John Bible Study - Lesson 19

John Bible Study - Lesson 19

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 6:60-71 New International Version (NIV)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”

⁶¹ Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶² Then what if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! ⁶³ The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life. ⁶⁴ Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him. ⁶⁵ He went on to say, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.”

⁶⁶ From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.

⁶⁷ “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”

⁷⁰ Then Jesus replied, “Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!” ⁷¹ (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

John 6:60-71 New Living Translation (NLT)

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

⁶⁰ Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

⁶¹ Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? ⁶² Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? ⁶³ The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. ⁶⁴ But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) ⁶⁵ Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

⁶⁶ At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him.⁶⁷ Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

⁶⁸ Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. ⁶⁹ We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

⁷⁰ Then Jesus said, “I chose the twelve of you, but one is a devil.” ⁷¹ He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray 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 complained that Jesus’ teaching was very hard to understand

·        Jesus talks about the time He will return to heaven

·        Jesus explains that no one can earn their way into heaven

·        Jesus’ tells us His words bring life

·        Jesus points out that not all His disciples were true believers and that one in particular would betray Him

·        Jesus points out that God the Father enables people to come to faith in Him

·        Jesus challenges His disciples on whether or not they will continue to follow Him

·        Many disciples desert Jesus

·        Simon Peter declares Jesus to be the Holy One of God

·        Jesus points out that out of the 12 He chose to be His disciples, one of them was being influenced by the devil and would soon betray Him

·        He was speaking of Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, one of the Twelve, who would later betray him.

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·        Jesus’ teaching is hard to understand without supernatural revelation from the Holy Spirit. That is why the Bible says:

1 Corinthians 1:18 New International Version (NIV)

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

·        Once someone is saved, they have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to help them understand what the Bible is teaching, and in this case what Jesus is teaching.

John 14:26 New International Version (NIV)

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you

·        When Jesus is telling us the Spirit gives life, He is reminding us that the one identifying trait of a true believer is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:13 New Living Translation (NLT)

And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22 New Living Translation (NLT)

 It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

·        Many disciples abandoned Jesus 

·        Only God brings people to faith

Romans 1:17 New Living Translation (NLT)

This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.”

·        Faith is a free gift from God

Ephesians 2:8 New International Version (NIV)

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

·        Jesus challenges His disciples to choose what path they will take

·        The disciples closest to Jesus reaffirm their faith through the words of  Simon Peter who said,  “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

·        Jesus tells His disciples that one of them would betray Him

·        Jesus knew in advance that Judas would betray Him.

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

·        Pray that the Holy Spirit  will counsel you in how to live set apart to God as well as help you understand  God’s Word

·        Desire to be challenged on whether or not your life reflects being a follower of Jesus

·        Prepare yourself for what the Bible says will happen (ex. Jesus’ second coming)

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 offended by Jesus’ teaching?

·        Do you fully understand what Jesus is teaching?

·        Are you spending quality time in prayer and studying the Bible?

·        Will you abandon Jesus when you are persecuted for your faith in Him?

Have a great week…………….Dave