Category: BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth 2023/2024

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 4: John 4:19-26

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

Summary of John 4:19-26

The woman acknowledges that Jesus is a prophet when he tells her things about her life. He explains that the time is coming where you can worship the Father anywhere and in Spirit and in truth.

The woman tells Jesus that the Messiah is coming. Jesus declares he is the Messiah.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 4: John 4:19-26

8 ) The woman was referencing how the Samaritans worship differently than the Jews. They worshipped on Mount Gerazim. I believe she is saying how she is not like Jesus. Bible scholars say she was evading talking about her life. The Samaritans also only accepted the first 5 books of the Old Testament.

9a) Jesus refers to himself as part of the Jews. He says that salvation is from the Jews.

b) Jesus is part of God’s chosen people.

10a) One who offers their entire selves to God: body, mind, spirit, and soul.

b) Give Him my soul and my everything. Give Him the credit and do work in light of Him.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 4: John 4:19-26

Can you imagine having Jesus himself tell you he is the Messiah?! What a moment!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 4: John 4:19-26

The time that is coming is when it would not matter where you worshipped; rather, your heart would matter.

You worship in spirt and in truth, so with the Holy Spirit and in reflection of God’s Word.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 3: John 4:10-18

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

Summary of John 4:10-18

Jesus tells the woman at the well that if she knew who he was, she would have asked for living water. The woman asks where can you get the living water. Jesus says he has the water and whoever drinks it will never thirst again. The water will well up inside and lead to eternal life.

The woman asks for the water. Jesus tells her to bring her husband. She admits she has no husband.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 3: John 4:10-18

6a) Living water offers eternal life. Regular water nourishes for the time being. Living water is forever.

b) Belief in Jesus. The Holy Spirit. (Great explanation of this passage and what living water is HERE)

c) Meaning, purpose, something more, God himself. Thirsting for Jesus keeps me going when many times I just want to quit.

7a) She showed belief by asking for it, but unbelief by equating the living water with regular water and less work in life. Jesus told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” She admitted she had no husband.

b) By helping me to see my sins and trying to be more like Jesus every day.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 3: John 4:10-18

I love the symbol of living water. Water is so powerful and so necessary in life. We can’t live without water; neither can we live without living water.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 3: John 4:10-18

Jesus makes the woman curious, which helps her stay and learn.

Many springs in ancient times were called living water, too.

Living water gives forever.

Our spiritual needs is thirst.

It was not socially correct for a man to speak to a single woman in a long conversation. She would need her husband to continue the conversation.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 2: John 4:1-9

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 4:1-9

Jesus left Judea and went back to Galilee, as the Pharisees were learning of his growing influence and he wanted to avoid a confrontation. He went through Samaria and stopped in the town of Sychar. The disciples were in town to buy food. A woman stopped by the well, and Jesus asked her to draw water for him.

She asked why Jesus, a Jew, would ask her, a Samaritan, since the Jews did not like the Samaritans.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 2: John 4:1-9

3) The Samaritans did not believe in God. They worshipped other gods.  They neither worship the Lord nor adhere to the decrees and regulations, the laws and commands that the Lord gave. Ezra says that the Samaritans tried to discourage the building of the temple.

4) Nicodemus sought Jesus out. Here, the woman does not know who Jesus is. Nicodemus is well born, wealthy, and learned. This woman is uneducated and poor. Nicodemus is interested in knowing if Jesus is who he says he is. The woman is merely going about her daily life. Both became a witness for Jesus. The man is named; the woman is not.

5a) Jesus begins the conversation very pleasantly, asking a simple question. We can do this as well.

b) She needed to drink from the cup of life that Jesus offered her. She needed living water that only Jesus gives.

c) Hard question. Many times in the course of my life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 2: John 4:1-9

Such a simple scene where Jesus makes a powerful impact on a woman’s life. Jesus continues to do this every day with us as well.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 2: John 4:1-9

map of Sychar in Samaria where Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well John 4 bsf john

John tells us that Jesus baptized people in John 3:22 The disciples did the baptizing to prepare them for when Jesus was gone.

Most Jews walked around Samaria on their way to Galilee. To see Jesus must have been a shock for the Samaritan woman.

Jesus needed to go through Samaria to reach the people there.

