John 11 and 12

1. 11:1-16 Why did Jesus delay in going to take care of Lazarus? Class Comments: V. 4 - So that God – and the Son of God – would be glorified. V. 14 – So that the disciples would believe. Jesus was in Perea at this time – 25-30 miles from Bethany. Even if he had left immediately, Lazarus would have died before he got there. A trip to Jerusalem also meant Jesus would be going to his death. He would go to Jerusalem when the time was right, when “his hour was come.”
2. 11:17-37 What declaration did both Mary and Martha make when they spoke to Jesus? Why did Jesus weep? Class Comments: “If you had been here, my brother would not have died (verses 21, 32). Jesus saw Mary and the Jews weeping and had compassion on them, like we would have compassion on our children when they’re hurting. Jesus came to take away the sting of death.
3. 11:38-44 Seventh Sign. According to verse 40, what was dependent on the disciples’ belief? Class Comments: Seeing the glory of God. (See also verse 4.) Those who saw God glorified in the resurrection of Lazarus were those who chose to believe.
4. 11:45-57 What were the mixed reactions to this miracle? What are some of the different motivations for the Pharisees’ desire to kill Jesus? Class Comments: v. 45 – Some believed in Him; v. 46 – Others went and told the Pharisees. Different motivations? 1) Everyone will believe in him (Envy); 2) The Romans will take away our place and our nation (Fear of losing power and/or security).
5. 12:1-8 How much did the ointment that Mary used cost in terms of wages? With what and on what did she apply the ointment? Class Comments: A pound (Roman 12 ounces), worth 300 denarii, or a year’s wages. She anointed Jesus’ feet with her hair.  12 ounces of oil would be a cup-and-a-half of liquid – a lot of oil. The room must have been filled with fragrance.
6. 12:9-11 Why did the Jews come to Bethany? What affect did this have on the chief priests?  Class Comments: To see Jesus – and Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Rather than seeing Lazarus’s resurrection as a cause to believe, the chief priests now saw Lazarus as a threat to their position, and they plotted to kill him as well as Jesus.
7. 12:12-19 When Jesus entered Jerusalem, describe the different reactions of 1) the great multitude; 2) Jesus’ disciples; and 3) the Pharisees. Class Comments: 1) The multitude went out to meet Jesus, to praise him as the King of Israel, who comes in the name of the Lord . 2) The disciples didn’t understand what was happening, until after Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection; 3) The Pharisees were filled with envy and fear: “See? The world has gone after him!”
8. 12:20-26 Who wanted to speak with Jesus? Summarize Jesus’ reply to the request. Class Comments: Certain Greeks who had come to the feast(Gentile proselytes). When Andrew and Philip pass on their message, Jesus replies, “The hour has come….” Before this, Jesus would say, “My hour is not yet come” (2:4; 7:6; 7:30; 8:20). Is it a coincidence that Jesus declares this after the Gentiles seek him, knowing that in Him the Jews and Gentiles would become one family? He states a principle: A seed can produce only when it dies. This would be true not only of his crucifixion and resurrection but of all those who are buried in baptism and rise to a new life. In verse 26, he also states that if anyone (Jew or Gentile) would serve Him, they must follow Him. Where He is, they will be also. His Father will honor anyone who serves Him.
9. 12:27-36 According to verses 30-32, what will result from Jesus’ death on the cross? Class Comments: 1) The world will be judged; the ruler of the world will be cast out. See Revelation 12:7-11, which uses the same words: “The great dragon [Satan – the Accuser] was cast out….” When Christ overcame death, he took away the power of death that Satan had over us. 2) Jesus will draw all people to Him (including Gentiles).
10. 12:37-41 How are two of Isaiah’s prophesies (53:1 and 6:10) fulfilled in this passage? Class Comments: Verse 37 – They did not believe in him. Their hearts were hardened, just as Isaiah had prophesied.
11. 12:42-50 Relate Jesus being the light to the condemnation of those who do not receive His words. In other words, how would rejecting the light condemn us? Class Comments: When we reject the light, we reject Jesus. And when we reject Jesus, we reject God. Without Jesus, we walk in darkness. Rejecting light means we remain in darkness. Also see 1 John 1:7.

John 9 and 10

1. 9:1-41 Sixth Sign. Note the progression of the blind man’s understanding of Jesus’ identity in the following verses:
   Verse 11 -  A man called Jesus
   Verse 17 – A prophet
   Verse 27 – Someone to follow
   Verse 33 – A man from God
   Verse 38 – Lord, worthy of worship
   Discussion: Strangely enough – or maybe not so strange – the man’s faith grew stronger each time the Pharisees asked him a question. Their questioning had the opposite effect of its intention: to destroy faith, rather than build it. It can be good for our faith to be questioned, for then we begin to re-examine the basis for our belief.
   
