Knowing God Better - Gospel of John

byMarilynAdamson,directorofEveryStudent.comandStartingwithGod.com

1st-KnowingGodBetter-John1Alittlebitofhousekeepingfirst,ok?TherearevarioustranslationsoftheBible.Someusemoreformalwordingthanothers.Butthedifferencesareminor.IfyouhaveaBible,useit.Youdon'tneedaparticularone.IwillbeusingtheNewLivingTranslation.ButNIV,EST,NAS,ormanyothersarejustfine.IfyouwanttouseaBibleonline,gohere:http://tinyurl.com/czub2ogSoyouknow,“John1:3-4”means,thebookofJohn,chapter1,verses(sentences)threeandfour.It'sjustawayofnotatingthechaptersandsentences,sowecanquicklyfindsomething.TheGospelofJohnisthe4thbookoftheNewTestament.ItiswrittenbytheapostleJohn,whowaslikelyJesus'closestfriend.ThisisJohn’sbiographyofJesus,whereJohnreportseverythinghesaw,heardfromJesus,andknewaboutJesus,ashefollowedJesusforthreeyears,asoneofJesus’chosenapostles.MostofJohn’sgospelisstraightforwardreporting.Howeverthefirstparagraphcanbealittleconfusing.JohnstartswithimportanttruthsaboutJesus,butdoesnotyetrevealwhoheistalkingabout.Johnwrites,“Inthebeginning,theWordwaswithGodandtheWordwasGod.”Later,JohnletsusknowtheWordisJesus."...theWordbecamehumanandmadehishomeamongus...theFather'soneandonlySon."Todaywe'regoingtolookatJohn1:1-5.(John,chapter1,verses1-5)Q-WhendidJesusbegintoexist?(seebelow)A- 1InthebeginningtheWordalreadyexisted.

TheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod. 2HeexistedinthebeginningwithGod.ItsaysthattheWordwas*with*God,yetalso*was*God.Q-Inverse2(seeabove),wasJesusevernotwithGod?A-Jesusdidnotcomeintoexistenceasababyinthemanger,Christmasmorning.Jesus,asGod,hasalwaysexisted.Infact,hewasinvolvedinthecreationoftheuniverse.Q-HowwasJesusinvolvedinthecreationoftheuniverse?(seebelow)A-3Godcreatedeverythingthroughhim,andnothingwascreatedexceptthroughhim.4TheWordgavelifetoeverythingthatwascreated,andhislifebroughtlighttoeveryone.Acandleisstrongerthananydarkness.Itsaysthathislifebroughtlighttoeveryone.Q-Whenyouhitdarktimesinyourlife,howdoesverse4andthefollowingverse,giveyouhope?A-5Thelightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknesscanneverextinguishit.Writeasummaryhereofwhatyoulearnedfromthese5verses:A-That'salot!!I'mamazedatallthatGodrevealstousinsuchafewsentences.He'ssokindtodisclosesomuchtous.

"Thankyou,Jesus,thatyouwantustoknowyou."Nextstudywe'llpickupfromhere.FeelfreetoreadallofJohn,chapterone.Bytheway,ifyou'dliketoseeanexplanationoftheTrinity,thismightbehelpful:www.everystudent.com/forum/trinity.html~~~~~~~~~~~~2nd-KnowingGodBetter-GospelofJohninbriefThanksagainforjoiningthisseriesontheGospelofJohn.Ihadaprofessorincollegewhotaughtacourseonthe"GospelofMark."Itwasasecularuniversity.(Thatwillbeverycleartoyou,asItellyouthisstory.)Thecoursedescriptionsaid,"TheGospelofMark."Butaftergettingintothecourse,welearnedthattheprofessorhadrewrittenthegospel,anditwashisversionthatwewouldstudy!Itgetsworse.Theprofessorwasanordainedminister,butdidn'tbelievethatGodexisted.SoyoucanimaginehisversionoftheGospelofMark!Yes,Icouldtellyouhorrorstories.So,withthisasabackground,Iwasthinkingtheotherday,"WhatifsomeonewantedtograbaquickreadofthemostimportantsectionsintheGospelofJohn?"Thatquestionalonecanborderonsacrilegious.Whichsectionsare"mostimportant?!"IchoseportionsthattellussomethingsignificantaboutJesus.EverythingisstraightfromtheGospelofJohn(norewrites!!).ReadthroughthisarticleonEveryStudent.com(itwon'ttakelong).Here’sthelink:www.everystudent.com/wires/whowas.htmlAndifyouwanttosharethisarticlewithafriendoronyourFacebookpage,justcopyandpastethatlink.

