John Bible Study - Lesson 17
Read the passage
below using the 2 different Bible translations:
John
6:16-24 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus
Walks on the Water
16 When evening
came, his disciples went down to the lake, 17 where
they got into a boat and set off across the lake for Capernaum. By now it was
dark, and Jesus had not yet joined them. 18 A
strong wind was blowing and the waters grew rough. 19 When
they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the
boat, walking on the water; and they were frightened. 20 But
he said to them, “It is I; don’t be afraid.” 21 Then
they were willing to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached
the shore where they were heading.
22 The next day the
crowd that had stayed on the opposite shore of the lake realized that only
one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not entered it with his disciples,
but that they had gone away alone. 23 Then some
boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the people had eaten the
bread after the Lord had given thanks. 24 Once the
crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into
the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.
John
6:16-24 Living Bible (TLB)
16 That evening his
disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. 17 But
as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and
headed out across the lake toward Capernaum. 18-19 But
soon a gale swept down upon them as they rowed, and the sea grew very rough.
They were three or four miles out when suddenly they saw Jesus walking toward
the boat! They were terrified, 20 but he called out
to them and told them not to be afraid. 21 Then
they were willing to let him in, and immediately the boat was where they were
going!
22-23 The next
morning, back across the lake, crowds began gathering on the shore waiting to
see Jesus. For they knew that he and his disciples had come over together
and that the disciples had gone off in their boat, leaving him behind. Several
small boats from Tiberias were nearby, 24 so when
the people saw that Jesus wasn’t there, nor his disciples, they got into the
boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him.
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?
·
The
disciples get into a boat and head toward Capernaum.
·
The
disciples faced high winds and rough water on the lake
·
About
3 or 4 miles out the disciples saw Jesus
walking on the water and heading toward the boat
·
The
disciples were terrified
·
Jesus
calls out to them to not be afraid
·
The
disciples let Jesus in the boat and amazingly, at that moment, the boat arrived
on the shore of where they were going
·
The
next morning crowds came to the shore, near where Jesus fed the 5000, to see
Jesus, but realized He nor the disciples were there.
·
Many people then got into boats and went to
Capernaum to look for Jesus
Lesson: What
do I learn from this passage?
·
The
disciples became afraid during the storm.
·
When
life gets difficult fear can get the best of us.
·
The
storms of life can debilitate us.
·
Jesus
in His fully divine nature had the power to walk on water
·
When
the disciples saw Jesus they continued to be frightened
·
Yet,
when Jesus spoke to them, He was able to calm their fear enough to let Him into
the boat.
·
The
disciples were able to discern Jesus’ voice
·
Jesus
told us that His disciples/followers would know His voice:
John
10:27 New International Version (NIV)
My
sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
·
When
Jesus entered the boat, miraculously, the boat arrived at its destination.
·
Many
people after participating and witnessing the feeding of the 5000 continued to
follow Jesus.
·
Not
everyone follows Jesus for the right reasons. Some are looking to Jesus for
prosperity, power and a comfortable life. Ohers look to Jesus for spiritual and
physical healing, a strong faith and a Christ-like heart.
·
Following
Jesus is not easy because it means we have to die to self-interest.
·
The
Bible talks about the real cost of following Jesus:
Then
Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must
deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. "For whoever wishes to
save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find
it.
And
He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone
wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow
Me.
Indeed,
all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
In fact,
following Jesus requires us to be concerned about others and their spiritual
condition:
Philippians 2:3-4 New International Version (NIV)
3 Do nothing out
of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others
above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own
interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Note: Many who
began following Jesus were thinking about ways Jesus could be used to change
their political situation due to the Roman occupation as well as wanting Jesus
to perform miracles to their liking and best interest.
Application: How
can I apply what I have learned to my life?
·
Invite
Jesus into to your life and everyday circumstances.
·
Don’t
let fear debilitate you!
·
Trust
Jesus to calm the storms of your life.
·
Get
to know Jesus personally.
·
Don’t
rely only on head knowledge. Let the Holy Spirit guide your life.
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:
·
What
do you do when you face difficulties? Do
you turn toward or away from God?
·
Will
you let Jesus into your boat?
·
What
will you ask Jesus to do in your life?
·
Do
you desire a strong faith and trust in God?
·
What
fears are you facing now and where are you seeking comfort?
Have a great
week…………….Dave
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