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Helping Those In Need

Featured by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

Hey all!

I hope you are enjoying BSF’s John’s Gospel Bible study as much as I am! Such wisdom in each and every lesson!

As the holidays rapidly approach (seems faster every year, doesn’t it?), I would like you to consider those in need.

There is so much need in our communities and around the world that even a little goes a long way.

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I ask twice a year, as this money goes directly to help my writing/creative career.

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No pressure as always. Just give as you are led, or give to another wonderful charity this holiday season.

Thank you in advance, and may all your days be bright! God bless!

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 4: John 9:24-34

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 9:24-34

The Pharisees keep trying to trap the blind man, but the blind man refuses, staunchly defending Jesus. He tells them that it is obvious that Jesus is from God, or how could he heal him? They threw him out, not able to tolerate their hypocrisy and the man’s truth being told them.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 4: John 9:24-34

9) They tried to put words in the man’s mouth by telling him to say that Jesus is a sinner.

10a) He states the facts, which are cut-and-dry. He was blind, but now he can see! What else matters?

b) The blind man makes sense, saying how could anyone other than someone from God heal his eyes.

c) They did not want to hear the Truth. They did not care; all they wanted was Jesus gone.

11) Good question. I would say with trials in my life and frustrations, He has strengthen me.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 4: John 9:24-34

In hindsight, we see the ridiculousness of the Pharisees. At the time, the people were much afraid and much confused.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 4: John 9:24-34

There is no argument against actions. Jesus healed. That was all that mattered.

Our experience of God’s goodness in our lives strengthens our faith.

The blind man pushed back on the Pharisees’ arguments that did not make sense. He does not understand how they don’t believe in Jesus with all of the physical evidence.

God chooses whether to hear sinners or not. Isaiah 1:15 and Psalm 66:18  In line with God’s character, He probably does.

The Pharisees were angry that the blind man was right. The blind man was excommunicated, yet, he had a heart for Jesus, and that’s all that matters.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 3: John 9:13-23

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 9:13-23

The blind man was brought before the Pharisees. The Pharisees cared because the blind man was healed on the Sabbath, which was against their laws. The parents vouched for the man’s blindness.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 3: John 9:13-23

6) The Pharisees only want to try to catch Jesus doing something wrong or breaking the law, so they can try and kill him. They care nothing for who he has helped.

7a) With trepidation, for he was scared. He said as little as possible and stuck to the facts.

b) They said to ask their son. How would they know what happened? They were afraid of the Jewish leaders, too, and did not want to be throw in jail or excommunicated.

8 ) Unsure. Never explicitly, I don’t think. God is good; that is my mantra.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 3: John 9:13-23

It’s sad how the Pharisees, those who are supposed to be the most educated amongst the Jews, are so bent on trying to catch Jesus doing something wrong. It just goes to show you how power and influence can corrupt.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 3: John 9:13-23

Jesus did not line up with the Pharisees’ belief of what a religious person did.

Jesus divided people then and now.

The religious leaders did not want to believe the man, which is why they called in his parents.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 2: John 9:1-12

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 9:1-12

Jesus healed a blind man who had been blind since birth. He did so by spitting on the ground, making mud, and rubbing it in the man’s eyes. When the man washed in the Pool of Siloam, he could see.  The man was blind so that the works of God could be seen in him.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 2: John 9:1-12

3) His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” He told them that no sin was responsible, but that God made the man blind for His glory.

4a) Jesus used spit and mud. Jesus can heal in any way he wants. What matters is your obedience and belief in him.

b) Some believed in the miracle; others did not.

5)  God’s Word, God’s leadership, God’s direction, and God’s promise that all things work together for my good.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 2: John 9:1-12

We see Jesus’ unconventional healing methods and how all you need is trust.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 13, Day 2: John 9:1-12

The disciples did not seek to help the blind man; only to talk about him.

Many people believed then and some do now that suffering is because of a sin they’ve committed. Instead, it’s for God’s glory.

Jesus’ unconventional healing here harkened back to creation and how God used dust and clay for His works and it shows that the method of healing does not matter; only God’s power does.

The man had to go to the pool to take action to show he had faith in Jesus’ words.

Fun Fact: This is the first recording in the Bible of a man born blind was given sight. Only God does this (Psalm 146:8); therefore, Jesus is God, the Messiah (Isaiah 35:5)

The healing was hard to believe.

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Friday Digest BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF JOHN’S GOSPEL: THE TRUTH LESSON 12

  • Only Christ can free us from the bondage of sin
  • We all are sinners and need Christ
  • Jesus offers grace and compassion
  • We are renewed with Christ

TAKE AWAY: When you know Jesus, you know God.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 5: John 8:48-59 and Exodus 3:12-15

by atozmom, posted in BSF Matthew 2021/2022

SUMMARY OF JOHN 8:48-59

Those who obey Jesus’ word will never see death. People begin to insult Jesus, claiming he is demon-possessed. Jesus claimed he was greater than Abraham, that he existed before Abraham, and that he’s the I am. The people tried to stone him, but Jesus got away.