~~~~~~~~~~~~3rd-KnowingGodBetter-John1continuedInyourcountryyoumighthavecertainrights.Likefreedomtospeakyourmind,freedomtoworshipGod,freedomtotravel.Somerightspeopleobtainbystudying.Therighttopracticemedicineorlaw,forexample.John,chapterone,tellusthatifwedosomething,wehavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod.Maybeyouhavealreadydonethis.Let'ssee.ReferringtoJesus,John1:10-1310"Hecameintotheveryworldhecreated,buttheworlddidn'trecognizehim.11Hecametohisownpeople,andeventheyrejectedhim.12Buttoallwhobelievedhimandacceptedhim,hegavetherighttobecomechildrenofGod.Q-DoyouhavetherighttoconsideryourselfachildofGod?Why?(lookattheScriptureabove,thentypeyouranswerbelow)A-Q-Yourhumanbirthcamefromyourparents.Wheredidyourspiritualbirthcomefrom?(seeverse13below)A-13Theyarereborn--notwithaphysicalbirthresultingfromhumanpassionorplan,butabirththatcomesfromGod."Johngoesontodescribehowthe"Word"cameintotheworldforus.14"SotheWord[Jesus]becamehumanandmadehishomeamongus.Hewasfullofunfailingloveandfaithfulness.Andwehaveseenhisglory,thegloryoftheFather'soneandonlySon."

WhenJohnsays,"wehaveseenhisglory,"heissayingthatheandtheotherdiscipleswereamazedbythequality...theuniquenessofJesus'life.TheysawmiracleaftermiraclethatJesusdidforpeople.Hehealedthelameandblind,castoutdemons,evenbroughtpeoplebacktolife,provingthatheistheFather'sSon.Theysawhisglory.Q-Fromverses16&17below,whatelsedidthedisciplesseeinJesus?Somethingthatwasnewtothem?SomethingthatwasnotausualpartoftheirJewishlifeofreligiouslaws?A-16"Fromhis[Jesus']abundancewehaveallreceivedonegraciousblessingafteranother.17ForthelawwasgiventhroughMoses,butGod'sunfailingloveandfaithfulnesscamethroughJesusChrist."IntheBible,you'llseethe"law"referstoGod'scommands,includingtheTenCommandments,giventoMoses.Thelawhaddemands,requirements:"Dothis.""Don'tdothat."Thelawfocusedontheiractions,theiroutwardreligiousbehaviorandresponsibilities.Incontrast,JesusChristbroughtthem(andus)arelationship.WecouldnowknowGod's"unfailingloveandfaithfulness."(Readverses16&17again.)Q-Accordingtoverse18,whycanweknowGod?A-18"NoonehaseverseenGod.ButtheuniqueOne,whoishimselfGod,isneartotheFather'sheart.HehasrevealedGodtous."Q-Pleasewritehereasummaryofwhatyou'velearnedfromalloftheseverses:A-So,that'sawraponJohn1.Wewon'tgothrougheverychapterof

John.ButIwilltrytogoinorderforyou.So,nowreadchapteroneagain,nowthatyouhaveafullpicture!Nexttime,jumpingaheadtochapter3.p.s.Justtoavoidconfusion,letmementiononeotherthingfromchapterone.John,theauthorofthebook,isoneofJesus’twelveapostles.Thereisasecond"John"thatJohntheapostlementionsinthischapter:“JohntheBaptist.”JohntheBaptistwassomewhatlikeafront-manforJesus.HispreachingpreparedpeopletobelieveinJesus.~~~~~~~~~~~~4th-KnowingGodBetter-John2&3We'regoingtoskipchapter2,exceptforoneversetowardtheend.John2:23says:23"BecauseofthemiraculoussignsJesusdidinJerusalematthePassovercelebration,manybegantotrustinhim."OneofthosepeoplewasNicodemus.Buthehadaproblem.Nicodemusheldaprestigiouspositioninthecommunity.Hewasareligiousleader.A*Pharisee*.Haveyoueverheardthatterm,"Pharisee?"ThesearetheonlypeopleweeverseeJesuscriticizing.Andhewastoughonthem.Fortworeasons:1.Theywereproud,ostentatiousreligiousleaderswholivedforthepraiseofothers.Hadtohavethebestseatsatbanquets.Benoticed.ThoughthePhariseeswerethereligiousleaders,JesussaidtheywerefarfromGod,havingnosincereheartforGod.2.Theyconcoctedcrazy,impossiblereligiousregulationsthattheydemandedothersfollow.NoneoftheseruleshadanythingtodowithknowingGodorbeinginrelationshipwithhim.Notonlyweretheypridefulandlegalistic.ThePhariseeswerethe

