Lesson 9 Review: The Source of Life

Introduction

Memory Text: “ ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me’ ” (John 14:6, NKJV).

This week’s lesson study is a continuation of the revelations as given us in John. It covers the idea why people rejected Jesus despite the powerful evidence to believe in Him. This idea will be studied for two reasons: to avoid the same mistake, but also to consider how we might be able to reach out to those in danger of making that mistake, as well.

Why did Jesus come to this earth?

Jesus came to give us life. Christ came to reveal the Father to us. For, “no one has ever seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18, NKJV). By seeing the character of Jesus, we can see the character of the Father.

What does it mean that Jesus is the Bread of Life?

It means that Jesus’ life, His death, and His resurrection are the source of eternal life.

What kind of resurrection was implied in Peter’s answer in John 6:61-68?

The resurrection takes place in time and space and in a physical body. It is a resurrection from the dead, a renewal of the life that we once had in Eden.

How do we receive eternal life?

Eternal life comes from Jesus and we receive it by responding to the Holy Spirit.

What are the steps described in John 1:12,13 about becoming a Christian?

First, we receive Him, that is believe in Him. Second, He gives us authority or power to become God’s children, described in verse 13 as being begotten by God. While we act in belief, receive Him and accept Him, He is the One who regenerates the heart.

What principle about salvation in Jesus is found in Romans 8:16?

We start with the foundation of faith, and then from there we grow in understanding and grace. Faith is a gift from God.

What was the sin of the Hebrews when they were at Kadesh Barnea what does it mean for us today?

The sin of the Hebrews when they were at Kadesh Barnea was to doubt the Word of God. Ten spies voted no, based upon the overwhelming evidence from a human standpoint. Two spies voted yes based upon their faith in the overwhelming power of the Word of God. Christ was rejected because people did not accept His Word, we are not to doubt but act in faith, in total surrender.

What does the rejection of Christ leave us open to?

The rejection of Jesus Christ, the Light of the World, leaves us open to doubt and the temptation of the devil. It is to turn light into darkness.

How did Jesus Christ operate when He was tempted by the devil?

Jesus operated in the level of heavenly things rather than earthly patterns of thought and did not rationalize His way to a wrong decision. Although, He had been in the wilderness for 40 days and nights without food and protection, and could’ve determined to prove His Sonship to Satan, He did not make the wrong decision.

In Conclusion,

Jesus is the Source of Life, and we must be willing to accept Him if we must have life. May God help us to believe in Him that we may have life in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 8 Review: Fulfilling Old Testament Prophecies

 

Introduction

Memory Text: “ ‘But I have a greater witness than John’s; for the works which the Father has given Me to finish¾the very works that I do¾bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me’ ” (John 5:36, NKJV).

The world was created through Jesus Christ, the Messiah (hammashiach) and yet the world did not know Him. This week’s lesson covers more ways John revealed Jesus as the Messiah and why some people decided to reject Him¾despite all powerful reasons affirming Him as the Christ.

What is the first witness in this week’s lesson to Jesus’ relationship with the Father?

Jesus showed His close relationship with the Father through the signs, works and wonders He performed. And yet, despite the powerful signs and the testimonies from different people, people still chose not to believe.

What is another witness to Jesus in this week’s lesson?

Jesus points to the authority of the Scripture as a key witness to Him, and not only Jesus, but others as well, like Philip said, “ ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets , wrote’ ” (John 1:45, NKJV).

How does some of the New Testament texts shared in Tuesday’s lesson link with Old Testament passages in witnessing to Jesus?

John 1:23, Isa. 40:3 – Isaiah wrote about the voice of one crying in the wilderness in Isaiah 40:3 and it is fulfilled in Johns preparation of the way for the Messiah.

John 2:16, 17; Ps. 69:9 – John 2:16, 17 is linked with the Psalm 69:9

John 7:38, Jer. 2:13 – John 7:38 is also linked with the text from Jer. 2:13

John 19:36, Num. 9:12 – The Passover pointed to Jesus and as part of the fulfillments, not one bone was to be broken.

Not just John, but Peter, Paul, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and all the New Testament writers, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, time and again stress how Jesus of Nazareth’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension to the throne of God are all fulfillments of the Old Testament prophecies.

What do the passages in Wednesday’s lesson from John’s gospel reveal about Jesus as a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy?

