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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 14, Day 2: John 10:1-6

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 10:1-6

The good shepherd knows his sheep by name and leads them. The sheep follow him because they know his voice. His sheep enter by the gate.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 14, Day 2: John 10:1-6

3a) False shepherds enter secretly. The sheep do not follow him because they don’t recognize his voice.

b) False shepherds target the spiritually blind, those that don’t know their shepherd’s voice.

4a) They know their shepherd’s voice, and they follow him. They follow when called by name. The good shepherd leads.

b) By calling them by name. He goes first. He leads by example.

5) In the silence of the night when he whispers softly or enters my dreams. When I feel his presence around a decision. When I pray for wisdom.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 14, Day 2: John 10:1-6

Great reminder to remember to vet the voices all around as many are from the devil and wish to lead you astray.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 14, Day 2: John 10:1-6

4th “I am” Statement: I am the Good Shepherd.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who enters the correct way.

Fun fact: Political and spiritual leaders were referred to as shepherds in the ancient world (Isaiah 56:11, Jeremiah 3:15).

Remember “very truly” means Jesus is about to make an assertion about something important.

False shepherds are like thieves and robbers and you can tell them from the way they gain access to the sheep. They use corruption, bribery, or other means.

The true shepherd is granted access to the sheep by the gatekeeper. He goes first and leads.

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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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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 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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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 3: John 6:52-59

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

SUMMARY OF John 6:52-59

Jesus says that unless the people accept his flesh and blood sacrifice on the cross, they will not have eternal life. Those who do accept his sacrifice will have Jesus remain in them. Jesus’ bread is eternal, unlike the manna bread their ancestors ate.6)

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 3: John 6:52-59

6) The blood protected the people from God’s judgment when they were in ancient Egypt. The blood covered the people, so God did not see their sins and passed over them, rather than judging/killing them.

7) The people ate the meat. When the people ate the meat, they believed in God’s instructions to save them. When people accept Jesus’ flesh sacrifice on the cross, they believe in Jesus and in his promise to save them.

8a) Eternal life. That Jesus would always abide in them. They will be raised up on the last day.

b) It makes it more concrete; accept what Jesus did on the cross and you’ll have life.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 3: John 6:52-59

Great explanation of Jesus of what he meant by “eating” his flesh and blood. Accept his sacrifice; that is all. Albeit, it was hard for the people of the day to grasp this idea since it was so very new.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 3: John 6:52-59

Bible scholars believe that the Jewish leaders did understand Jesus here but chose to use the face-value meaning of actually eating and drinking Jesus’ blood rather than the symbolism here to help condemn Jesus. This causes confusion amongst others.

Jesus continues his explanation in order to refute the Jewish leaders’ interpretation.

It in internalizing the metaphor that leads to life. Then, we abide in him and him in us.

Once you receive Jesus (eat his flesh), you will have everlasting life.

All this took place at a synagogue on a Sunday in a church in Capernaum.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 2: John 6:41-51

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 6:41-51

The Jews were unsure of Jesus calling himself the bread of life because they grew up with him. How could he have come down from heaven? Jesus tells them to stop grumbling. All who come to him were chosen by the Father and those who come will be raised. Anyone can eat the bread from heaven that Jesus offers and live.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 2: John 6:41-51

3) “Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me.” Those who have heard the word of God and believed in Jesus will come to Jesus. The Scriptures speak of Jesus. The Bible is full of the Spirit and Life.

4) Jesus says that no one has seen the Father except him. And, anyone who has seen Jesus has seen God. It means that those who know Jesus know God, so we can grow closer to God the closer we grow to Christ and the deeper our faith grows.

5) With belief in Christ, you will live forever. My response is joy, hope, peace, and comfort.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 2: John 6:41-51

I love how intricately God and Jesus are linked, and it’s hard to grasp, but Jesus’ analogy of the bread of life makes it easier.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 10, Day 2: John 6:41-51

Fun Fact: Six times Jesus says he ‘came down from heaven’ (6:33, 38, 41, 50, 51, 58).

Accepting Jesus as from heaven is too much for those who knew Jesus as a child growing up. In addition, they expect someone to emerge from the clouds as their Savior.