worstkindofhypocrites.That'swherewegettheword,"Pharisaical."Ok,sooneofthesePhariseesnamedNicodemushadaproblem.HehasrealizedthatJesusisfromGod.SohecomestoJesus,atnight,whennoneofhisbuddieswillseehim.John,chapter3,startingwithverse2:2"Afterdarkoneevening,he[Nicodemus]cametospeakwithJesus.'Rabbi,'hesaid,'weallknowthatGodhassentyoutoteachus.YourmiraculoussignsareevidencethatGodiswithyou.'"WhatdoyousupposeJesusdid?In1Peter5:5itsays,"Godopposestheproud,butgivesgracetothehumble."JesusrespondstoNicodemuswithtruthandkindness.3"Jesusreplied,'Itellyouthetruth,unlessyouarebornagain,youcannotseetheKingdomofGod."Q-WhydoyouthinkJesustoldNicodemusthatheneededtostartover,andbebornagain?A-Nicodemuswasconfused:4"Whatdoyoumean?"exclaimedNicodemus."Howcananoldmangobackintohismother'swombandbebornagain?"Jesusexplainsthathe'sreferringtoaspiritualbirth.Q-Accordingtoverse6,whogavebirthtoyourrelationshipwithGod?A-6"Humanscanreproduceonlyhumanlife,buttheHolySpiritgivesbirthtospirituallife."Andthisistheissue.ThePhariseesfocusedontheirrituals,strictdoctrines,externaldo-gooding.TheyexpectedGodtohonorthemfortheireffort.Butwedon'tcometoGodwithourcredentials.Godacceptsuswhenwecometohimfornewlife.Whenweputourfaithinhim,weare"bornagain"bytheHolySpirit.HereisJesusclearmessagetoNicodemus.Nicodemusneededtostop

believinginhimself.AndinsteadbelieveinJesus,because:15everyonewhobelievesinhimwillhaveeternallife.Q-DoyoubelieveinJesus?AccordingtoJesus,whatdoyouhave?A-Nextstudy,we'regoingtojumptoverses16-18.ThesearesomeofthemostimportantsentencesinallofScripture.Staytuned!Bytheway,ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasesendanemailto:www.everystudent.com/contact.phpSomeonewillpersonallyreplytoyou.~~~~~~~~~~~~5th-KnowingGodBetter-John3continuedTodaywe'regoingtolookatsomeofthemostimportantsentencesinallofScripture!Importantforyoutoknow(maybememorize).AndgreatforyoutouseifyouwanttoexplaintosomeoneelsehowtheycanbeginarelationshipwithGod.John3:16--Doesthatringabell?Haveyoueverseensomeoneholdasignupatfootballgameswiththiswrittenonit?Hereitis:16"ForGodlovedtheworldsomuchthathegavehisoneandonlySon,sothateveryonewhobelievesinhimwillnotperishbuthaveeternallife."Pleaseanswerthefollowingquestionsbylookingatverse16:Q-WhatwasGod'smotivation?A-Q-WhatactiondidGodtake?A-Q-Whodidhedoitfor?A-Q-Whatwouldyougain?A-

Q-Whatwouldyouneedtodo?A-Q-IfyoubelieveinJesus,whatdoyouhave?A-Inthisgospel,JohnusestheGreekword,"pisteuo"for"believe."Youwillnotfindthepassivenoun,"belief"inJohn'sgospel.Itisalwaysinverbform.IfI'mrememberingcorrectly,MatthewandMarkuseitninetimesintheirgospels,andLuke10times.Johnusesthisword99times.Anditmeanstofullytrust,tofullyrelyon.Itismorethanagreement.Itisn'tlikesaying,"Yeah,IbelievethatplanecouldgetmetoChicago."Itisfullytrusting.It'swhereyouhavetogetontheplane.WhenwebelieveinJesus,weareaskinghimtoenterourliveswithanintenttorelyonhim,asGod.Whenwedo,webeginaneternalrelationshipwithhim...wearegiveneternallife.Q-Accordingtoverse17,whatisGod'sdesire?A-17GodsenthisSonintotheworldnottojudgetheworld,buttosavetheworldthroughhim.AlotofpeoplearesurprisedtofindoutwhattheBiblesaysaboutbeing"saved."Thecriteriaforbeingsavedisgivenintheseverses.Verses16-18.Inverse18we'retoldwhatittakestobesaved.AndwhatGodwilljudgepeoplefor.Whatdoyouthinkitmightbe?Howmanytimesapersongoestochurch?Howkindtheyaretoothers?Howwelltheyavoidsins?Q-Accordingtoverse18,onwhatbasisdoesGodjudgepeople?Whatcriteriaisheusing?A-18Thereisnojudgmentagainstanyonewhobelievesinhim.Butanyonewhodoesnotbelieveinhimhasalreadybeenjudged

fornotbelievinginGod'soneandonlySon.AswegothroughtheGospelofJohn,you'llseethemassiveamountofreasonsJesusgivesthemtobelieveinhim!YoumightwanttoreadthroughJohnchapter3infullnow.Inournextstudy,we'llseeJesus'conversationwithawoman.Shealsocomestohiminprivate,forfearofwhatother'smightthink.Ihopeyou'reenjoyingthese!~~~~~~~~~~~~6th-KnowingGodBetter-John4Today'sstudyofJohn4needsalittlebitofbackground.SamariawasanareaalittlebitnorthofJerusalem,currentlyintheWestBank.ThePharisees,whomwestudiedinJohn3,avoidedSamaria.Phariseeswouldn'tevenwalkdownthesamesideofthestreetwithSamaritans.Theyliterallywouldcrossthestreet.AndifaSamaritantouchedthem,thePhariseesconsideredthemselvesceremonially"unclean"untiltheywashed.Niceguys,huh?Followingtheleadoftheirreligiousleaders,mostJewsavoidedtheSamaritans.JesuswasaJew.Onatrip,JesuswaspassingthroughSamariaandstoppedtorestbyawell.We'llstartatverse7.(I'mgoingtoskipoverafewverses,tokeepthisshorter.)Q-Whoinitiatedtheconversation?A-7SoonaSamaritanwomancametodrawwater,andJesussaidtoher,"Pleasegivemeadrink."9Thewomanwassurprised,forJewsrefusetohaveanythingtodowithSamaritans.ShesaidtoJesus,"YouareaJew,andI

amaSamaritanwoman.Whyareyouaskingmeforadrink?"Q-WhatdidJesuswanttodoforher?A-10Jesusreplied,"IfyouonlyknewthegiftGodhasforyouandwhoyouarespeakingto,youwouldaskme,andIwouldgiveyoulivingwater."11"Butsir,youdon'thavearopeorabucket,"shesaid,"andthiswellisverydeep.Wherewouldyougetthislivingwater?"13Jesusreplied,"Anyonewhodrinksthiswaterwillsoonbecomethirstyagain.14ButthosewhodrinkthewaterIgivewillneverbethirstyagain.Itbecomesafresh,bubblingspringwithinthem,givingthemeternallife."15"Please,sir,"thewomansaid,"givemethiswater!ThenI'llneverbethirstyagain,andIwon'thavetocomeheretogetwater."NowJesusisgoingtogetverypersonalwiththiswoman.16"Goandgetyourhusband,"Jesustoldher.17"Idon'thaveahusband,"thewomanreplied.Jesussaid,"You'reright!Youdon'thaveahusband,18foryouhavehadfivehusbands,andyouaren'tevenmarriedtothemanyou'relivingwithnow.Youcertainlyspokethetruth!"Whenyoulookatherreactiontothis,shedoesn'tseemtofeelcondemnedbyJesusorashamed.Instead,she'simpressedthatheknewthat.Soshefigures,thisissomeonewhocanprobablyansweraquestionshe'salwayshad.19"Sir,"thewomansaid,"youmustbeaprophet.20Sotellme,whyisitthatyouJewsinsistthatJerusalemistheonlyplaceofworship,whileweSamaritansclaimitishereatMountGerizim,whereourancestorsworshiped?"21Jesusreplied,"Believeme,dearwoman,thetimeiscomingwhenitwillnolongermatterwhetheryouworshiptheFatheronthismountainorinJerusalem.