2. 9:13-34 What did the Pharisees do and say that indicates they were looking for evidence to prove that Jesus could not be the Messiah? Discussion: v. 16 – He does not keep the Sabbath; v. 18 – They challenged the miracle by asking the healed man’s parents; v. 24 – They called Jesus a sinner; v. 28 – They claimed ignorance of Jesus’ origin; v. 34 – They cast the man out of the synagogue, as a lesson to others.
   
3. 10:1-10 What two identities does Jesus use in this passage? What is His lesson here? Discussion: He is the Shepherd and the Door. His sheep are His own. He leads them, protects them, they recognize His voice, he feeds them, gives them life.
   
4. 10:11-21 By what name does Jesus refer to Himself here? Who are the “other sheep”? What power did He say He had over His own death? Discussion: He refers to himself as the Good Shepherd. The “other” sheep are non-Jews – Gentiles. He would lay down his life – for the sheep.
   
5. 10:22-30 Who are the Shepherd’s sheep? Does verse 28 teach that once we become His sheep, we’ll never stray? Discussion: His followers – disciples – Christians. No. Verse 28 means that no one else can steal them from His hand, but they can choose to stray, or leave. As long as they choose to stay in the fold, he will protect them from the Evil One, or Satan. But they can choose to “jump the fence.” See 1 John 1:7; Romans 8:37-39; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 10:5,12,13; 2 Peter 2:18-22
   
6. 10:31-42 What were two reasons the Jews should have believed that Jesus was the Christ, or the Messiah? Discussion: v. 31 – His good works. v. 37 – His words, credible because of his works. Also, because “I do what my Father Does.”

John 7 & 8 Class Discussion

1. 7:1-13 Why did Jesus’ brothers want him to go to the feast in Jerusalem? Why did He decide not to go with them? Class Comments: They wanted him to prove himself. “If you’re so great, why not show it?” They seemed to want a confrontation with the Jewish leaders. He didn’t go with them because it was not yet his time to go. He would go with them on his terms, not theirs. His physical brothers – James, Joses, Simon, and Judas – are listed in Matthew 13:55. Though at this time they did not believe, the crucifixion and resurrection changed them. James later became a leader in the church in Jerusalem, and probably wrote the book of James, and Jude is the author of the book that bears his name.
2. 7:14-24 What is the answer to the Jews’ question in verse 15? Class Comments: He is the Word incarnate! His teaching wasn’t his own; it was from God.
3. This section seems to include a lot of confusion and controversy about the nature and identity of Christ. Note the confusion and/or controversy in the following passages:
   a. 7:25-27 – The rulers’ reaction indicates they think He is the Christ, but he couldn’t be, because “we know where he’s from.”
   b. 7:28-31 – They knew him, they knew where he was from. He claimed to know God and be from God. They wanted to arrest him, but no one touched him, because his hour had not yet come. But many believed. Would the Christ do any more than this man had been doing?
   c. 7:32-36 – Jesus: I’m going where you will not find me. The crowd thought only in the physical realm. (Would he go outside Judea, to the Jews of the Dispersion – or even to the Gentiles?) He spoke of the spiritual realm, of going to the cross – and beyond, at His ascension.
   d. 7:37-44 – Jesus speaks of living water and the Spirit. The crowd says, “This is the Prophet. This is the Christ.” But it can’t be the Christ, because He will come out of Bethlehem, while this man is from Galilee. (They were apparently ignorant of his birthplace.)
   e. 7:45-52 – The officers were afraid to seize Jesus because of the words he spoke. The priests and Pharisees accused them of being deceived. Nicodemus asks for justice, and the priests and Pharisees accuse him of being a [despicable] Galilean. Other indication of ignorance: They said “No prophet has arisen out of Galilee,” yet that was the home of the prophet Jonah (2 Kings 14:25 – Gath Hepher, 5 miles from Nazareth.
4. 8:1-11 How did the scribes and Pharisees hope to trap Jesus with this situation? Class Comments: They were trying to make him contradict himself, knowing he would forgive the woman and thereby contradict Moses’ law. Also see Matthew 5:28 – Jesus’ view of adultery was stricter than that of the law. Other notes: This passage is absent in the older Greek manuscripts. It appears in at least three other places in some manuscripts: after John 7:36, after John 21:25, and after Luke 21:38.
5. 8:12-20 What two witnesses does Jesus call to confirm that He is the light of the world? Class Comments: Himself, and His Father. Contrary to what they say, he is qualified to testify of himself. Other notes: It’s no coincidence that at this festival he calls himself the light of the world. Light ceremonies played a big part in the Feast of Tabernacles in Jesus’ day, according to The Feast of Tabernacles in the Days of Jesus. 
6. 8:21-30 What is the consequence for those who do not believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be? Class Comments: They will die in their sins. V. 28 – “But when you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM.”
7. 8:31-47 Who is Jesus instructing in this passage? How does their concept of freedom differ from His? Class Comments: He’s instructing Jews who believe him. As Jews who were still subject to the law of Moses, they didn’t understand what he said about spiritual freedom and felt threatened when he implied they were not free. Another misstatement here: They claimed to be under bondage to no one, but they had been in bondage in Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria and were now subjects of Rome.
8. 8:48-59 What is the significance of how Jesus identifies Himself in verse 58? (Also read Exodus 3:13-15.) Class Comments: He identifies himself as I AM, the name of the God of Abraham. At this, they took up stones to stone him, but he hid himself and left the temple. [His time had not yet come.]