Exodus 3:12-15

God sent Moses to the people to rescue them from Egypt. God says He is “I am.”

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 5: John 8:48-59 and Exodus 3:12-15

13a) Those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life.

b) Abraham rejoiced at Jesus’ saving grace.

14a) This means that Jesus is equal with God, existed before Creation, and is part of God. It means He is God and all should worship him and believe in him.

b) All the difference. With Jesus, life is good. Without Jesus, life is unbearable.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 5: John 8:48-59 and Exodus 3:12-15

I love the “I am’s” in the Bible, and I love how Jesus is equal with God and he says so.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 5: John 8:48-59 and Exodus 3:12-15

The people insult Jesus. Still, he says belief in him brings eternal life. Yet, the religious leaders still twist his words and try to trap him, asking him if he is greater than Abraham.

Jesus says he knows God and is honored by God (not self-honor).

Abraham knew Jesus to be greater.

Now Jesus claims to be God, the great I am, the way God called himself in Exodus.

Fun Fact: This is the third time in this chapter Jesus uses the phrase I AM (John 8:24, 8:28)

This is a clear divine title that all Jews would recognize as such.

Jesus says he has existed eternally. He declared that he is God.

This was blasphemous in the eyes of the religious leaders. They looked to stone Jesus, but he escaped. His time had not yet come. (John 7:30).

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 4: John 8:31-47

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 8:31-47

Jesus told the people that The Truth will set those free who believes in him from sin. Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Since they are looking to kill him, they are not free and are a slave to their father, the devil.

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from God. I have not come on my own; God sent me. Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 4: John 8:31-47

11a) The freedom Jesus offers is freedom from the bondage of sin’s guilt and consequences. He offers forgiveness. People receive this freedom when they believe in Christ’s saving grace.

b) Not having guilt from sin, the freedom to ask for and receive forgiveness for my sins from others, the freedom to fail and fall and have Jesus pick me up, the freedom to follow His will for my life.

12a) They are not Abraham’s descendants/children of Abraham if they are looking for a way to kill him. They belong to their father, the devil. If they belonged to Abraham, they would love him and hear what God says.

b) Because they did not belong to God, so they could not hear what God says. Instead, they belong to the devil so they hear his words and obey him.

c) Many ways. Prayer, consult the Bible, examine the character of the words. For example, are you being asked to commit a sin? Jesus would never say that. What does your gut tell you? Abiding/living like Jesus will help you know the Truth.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 4: John 8:31-47

I love the freedom that Christ offers. There truly is nothing else like it.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 4: John 8:31-47

Jesus is addressing those who believe in him, but have not yet fully committed to following him.

People must live by Jesus’ word to believe in him. When we abide in Jesus’ word and live it, we’ll know the truth. When we know the truth, we are free.

There is no escape from slavery to sin except through Jesus Christ. You can live a life of sin or a life of freedom. But, it’s for life.

Abraham is not their father in a spiritual sense. Their rejection of Jesus shows they don’t have the word or Christ in their lives; thus, they did not have freedom.

Jesus’ actions are consistent with God. The actions of unbelievers are consistent with the devil.

The religious leaders again bring up Jesus’ shady parentage  John 8:19

If you love God, you love Jesus. Period.

Jesus came from God and is different from God.

Unbelievers are of the devil. The devil only speaks lies. Your actions prove this to be so.

We must repent of our sins and turn from our old ways in order to follow Jesus’ teachings.

Only the Holy Spirit can give us the power to live as God intended.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 3: John 8:12-30

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 8:12-30

Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus says his testimony counts because he is one witness and the other witness is His Father.

The teachers of the law did not know him.

Jesus said again he is going away, and where he goes, no one can follow. Everyone was confused and wondered if he would kill himself.

Jesus said he is from heaven, and those who do not believe in him will die in their sins.

Jesus explains that God is with him and that he only does what pleases God. Once he dies, you will know he is the Savior of the world. Many believed in him.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 3: John 8:12-30

6) It means Jesus is the Savior of the world. He brings light into the darkness (evil). He forgives our sins (darkness) and brings us into the light of forgiveness.

7) Himself and God. That he is God.

8 ) “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins.”

9) That Jesus was sent from God to do His bidding. That Jesus and God are one here for our good.

10) His crucifixion on the cross. It was from this moment that we were saved and given the Holy Spirit that guides us each and every day. This act is our saving grace.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 3: John 8:12-30

I’ve always loved the light analogy because it’s so concrete and so true. Most of us enjoy the daylight more. We can see better and feel safer. With Jesus, there is always light, and we are always safe.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 3: John 8:12-30

Jesus is teaching again. Light was significant to the ancient Jews because it represented the pillar of fire that provided light to the Israelites while in the desert. Jews lighted candles as a remembrance.

God’s Word is light (Psalm 119:105). Jesus is the Word (John 1:1). Jesus is light.

Jesus is himself the first witness to himself. He was supported by God.

