a miracle with the young boy’s two loaves and five fish. When the fragments were collected after everyone was full, there was more food than at the beginning.  What does that tell you about what Jesus can do?

2.   In an event also described in Matthew 1422-33, Jesus later met the disciples as they were in a boat tossed by waves and wind. He came to them walking on the water.  His command was “Do not be afraid.”  Does Jesus still storms today?  Would Jesus say you have “little faith”?

3.   Jesus described Himself in John 6:35 as the “bread of life.”  (See also verse 51) What can this bread do for our spiritual hunger?  Do you regularly go to Him for renewal and filling?

4.   Many who listened to Jesus stopped following because His message was difficult.  Christ asked His disciples (verse 67) if they were going to go away, too. Peter answered “Lord, to who shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.”  How consistently do you come to Jesus to be taught about your daily and your eternal life?

MARCH 27

Gospel of John - Chapter 5

Read through the fifth chapter of John’s Gospel.  Then consider the passage as you answer to the following questions:

1.    Jesus’ response to the paralytic at the pool of Bethesda was to heal him, even though the man had been ill for 38 years.  We sometimes think that God’s delays signal God’s final denial.  Have you ever prayed for something so long you lost hope?

2.    The religious leaders were more concerned about the former paralytic carrying a burden (his bed) than being relieved of his burden (his illness).  Do you ever forget to rejoice at the wonderful things God has done?  What have you praised God for today?

3.     Verses 17-18 reveal an important interaction between Jesus and the religious leaders. They rejected Jesus and looked for ways to kill Him because he was “making Himself equal with God” (18).  Some say that Jesus never claimed to be God.  Do you think the religious leaders would agree that Jesus never claimed to be God?

4.     In verse 36, Jesus said that the endorsement that John the Baptist gave Him was important, but that the signs (miracles) that He did were a greater revelation of who He was. (Compare with John 3:2 and Isaiah 35:5-6)   What was Jesus’ meaning? Which is more trustworthy, the words of a man or the Word of God?

March 26

Gospel of John - Chapter 4

Read through the fourth chapter of John’s Gospel.  Then consider the passage as you answer to the following questions:

1.  Jews normally went to extreme lengths to avoid traveling through Samaria because they saw the Samaritans as being religious compromisers at best, or people who had departed from a true walk of faith and obedience.  Do you think Jesus was operating with a sense of divine appointment?  Do you ever ask God to direct your path to find the person He wants you to engage?

2.  Jesus was more concerned with meeting the woman’s spiritual needs than observing cultural or religious norms.  Who in society today has this kind of stigma attached to them that would be worth breaking down barriers to reach? (verse 27)

3.  The Samaritan woman was so excited by coming to know Jesus that she ran into town to tell others.  Prior to meeting Jesus she went to the well at an inconvenient time to avoid crowds, now she was looking for people to tell the good news.  Is the excitement of meeting Christ fresh in your heart, or has it gone stale?

4.   When the royal official begged Jesus to heal his son, Jesus simply spoke the word and caused it to be so.  Do you think he was surprised? (See verses 50-53)  Are you ever surprised, or even doubtful when the word of God comes true?

March 25

Gospel of John - Chapter 3

Read through the third chapter of John’s Gospel.  Then consider the passage as you answer the following questions:

1. The conversation of “signs” is still in play when Nicodemus visited Jesus by night. How had the “signs” or miracles of Jesus impacted Nicodemus? 

2.  Nicodemus confused the spiritual meaning of Jesus’ reference to being “born again” with a physical eventAre people today still sometimes confused about what being born again means? Can you explain what it means?

3.  Jesus made an analogy that on the cross He would be like the “serpent in the wilderness” that Moses lifted up so that they would be healed.  (For further study, read the book of Numbers, chapter  21)  How are the two similar?

4.  When asked about the Jesus and His increasing popularity, John the Baptist replied, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (verse 30)  As you grow in your walk with Christ, do you sense that there are areas in your life where God wants to increase and you should decrease?   

March 24

Gospel of John - Chapter 2

Read through the second chapter of John’s Gospel.  Then consider the passage as you answer to the following questions:

 1.      When Jesus performed the miracle of changing water to wine, John called it “the beginning of signs Jesus did in Cana.”  It was the first of 35 recorded miracles of Jesus.  What is meant by the word “sign”?

2.      When Jesus told His mother “My time has not yet come,” He was meaning that it was not the Father’s will to declare Himself yet nationally as the Messiah.  Jesus was conscious of the plan the Father had for Him. Do you keep the Father’s will in mind when making decisions?

3.      The religious leaders questioned Jesus after he cleared the Temple.  They asked, “What sign do You show us as your authority for doing these things?” (verse 18)  Do you think it is possible that news of Jesus’ miracle at the wedding in Cana had already traveled to Jerusalem?

4.      When Jesus said to the religious leaders that they could “destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,” they obviously didn’t know what He meant.  Even the disciples failed to understand that Jesus was speaking about His own resurrection.  Of all the miracles Jesus did, is there any one that if missing would nullify His claim of being the Messiah?

March 23

Gospel of John- Chapter 1

After reading through the the first chapter of John's gospel, spend time thinking about the answer to the following questions:

1-     John makes clear that Jesus is the Word who was from the beginning. John says, verse 2, that “all things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”  How does that relate to Genesis chapters 1 and 2? 

2-     Jesus broke into time through the incarnation.  How could John the Baptist, who was 6 months older than Jesus by physical birth, say that “He existed before me”? (verse 15)

3-     John the Baptist expressed the opinion (verse 27) that he was not even worthy to loosen the thong of Jesus’ sandal.   (Remember in Bible days, touching someone’s feet was considered the ultimate in humiliation.)  If John felt this way, what does this say about humility?  About reverence towards Jesus?

4-     When Jesus called the original disciples He used the phrase “Follow Me.”  How is that still true of disciples today?