John 7 & 8 Questions

1. 7:1-13 Why did Jesus’ brothers want him to go to the feast in Jerusalem? Why did He decide not to go with them?
2. 7:14-24 What is the answer to the Jews’ question in verse 15?
3. This section seems to include a lot of confusion and controversy about the nature and identity of Christ. Note the confusion and/or controversy in the following passages:
   a. 7:25-27
   b. 7:28-31
   c. 7:32-36
   d. 7:37-44
   e. 7:45-52
4. 8:1-11 How did the scribes and Pharisees hope to trap Jesus with this situation?
5. 8:12-20 What two witnesses does Jesus call to confirm that He is the light of the world?
6. 8:21-30 What is the consequence for those who do not believe that Jesus is who He claimed to be?
7. 8:31-47 Who is Jesus instructing in this passage? How does their concept of freedom differ from His?
8. 8:48-59 What is the significance of how Jesus identifies Himself in verse 58? (Also read Exodus 3:13-15.)

John 5 & 6 Discussion

1. 5:1-15 Third Sign. The Jews accused the man of breaking the Sabbath. If that was so, according to Exodus 31:14-15, what should have been his punishment? Class Comments: Death. Even though Jesus knew what the man wanted, Jesus wanted the man to express his desire and his confession of weakness and dependency, just as in our prayers today we express our desires and weaknesses, though God already knows what they are. Verse 14: “a worse thing” refers to the spiritual consequences of sin.
2. 5:16-23 These days, some say that Jesus never claimed to be God. They say the claim was made later by His disciples, after His death. What does this passage say in that regard? Class Comments: Jesus was the Son of God, was divine, had the attributes of God, gives life.  Verse 18: The Jews interpreted “Son of God” as “equal with God.” People typically become more like their parents as they mature. Sons learn the trades of their fathers.
3. 5:24-30 According to this passage, who will be our judge? What kind of authority has he been given?Class Comments: Verse 27: Christ. He would execute judgment because he was the Son of Man. Verse 30: His judgment is righteous because of his motive – doing God’s will.
4. 5:31-47 What five witnesses testify of Jesus? (See verses 33, 36, 37, 39, and 46.) Class Comments: 1) John the Baptist – v. 33; 2) His works – v. 36; 3) the Father – v. 37; 4) the Scriptures – v. 39; 5) Moses – v. 46. Accusation: You don’t even believe Moses!
5. 6:1-15 Fourth Sign. How much bread and fish did Jesus distribute to the men, according to verses 11 and 12? [Consider: How did the people’s suggestion in verse 15 strip Jesus of authority, in a way?] Class Comments: As much as they wanted. [They wanted to make him an earthly king. It was a mockery, considering he was Creator.] Note the prayer of Jesus in verse 11.
6. 6:16-24 Fifth Sign. Describe the thoughts and actions of the crowd left behind. Class Comments:  They had seen the disciples get into the only boat, but Jesus hadn’t gone with them. Where could he be?
7. 6:25-40 What was the crowd looking for Jesus to do for them? What is the work of God? Class Comments:  They wanted food, just like Moses had provided. The work of God is for all to believe in Christ and have everlasting life.
8. 6:41-59 How do we eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood? According to verse 35, what type of hunger and thirst do these satisfy? Class Comments:  By letting His word become part of us. He is the bread of life, which he gave by dying on the cross. We eat his flesh and drink his blood when by faith we incorporate all he was into our lives, receiving daily nourishment through the Word, just as we must do with physical food. There also may be a reference to eating and drinking of the Lord’s Supper, when the sacrifice is remembered.
9. 6:60-71 Why do you think many of Jesus’ disciples left at this time? Class Comments: They were not looking for eternal life, did not understand his true mission. Sad verses in this passage: vss. 66, 67 and 70. They were following him, but did not “follow” him, as in understanding him.

