Lesson 6 Review: More Testimonies About Jesus

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “ ‘And if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself’ ” (John 12:32, NKJV).

Jesus not only said astonishing things about Himself, He backed up His Words with actions that proved the truth of His Words. However, there appears a division among the people as a result of the signs Jesus performed. The healing of the man by the pool of Bethesda attracts the ire of some leaders, the discussion in Capernaum following the feeding of the 5,000 leads to the rejection of Jesus by the multitudes, the resurrection of Lazarus creates faith in some but triggers in others hostility that will lead to the trial and execution of Jesus. This week’s lesson looks at some of those who testified about Jesus, some aspects of Jesus are revealed in some of these incidents and they create a deeper vision of Jesus, the Messiah.

How does John the Baptist compare himself to Jesus?

John the Baptist’s disciples must have been jealous for themselves, and their master, they went to John to report that Jesus is baptizing more disciples than him. However, John the Baptist does not seek to join in their jealousy rather he tells them that Jesus indeed is superior to Him, he gives the illustration of the wedding saying that he is the friend of the bridegroom, and that as a friend, he rejoices for the bridegroom and his bride, which should be the church. He says that those who believe in Jesus have eternal life but those who do not believe in Jesus will have to pay the penalty – eternal death.

 What were the Jew’s expectations about the Messiah?

They expected that the Messiah would overthrow Rome and establish them as a great and powerful nation.

Where does knowledge that Jesus is Christ come from?

Knowledge that Jesus is Christ comes from God Himself through the Holy convicting power of the Holy Spirit to a heart surrendered in faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ as Messiah does not from worldly philosophy, science, or higher learning.

How does acceptance and rejection play out in John 6:51-71?

After feeding the 5,000, the people were ready to crown Jesus King, but after Jesus speaks with them in the Synagogue about His being the bread of life and expounded further by saying that this bread is His flesh that is given for the life of the world, the multitudes left Jesus because their eyes were opened that Jesus had not come to save them from the Romans. On the other hand, Jesus’ disciples, although had not really comprehended the purpose of Jesus’ coming believed that Jesus was the Messiah. The disciples however understood why Christ came after Christ’s death and resurrection.

What does Jesus say in John 5:36-38 about the Father?

Jesus links the Father to the works and miracles that He had performed. He is very clear that the Father had sent Him and also had testified about Him.

What is Jesus’ hour of glory?

Jesus’ hour of glory is at the cross.

What does the Father’s testimony about Jesus point to?

The Father’s testimony about Jesus points to the great sacrifice of the Lamb of God for the sins of the world.

How did the crowd that attended the great Feast of the Jews bear witness of Jesus?

Some said He was the Prophet like Moses predicted, others thought Jesus was the Christ, but this brought the argument that Jesus would not come from Galilee, that He had to be born from the Davidic line, but all of this was true. The Officers who went to the Chief Priests and Pharisees also said that no one spoke like this Man.

In Conclusion,

There were various testimonies from people about Jesus, however these testimonies would not have come if they had not opened their hearts to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. May our hearts be open so we can testify of Jesus Christ too, in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 5 Review: The Testimony of the Samaritans

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not because of what you said, for we ourselves have heard Him and know that this indeed is the Christ, the Savior of the world’ ” (John 4:42, NKJV).

The Samaritans were the northern kingdom of Israel who practiced their own form of Judaism. They were formerly slaves to the Assyrians and their relationship with the Jews were not good. The Jews avoided the Samaritans as much as possible, though commerce may have gone on. However, it is in this context that John recounts the encounter between Jesus, the woman at the well, and the people of the Samaritan city of Sychar.

What are the comparisons between the encounter of Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman?

Nicodemus intentionally went to see Jesus and had the encounter with Jesus, the woman went to draw water and had the encounter with Jesus. She went in the middle of the day maybe because she wanted to be hidden, Nicodemus went by night to be hidden. A remarkable encounter unfolds for them both.

In John 7:37, 38 what is Jesus saying to us in these verses and how do we experience what He is promising here?

Jesus says in these verses that if anyone thirsts let him come unto Him and drink, anyone who believes in Jesus will have eternal life.

How does Ezekiel 36:25-27 reflect the truths Jesus was seeking to give to Nicodemus and to the woman at the well?

These verses talk about how to leave bad ways and believe in Jesus by following His ways so that we may have eternal life.

In John 4:16, how did Jesus respond to the woman’s request?

Jesus tells the woman to go call her husband and come back.