The city of Sychar was ancient Shechem and was the capital city of the Samaritans. Sychar or ancient Shechem is mentioned a lot in Genesis. It’s where Abraham first arrived in the Promised Land and where Joseph was buried.

Bible scholars wonder why the woman came around noon to the well by herself. This was an unusual time to draw water. They speculate that she may have been a social outcast or she had an immediate need.

No Jew would ask a Samaritan for anything. So, Jesus’ presence and request was extremely unusual.

Here, we see Jesus’ love and compassion for all!

Fun fact: Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman is the longest recorded conversation Jesus had.

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Friday Digest BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4

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 4

  • Many are still blinded by unbelief and don’t realize/recognize it
  • God is love, light, hope, and our glory
  • As soon as you believe in Jesus, you have everlasting life from that moment onward
  • Our lives are all about Jesus
  • You should be content with the work God has given you
  • You should become less always for God’s glory
  • Everlasting life is granted through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit
  • Always deny self for God’s glory

TAKE AWAY: Jesus is everything.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 5: John 3:22-36

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

Summary of John 3:22-36

Both John and Jesus are baptizing in the river. John defers to Jesus, saying he is greater. Jesus is above all and speaks the words of God. The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 5: John 3:22-36

13a) That everyone was going to Jesus to be baptized rather than to John.

b) John acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah and that he is less than Jesus.

c) I don’t want to be jealous of others or take away their glory. Instead, I want to support God’s mission like John did.

14)  John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”

Jesus is Lord and Savior of the World.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 5: John 3:22-36

Love John’s example of deference here. So very hard to do with human emotions. We must all defer to Jesus and His ways over ours in all circumstances. I also love how our roles can change throughout life and our calling can change, too.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 5: John 3:22-36

Note Jesus in in Judea here. The other Gospels are mostly about Jesus in Galilee. map of judea www.atozmomm.com bsf study of john's gospel

John was unflustered or bothered by Jesus’ popularity in the same vicinity as he.

John’s gifts were from God. He knew his God-given purpose, and he knew who Jesus was. John is like a bridegroom, a friend of Jesus, at the wedding, but he is not the groom. The bridegroom is Jesus, a familiar reference in the Bible.

John’s mission was fulfilled, and he was full of joy. He knew he would shrink into the background, and he was okay with this.

John has fame and humility. He also continued in his role, albeit changed and diminished from before. He was still doing God’s work.

Jesus came from heaven and is therefore greater than everyone else. No one would receive him.

Note “The Father loved the Son” here (John 3:35) and in John 5:20.

Reject Jesus, and you reject eternal life and receive wrath. The wrath of God lingers until you accept Christ and He comes again.

There are 4 “Must’s” in John 3:

We would do well to abide by all: be born again, lift Christ up, and defer to Christ. So good!

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 4: John 3:16-21

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 3:16-21

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jesus was sent to save. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned. Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light and into God’s sight.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 4: John 3:16-21

10) They shall not perish but have eternal life. They are not condemned. They come into the light.

11)

John 3:16: Nonbelievers will perish.

John 3:17-19: Whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.

John 3:36: Whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9: He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.

12) I am encouraged because I know I will have everlasting life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 4: John 3:16-21

LOVE John 3:16. So simple and straightforward of God’s love for me. Always gives me shivers.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 4: John 3:16-21

Fun fact: There are 31,102 verses in the Bible.

John 3:16 is perhaps the most well-known and most loved.

God loved the world (all of us, not just the Jews). God gave his most precious gift. We have to believe. God will save forever. God’s love is boundless.

Jesus came to save believers. All others are condemned. Those who do not believe love darkness more than light.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 3: John 3:9-15

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 3:9-15

Jesus says that the Jewish leaders still do not see or accept him and the testimony of the disciples and others. If you do not understand earthly things, how will you understand heavenly things? The Son of Man will be lifted into heaven so that others will be.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 3: John 3:9-15

7a) The disciples and John the Baptist.

b) That the Jewish leaders do not accept the testimony of others. That they do not understand God’s Word, essentially.

8 ) The bronze serpent was God’s means of salvation for those bitten by the snake. Similarly, Jesus’ death on the cross is God’s mean of salvation for all of humanity bitten by sin.