John 3 and 4 - Class Answers

1. 3:1-8 What does it mean to be born of water and the Spirit? (Other scriptures that speak of water, Spirit or new birth are John 1:26, 33: Acts 2:38; Romans 6:4; Titus 3:4-7.) Comments: It means we must submit ourselves to water baptism by which we receive the Holy Spirit and enter the kingdom of God. Verse 3 says a person “can not” enter the kingdom without both water and the Spirit. In Romans 6:4, Paul teaches that after burial in baptism, we walk in newness of life. Before baptism, we were dead in our sins. In Titus 3:4-7, Paul parallels Christ’s teaching here when he writes that we are saved not by “works of righteousness which we have done” but through the “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
2. 3:9-17 How are Jesus’ statements in verses 15 and 16 both universal and exclusive? In other words, how do they include all people but also exclude some people? (Also see 3:36.) Comments: Salvation through Christ is available to anyone and everyone – in all ages, cultures, and countries – who choose to believe in Him. The statement excludes those who do not believe.
3. 3:18-21 According to what Jesus says here, why do people avoid acknowledging Him? Comments: Because they prefer the darkness, where their sins are not exposed to the light. Note: As Christians we also need to be sure that when we study God’s word, we let it expose our sins so that we can make the necessary changes, i.e., repent.
4. 3:22-30 When John’s disciples came to him, what was their complaint? What was John’s attitude? Comments: They complained that this Jesus whom John had baptized was also baptizing and attracting followers. John responded that he had always said he came only to prepare the way for one greater than him. His joy was fulfilled like that of the friend of a bridegroom waiting for the bridegroom to come. Jesus must increase, and John must decrease. We would all do well to emulate John’s humility.
5. 3:31-36 When we accept Jesus’ testimony, what do we certify, or affirm? Comments: That God is true (v. 33). God gave all things into the hands of the Son.
6. 4:1-3 Why did Jesus leave Judea and go back to Galilee? Comments: Because the Pharisees heard that he was baptizing more disciples than John. Jesus avoided unnecessary conflict. Later, in John 7:1-9, he will decline his unbelieving brothers’ invitation to “show” himself “to the world” at the Feast of Tabernacles, because the time is not right.
7. 4:4-9 What did Jesus do that went against the customs of the time? Comments: He spoke to – and took water from – not only a Samaritan, but a Samaritan woman, who would have been shunned by most Jewish men of the time. Verse 4 states that he “needed” to go through Samaria – a moral necessity, maybe? Mark 7:24-30 recounts Jesus’ encounter with the Syro-phoenician woman, and her identification as a “dog.”
8. 4:10-15 What water did Jesus refer to? How did the Samaritan woman misunderstand it? Comments: He spoke of words of life – everlasting life. She understood it as physical water for a physical thirst. Side note: In 3:21, as an example of what the “light” does, Jesus exposes the woman’s sin.
9. 4:16-26 What does it mean to worship in spirit? What does it mean to worship in truth? Comments: God is a Spirit, and He received spiritual worship. The geographical location of worship doesn’t matter; attitude does, and so does faith based on truth – that God is One, and that Jesus is His Son. Side note: Notice that the Samaritan woman was looking for a Messiah to explain things – a teaching Messiah, whereas the Jews looked for a Messiah to be their king.
10. 4:27-38 What was the food that was important to Jesus? What do you think this means? Comments: To do the will of the One Who sent him, and to finish His work – the eternal scheme or redemption, planned before the foundations of the world (Ephesians 1:4). Jesus had a ministry that was more important to him than food. Side note: The disciples didn’t have an understanding of spiritual matters, either. The Samaritan woman looked for physical water; they talked of physical food.
11. 4:39-42 What caused the Samaritans to believe? Comments: They came to Jesus because of the word of the woman; they believed in Him through His word. Side note: A contrast of Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman: moral Jewish man/immoral Samaritan woman; named/unnamed; upper crust/lower class; dignified/sometimes flippant; no record of bringing anyone/brought the whole city to Jesus.
12. 4:43-54 Second Sign. What caused the royal official (nobleman) to believe? Comments: The healing of his son. In verse 47, the nobleman believed what he had heard about Jesus; in verse 53, he believed on Jesus.

