John Bible Study - Lesson 20

John Bible Study - Lesson 20

Read the passage below using the 2 different Bible translations:

John 7:1-13 New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Goes to the Festival of Tabernacles

After this, Jesus went around in Galilee. He did not want to go about in Judea because the Jewish leaders there were looking for a way to kill him. ² But when the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near, ³ Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. ⁴ No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

⁶ Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. ⁷ The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. ⁸ You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” ⁹ After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee.

¹⁰ However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. ¹¹ Now at the festival the Jewish leaders were watching for Jesus and asking, “Where is he?”

¹² Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”

Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.” ¹³ But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the leaders.

John 7:1-13 New Living Translation (NLT)

Jesus and His Brothers

7 After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. ² But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, ³ and Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! ⁴ You can’t become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!” ⁵ For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.

⁶ Jesus replied, “Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. ⁷ The world can’t hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. ⁸ You go on. I’m not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come.” ⁹ After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee.

Jesus Teaches Openly at the Temple

¹⁰ But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. ¹¹ The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. ¹² There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, “He’s a good man,” but others said, “He’s nothing but a fraud who deceives the people.” ¹³ But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders.

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?

·        Jesus stayed away from Judea where the Jewish leaders were plotting His death

·        The Jewish Festival of Tabernacles was near and His brothers wanted Jesus to go to Judea so Jesus’ followers could witness His miracles

·        Jesus’ brothers wanted Jesus to make a name for Himself

·        Jesus’ own brothers did not believe He was the Messiah

·        Jesus told His brothers that the time was not right for Him to go

·        Jesus tells His brothers that they could go anytime but Jesus had to wait for the right time in accordance with God’s plan

·        Jesus states the world hates Him because He accuses it of doing evil

·        Jesus remains in Galilee

·        After Jesus’ brothers left for the festival, Jesus went secretly, and stayed out of public view

·        The Jewish leaders were looking for Jesus at the festival asking people if they knew where He was

·        The crowds at the festival had different opinions about Jesus. Some said He was a good man while others accused Him of being a fraud

·        No one had the courage to speak favorably about Jesus in public due to their fear of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders

Lesson: What do I learn from this passage?

·       Jesus was not looking for fame or to wow people with His ability to perform miracles.

·        Instead of looking for fame, we should be looking to glorify God in everything we do.

·       Jesus was trying to reveal Himself as the one God sent to bring hope to those who were bound up in sin, lost and separated from God.

·        Jesus understood that in order to fulfill God’s pre-determined plan of salvation, He had to wait on God’s timing.

·        We also need to wait on God's timiming for guidance on the decisions we make and answer to prayer.  Remember: God’s timing is perfect.

·        Jesus glorified God by being obedient to His will and purpose

·        The Jewish leaders wanted to kill Jesus because of their unbelief and fear that a great number people would begin to follow Jesus which would remove their power over the people

·        People had different ideas about who Jesus was. Some said Jesus was a good man while others said He deceives the people.

·        Most people feared the Jewish leaders and would not speak favorably of Jesus.  

·        Fear of rejection and persecution hampers people living fully for God.

·        Many people hide their faith due to fear.

·        God wants us to not be ashamed of our identity in Jesus nor the Gospel He preached. 

As believers in Christ our identity in Him should be clear to others

Here we learn about our identity in Christ and we are how to share our faith:

Romans 1:16 New International Version (NIV)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

  

1 Peter 2:9 New International Version (NIV)

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2 Corinthians 5:20 Living Bible (TLB)

We are Christ’s ambassadors. God is using us to speak to you: we beg you, as though Christ himself were here pleading with you, receive the love he offers you—be reconciled to God.

1 Peter 3:15 New International Version (NIV)

 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

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

·        Don’t fear your identity in Christ: remember, you are always in the presence of God, His Holy Spirit indwells in you,  and you are intricate part of His plan. God has good plans for His people

Jeremiah 29:11 New International Version (NIV)

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Romans 8:28 New International Version (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

·         God wants His people to be strong and courageous:

Joshua 1:9 New International Version (NIV)

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

·      Don't fear! Live for God and His purpose. Remember God will never leave us nor forsake us:

Hebrews 13:5-6 New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
    never will I forsake you.”

⁶ So we say with confidence,

“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?”

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 I fear most about being a follower of Jesus?

·        Who do I fear rejection from most?

·        What is my motivation for helping others?

·        What is most important to me in this life?

·        Will you ask God to strengthen you and your identity in Christ?

Have a great week…………….Dave