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

Welcome to AtoZMom’s BSF Blog! Learn about the apostle John as we study BSF International, or Bible Study Fellowship (BSF)’s study of the book of John called “BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth.” See Jesus through John’s eyes and grow in your relationship with him in this rewarding bible study. See all of the 12 Apostles learn from Jesus as they walk with him to the cross and to our eternal salvation.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 3: John 5:16-30

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 5:16-30

The Jewish leaders began to persecute Jesus because he healed on the Sabbath. Jesus said that God is always at work, and so is he. He called God his Father, which they did not like either.

Jesus explained that he can do nothing by himself. He can only do what God does. Both God and Jesus give life. Jesus is the judge. Those who believe in Jesus will have eternal life. The dead will hear his voice and live. He seeks to please God only.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 3: John 5:16-30

6) The Jewish leaders began to persecute him. They tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

7a) Both God and Jesus are always at work in our lives.

b) It is comforting to know God has my back and is working for my good. I can rest easy and not worry as much.

8 )

5:19-20: The Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed.

5:21, 24-26:  For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. 25   A time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

5:22, 27-30: The Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son. And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man.

28 “Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice 29 and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned. 30 By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

5:23: That all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

9) Awe, wonder, worship, prayer, thankfulness, humility, gratitude

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 3: John 5:16-30

The Jewish leaders are so petty in their persecution of Jesus, so much did they feel threatened. Yet, Jesus always has the right things to say, and he is always right and makes sense.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 3: John 5:16-30

The Jewish leaders simply hated Jesus so much did they feel threatened. They used the fact he claimed to be God. And, they used their interpretation of the Sabbath against Jesus. The Sabbath was meant to rest in God and all He does for us. Instead, it became a burden when the religious leaders distorted its meaning with so many restrictions.

God worked on the Sabbath, and he will, too.

Jesus’ Explanation of His Relationship With God

  • The Son does as the Father does
  • The Son can do nothing of Himself
  • Whatever God does, the Son also does in like manner
  • The Father loves the Son
  • As the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will
  • More divine power would be revealed
  • Jesus judges so that all will honor him
  • He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life
  • The dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live
  • Jesus has life of his own

In short, Jesus is equal with God, and they act together always. Jesus is the only way to God.

From here on, the Jewish leaders will be working hard to kill Jesus.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 2: John 5:1-15

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

Summary of John 5:1-15

Jesus went up to Jerusalem. There was a pool called Bethesda, and a great number of disabled people used to lie near it. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” The man said he had no one to carry him to the pool. Jesus told him to pick up his mat and walk, and he did!

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 2: John 5:1-15

3) The man could not walk. He had been an invalid for 38 years. He was in need of spiritual healing since Jesus told him to stop sinning. He was hopeless since no one would help him into the water.

4a) Jesus asked the man if he wanted to get well. He asks this because some people don’t want to get well. It is also asking the man if he had faith in him to get well. The man explained his situation, which was hopeless.

b) Jesus said to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat, and walk.” The commands required the man to do something (get up, pick up your mat, and walk) and required faith in Jesus’ words.

c) “Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” It shows Jesus’ concern for the man’s spiritual health as well as his physical health. He is warning the man to stop sinning especially since he now has a new life.

5) I feel in time, answers reveal themselves. In the moment, it is extremely difficult to keep moving forward!

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 2: John 5:1-15

I love this miracle/sign of Jesus that John records. The power of Jesus when he speaks!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 7, Day 2: John 5:1-15

John 5 begins a new section in the Book of John. We’ll see a shift to more public disputes rather than Jesus as an unknown prophet.

The pool of Bethesda was a purported to be a place of healing.

Out of the multitude waiting, Jesus picked this man to heal. Spurgeon speculates that this was because no one else looked to Jesus for healing; instead, they looked at the water only.

The man responded out of faith, for he does what Jesus commands.

Jesus’ command to walk was to choose a new life.

Note the Jewish leaders asked the man who told him to walk, not who healed him. They didn’t care about the healing; all they cared about was who broke their man-made laws.