The scriptures authority was acknowledged in John 12:13 where the multitude went out to meet Jesus, and cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD! The King of Israel!” according to Ps. 118:26.

Zech. 9:9 described the characteristics of the King, and we see these characteristics fulfilled in Jesus.

Ps. 41:9 talks about betrayal and we see this scripture been fulfilled as Judas Iscariot betrays Jesus Christ.

Zechariah prophesied about the coming of the Messiah, about the death of the Messiah and he wrote, “ “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierce. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.” ” Zech. 12:10, he also wrote, “And one will say to him, ‘What are these wounds between your arms? Then he will answer, ‘Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.’”

What are some of the lessons that can be drawn from the dynamics between Jesus and these religious leaders in John 8:12-30?

The religious leaders neither knew Jesus nor the Father because they were so caught up in their traditions and philosophies that they were self-deceived.

Secondly, Jesus tells them, “ ‘You are from beneath’ ” (John 8:28), they had a form of godliness but denied its power. These religious leaders not only deceived themselves but deceived others as well, but despite this bad leadership, many Jews were able to get beyond it and see for themselves, who Jesus was (John 8:30).

In Conclusion,

Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament Prophecies; hence they testify of who Jesus is. May we never doubt the scriptures, in Jesus’ name.

Lesson 7 Review: Blessed Are Those Who Believe

 

 Memory Text: “Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ ” (John 20:29, NKJV).

John’s gospel contains testimonies of Jesus from people of different backgrounds, beliefs and experiences. This week’s lesson should answer the question why some of these people testified to the identity of Jesus.

Why was Abraham’s witness so important that it was included in John’s gospel?

Abraham’s witness was so important because he was the father of the Jewish nation, through him all the families of the earth were to be blessed and this blessing came through the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Abraham was also the father of those who respond in faith, he was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, the son of promise, was not only evidence of faith but a window into the plan of salvation. Jesus indeed used language that was reminiscent with what God said to Moses in the burning bush. This was a claim to be God and the leaders understood the implication of what Jesus said because “they then took up stones to throw at Him” (John 8:59, NKJV).

What was the significance of Mary’s actions of anointing Jesus with the very costly oil of spikenard?

Mary probably brought this gift of very costly oil of spikenard, worth about a year’s wages for the common laborer, as an expression of gratitude to the Savior for the forgiveness of her sins and for the resurrection of her brother. She intended it to be used someday for the burial of Jesus. She heard that He would soon be anointed King and she would be the first to bring Him honor. Jesus knew what was in the heart of Mary and what was in the heart of Judas, He knew that Mary came to anoint Him and He knew that Judas is a self-serving thief, He knew what was in their hearts, He is God.

How is Pilate’s verdict connected to the theme of the gospel of John?

After Pilate questioned Jesus and heard from His lips, “ ‘For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world¾to bear witness of the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice’ ” (John 18:37, NKJV). Although the governor, Pilate, ultimately condemned Jesus to death, he testified three times that Jesus was innocent (John 18:38, John 19:4, 6) and in completing his witness he wrote the words “ ‘Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews’ ” (John 19:19, ESV).

What can we learn from Thomas about the story of faith and doubt?

Our faith should not be based on demonstration but on evidence. The theme of the gospel of John has always countered this. Through the Word of God, through Creation, and through personal experience, we have been given an incredible amount of evidence for our faith in Jesus.

What are some of the things we have today that those living in Jesus’ time didn’t have that can help us believe in Jesus?

We not only have the powerful accounts of John’s Gospel, but also the great advantage of seeing so much of what Jesus and other Bible writers predicted would come true, such as the destruction of the temple (Matthew 24:2), the spread of the gospel around the world (Matthew 24:14), the great falling away (2 Thessalonians 2:3), and the world continuing to be a fallen and an evil place (Matthew 24:6-8). Even now, as Christians we have the privilege of bearing witness of Jesus. Reading the scriptures under the convicting power of the Holy Spirit leads us to accept Jesus as the Savior of the world. The story we can tell about Jesus may not be as dramatic as raising one from the dead, but what matters is that we know Jesus for ourselves and in our way bear witness to Him, as did those in John’s Gospel.

In Conclusion,

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (John 20:29, NKJV), may God help us not to look for demonstration but evidence to believe, in Jesus’ name.

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.