Note: Looks like I neglected to post the questions on this one. If you need to look at or print the questions only, just click on the the “Download Study Guides” on the right, and you’ll find PDF versions of the Matthew, Mark, and John study guides. –CB

John 1 and 2 Comments

Personal Note: While preparing these lessons, I came across notes I took back in 1999 in a class taught by the late and much loved brother in Christ, Dr. Dowell Flatt, professor at Freed-Hardeman University. Many of the added notes come from that class. – Cheryl

1. 1:1-5 What do you discover about the Word in this passage? Who is He? Comments: He was 1) there at the beginning; 2) was with God; 3) was God; 4) necessary for creation; 5) life; 6) the light of men. Note: He was equal with God in 1) transcending time; 2) fellowship; 3) nature. Whereas the other gospels begin with either the birth of baptism of Christ, John begins with theology. His purpose is that men might believe. He is the Christ, the Word who became flesh (John 1:14).
2. 1:6-9 Who was the man sent from God? What was his purpose? Comments: John the Baptist. He came to bear witness of the light – that all might believe, or trust.
3. 1:10-13 What is the contrast between those who were “His own” and “children of God”? Comments: “His own” refers to those of his physical family, the Jews. Children of God are those who believe on him. They are born of God.
4. 1:14-18 Because of the character of the Word, what can we also know about God the Father? (See verses 14 and 17.) Comments: We see God through Jesus. If Jesus is full of grace and truth, so is God the Father. He “dwelt among us,” or, he “pitched His tent with us.” Note: To the Greeks, the gods were distant; to the Jews, God was close only to priests and prophets. But through Christ, He is close to each one of us.
5. 1:19-28 How did John identify himself in verse 23? How did he answer the Pharisees’ question about baptism? (Also see verse 31.) Comments: As the voice of one crying in the wilderness. John answered that he was baptizing with water, but One is coming whose sandal straps he wasn’t worthy to loose. Verse 31 states that that One would baptize with the Holy Spirit. Note: Loosing sandal straps might be just the thing a servant would do for his master. John says he wasn’t worthy to do even that for the Christ.
6. 1:29-34 With what two expressions does John identify Jesus in verses 29 and 34? Comments: 1) Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world; 2) Son of God.
7. 1:35-42 By what names is Jesus known in this passage? What progression in thinking do you see in Andrew, according to how he refers to Jesus? Comments: 1) Lamb of God; 2) Rabbi; 3) Messiah – Christ – Anointed One. In verse 38, Andrew calls him “Rabbi,” or “Teacher.” in verse 41, he calls Jesus the Messiah. Note: In the Jewish culture, a rabbi was more respected than even an earthly father, who merely brings us into this world. A rabbi takes us into the next world. In Judaism were three anointed offices: prophet, priest, and king. Jesus was all three.
8. 1:43-51 More identities of Jesus! By what names and/or descriptions is he known in this passage? Comments: 1) v. 45 - Jesus of Nazareth, Son of Joseph; 2) v. 47 - Rabbi, Son of God, King of Israel; 3) v. 51 – Son of Man. Note: “Son of Man” was Jesus’ favorite reference to himself. The term appears 13 times in John; 83 times in the other gospels.
9. 2:1-8 First Sign. When this wedding took place, how many days had passed since John identified Jesus as the Lamb of God (1:29)? Comments: Day 1 – John questions by the Pharisees. Day 2 – John identifies Jesus as the Lamb of God. Day 3 – John’s disciples begin following Jesus. Day 4 – Jesus calls Philip and Nathanael. Class answers varied from 1 to 3. It’s hard to know exactly what “On the third day” refers to. It could be part of this sequence, the third day since He left for Galilee, or even the third day of the wedding feast, which typically lasted 7 days.
10. 2:9-11 What were the quantity (v. 6) and quality of the wine Jesus produced from water? Comments: Each water pot held two or three firkins (KJV), which would be from 18 to 24 gallons each. The NJKV translates it “20 or 30 gallons” each – a total of 120 to 180 gallons. The quality was better than what the host had served.
11. 2:12-17 When was another time Jesus cleansed the temple? (See Mark 11:12-17.) Comments: In Mark, the incident was during the last week of his life. Note: It could refer to the same incident, since the writer of the gospel was more concerned about theology than either geography or chronology. There are some differences, though. For instance, no scourge or whip is mentioned in the other accounts (Matthew 21:12-13; Mark 11:15-17; Luke 20:45-46).
12. 2:18-24 What sign would demonstrate that Jesus had the authority to cleanse the temple? Why didn’t Jesus “entrust” (NIV) himself to the crowd? Comments: The resurrection from the dead. He didn’t entrust Himself to those who believed because of the signs, because He didn’t need anyone to testify of Him. He knew what they were made of.