In John 4:16-24 what did Jesus do to show the Samaritan woman that He knew her deepest secrets?

By telling her that she had 5 husbands and the one she has is not hers.

In John 4:25,26, how did Jesus reveal His identity to the Samaritan woman?

Jesus revealed Himself by telling her that He was the Messiah.

What should the story about the Samaritan woman tell us about the gospel needs to break down the barriers that we humans create with each other?

As Christians, we should not have barrier with each other and worship one God, for God is Spirit and we should worship Him in Spirit and truth.

What surprising action did the Samaritan woman take?

She went her way into the city to tell the people what her experience was with Jesus.

In Conclusion,

Jesus knows everything about us even our deepest secrets, we should believe in Him and leave our bad ways to have eternal life, in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 4 Review: Witnesses of Christ as the Messiah

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God’ ” (John 3:3, NKJV).

The evangelist calls on scriptures, varieties of events, and people to bear witness of who Jesus is. Jesus points even to the witness of the Father. This week covers the powerful witness of John the Baptist. Other witnesses come on stage as well: Andrew and Simon Peter, Philip and Nathaniel, and a most unexpected witness, the Pharisee Nicodemus. But another stands back in the shadows (that other disciple with Andrew, in John 1:35,40)—John himself.

What was John the Baptist’s explanation of his ministry and mission?

John was not the Light but was sent from God to bear witness of the Light and to prepare the way for the coming of the Messiah. John baptized with water, Jesus baptized with the Spirit.

How does Isaiah 40:1-5 and John 1:23 explain John’s mission?

In the days of rutted and rock-filled roads, the servant will go before the king to level the surfaces of roadways and to take out sharp turns so as to smooth the way of the king. So, in prophecy, John came to prepare the hearts of the people for Jesus.

How does the statement of John the Baptist support the purpose of John’s gospel?

The statement of the Baptist regarding Jesus as the Lamb of God supports the purpose of John’s Gospel, which is to bring a renewed understanding of the work and nature of the Messiah.

What lessons can we draw from the two disciples’ decision to follow Jesus after John the Baptist’s testimony?

The two disciples of John the Baptist believed that Jesus was the Lamb of God and they immediately left John the Baptist to follow Jesus. We are not simply called to hear the Word of God but to act in accordance with the Word of God. Others such as Andrew, Simon and all other people followed Jesus upon hearing about Him.

What motif is there in John’s gospel?

Jesus also showed He knew man, He said to Simon, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas’ ” (John 1:42, NKJV). Jesus knew all men (John 2:24, 25).

How does Philip’s words reveal about His faith in Jesus already?

Philip tells Nathaniel that Jesus is the One whom Moses and the prophets wrote about. He adds the name, “Jesus of Nazareth” which sets off a sharp reaction from his friend, Nathaniel.

How are we to deal with prejudice from a friend?

The way to deal with prejudice is to invite the person to come and see. Prejudice blinds the eyes from seeing people for what they are really worth.

How do we know that Nathaniel believed?

Jesus says nice words to Nathaniel, calling him an Israelite in whom there is no deceit in contrast to what Nathaniel said about Jesus. These nice words made Nathaniel surprised, then Jesus tells him that He had seen him under the fig tree. This small revelation of Jesus leads Nathaniel to confess that Jesus is the Son of God, Rabbi and the King of Israel. Hence, he believed.

How does the testimony of Nicodemus support the theme of the gospel of John?

Nicodemus viewed the signs themselves that Jesus did as evidence that Jesus’ divine calling but did not see them as pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah.

What lessons do we draw from the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus?

No one is born saved, regardless of their nationality or the church that they were raised in. One who must be saved must be born again from above. Another point to note is that despite the rebuke of Jesus to Nicodemus he took His side with the followers of Jesus.

In Conclusion,

The same function these witnesses played are to be the functions of every believer. Christ is to be seen in all, we are not to leave the light with us. May God help us to be witnesses for Him in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 3 Review: The Backstory: The Prologue

Introduction

Memory Text: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1).

Week one dealt with the end of the book of John, this week’s lesson is about the beginning. The beginning of the book of John give readers who already know Jesus an advantage that the characters in the book itself didn’t have. Through the history of Christ’s life as recorded in the gospel of John, you can find grand themes. This week’s lesson covers the prologue and summarize its major themes.

What depths of thoughts are contained in this amazing thought: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1)?

First, the evangelist alludes to the creation story in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning”. Jesus was already, before the beginning of the universe, hence John affirms Jesus’ eternal existence.