9a) When you are saved, you believe in Christ’s sacrifice for your sins on the cross. You then will have eternal life.

b) That Jesus would choose to suffer death for lowly ol’ me.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 3: John 3:9-15

I love the emphasis on the fact that anyone can be blind to Christ, including religious leaders. We must always grow close to God ourselves and not rely on others for knowledge of God.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 3: John 3:9-15

Jesus chides Nicodemus as a religious leader that he does not understand the Scriptures.

Christ is the ultimate authority on heavenly things.

Jesus said that the serpent in Numbers is himself, sent to redeem his people. Serpents represent evil in the Bible and appear more than 50 times. Bronze is associated with judgment in the Bible. A bronze serpent is sin judged, which is Jesus who judges sin.

The people trusted the serpent to save them simply by glancing at it. Similarly, we trust in Jesus.

The Son of Man must be lifted up (ascend). We must accept, not do.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 2: John 3:1-8

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 3:1-8

Jesus talks with Nicodemus, a Pharisee, who acknowledges he is performing signs that require God to be with him. Jesus responds, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Nicodemus is confused and wonders how someone can be born a second time in their mother’s womb.

Jesus clarifies: “No one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit.  Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.”

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 2: John 3:1-8

3a) Nicodemus approaches at night because he is a Pharisee and does not want word to get out that he is questioning Jesus because the Pharisees are against Jesus. I think Nicodemus is curious about Christ.

b) To know him better and to be more like him.

4a) Because Jesus knows that Nicodemus needs to be born again to be saved. Jesus’ primary concern is to bring everyone to him.

b) Nicodemus is not grasping the spiritual/imagery of Jesus. He’s only thinking of the physical and what can be seen.

5) Humanity. The physical body.

6a) They are born of the flesh, not of the spirit. Those born of the Spirit who have accepted Christ as their Savior have eternal life. You mush have a new birth to have eternal life.

b) Yes. If you are born of the spirit, you are born again. Yes.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 2: John 3:1-8

Great lesson on how even the religious leaders are drawn to Jesus.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 4, Day 2: John 3:1-8

Jesus wanted to make it known that just because you were of Jewish heritage, descended from Abraham, does not guarantee a place in heaven.

To be born from above (the Hebrew meaning of the word “again”) is to be born again.

Rebirth is a central theme in the Bible. Most Jews thought they had been cleansed for God. No one understood the acceptance of Christ as the rebirth.

Born of the Spirit is the emphasis here.

Born of water has many interpretations: baptism, physical birth, born by the Word of God, born by the Holy Spirit, or the water of cleansing Ezekiel 36:25-28

Nicodemus did not have to understand to have the Spirit; he just needed to accept.

In short, no human effort can save us; only belief in the redeeming blood of Christ.

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Friday Digest BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3

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 3

  • The Lord can do great things from the ordinary person
  • God gives us His best — Jesus, so why shouldn’t we give him our best?
  • Miracles are signs, and the signs are meant to lead people to faith in Christ
  • God likes to rebuild people
  • Expect great things from God
  • God knows what we seek and why

TAKE AWAY: God transforms us from the inside out. Expect Him to do so.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 5: John 2:23-25

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

Summary of John 2:23-25

While Jesus was in Jerusalem for the Passover, many people saw him do signs and believed in his signs. He knew the hearts of others and knew many did not believe in him.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 5: John 2:23-25

11a) The disciples believed in who Jesus was. The belief of many was superficial, as they believed in what Jesus was doing.

b) It doesn’t really challenge my faith, but it does emphasize the importance of believing in Jesus versus what he can do for you.

12a) He knew that many would be against him, so he had to be careful so he could fulfill his duty for mankind. He also could not commit to others who did not believe in him.

b) It’s comforting, actually. I know that Jesus knows what I’m feeling even when I can’t express it.

c) He draws me every day, by being there for me, by putting others in my life I can help and who help me, and by putting His work in front of me to do.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 5: John 2:23-25

Love the differentiation of belief here. Many people believe in what Jesus can/does do for them, but they don’t believe in him and his sacrifice for us. Super important for us to keep in mind when we are talking to others about Jesus since many come to Jesus looking for him to do something in their lives, rather than looking for Jesus himself.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 3, Day 5: John 2:23-25

It’s important that we, as believers, remember that Jesus does know our heart and our heart’s motivations. Even if we believe in Jesus, we must still be vigilant in our actions and our motivations in life. Sin is always closer than we think.

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