No one understood Jesus because they were blinded to the truth.

The second witness is God the Father, who the Pharisees do not know.

No one could follow Jesus who did not believe in him (aka the Pharisees).

Suicide was a sin, so the Pharisees were trying to twist Jesus’ words.

Unless you believe in Jesus Christ, you will die in your sins as Jesus states here.

The Pharisees only desire is to trick Jesus, not learn from him.

Many believed because they could see that God was with Jesus from the way he lived. The Pharisees lived lives of lies.

Jesus’ resurrection stands as God’s greatest witness of his Son.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 2: John 8:1-11

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

SUMMARY OF JOHN 8:1-11

The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery to Jesus. The teachers of the law asked Jesus if this woman should be stoned as commanded in the Law of Moses.

Jesus wrote in the ground and said “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.”

Everyone went away and Jesus said he did not condemn her and told her to leave her life of sin.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 2: John 8:1-11

3a) The religious leaders were desperate. They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him, so they could kill him.

b) Jesus is omniscient, wise, full of compassion, and forgiving. He loves everyone.

4a) Because we all like to think we are good people and do the right thing, when we are all sinners and fall, too. It somehow makes us feel better to accuse others and think we are better than others.

b) Do what Jesus commands: Don’t throw a stone when I’m a sinner, too. Be less quick to judge and quicker to love.

5) Jesus just wants the best for us. When we confess our sins, he forgives us and wishes us well and to follow in his footsteps.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 2: John 8:1-11

Great reminder of how we are all full of sin and should be less judging of others.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 12, Day 2: John 8:1-11

This story has been debated by Bible scholars for centuries on if it really occurred or not or if it is part of the Gospel of John. This is because it it omitted in many early manuscripts of the Bible.

Yet, the story seems to reflect what Jesus would actually do, so many Bible studies believe it is true.

This scene is placed here after the Feast of Tabernacles (John 7:37), and Jesus is still teaching in the temple.

Bringing the woman out in public was to embarrass her and Jesus.

Note the man whom the woman was with is missing here.

While a woman could be stoned for adultery, in all practicality, no one was. The rules were extremely strict in order to establish guilt.

If Jesus said the woman should go free, he would break the Law of Moses. If he condemned her, he’d seem cruel and break Roman law since they were the only ones allowed to execute.

The woman was being used as a pawn; Jesus would have none of it.

Jesus’ stooping is him identifying with the woman. No one knows what he wrote.

Witnesses to the crime would have to throw the first stone. All were convicted by their conscience and left with the oldest first (Bible scholars are unsure why).

In sum, Jesus took her sin and bid her to sin no more.

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Friday Digest BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN BSF JOHN’S GOSPEL: THE TRUTH LESSON 11

  • We follow God’s path for our lives regardless of what others think
  • Christians play by different rules and are apart
  • World hates you because you are God’s
  • When you question Jesus, you question God
  • We seek God’s glory, not our own
  • Nothing can surpass what Christ has given us

TAKE AWAY: God’s timing is everything.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 5: John 7:37-52

by atozmom, posted in BSF John's Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

Summary of John 7:37-52

Jesus invites those who are thirsty to come to him. Whoever believes in him will have rivers of living water flow within (Jesus meant the Holy Spirit here). Many believed he was the Prophet and Messiah. Others still questioned.

The guards did not bring in Jesus as the chief priests and the Pharisees wanted. Nicodemus spoke up, but was denied, too.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 5: John 7:37-52

11a) Holy Spirit

b) It means we have the Holy Spirit within, guiding us. This means that we are guided daily and have the presence of the Lord within. The Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth to us and teaches us.

c) The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit all work together for our good. God sent Jesus to do His will. The Holy Spirit was given when Jesus died. All are meant to help us walk with God.

12a) The Prophet, Messiah

b) They could not get over the fact that Jesus came from Galilee.

c) Good question and I can’t think of a specific example. It’s hard to hear God’s truth amongst all the other noise. That’s when I turn to prayer or the Bible to hear His voice.

13a)  “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?” Basically, the law of innocent until proven guilty. Nicodemus was shut down and dismissed.

b) Pretty willing. The desire for safety and security.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 5: John 7:37-52

You can see the close-mindedness of the Jewish leaders here and their desire to get rid of Jesus no matter what. Yet, God is in control.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 5: John 7:37-52

Jesus uses water again to illustrate his point that if you come to him, you will have living waters (eternal life). God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. The Festival included the symbolic pouring out of water on the altar. Now, Jesus will do so again.

The Holy Spirit gives believers new life, seals them as God’s, and gives them power to live for God.

All were invited (anyone) to quench their spiritual thirst. You must believe in Jesus.

Jesus divided people. You either believed, or you didn’t, and there were a fair amount on either side.

Because of Jesus’ eloquence, he could not be arrested. His time had not yet come.

The religious leaders were blind to all reason, even when Nicodemus pointed out their condemnation before a trial could take place.

Prophets had, indeed, come from Galilee: Jonah (2 Kings 14:25) and Elijah.

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