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.
John’s testimony is true. Jesus did so much that there is not enough books in the world to record it.
12) All of the details that John records, the fact he was with Jesus, and the fact the Bible is God breathed.
13) Immense. Jesus did so much that there is not enough books in the world to record it.
14) How Jesus is our Lord and Savior, the only way to God and heaven, and how he forgives, redeems, and cherishes each of us.
Loved this study! Such depth in John’s stories!
What a beautiful, great study! I hope you all grew deeper in your walk with the Lord!
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Watch these videos for a great summary:
Jesus tells Peter that he must follow him despite the death he will face. Peter asked about John’s death, and Jesus said that John’s death is none of his business and that his only job is to follow him.
9) “When you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.”
10a) If John would die as he was going to die.
b) Jesus said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” This shows us that we should not worry about others, only ourselves and our mission for God.
11) That we are not to question the life and death of others, as that is God’s job. We are only to follow the path Jesus has for us.
I don’t remember this part of John. Super interesting.
When John was younger, he had less responsibilities. Now, as he gets older, he is to follow Jesus. He would go to jail (be restrained) and would die on a cross (with stretched out hands) to glorify God.
Peter was called to follow Christ even after Jesus told him he would die doing so.
Peter didn’t immediately say yes. Instead, he asked about John.
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Jesus asked Peter if he loved him three times, and he said that if he did, he should feed the people and take care of them.
6) Peter denied Christ three times when he said he would never do such a thing and he claimed he loved Christ more than the other disciples. (Matthew 26:33). Peter needed to be reaffirmed after this by Jesus and in the eyes of the others, which leads to this scene.
7a )
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
b) Peter needed to be reaffirmed after this by Jesus and in the eyes of the others.
c) There is a deeper love Peter has for Jesus, especially after this scene. Peter knows Jesus knows him better than he knows himself. He is humble here and ready to do Jesus’ work.
8 ) If you love Jesus, you serve others. God is calling me to serve others, too. Such as with this blog.
I love how Jesus cares enough for us to give us exactly what we need, when we need it, like we see here with Peter.
Jesus gives Peter the command that if he loves him, he will tend Jesus’ sheep.
Jesus allows Peter to face his failures (his denial of him three times) and to move forward with the work ahead (of tending his sheep while he’s gone).
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Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples went fishing. They caught nothing. Then, Jesus appeared, told them to throw out their net, and they hauled in a ton of fish. John recognized Jesus, and Peter jumped out to swim to him. When they landed, Jesus was cooking fish for them. This was the third time Jesus appeared to them after his death.
3) They caught no fish when fishing on their own. When Jesus appeared to them while they were fishing, he told them to throw out their net, whereby they caught fish.
4a) A miracle took place. Jesus had provided them with fish before while they were fishing.
b) With excitement, enthusiasm, and faith. John testified it was Jesus, and Peter jumped in to get to Jesus. I love Peter’s love and devotion for the Lord and willingness to do anything to be near him. He does not have a care in the world. John is always the first to speak out.
c) With enthusiasm,, devotion, and carefreeness. With faith. With gratitude.
5a) He provided for their physical, spiritual, and mental needs. He fed them. He reappeared to them, strengthening their faith in him. He helped them fish after a long day of frustration.
b) With a flexible job to go and be able to do doctor’s appointments for my kids. He met my physical, spiritual, and mental needs, too.
Love this lesson on how Jesus always knows exactly what we need, when we need it.
Here, Jesus appears to his disciples after his death at the Sea of Tiberias in Galilee. Jesus had told them to return to Galilee (Matthew 28:7, 28:10).
Bible scholars speculate as to why the disciples went back to their former occupations. To me, they were still waiting for Jesus’ timing.
Note the disciples obeyed who they thought was a stranger. God uses others for His purposes. He blesses doers.
Note Jesus had food for the disciples before they landed with their catch. Jesus was prepared.
Scholars believe 153 fish would weigh 300 lbs. Peter pulled this himself. Scholars debate the number 153, but we will never know its significance or if it even had one.
Jesus again serves others, his disciples. Jesus always invites us to him: to see, to learn, to rest, to eat.
Everyone knew it was the Lord; none questioned it.
Jesus ate with his disciples.
This is the third time that John recorded Jesus appearing after his resurrection. There were doubtless many others.
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Thomas was not with the disciples when he first appeared. A week later, Christ appeared to the disciples and Thomas, and Thomas touched Jesus’ wounds and believed. Jesus blessed those who have not seen and believed.
Many other signs were performed by Jesus so that we may believe.
13a) Thomas is very faithful to Jesus and also very inquisitive. Yet, he doubts the words of others and wants to see for himself.
b) I like to see things with my own eyes, too, and it’s hard for me to take the words of others as truth. Yet, I’m faithful, too.