Jesus was just as concerned about the man’s spiritual health as he was for his physical health; in fact, more so, since this is infinitely more important.

The man reported Jesus out of fear of the religious leaders.

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Friday Digest BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6

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 6

  • Eternal priorities trump worldly matters
  • If Jesus’ greatest priority and joy was doing God’s work, then so should this be ours
  • God always gives us what we need and meets us where we are
  • In our greatest need, God is there
  • Difficult circumstances helps us to see our greatest spiritual needs, and they build our faith
  • We need to pursue Him
  • Sowing will lead to reaping
  • God controls our uncontrollables
  • God reveals Himself to us through our hardships and our joys
  • Your story matters

TAKE AWAY: Nothing is more important than doing God’s will. We must trust Him.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 5: John 4:43-54

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 4:43-54

Jesus left Sychar in Samaria and heads back to Galilee. Jesus was welcomed, as they had seen what he had done in Jerusalem at Passover. He visited Cana. A royal official whose son was sick in Capernaum went to Jesus to beg him to save his son’s life.

Jesus questions whether the man will believe without a sign. The man asks him to come down before his son dies. Jesus told him to go and that his so would live.

The man did believe, and before he even returned home, the man was told by his officials that his son was well. His whole household believed because of this miracle.

This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 5: John 4:43-54

12) He went to Cana in Galilee. He was welcomed by the people as they had seen what he had done in Jerusalem at Passover.

13a) The man was a royal official whose son was sick in Capernaum went to Jesus to beg him to save his son’s life.

b) Jesus was skeptical that the man would believe, but Jesus healed the boy anyway.

14) Jesus shows grace to everyone, even to those whom may doubt him. He answers prayers simply and powerfully, which is why we must always pray!

15) He is giving me patience to wait on His answers. He is helping me reach these prayers with tiny steps every day. He gives me the encouragement I need when I need it.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 5: John 4:43-54

Great lesson! Shows the power of prayer when you see out Jesus!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 5: John 4:43-54

map of Cana, Sychar, and Capernaum where Jesus heals official's son BSF JohnLet us remember that Jesus grew up in Galilee. He is returning to home territory. Because of this familiarity, it was hard for the people to believe in Jesus since he grew up there as a normal child. They did not honor him as they should.

Cana is about 20 miles from Capernaum, so the royal official had traveled that far to meet Jesus.

The Second Sign Recorded by John

Jesus wondered if the man required a sign to believe. You can imagine that many people Jesus encountered only wanted something from him without faith.

We should not require signs and wonders to prove God is who He is. Signs prove a purpose and are useful, but should not be the foundation of our faith.

Jesus tests the man by simply uttering words to heal his son. The nobleman believes, as indicated when he turned to leave, obeying Jesus.

The nobleman was not walking hurriedly (since it was yesterday at the 11th hour). This shows his faith in Jesus’ words, too.

The nobleman’s faith was deepened even more, and his whole household believed.

The signs John records are so that we will believe (John 20:29-31).

Fun fact: The first and the second sign took place in Cana (the water turned to wine and the healing of this son).

The first sign was so that the disciples may believe.

This second sign is so that the nobleman and his household would believe.

Note the Samaritans (and many others) believed without a sign.

Jesus uses whatever power is necessary that will reach us individually. What a gracious God we have!

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 4: John 4:39-42

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 4:39-42

Many Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony. Jesus stayed two more days, and many more believed that Jesus was the Savior of the world.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 4: John 4:39-42

9) Many Samaritans believed in Jesus because of the woman’s testimony. Jesus stayed two more days, and spoke to the people. Then, after hearing for themselves, they believed in Jesus not just because of the woman’s testimony, but also because of Jesus’ words.

10) God’s plan is for all to hear about him via testimony of some sort, such as others or His word, and believe in the saving faith of Christ.

11a) Her testimony was honest, sincere, and convincing. No matter her background, others did not judge her and listened to her. We should all do the same.

b) Others can see my faith and what God has done in my life and come to Jesus through that. I can share this with people I know and those I meet.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 4: John 4:39-42

It’s cool to imagine how Jesus traveled around and stayed where the need was the greatest, even among non-Jews, which was unheard of at the time. So cool!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 4: John 4:39-42

Jesus meets us in our greatest need.