24ForGodisSpirit,sothosewhoworshiphimmustworshipinspiritandintruth."25Thewomansaid,"IknowtheMessiahiscoming,theonewhoiscalledChrist.Whenhecomes,hewillexplaineverythingtous."26ThenJesustoldher,"IAmtheMessiah!"Whatdoyousupposeherreactionmightbetothis?Here'sawomanlikelyshunnedbyhercommunity.Imeanafterfivehusbands,shefinallygaveupanddecidedtojustlivewiththenextguy.Youcanimaginehowthetowntalkedabouther.Buthereiswhatshedid...28Thewomanleftherwaterjarbesidethewellandranbacktothevillage,tellingeveryone,29"ComeandseeamanwhotoldmeeverythingIeverdid!CouldhepossiblybetheMessiah?"30Sothepeoplecamestreamingfromthevillagetoseehim.Theresult?39ManySamaritansfromthevillagebelievedinJesusbecausethewomanhadsaid,"HetoldmeeverythingIeverdid!"40Whentheycameouttoseehim,theybeggedhimtostayintheirvillage.Sohestayedfortwodays,41longenoughformanymoretohearhismessageandbelieve.42Thentheysaidtothewoman,"Nowwebelieve,notjustbecauseofwhatyoutoldus,butbecausewehaveheardhimourselves.NowweknowthatheisindeedtheSavioroftheworld."Q-Lookbelowatverses10&14again.WhatwasJesus'desireforthisSamaritanwomanandthetown?A–10Jesusreplied,"IfyouonlyknewthegiftGodhasforyouandwhoyouarespeakingto,youwouldaskme,andIwouldgiveyoulivingwater.14ButthosewhodrinkthewaterIgivewillneverbethirstyagain.Itbecomesafresh,bubblingspringwithinthem,giving

themeternallife."Q-Jesusinfluencedawholevillagethroughthewordsofawomantheydidnotthinkhighlyof.DoyouthinkJesuscoulduseyoutotellothersabouthim?A-Ijustbethecan!Nextstudywillbeshorter.Andafunone.Again,anyquestions,pleaseemail:www.everystudent.com/contact.php~~~~~~~~~~~~7th-KnowingGodBetter-John5Thisstudyisgoingtobekindoffun.John5.JesussoinfuriatesthePharisees,theybegintoplottokillhim.WaituntilyouseewhatJesusdidthatirritatedthemtothisdegree.Hereitis.Jesushealedaguywhohadbeenseriouslyillformostofhislife.Theproblemwas,JesushealedhimonaSabbath.What?!ThePhariseeshadtakenGod'slaw--thattheSabbathwouldbeadayofrest--andturneditintoanoppressive,legalmenace.AbsolutelyNOworkwasallowed.Forexample,awomancouldwearahairclip,butifshecarriedit,thenitwouldbeconsideredcarryingaburdenandforbiddenontheSabbath.Ok,sohereisJohn5:5.Jesusseesthisguy:5Oneofthemenlyingtherehadbeensickforthirty-eightyears.6WhenJesussawhimandknewhehadbeenillforalongtime,heaskedhim,"Wouldyouliketogetwell?"7"Ican't,sir,"thesickmansaid..."

