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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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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 4: John 7:25-36

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 7:25-36

The people began questioning Jesus, saying that when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he will come from, and they know where Jesus came from. Jesus answers that he is from God and was sent from God.

They tried to seize Jesus, but his time had not yet come.

Jesus said he is only here for a short time and then he’ll be gone and no one can find him nor can they come. The people were confused and had no idea what Jesus was talking about.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 4: John 7:25-36

8a) Jesus claimed he was from God and God sent him. They could not arrest him because his time had not yet come.

b) God protects Jesus here as he fulfills his purpose. God protects us, too when our time has not yet come.

9a) Jesus knew he was going to heaven and no one could follow him yet. He also meant no one (the guards) would find him because his time had not yet come.

b) With confusion. They had no idea what Jesus was talking about. They thought Jesus was talking about a place on earth, not in heaven.

10) Sometimes, Jesus’ words are confusing or passages in the Bible. Prayer, others, online resources, the Holy Spirit, and more Bible study helps.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 4: John 7:25-36

I love how simple Jesus’ words are here. His authority is from God.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 4: John 7:25-36

Many believed the Messiah would appear out of thin air. God’s messenger appearing in the temple suddenly Malachi 3:1 helped fuel this belief.

Jesus plainly states he is from God and was sent by him. Yet, no one is arresting him. The whole scene is confusing to the people.

Many people believed in Jesus as he spoke.

No one would arrest him because his time had not yet come.

Truth rarely comes from the noise of crowds.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 2: John 7:1-13

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 7:1-13

Jesus went around Galilee preaching but did not go to Judea because the Jewish leaders were looking to kill him. His brothers urged him to go to the Festival of Tabernacles, but Jesus refused, saying his time had not yet come.

Jesus’ brothers went to the Festival, and Jesus went, too, but in secret. The Jewish leaders were looking for him, and the people were afraid to speak of him.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 2: John 7:1-13

3a) Because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him.

b) They wanted Jesus to show his miracles/works to the world because they did not believe in him and wanted additional proof he was the Son of God.

c) Jesus is not in this for the glory, but instead here to do God’s work. His time is not yet come, so he will not seek out fame.

4a) Some defended Jesus; others did not believe in him and said he deceived people. It’s the same today.

b) It’s the same today. Some people believe in Jesus and vouch for their faith. Others don’t and hide.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 2: John 7:1-13

Again, we see Jesus is not here for fame or fortune; he’s here to save, and nothing will stand in the way of his mission. Great example of God’s timing here.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 11, Day 2: John 7:1-13

The Feast of Tabernacles was a time where the Jewish people remembered God’s faithfulness in the wilderness. They camped out in tents.

Jesus’ siblings are mentioned in John 2:12, Matthew 12:46-47, and in Matthew 13:55-56, we meet his sisters.

Jerusalem was the center of Judaism and a big city. Galilee was the countryside, so everyone thought the Messiah would make his presence known in a big way.

Jesus’ brothers do eventually believe in him (Acts 1:14)

Jesus was hated because he was of heaven.

Many people were still wishing for someone to save them from the Romans, not from their sins.

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Friday Digest BSF John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10

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 10

  • Each believer is a gift from God to Jesus
  • When we believe, we understand
  • We are responsible for our unbelief
  • We are called to live like Jesus
  • The best place for us is following Jesus
  • Trust Jesus with what you do not understand

TAKE AWAY: Jesus will never turn away from you.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 5: John 6:67-71

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 6:67-71

Jesus asked the 12 disciples if they wanted to leave, too. Peter answers by saying they have no where else to go. Jesus has the words of eternal life, and they believe he is the Son of God. Yet, Judas is the devil and will betray him.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 5: John 6:67-71

12a) It’s almost as if there is nothing else to do, so why not follow Jesus. Yet, they are with Jesus who will lead them. They have no one else.

b) It’s as if their faith is still not 100% sure, but they have gone this far, so why not finish it. It’s challenged me to be all in with Christ no matter what others say or do.

c) All other options in this world are empty, meaningless, and frankly, unhelpful. Only Jesus holds the truth. He is our only salvation. Prayer and the Word keep me with him.

13) Jesus chose us. It’s a privilege and an honor and one that must be treated as such. Jesus gets angry when he is rejected because he wants all of us to be his. It’s sadness, too.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 5: John 6:67-71

Peter is honest that there is no one else. It’s important to believe this wholeheartedly.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 5: John 6:67-71

map of kerioth where Judas Escariot is fromAs Peter said, there is no one else. There is no alternative. You choose Jesus and life or you choose death. The choice is yours.

Devil here means “slanderer” or “false-accuser” in the Greek.

Some will betray Jesus, yet it cannot affect our walk. Some in church are unbelievers, too. We must be wary of them.

Judas was from Karioth, as stated in all four gospels. Iscariot means ‘a man of Karioth.’

Kerioth was a city in the southern part of Judah (Joshua 15:25), south of Hebron in the dry Negeb.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 4: John 6:60-66

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 6:60-66

Jesus offended many with his teaching that he is the flesh and blood that leads to life. He tells the people he is giving them Spirit and Life, yet they reject him. God enables people to believe in him.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 4: John 6:60-66

9a) Accepting Jesus’ sacrifice gives you life. The physical body is not enough to give you life. You must accept Jesus’ teaching and his sacrifice (flesh and spirit) to receive eternal life. The spiritual gives life, not the physical.

b) Without being all it, it’s meaningless and oftentimes, insufficient. You must do things whole-heartedly for Jesus. Going through the motions is not enough.

10a) They just could not accept his teaching of the flesh and blood. They could not accept him as God’s Son.

b) No, not really. If it did, I would pray for a deeper understanding and seek resources that explained it to me.

11a) They reject him. Disdain. “Just another prophet.” They dismiss him.

b) With loving faith and wholehearted devotion.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 4: John 6:60-66

There are always doubters and naysayers. Our job is to seek the Truth in God’s Word and in prayer and to ignore those who try to make you fall.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 4: John 6:60-66

Many found Jesus’ teaching hard to understand and accept that he would die for them. Jesus understood their confusion, but did not break. Many probably were looking for a messianic king, not a sacrificial lamb.

Better to accept now that to face Jesus on judgment day in all his glory as an unbeliever and receive condemnation.

Many came for bread and not for the spirit, and Jesus knew that. They had not then truly come to him.

Many left because they only wanted material gains from Jesus. Perhaps, many were confused by the religious leaders  (John 6:52).

It was the first apostasy Jesus faced. Yet, many would come back. We all have highs and lows in our beliefs. Yet, you must stay faithful even when things are rough.

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