John Bible Study - Lesson 5

John Bible Study - Lesson 5

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 1:35-51 New International Version (NIV)

John’s Disciples Follow Jesus

³⁵ The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. ³⁶ When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

³⁷ When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.³⁸ Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. ⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). ⁴² And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to leave for Galilee. Finding Philip, he said to him, “Follow me.”

⁴⁴ Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

⁴⁶ “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” Nathanael asked.

“Come and see,” said Philip.

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.”

⁴⁸ “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.”

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.”

⁵⁰ Jesus said, “You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” ⁵¹ He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.”

John 1:35-51 New Living Translation (NLT)

The First Disciples

³⁵ The following day John was again standing with two of his disciples.³⁶ As Jesus walked by, John looked at him and declared, “Look! There is the Lamb of God!” ³⁷ When John’s two disciples heard this, they followed Jesus.

³⁸ Jesus looked around and saw them following. “What do you want?” he asked them.

They replied, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

³⁹ “Come and see,” he said. It was about four o’clock in the afternoon when they went with him to the place where he was staying, and they remained with him the rest of the day.

⁴⁰ Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of these men who heard what John said and then followed Jesus. ⁴¹ Andrew went to find his brother, Simon, and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which means “Christ”).

⁴² Then Andrew brought Simon to meet Jesus. Looking intently at Simon, Jesus said, “Your name is Simon, son of John—but you will be called Cephas” (which means “Peter”).

⁴³ The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to him, “Come, follow me.” ⁴⁴ Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew and Peter’s hometown.

⁴⁵ Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

⁴⁶ “Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

“Come and see for yourself,” Philip replied.

⁴⁷ As they approached, Jesus said, “Now here is a genuine son of Israel—a man of complete integrity.”

⁴⁸ “How do you know about me?” Nathanael asked.

Jesus replied, “I could see you under the fig tree before Philip found you.”

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael exclaimed, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God—the King of Israel!”

⁵⁰ Jesus asked him, “Do you believe this just because I told you I had seen you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than this.”⁵¹ Then he said, “I tell you the truth, you will all see heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        John the Baptist declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God

·        2 of John’s disciples decide to follow Jesus and spend the day with Him.

·        Andrew one of the John’s disciples who spent the day with Jesus tells his brother Simon that they found the Messiah.

·        Jesus decides to go to Galilee and asks Phillip to follow Him.

·        Philip tells Nathanael that they found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about, and that His name was Jesus the son of Joseph from Nazareth.

·        Nathanael says to Philip “can anything good come out of Nazareth”.

·        Jesus tells Nathanael things that only God could know about Him.

·        Nathanael declares Jesus to be Rabbi, the Son of God—the King of Israel

·        Jesus tells Nathanael that he will see greater things including: all heaven open and the angels of God going up and down on the Son of Man, the one who is the stairway between heaven and earth.”

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        Jesus is the Lamb of God (Who takes away the sins of the world - John 1:29)

·        Those who truly follow Jesus believe He has come to redeem His people and offer them true forgiveness and everlasting life.

·        Those who spend time with Jesus can deepen their faith and experience supernatural change in their spiritual condition.

·        The Prophets and Moses foretold about the Messiah, and Jesus fits that description.

·        Jesus knows the most intimate details of our lives.

·        Jesus is the way we receive everlasting life in Heaven.

·        Those transformed from their relationship with Jesus desire to tell others about their experience as well as the details about their life changing transformation.

·        Jesus wants us to be His followers.

·        Jesus is the bridge between God and man (Stairway between Heaven & Earth).

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Just like the disciples did spend time with Jesus in order to get to know Him

·        Take to heart and tell others about Jesus’ purpose for coming

·        Spend time studying and reading God’s Word (The Bible)

·        Pray about those things you don’t understand

·        Give God a chance to change the course of your life

·        Test everything your hear and read with the truth of God’s Word (The Bible)

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        Are you willing to spend time with Jesus in order to get to know Him and increase the level of your faith?

·        How are you following Jesus today?

·        If not Jesus, who are you following?

·        How much of your faith are you putting into the things of this world?

·        If you are, or when you become a believer, will you tell others about your experience with Jesus and how He has transformed your life?

·        Do you believe that Jesus can know all about you, even your sin?

·        How far do you think you are separated from God and do you want help to repair that relationship?

·        Do you believe Jesus can help you reconcile with God?

Have a great week…………….Dave

John Bible Study - Lesson 4

John Bible Study - Lesson 4

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 1:19-28 New International Version (NIV)

John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah

¹⁹ Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. ²⁰ He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

²¹ They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

²² Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

²³ John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

²⁴ Now the Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵ questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

²⁶ “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. ²⁷ He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

²⁸ This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

John Testifies About Jesus

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  ³⁰ This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ³¹ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

³² Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.  ³³ And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’  ³⁴ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

John 1:19-28 New Living Translation (NLT)

The Testimony of John the Baptist

¹⁹ This was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders sent priests and Temple assistants from Jerusalem to ask John, “Who are you?” ²⁰ He came right out and said, “I am not the Messiah.”

²¹ “Well then, who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?”

“No,” he replied.

“Are you the Prophet we are expecting?”

“No.”

²² “Then who are you? We need an answer for those who sent us. What do you have to say about yourself?”

²³ John replied in the words of the prophet Isaiah:

“I am a voice shouting in the wilderness,
    ‘Clear the way for the Lord’s coming!’”

²⁴ Then the Pharisees who had been sent ²⁵ asked him, “If you aren’t the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet, what right do you have to baptize?”

²⁶ John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. ²⁷ Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”

²⁸ This encounter took place in Bethany, an area east of the Jordan River, where John was baptizing.