Next, “And the Word was with God.” This means that Jesus and the Father are intimately close.

And then, he says, “And the Word was God.” The Word was with God, as earlier stated points to the fact that Jesus and the Father are intimately close, the Word was God points to the fact that the Word has the characteristics of divinity. Jesus is God, the second Person of the Godhead.

How does John start his gospel?

John starts his gospel with “logos,” “Word.”

How does John use the term “logos” especially in contrast to the philosophies of his time?

The logos is a person; Jesus Christ, who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). The logos is the Word of God. More important, God communicated; that is, He revealed Himself to humanity in the most radical way: God became one of us.

What major theme is presented in the gospel of John?

A major theme presented in the gospel of John is how people accept or reject the truth. While many Jews reject Jesus, there are gentiles who accept Him.

What does John say concerning those who receive Jesus?

John says that all who do receive Jesus as their Savior will become the children of God. This happens by believing in Jesus’ name.

What is the connection between the prologue and the conclusion of John’s gospel?

The introduction and conclusion form a kind of unity. The apostle presents in them why he wrote—that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, and that by believing you may have life in His name. This theme encloses all that occurs between them and they point to the overarching goal of the gospel of John—that people will be saved by believing on Jesus Christ as their Savior.

What does being a believer mean?

The greek noun pistis (Greek for faith/belief) never appears in the gospel of John. However, the verb pisteuō (believe) appears 98 times compared to 241 times in total that it appears in the New Testament. The use of the verb instead of the noun may point to something we do. Being a believer is about what we do, that is expressed in how we live and not just in a set of beliefs.

What is the major difference in John between believers and unbelievers?

The major difference between believers and unbelievers is how they relate to Jesus. Believers, who come to Jesus have an openness towards Him, even when He confronts or rebukes them. By coming to Jesus, Jesus, their Light shines on them and by faith, by believing they become children of God. Unbelievers, on the other hand come to Jesus to fight with Him, they love darkness rather than light. They judge rather than letting the Light from God show them where they stand in judgment.

What does the concept of glorifying God link to according to John?

The concept of glorifying God is linked to the concept of His hour, that is, the time of His death. While on a human level, Jesus died in agony, a despised criminal in weakness as particularly presented in Matthew and Mark, the glorious side of the cross is especially presented in Luke and John where the cross is a place of salvation, of mercy, and where the Son of God gives Himself to the Father. How ironic: God’s greatest glory is revealed in His greatest shame—bearing the sins of the world in Himself.

In Conclusion,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). May God help us to be believers in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 2 Review: Signs of Divinity

Introduction

Memory Text: “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ ” (John 11:25, 26, NKJV).

Jesus showed His divinity at specific times in both Word and deed. This week’s lesson covers three greatest signs performed by Jesus that reveals His divinity but for these signs people turned away from Jesus, deepened in blindness, plotted against Jesus or believe that Jesus was the Messiah.

What timing was the event of the feeding of the 5,000?

The timing of the feeding of the 5,000 was near the Passover.

What parallels between Jesus and Moses can be found in the feeding of the 5,000 that should have proved to the Jewish people that Jesus indeed was divine?

The time of the Passover points to the great deliverance from Egypt. Jesus’ going up to the mountain parallels with Moses’ going up on Sinai. Jesus’s test to Philip parallels with the testing of the Israelites in the wilderness. The multiplication of the loaves parallels with the manna. The gathering of the leftover food harks back to the Israelite’s gathering of the manna. The twelves baskets picked up parallels with the twelve tribes of Israel. And the people comment that Jesus is the prophet coming into the world, in accordance with the “prophet like Moses” predicted in Deuteronomy 18:15. They all pointed to Jesus as the new Moses – come to deliver His people.

What did John try to show through these parallels between Jesus and Moses in the feeding of the 5,000?

John was trying to show that Jesus was not only doing signs and wonders but doing signs and wonders that, in their context, should have had special meaning for the Jewish people. Jesus was pointing them in essence to His divinity.

What was the expectation of the Jews?

The Jews were expecting an earthly messiah who would deliver them from the oppression of the Roman Empire.

What does the account of the feeding of the 5,000 illustrate?

The account of the feeding of the 5,000 provided the opportunity to illustrate that Jesus is the Bread of Life, that God Himself came down from heaven.

What are the predicate statements connected with “I am” in the book of John?