14a) He saw and touched the nail marks in Jesus’ hands and the wound in his side.
b) By acknowledging Jesus as Lord and God.
15a) The purpose of his Gospel, which was to write signs of Jesus so that we may believe he is the Messiah, the Son of God.
b) To bring others to faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior so that we may have eternal life.
c) I think my faith has grown as I’ve read about the life and signs of Jesus.
I love Thomas because he requires first-hand knowledge. Isn’t it awesome that Jesus gives us exactly what we need to grow our faith?
Thomas did not believe the testimony of these witnesses. Therefore, he made demands of Jesus.
Jesus answered Thomas’ request in mercy, grace, and kindness. Jesus still loved Thomas even though he did not believe.
Thomas was all-in once he realized who Jesus was. He proclaims him as “Lord and God.” He was honest in his unbelief and passionate in his belief.
We see Jesus conquer everything in the Book of John (sickness, death, sin). Here, he conquers unbelief.
We believe so that we may have life.
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Jesus appeared to his disciples in a locked room. He showed them his hands and side, and they were overjoyed.
He breathed the Holy Spirit on them and commissioned them to the world.
10a) He spoke calming words. He showed them his wounds, so they would have faith. He gifted them with the Holy Spirit to guide them in this world.
b) By always being there for me, leading me to the next step in life, providing for me, and strengthening me.
11) He bore the wounds he received. He ate and drank. Jesus’ resurrection of his physical body proves he conquered death and washed us of our sins.
12) Their honor and opportunity: They are gifted with the Holy Spirit to not make disciples of others.
Their authority: They have the full authority of Christ to continue his saving work, to forgive, and to warn.
Their power to accomplish His commission: Jesus gave them the Holy Spirit to accomplish his work.
Their message: This would be a message of forgiveness and salvation.
Love how Jesus’ appearance is as miraculous as his life and resurrection. He always gives us everything we need to get through life.
The same day that Mary found the tomb empty, Jesus appears to his disciples here. On this day, he appears to five groups of people:
Jesus appeared miraculously bringing peace.
Disciples are sent after the pattern of Jesus. Jesus gave his disciples the ability to carry out their mission, likes he gives all of us the ability to carry out ours.
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Mary saw two angels in the tomb. She wondered where Jesus’ body had been taken to. Then Jesus appears to her, and she recognizes him. He tells her to go to his brothers/disciples and tell them of his resurrection, which she does.
7a) He spoke her name.
b) When Jesus speaks to me, I know it’s him, too.
8 ) He was telling her that he did not have much time, so she needed to get the disciples so that he could strengthen their faith and prepare them for their roles ahead.
9) It’s encouraging to hear that Jesus has risen again and that he appeared to Mary so she could be a witness.
My favorite part is how Mary did not recognize Jesus until he said her name. Great stuff!
Mary saw the two angels and was more concerned about where Jesus’ body was. She probably did not notice the linens.
She did not recognize Jesus at first. Perhaps she was too distressed or he looked a bit different.
This shows that although the eyes see, it was the voice that Mary recognized.
Mary most likely did not want to let Jesus go, but she must go and get the others.
Fun Fact: This is the first time Jesus calls the disciples “brothers.”
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Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to discover Jesus was missing. She ran to tell Peter and John about it. John and Peter ran to the tomb to discover it empty and the linen that Jesus had been wrapped in lying there. They both believed.
3) She was close to Jesus since she was visiting the tomb right after his death. She trusted the disciples since she ran to tell them first.
4) Peter always plunges headfirst into situations without thinking. John, on the other hand, exercises caution and thought first.
5a) Strips of linen that Jesus had been wrapped in and the cloth that had been wrapped around his head.
b) If someone had taken the body, they would have taken the expensive linen, too, so they could sell that for money. Also, the linens were unsoiled, obviously taken off miraculously.
6a) He had to rise from the dead to conquer death and defeat sin for all of us, so we could be justified and be with God forever.
b) All the difference. I say this a lot, but it’s true. Without Jesus, I’d be nothing.
Great passage and questions! Love how it’s Mary Magdalene that first discovers Jesus had risen. So fun! I also picture the foot race between Peter and John.
Mary Magdalene was with other women, but she was the one who ran back to tell the disciples about the empty tomb.
She had the honor of being the first witness of Jesus’ resurrection, this woman who had 7 demons cast from her (Luke 8:2, Mark 16:9). What an honor and a privilege!
The women had come to help preserve the body of Jesus.
The linens were laid in such a manner that it appeared as if the body had just vanished. Normally, grave clothes would have to be cut to be taken off the body since they would have had oils, spices, and such on them. This was, indeed, a miracle.
Both John and Peter believed, but did not yet understand the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection.
The empty tomb shows Jesus’ victory over death.
Fun Fact: John never mentioned himself by name in his Gospel.
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