Thought Questions From John

Thought Questions From John

Introduction: This study of the gospel given through John is a challenging one. The idea behind this Thought Questions study is dig deeper. This class will not be considering every verse and detail...nor even each passage, but will examine certain statements that require more thought. It will serve you well to prepare ahead of time, which will also contribute to better class discussion. Sometimes outside resource reference material will be helpful, though not required. The purpose of John s gospel record is different than the other three. He states in 20:30-31...And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. There are seven signs or miracles recorded and seven I AM statements made, proving Jesus to be the Son of God. Matthew, Mark and Luke are sometimes called synoptic gospels, as they provide a synopsis or general overview in a narrative form the life of Christ. John s book takes a more lawyer-like approach in providing eye-witness and testimony to prove a conclusion. May God enrich our faith as we study together. Chapter 1:1-18 1. Paraphrase (put in your own words) verses 1-5. 2. How does Jesus reveal the Father to us? Do we see the Father in Him? 3. Does man know Jesus by human wisdom? Why or why not?

1. There are some beautiful observations to be made in the incident recorded in 1-14. List some of them. 4. List 4 or 5 descriptive names of Jesus in these verses. Explain their significance. 2. Why do you think Jesus asks Peter the same question three times (15-17)? 5. Who has the right to become a child of God (12-13)? 3. What can we conclude happened in Peter s older years and death? Chapter 1:19-1:51 4. What statement clarifies who the disciple whom Jesus loved is? 1. Why would some suppose John the Baptist to be Elijah? 2. Who is the prophet mentioned in verse 21? 3. Was the Messiah obvious to everyone by distinguishing features? 4. Explain the significance of the phrase Lamb of God. 5. Weren t John the Baptist and Jesus related? How then do you explain the expression I did not know Him? When did John know Jesus to be the Son of God? 6. Describe the noble characteristics of Andrew revealed in verses 40-42. Make application to us today. 7. How would you describe Nathaniel? Tie verses 46, 49, & 50 together. What can you conclude about Nathaniel s faith?

Chapter 2 10. How would you describe John s testimony of these things? 1. What is meant by my hour has not come yet (4)? 2. What lessons can be drawn from the incident in verses 1-12? Chapter 20 3. Explain the presence of sheep, oxen and doves in the temple. Who were money changers? 1. In so much of John s testimony, what is impressive? How would you describe his witness? 4. Did the disciples fully comprehend the significance of His teaching and words early on? 2. What is evident from the linen cloths and handkerchief in the tomb? 3. Why do you suppose Jesus was not known by sight to some at first? 5. Paraphrase verses 24-25 and explain. 4. Explain the statement, I have not yet ascended to my father... (17). Chapter 3 5. Was Thomas the only doubter among the apostles? 1. What is meant by born again? 6. Must a miracle be seen in order to believe? What is necessary? 2. Explain born of water and spirit. 3. In the wilderness, what was similar to Jesus hanging on the cross? Describe the similarities. Chapter 21

6. In your own words, relate what Jesus says in verse 36 & 37. 4. How is the world condemned by Christ (17-21)? Chapter 19 5. How would you sum up John the Baptist s attitude toward Jesus? 1. What took place in a scourging? What was used to do this? 2. Describe your thought of the statement, Behold, the man (5). Chapter 4 1. Who were the Samaritans? Where did they come from? Why did the Jews have no dealing with them(9)? 3. Who is the one of verse 11? 2. Was the woman joined to a husband not rightfully hers? 4. Sum up Pilate s behavior in this trial. 3. Explain the teaching of verse 20-24. 5. What are the attitudes at the cross by the Jews, the soldiers, the women, John? 4. Can spiritual food affect man s physical appetite? How? 6. What can be concluded from Jesus directing John to take His mother in? Were there not other closer relatives (brothers, sisters, etc.) who should take care of her? 5. In verses 46-54, what is emphasized as the purpose of signs and wonders? Explain how the miracle recorded here supports this. 7. What is meant by, It is finished!? 8. Explain the significance of blood and water coming forth. Chapter 5 1. In your own words recount the story in verse 1-15. Explain verses 3a-4 (notice other translations). 9. Paraphrase the first half of verse 36.

2. Is faith evident in the healing miracle performed? Why would Jesus deliberately do something on the Sabbath day, knowing full well the resulting controversy? Chapter 17 1. Define the word glory and glorify as found in 1-5. 3. Did the Jews think Jesus was a created being because he claimed God was His Father? Were they familiar with calling God father? Explain the significance of this. 2. In a brief statement, summarize verse 6-19. What seems to be the chief concern of Jesus in His prayer? What application can be made of this to us today. 4. Are verses 25 and 28-29 both describing the same event. Explain. 3. How are we to be one (21)? Explain. 5. List 3 or more reasons Jesus gave for the Jews not having love of God in them (42). Chapter 18 Chapter 6 1. What lessons can be drawn from the miracle recorded in verses 5-14? 1. Express your thoughts on Peter s display of courage (10), followed immediately by cowardice (15-27). Why did he behave this way? 2. Why did the soldiers take Jesus to Annas first, then Caiaphas? Who was Annas? 2. What lessons can be drawn from the miracle of 15-21? 3. Who is most likely the disciple known to the High Priest (16)? 3. In a paragraph explain the teaching of Jesus about him being the bread of heaven. 4. What is the Praetorium and who is Pilate? 4. Is the thought in verses 53-56 cannibalistic? Is it referring to the Lord s Supper? Something else? 5. Why was it needful to take Jesus before a Roman official?