“bread of life,” John 6:35; “light of the world,” John 8:12; “door,” John 10:7, 9; “Good Shepherd,” John 10:11, 14; “resurrection and the life,” John 11:25; “the way, the truth, and the life,” John 14:6; “true vine,” John 15:1, 5.

What are some of the key points from the healing of the blind man in John 9:1-16?

There is a connection between sin and suffering but this is not always the reason as can be seen in Job. Jesus did not deny the connection between sin and suffering but, in this case, points to a higher purpose that God would be glorified by the healing. Jesus was counted by the religious leaders as One breaking the Sabbath by healing the blind man. The healing on the Sabbath, according to tradition and not Scripture, violated the Sabbath. They concluded that Jesus was not from God because “He does not keep the Sabbath.” But others found it troubling that a sinner could do such signs. While the blind man is becoming more clear about who Jesus is, the religious leaders are becoming more confused or blinded to Jesus’ real identity.

What are the intersections between the themes in John 9 and several other themes in the gospel?

John reaffirms that Jesus is the Light of the world (John 9:5; compare with John 8:12), the story deals with Jesus’ mysterious origin, Who He is, where He is from, and His Mission (John 9:12, 29; compare with John 1:14), Moses is also referenced (John 9:28, 29; compare with John 5:45, 46 and John 6:32) and there is the theme of the response of the crowd – while some love darkness rather than light, others respond in faith (John 9:16-18, 35-41; compare with John 1:9-16, John 3:16-21, and John 6:60-71).

What is so scary in the healing of the blind man in John 9?

A once-blind beggar can declare, “ ‘Since the world began it has been unheard of that anyone opened the eyes of one who was blind. If this man were not from God, He could do nothing’ ” (John 9:32, 33, NKJV), however the religious leaders, the ones who should have been the first to recognize Jesus and guide people were so blinded to the physical powerful evidence that Jesus is the Son of God, or they don’t really want to see it. This is a powerful warning of how our hearts can deceive us!

What does the resurrection of Lazarus demonstrate?

Just as Jesus showed He is the light of the world by giving the blind man sight, so He raises Lazarus from the dead, demonstrating that Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life.

In Conclusion,

The feeding of the 5,000, the healing of the blind man, and the resurrection of Lazarus were all signs of Christ’s divinity. May we never be blinded to these signs, but respond in faith to these signs in Jesus’ name. 

Lesson 1 Review: Signs That Point the Way

Introduction

Memory Text: “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30, 31, NKJV).

John explained that why He wrote his gospel is “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:31, NKJV). John calls these miracles “signs,” miraculous events that point to a deeper reality: Jesus as the Messiah. The Gospel of John contains examples of people who responded in faith. And these examples invite us to do the same.

What sign did Jesus do at Cana, and how did this help the disciples in coming to believe in Him?

Jesus Christ performs the miracle of changing water into wine and this provided evidence in favor of the disciples’ decision to follow Jesus.

How does Jesus’ first sign identify with the Israelites?

Moses was the leader of the Israelites, and he brought Israel out of Egypt by many signs and wonders. God prophesied through Moses that a prophet would come who was like Moses whom they should hear. Jesus’ first sign of turning water into wine pointed back to the deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt. The River Nile was changed to blood as a plague to the Egyptians that should lead to the Israelite’s deliverance, Jesus performed similar miracle but, instead of turning water into blood, He turned water into wine. The water came from six water pots used for purification purposes in Jewish rituals, linking the miracle even more closely to biblical themes of salvation. In summary, by recounting the incident of changing water to wine, and thus referring back to the Exodus, John was pointing to Jesus as our Deliverer.

What did the master of the feast think of the unfermented wine that Jesus provided?

He was indeed surprised by the quality of the drink and, not knowing the miracle that Jesus had performed there, thought that they had saved the best for last.

What second sign did Jesus do in Galilee?

Jesus healed a nobleman’s son.

Why does John make a connection back to the miracle at the wedding feast?

By pointing back to the first sign at the wedding in Cana, John seems to be saying, The signs that Jesus did will help you see who Jesus is. Then John adds, “This again is the second sign Jesus did when He had come out of Judea into Galilee” (John 4:54, NKJV).

What lesson can we learn from Jesus’ healing of the nobleman’s son?

The nobleman made the healing of his son a criterion for believing in Jesus, we should not look to miracles as evidence for the power of God. Satan too, can perform “miracles,” that is if we see miracles as supernatural acts. A true prophet or person of God will say and do according to God’s will, he will speak according to the scriptures.

What was the problem with the man at the pool of Bethesda?