Jesus, the Lamb of God

²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ He is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘A man is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’ ³¹ I did not recognize him as the Messiah, but I have been baptizing with water so that he might be revealed to Israel.”

³² Then John testified, “I saw the Holy Spirit descending like a dove from heaven and resting upon him. ³³ I didn’t know he was the one, but when God sent me to baptize with water, he told me, ‘The one on whom you see the Spirit descend and rest is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ ³⁴ I saw this happen to Jesus, so I testify that he is the Chosen One of God.”

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        John the Baptist tells the Jewish leaders he is not the Messiah.

·        The Jewish leaders ask John if he is Elijah the prophet.

·        John explains to the Jewish leaders who he is and what he is doing.

·        The Pharisees ask John why he baptizes.

·        John explains that there is one coming that is greater than he.

·        John declares that Jesus is the Messiah

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        John the Baptist is not the Messiah

·        The Jews were expecting a prophet to announce the coming Messiah   

Note: The Jewish leaders wanted to evaluate claims that John might the fulfillment of the Malachi prophecy.

Malachi 4:5 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.

Moses also predicted a great prophet would one day come:

Deuteronomy 18:15-18 New Living Translation (NLT)

¹⁵ Moses continued, “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your fellow Israelites. You must listen to him. ¹⁶ For this is what you yourselves requested of the Lord your God when you were assembled at Mount Sinai.^[a] You said, ‘Don’t let us hear the voice of the Lord our God anymore or see this blazing fire, for we will die.’

¹⁷ “Then the Lord said to me, ‘What they have said is right. ¹⁸ I will raise up a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth, and he will tell the people everything I command him.

Look how close this prophecy from Isaiah is to John the Baptist:

Isaiah 40:3 New International Version (NIV)

³ A voice of one calling:
“In the wilderness prepare
    the way for the Lord;
make straight in the desert
    a highway for our God.

Matthew 3:1-3 New International Version (NIV)

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
    make straight paths for him.’”

·        John’s purpose is to prepare the way for the coming Messiah

·        John baptizes with water

·        The Messiah is among the crowd.  He is greater than John in purpose and power.

·        John declares Jesus to be the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

·        John’s baptism with water prepares the way for Jesus’ baptism of the Holy Spirit.

·        John reveals the sign from God of the dove resting on Jesus as the proof that Jesus is the Messiah and that Jesus will baptize with the Holy Spirit.

·        John is confident after witnessing sign that Jesus is truly the Messiah, God’s chosen one.

Here is the event of the encounter between John and Jesus taken from the Gospel of Matthew that gives more detail. You can also read about the event in Mark 1 & Luke 3

Matthew 3:13-17 New International Version (NIV)

The Baptism of Jesus

¹³ Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. ¹⁴ But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?”

¹⁵ Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented.

¹⁶ As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. ¹⁷ And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Ask God to help you understand the deep spiritual nature of His Word

·        Tell others about what you learned from the passages you read.

·        Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your life and perspective.

·        Give your God encountered, life changing testimony.

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        If you believe the account you just read, will you change the way you live in light of what you have learned?

·        John was excited about revealing who Jesus was and the purpose for Him coming, are you excited to do the same?

·        Do you believe baptism changes ones spiritual condition of is it just an outward sign of one’s Spiritual transformation?

·        How will you respond to Jesus changing your spiritual condition? 

Have a great week…………….Dave

John Bible Study - Lesson 3

John Bible Study - Lesson 3

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 1:14-18 New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

John 1:14-18 Living Bible (NLT)

¹⁴ So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

¹⁵ John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”

¹⁶ From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.

Note:

Here are the 3 questions for you to answer. I have given some basic answers below the questions to help you understand the passage. Answer the questions first yourself before you look at my answers. Take a moment before you begin and ask God to help you understand what you are reading.

3 questions to answer:

1.    Content: What is this passage about?

2.    Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

3.    Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

Answers to the questions above and some background:

Content: What is this passage about?

·        John tells us who Jesus is.

·        John’s testimony points to Jesus as the Messiah

·        John tells us about Jesus’ purpose for coming

·        John tells us about Jesus’ relationship to God the Father

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        Jesus became a human being

·        Jesus was full of unfailing love and faithfulness

·        Jesus is God’s one and only Son and fully represents God’s glory

·        Jesus is the one John the Baptist was talking about who would come and be far greater than John, and who was eternal.

·        Jesus is the one who would bestow grace upon us and through Him we would be able to live in abundance.

·        The Law came through Moses, grace and truth through Jesus Christ.

·        Jesus is the one who has seen God, and Jesus reveals the true God to us.

·        Through Jesus we can find real truth, love and grace.

·        When we appropriate God’s blessings through Jesus, we can live joyfully knowing that God came to rescue us and bestow His unfailing love and grace upon us.

Application: How can I apply what I have learned to my life?

·        Take to heart what God’s Word says about Jesus.

·        Testify about God’s  love, truth and grace

·        Ask God to open your eyes to His truth and then decide to live with an eternal perspective.

·        Trust in God’s plan for all mankind

Don’t forget:

John’s main purpose in writing this Gospel:

·        To tell the world that Jesus is the Messiah for the Jews and Gentiles

·        The events were recorded so that we might believe and have eternal life

John 20:30-31 New International Version (NIV)

The Purpose of John’s Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. ³¹ But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Questions to ponder:

·        How will I live now, knowing the truth about who Jesus is?

·        What can I do to know Jesus in a deeper and more intimate way?

·        What would it take to make God’s Word the truth that I live by?

·        Will I pray for Jesus to reveal Himself to me so I can know Him?

·        What would it take to give my life to Jesus?

Have a great week…………….Dave