Week 3 – John Chapters 2 and 3 Believe and Live!

Chapters 2-12 of the Gospel of John are referred to as the Book of Signs. There are seven miraculous signs recorded in this book—signs that reveal the glory and authority of Jesus. The sign miracles provide evidence that confirms who Jesus is—the Son of God, the Light that shines in darkness, the One who brings eternal life to all who will receive Him. 1. Read John 2:1-11. The first sign: Jesus turns water into wine

a. When Jesus’ mother realized that there was no more wine, she informed Jesus.

What was Jesus’ puzzling reply to her? (John 2:4)

b. Digging deeper: Jesus’ response to His mother seems very strange to us. What is the “hour” or “time” that Jesus is contemplating? (Read John 12:23-33)

c. How did Jesus save this newlywed couple from embarrassment? (John 2:7-10)

d. What was the result of this miraculous sign? (John 2:11)

These are the Seven Signs recorded in the Gospel of John • Transforming water into wine (John 2:1-11) • Healing a royal official’s son (John 4:46-54) • Healing a disabled man at the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15) • Multiplying bread to feed a crowd of thousands (John 6:1-14) • Walking on water (John 6:16-21) • Healing a man born blind (John 9:1-12) • Raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-43)

In the Jewish culture of the first century, a wedding celebrated the joining of two families. It was a momentous event and the festivities would last for several days. To run out of wine at a wedding would bring shame on the groom and his family; it would be a social disaster.

2. Read John 2:12-25 Jesus Clears the Temple and Predicts His Resurrection Jesus took action against the noisy commotion in the temple courts. He made a whip of cords and drove the animals and the moneychangers out of the temple precincts.

a. What argument did Jesus make to support His actions? (John 2:16)

b. The Jews asked Him to perform a sign to demonstrate His authority in defense of His actions. What did Jesus say in response to their challenge? (John 2:19)

c. Jesus meant His answer as a prophecy; the Jews took it as a threat. What temple was Jesus referring to? What future event was Jesus referring to? (John 2:21-22)

d. What was the effect of the miraculous signs Jesus was performing? (John 2:23-25)

e. For personal reflection: What is your response to the things you know about Jesus? In your reading thus far, you’ve seen testimony about Jesus from John the Baptist; you’ve seen His miracle of turning water into wine; you’ve seen His zeal for the holiness of God’s dwelling place. You have read that Jesus is the One who brings life and light. The call is short and simple: Believe…and live! Do you believe? Do you have life in Him? Take a moment to pray. Answer His call. Come to Him and learn from Him.

Jesus traveled to Jerusalem to attend the Passover celebration. When He arrived at the temple, He saw that the court of the Gentiles looked, sounded, and smelled more like a marketplace than a place of worship. Sellers of animals hawked their wares—cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifice. Moneychangers demanded high exchange rates to provide the proper currency for the temple tax. The chief priests had replaced worship with commerce, and the result was chaos.

3. Read John 3:1-21 Jesus challenges Nicodemus: You must be born again!

a. Why was Nicodemus so intrigued by Jesus that he came to see Jesus in private? (John 3:2)

b. What startling assertion did Jesus make in response to Nicodemus? ( John 3:3)

c. What kind of birth event is Jesus referring to? (John 3:5,8)

d. What does the life and death of Jesus make possible for us? (John 3:14-16)

e. How must we respond to the truth Jesus brings in order to be included in this glorious benefit? (John 3:15-18)

f. Personal reflection: What is most meaningful to you as you consider the amazing love of God as revealed in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus? (John 3:13-18)?

g. How does John 1:12-13 deepen your understanding of the spiritual new birth?

h. Summarize John 3:19-20 in your own words. How does John 3:19-20 add to your understanding of what Jesus brings and why people reject Him?

ØThe rest of the story:

We see Nicodemus again after the crucifixion. Read John 19:38-42.

Nicodemus accompanied Joseph of Arimathea to retrieve the body of Jesus. They took Jesus’ body, and the two of them wrapped it in strips of linen, applying an extravagant amount of burial perfume as they worked. In this act of devotion, these two members of the Jewish ruling council made public their faith decision to follow Christ.

4. Read John 3:22-36 John the Baptist affirms the heavenly authority of Jesus

a. How does John the Baptist describe the difference between his own God-given

ministry and the ministry of Jesus? (John 3:28-30)

b. The apostle John summarizes the supreme authority of Jesus in John 3:31-36. 1) From where does Jesus come? (John 3:31)

2) How are we to receive the words Jesus speaks? (John 3:34)

3) What marvelous gift has the Son brought to mankind? (John 3:36)

c. Personal reflection: We have all grown up in darkness, and yet God’s love has pierced the darkness and bathed us in the light of Christ. God has made new life available to sinful mankind through the sacrifice of His Son. Take the time to think about this and express your gratitude in your prayer time today.

We understand from John chapter 3 that through our faith-decision to believe in Jesus, we are reconciled to God and given a new status as children of God. We begin to enjoy eternal life—a new quality of life enabled by God’s Spirit within us. We joyfully anticipate an eternity of life in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus has come that the world may be saved

through faith in Him