Of course, the obvious problem was that He was disabled and needed healing, but the other problem was that he was looking for the solution to his problem in the wrong place. Sometimes we go to the wrong place for solutions, meanwhile the Healer is very close by, even in our hearts.

How did Jesus help this man with an infirmity believe in Him?

Jesus does not ask the man with an infirmity thirty-eight years to exercise faith, but rather Jesus said to him to rise up and walk. It is at this command from Jesus that the man anchors his faith and then he believed in Jesus and He was made well.

What was the problem with the religious leaders who the healed man in John 5:1-9 reported his healing to?

Their hearts were corrupt, their false belief that the Messiah would save them from the Roman Rule blinded their eyes. Their hearts were hardened and would not accept the truth.

What points can we draw from Jesus’ sign of healing the man with infirmity thirty-eight years?

Healings were allowed on the Sabbath only in an emergency, but the man with infirmity was disabled for thirty-eight years. One would think that someone with the power from God would not break the Sabbath by instructing another to take up his bed and walk. Jesus in performing this miracle of healing this man with infirmity for thirty-eight years was seeking to take them to deeper biblical truths beyond the man-made rules and regulations that had, in some cases, stifled true faith.

Why was Jesus persecuted for His action of healing the man of infirmity on the Sabbath?

He was persecuted because it was supposed that Jesus was breaking the Sabbath and that Jesus was claiming equality with God.

Did Jesus break the Sabbath by healing the man with infirmity?

A closer look at John 5:16-18 shows that Jesus’ “work” on the Sabbath is in line with His relationship to His Father. God sustains the universe even on the Sabbath, Jesus’ activity on the Sabbath was part of His claim to divinity.

How does Jesus defend His actions on the Sabbath?

He defends His actions in three steps. First, He explains His intimate relationship with the Father, that everything He does is in harmony with the Father, Jesus had power to judge and raise the dead. Second, Jesus calls four “witnesses” in rapid succession to His defense – John the Baptist, the miracles Jesus does, the Father, and the Scriptures, each of these give testimonies in favor of Jesus. Finally, Jesus sets the contrasts between His ministry and the self-seeking of His accusers. Their condemnation, Jesus says, will come from Moses, the one in whom they have set their hopes.

In Conclusion,

Jesus is truly the Son of God and in Him is life, and we are not to fall into the trap of self-seeking and hardheartedness. May God help us to fully surrender to Him, because in so doing we will be protected from rejecting the truth, in Jesus’ name.

4th Quarter of 2024 Sabbath School Study Guide Introduction

The Theme for the Sabbath School Study Guide for the Fourth Quarter of 2024 is “Themes in the Gospel of John.” The Gospel of John is the Word of God conveyed to us through the apostle, John. John was merely the willing instrument that the Holy Spirit used to convey many crucial themes: the Word (logos), light, bread, water, the Holy Spirit, oneness, signs, testimony, and prophecy. The Gospel of John often focuses on interactions between Jesus and just one or two people. Many of these stories appear only in John. In our study of the gospel of John, we should not miss the big picture which is a divinely inspired revelation of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

The Theme for the Sabbath School Study Guide for the Fourth Quarter of 2024 is “Themes in the Gospel of John.” The Gospel of John is the Word of God conveyed to us through the apostle, John. John was merely the willing instrument that the Holy Spirit used to convey many crucial themes: the Word (logos), light, bread, water, the Holy Spirit, oneness, signs, testimony, and prophecy. The Gospel of John often focuses on interactions between Jesus and just one or two people. Many of these stories appear only in John. In our study of the gospel of John, we should not miss the big picture which is a divinely inspired revelation of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

Here is an outline for the weekly topics for this quarter:

Week

LESSON’S TOPIC

PERIOD

1

Signs That Point the Way

September 28 – October 4

2

Signs of Divinity

October 5 – 11

3

The Backstory: The Prologue

October 12 – 18

4

Witnesses of Christ as the Messiah

October 19 – 25

5

The Testimony of the Samaritans

October 26 – November 1

6

More Testimonies About Jesus

November 2 – 8

7

Blessed Are Those Who Believe

November 9 – 15

8

Fulfilling Old Testament Prophecies

November 16 – 22

9

The Source of Life

November 23 – 29

10

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

November 30 – December 6

11

The Father, the Son, and the Spirit

December 7 – 13

12

The Hour of Glory: The Cross and Resurrection

December 14 – 20

13

Epilogue: Knowing Jesus and His Word

December 21 – 27