The Jews believed because they were born Jews that they get to heaven automatically. Jesus says that God chooses them to believe in him instead. Heaven is not automatic.

Those who come will have everlasting life. Jesus quoted from Isaiah 54:13 saying then they will be taught by God.

If you are taught by God, you will believe in Jesus because they are one in the same.

No one else in the Bible has ever made claims of being God’s son and offering everlasting life. This is why the people are so confused.

Jesus is necessary for spiritual life as bread is for physical life.

The manna in the wilderness was for physical needs. Jesus is the bread of life and is everlasting.

The bread is his flesh/life that he will give to save the world.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 4: John 6:30-33

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 6:30-33

The people asked about what sign Jesus will give them so that they can believe and used the example of manna during Moses’ time. Jesus said that God gives the true bread from heaven aka Jesus.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 4: John 6:30-33

8a) A physical sign, like the manna God provided during Moses’ time.

b) Good question. I think when we refuse to believe and follow God’s path for us because it’s not our path for us.

9a) They just saw Jesus feed the 5,000 with food. They seem to still be wanting food from Jesus. Perhaps they are hungry.

b) Jesus told them all they need to survive is him. They need spiritual bread, not physical bread.

10) Love this! Every time I do God’s will for my life and draw closer to God. When I die to self for God.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 4: John 6:30-33

Again, another simple answer for the people to understand: Jesus is the true bread from heaven. That is all you need in this world.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 4: John 6:30-33

This is the third question asked by the people of Jesus that is recorded in this scene.

They are still asking for physical bread here and using the fact God fed them before. Once again, Jesus tells them that is not what they need — they need him, the bread of life.

Jesus tries to turn them to spiritual thinking, rather than physical.

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BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 2: John 6:22-27

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

SUMMARY OF JOHN 6:22-27

After Jesus walked on water, the crowd realized Jesus had left. They got into boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus. They found Jesus and Jesus chastised them for following him because he fed them food. He tells them that they need to eat of the food that bring eternal life, which he can give them.

BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 2: John 6:22-27

3a) The people followed Jesus because they desired free food and wanted him to be king. However, their true need was spiritual — to eat the bread of eternal life.

b) The physical need often takes priority over spiritual needs. It’s easy to get caught up in the daily quest for “things.” When, what really matters, is the daily quest for eternal life. I just need to prioritize the spiritual over the physical.

4) They should work for food that endures to eternal life. They should not work for food that spoils. Food that spoils is what you eat every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Food that lasts is what you do for Jesus every day, like help those in need or do His will for your life.

5) God gives believers eternal life, God’s glory, and the Holy Spirit, which is God’s seal. The Holy Spirit guarantees our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. When we accepted Jesus as the Son of God and as our salvation, we were sealed. We are God’s and Christ’s always.

Conclusions BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 2: John 6:22-27

Great passage on being Jesus’. So awesome! I love the emphasis on working for eternity, not the day-to-day. We just need to try and keep this in the forefront of our minds.

End Notes BSF Study Questions John’s Gospel: The Truth Lesson 9, Day 2: John 6:22-27

map of Tiberias and CapernaumFun Fact: Only John records this discourse. Wouldn’t it have been cool to know all of Jesus’ teachings?

John tells us later on that this took place at the synagogue in Capernaum at a Sabbath service (John 6:59). In Matthew 15, Matthew reveals that the Jewish leaders from Jerusalem came to Capernaum to question Jesus.

It’s important to understand why you are asking God for something than the answer itself. The people wanted bread and a king to save them from the Romans. It was purely selfish reasons here.

The people wanted materials things (food) and not spiritual.

The term “Son of Man” Jesus uses here would not have offended those who hated him like Messiah would have.

Very truly is a double amen in Hebrews. Jesus uses it 4 times in his bread of life speech and a whopping 25 times elsewhere in the Bible.

Once you have Christ, you live differently. We seek God more than other pursuits. He deserves all of our efforts.

God guaranteed Jesus and put His seal of approval on Jesus, so the people should believe in him (Jesus).

The seal gives us a longing for a higher purpose and meaning in life. Jesus is our everything.

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