Note the title “Savior of the World.” That is, indeed, Jesus!

Fun Fact: This is the first time recorded in the Bible that a large group of people believed in Jesus.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 3: John 4:35-38

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

Summary of John 4:35-38

Jesus tells the disciples that the time for the harvest is now. Those who work will be rewarded with eternal life. Many have sown so that they may reap.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 3: John 4:35-38

6a) The harvest is those people who are eager to know the Kingdom of God and the power of Jesus’ saving grace.

b) He wanted them to see that the time is now to bring people to him.

7a) The sower is Jesus and John the Baptist. The reapers are the disciples and those who come to Christ.

b) The wages are the fruit of the labor, the rewards of sharing the Gospel, and eternal life that the sowers and reapers receive.

c) To always have the mindset of a sower — someone who plants the seed in the minds of others of the goodness and blessing of knowing Christ. You never know who will touch along the way.

8 ) It encourages me to talk more about Jesus in order to plant a seed in the soul of others.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 3: John 4:35-38

Great lesson, and I’d say not the easiest to understand, especially since we are not an agrarian society.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 3: John 4:35-38

Jesus wants his disciples to see the fact that the time for harvest is now, not in four months.

There were many people who need to know about the Kingdom of God and believe in it, and the disciples are the workers bringing them (the harvest) in/to God.

The disciples would be rewarded for their work with eternal life. They would rejoice in the work.

John the Baptist and Jesus labored first, and the disciples would bring in the harvest. This is often how people come to the Lord (1 Corinthians 3:6-8) and how many things happen in life, such as our technologies and innovations.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 2: John 4:31-34

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

Summary of John 4:31-34

Jesus explains that his purpose is to do the the will of him (God) who sent him and to finish God’s work.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 2: John 4:31-34

3a) John 17:4 says Jesus’ food is to finish God’s work and bring him glory.

b) Good question. I’m unsure. It should be to do the work God has set in front of me. My kids and family bring me inner joy. Helping others. Praying for others. Being useful, purposeful. Doing His work.

4a) They were talking about physical food, not spiritual food, so they were confused by his answer.

b) Give to others. Pray for them. Serve God. Bring others to Christ. Teach others God’s ways.

5a) What I have to do in the moment. Work. Eating. Planning. My daily goals. Tasks.

b) He reminds me that my calling is His calling for me, not others’ calling for me. He wants me to prioritize him and others.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 2: John 4:31-34

Great lesson! Jesus lives by doing God’s work. How we all should live!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 6, Day 2: John 4:31-34

Jesus is saying here that life is more than physical sustenance.

Physical food did not give Jesus strength; instead, it was doing God’s will for his life.

Note Jesus starts and finishes the work of the Lord.

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Friday Digest BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5

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 5

  • Living water produces peace no matter the challenges of life
  • Acknowledge your sin to receive living water
  • Jesus loves us no matter what
  • We are in Him
  • Nothing else matters besides Him

TAKE AWAY: Jesus meets you where you are.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 5: John 4:27-30

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 4:27-30

The disciples returned, and the woman announced to the town that the Messiah has arrived.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 5: John 4:27-30

11a) They expected Jesus to be alone. They definitely did not expect to see a Samaritan woman.

b) He loves every one of us and wants all of us to come to him.

12a) She expected to return, and she did not want the water jug to slow her down on her mission to announce Jesus’ presence in the town.

b) She ran to the town and announced Jesus’ presence. The people came to Jesus.

13) Just how important having living water is in your life and living and worshipping with that gratitude mindset.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 5: John 4:27-30

I love how enthusiastic the woman is. She runs to tell others of Jesus. So great!

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 5, Day 5: John 4:27-30

The disciples said nothing out of respect for Jesus. They knew by now he had his reasons for speaking to the woman.

The woman felt Jesus’ love for her, as she ran off to share the Good News. Her sin had been exposed, and she was changed because of it.

The fact that Jesus knew hidden facts about the woman was a sign the Jews believed at the time of the Messiah.

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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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