8Jesustoldhim,"Standup,pickupyourmat,andwalk!"9Instantly,themanwashealed!Herolleduphissleepingmatandbeganwalking!ButthismiraclehappenedontheSabbath,10sotheJewishleadersobjected.Theysaidtothemanwhowascured,"Youcan'tworkontheSabbath!Thelawdoesn'tallowyoutocarrythatsleepingmat!"Canyouimagine?Theguyhasn'tbeenabletodothatfor38years,andnowtheytellhimit'snotallowed?!11Buthereplied,"Themanwhohealedmetoldme,'Pickupyourmatandwalk.'"12"Whosaidsuchathingasthat?"theydemanded.13Themandidn'tknow,forJesushaddisappearedintothecrowd.Later,JesuswenttotheTemple,foundthemanhehealed.Jesustoldhim,14"Nowyouarewell;sostopsinning,orsomethingevenworsemayhappentoyou."Q-Couldtherebesinfulbehaviorthatcouldmakesomeonereallyphysicallysick?A-(Icanthinkofallsortsofharmfulthingswecandotoourselvesthathavenatural,physicalconsequences.)Q-WhatdoyouthinkofJesus'attitudetowardthisman?Inverse14,doesJesussoundangry,condemning,orjudgmental?A-Here'swhenthingsgetheated.15ThenthemanwentandtoldtheJewishleadersthatitwasJesuswhohadhealedhim.16SotheJewishleadersbeganharassingJesusforbreakingtheSabbathrules.17ButJesusreplied,"MyFatherisalwaysworking,andsoamI."

18SotheJewishleaderstriedallthehardertofindawaytokillhim.ForhenotonlybroketheSabbath,hecalledGodhisFather,therebymakinghimselfequalwithGod.Q-Theendofverse18,noticethatJesusreferredtoGodinaveryuniqueway.WhatcorrectconclusiondidtheJewishleadersdraw?A-Onemorebitofbackground.InthesecondbookoftheBible,inExodus,GodaskedMosestodelivertheJewsfromtheirslaveryinEgypt.GodtoldMosestogotoEgypt'srulerandflatoutorderhimtolettheJewsgofree.MosesaskedGodanimportantquestion.HewantedtoknowGod'sname."WhoshallIsaysentme?"Kindoffunny,inasense.LikeaskingGodforhisbusinesscard.GodansweredMoses,"IamwhoIam."(Exodus3:13-15)Well,inthegospelsyou'llseeJesusrefertohimselfas"Iam"numeroustimes.Everytimeissignificant.AndinJohn5,JesusalsoreferstoGodinveryintimateterms,as"MyFather."AndaddedthathedoeswhathisFatherdoes.Hereitisagain:17ButJesusreplied,"MyFatherisalwaysworking,andsoamI."18SotheJewishleaderstriedallthehardertofindawaytokillhim.ForhenotonlybroketheSabbath,hecalledGodhisFather,therebymakinghimselfequalwithGod.HaveyoueverheardsomeonesaythatJesusneveractuallyclaimedtobeGod?ThePhariseescertainlythoughthedid!Anditwasonthisbasisthattheysoughttokillhim.Q-IfsomeoneaskedyoutoprovethatJesusthoughthewasGod,whatchapterwouldyoubringthemto?A-Jesus'identityiscentraltoourfaith.Hedoesn'taskustomerelybelievehisteachings.Hecallsustobelieveinhimself.