4. What is the greatest love? 5. Explain the process described in verse 44-45 & 60-65. Is a direct calling from heaven taught? 5. Who are the friends of Jesus? 6. What has transpired between 24-26 & 66 that causes many to no longer desire to follow Jesus? 6. The Jews seemingly loved God and were very religious. But was this actually the case and how can you tell? 7. What two things of Jesus left the Jews without excuse and guilty (22 & 24)? Chapter 7 1. Explain verse 6-8. He has already begun to teach and work miracles; so why the statement in verse 6? Chapter 16 2. What is meant by letters in verse 15? 1. In 15:26-16:15 much is said about the Holy Spirit and His work and role in the salvation of man. List as many observations as you can. 3. What was the major problem causing Jewish unbelief in Christ? 2. Was Jesus clearly aware of the effect His resurrection and ascension would have on the apostles? What does He liken the upcoming events to? 4. Were the Jews expecting the Messiah to come in the way Jesus did? What verse indicates this? 3. With the absence of figurative speech, the apostles now thought they truly believed and understood Christ. They were more convinced of Jesus also. Was this truly the case? Account for the use of figures of speech. 5. Describe the difficulty understanding Jesus words as typified in verses 34-36 and 38-39. Was speaking in such terms causing the listeners to be misled? 6. In verse 40-42, is there proof of the Jews knowledge of the true background of the Messiah? What?

7. Apply the excuses for disbelief given in verse 48 & 52 to us today. 1. Paraphrase verse 6. Chapter 8 2. What was wrong with Phillip s request to be shown the Father? 1. Was Jesus teaching that anyone accusing another must first be without sin themselves (7)? If not, explain the actions of Jesus in regard to the woman caught in adultery (1-12). 3. Are we granted every request if the name of Jesus is attached to it? Why or why not? 4. How many persons in the Godhead are mentioned in verse 16? 2. In verse 30, many are believing on the Lord because of the words He is speaking (13-29). Is there anything in those words making appeal to human wisdom, logic, etc.? Make a lesson for us today. 5. How would verse 20 be fulfilled? Tie this in with verse 26 & 29. 3. Paraphrase verses 32, 34-36 6. What is the difference between the peace Christ gives and that of the world (27)? 4. What is the underlying theme of Jesus testimony, as is typified in verse 37-47? Explain the different uses of Father in these verses. 5. How is it that those who keep the words of Jesus shall never die (51)? 6. Describe the beauty of statements found in 56-58. Chapter 15 1. Explain how the apostles were clean through the word spoken by Jesus (3). 2. Name the two basic principles taught in verse 1-8. Chapter 9 3. How would you describe the relationship of the love of God and keeping His commandments?

4. Explain the significance of Jesus triumphal entry into Jerusalem. 1. Did the Jews consider poverty, handicaps and catastrophes in one s life a direct consequence of sin? Explain. Is this true? What about wealth, long life, etc.? Is this a direct result of godly living? 5. Give your thoughts as to why Jesus would answer the inquiry by Greeks, through Phillip and Andrew, in the way He did (23-36). 6. Explain verse 39. 2. Why did Jesus sometimes incorporate physical acts into His miracles (6)? Was it necessary? Explain. 7. Many principles of the gospel are revealed in this chapter. Name as many as you can. 3. Describe the view taken by the neighbors, Pharisees, parents, and the healed man of the miraculous healing (6-34). Chapter 13 1. Was Jesus life cut short? Explain. 4. The statement recorded in verse 31 is by an uninspired man. Is it true though? 5. From verse 35-37, did the blind man have faith in Jesus before the healing? 2. What is meant by He loved them to the end (1)? 6. Paraphrase and explain verse 41. 3. Is the washing of feet a ceremony to be repeated throughout time? What is the significance of it? What application is there to us today? Chapter 10 4. What is new about the commandment to love one another (34)? Describe this love and how it makes true disciples known to the world. 1. List the many lessons learned and concepts illustrated by the teaching of the shepherd and his sheep (1-18). Chapter 14 2. Who are the other sheep mentioned in verse 16?

3. The Jews in verse 24 want Jesus to plainly tell whether He is the Christ. Jesus says in 25, I told you... What do you make of this? What were the Jews really wanting? 4. Is Jesus teaching the impossibility of falling from the grace of God in verse 28-29? Why or why not? 3. Discuss the use of the word sleep used by Jesus in regard to death. 4. Were Jesus disciples conscious of their lack of faith...soon to desert the Lord in His hour of trial? Apply to us today. 5. Write a paragraph on verse 35. 5. Explain the statement found in verse 34 (quoted from Psalm 82:6). 6. What is the this of verse 42? 6. Were the signs performed by Jesus sufficient to show God the Father in Him? 7. What is the most beautiful or significant thing to you in the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead? 7. Paraphrase 37-38. 8. Explain Caiaphas statement (49-50) in light of him being a wicked man. Verse 51 says he prophesied. 8. How do you think Jesus may have escaped (39)? Chapter 11 Chapter 12 1. What is the meaning of verse 7-8? 1. How is it that John identifies which Mary he is referring to in verse 2 by an event that took place chronologically at a later time (see 12:3)? 2. What is taking place in verse 12-15? 2. Explain the special mention of love for Lazarus, Martha and Mary (3 & 5). 3. What does Hosanna mean?