Nextlesson,we'llcontinueinJohn5.Andwe'llseehowJesuspressesthepointevenfurther.HesaysthattohonortheFather,onehastohonortheSon.FeelfreetoreadaheadinJohn5.~~~~~~~~~~~~8th-KnowingGodBetter-John5continuedTodaywe'rejustgoingtohitafewhighlightsinJohn5:19-47.Inthissection,JesusistryingtogetthroughtothesehighlyreligiousJews,whonowwanttokillhim!JesusisabouttoexplainfurtherhisrelationshiptotheFather.IntheMiddleEastculture,itiscommonforsomeonefromEgypttobecalled,a"sonoftheNile."Thatmeans,hecomesfromEgypt.Or,tobecalleda"sonoftheCedars"thatmeansyouarefromLebanon.Backinverse18,we'vealreadyseenthatJesus"calledGodhisFather,therebymakinghimselfequalwithGod."Theterm,"SonofGod"meanshecamefromGod.ItspeaksofJesus'uniqueoriginandrelationshipwiththeFather.Q-Inverse19&20below,whatdoesJesussayhecansee?A-19SoJesusexplained,"Itellyouthetruth,theSoncandonothingbyhimself.HedoesonlywhatheseestheFatherdoing.WhatevertheFatherdoes,theSonalsodoes.20FortheFatherlovestheSonandshowshimeverythingheisdoing.Q-Inthenextversesbelow,whatelsedoesJesussayhecando?A-21ForjustastheFathergiveslifetothoseheraisesfromthedead,sotheSongiveslifetoanyonehewants.22Inaddition,theFatherjudgesnoone.Instead,hehasgiventheSonabsoluteauthoritytojudge,

Q-Inverse23,whatconclusiondoesJesuswantthemtoreach?A-23sothateveryonewillhonortheSon,justastheyhonortheFather.AnyonewhodoesnothonortheSoniscertainlynothonoringtheFatherwhosenthim.Q-Inverse24below,whatdoesJesusofferandpromisethem?A-24"Itellyouthetruth,thosewholistentomymessageandbelieveinGodwhosentmehaveeternallife.Theywillneverbecondemnedfortheirsins,buttheyhavealreadypassedfromdeathintolife.John5:24isagoodsummaryofmuchofwhatJesussaid.It'sagreatversetowritedown,memorize,andsharewithothers!Q-Skippingdowntoverse36now.WhatproofdoesJesusgivethatheactuallyisfromGod,thathecangiveeternallifetothosewhobelieve?A-TheFathergavemetheseworkstoaccomplish,andtheyprovethathesentme.Remember,thisconversationhappensafterJesushealedamanwhohadbeenseriouslyillfor38years...whoisnowwalkingaroundwell!Thisisjustoneofmany,manymiraclesthatJesusperforms.Q-Inthenextversebelow,howisJesusdifferentfromthem?A-37AndtheFatherwhosentmehastestifiedaboutmehimself.Youhaveneverheardhisvoiceorseenhimfacetoface,38andyoudonothavehismessageinyourhearts,becauseyoudonotbelieveme--theonehesenttoyou.Q-Inthenextversebelow,JesusistalkingabouttheOldTestamentscriptures...fromMoses,David,Isaiah,etc.WhatdoyounoticeinthesenextstatementsfromJesus?A-39"YousearchtheScripturesbecauseyouthinktheygiveyou

eternallife.ButtheScripturespointtome!40Yetyourefusetocometometoreceivethislife.ThepeoplethoughtthatiftheymemorizedtheScripturesandtriedtofolloweverythinginthem,theycouldearneternallife.Jesusispointingoutthatheiscentraltoeternallife.Q-Inthesenexttwoverses,Jesusexplainstheirproblem.Whatisit?A-44Nowonderyoucan'tbelieve!Foryougladlyhonoreachother,butyoudon'tcareaboutthehonorthatcomesfromtheonewhoaloneisGod.46IfyoureallybelievedMoses,youwouldbelieveme,becausehewroteaboutme.MoseswrotethefirstfivebooksoftheBible.Ithasbeenestimatedthatthereareover300OldTestamentpropheciesaboutthecomingMessiah,thatJesusfulfilled.Wehaveanarticleaboutthis,ifyou'reinterested:www.everystudent.com/wires/judaism.htmlQ-Howwouldyousummarizethemainpointsyoulearnedintoday'sBiblestudy?A-It'sgreattodigthroughtheseverseswithyou!NextstudyisJohn6.We'regoingtohitjustafewversesinit.Jesustalksagainabouthowtohaveeternallife!ThankhimforgivingYOUeternallife!Questions?Sendanemail,andsomeonewillpersonallyreplytoyou:www.everystudent.com/contact.php~~~~~~~~~~~~9th-KnowingGodBetter-John6John,chapter6isalongchapter-71verses.Andagreatevent.I'mgoingtosummarizesomeofit,andwe'lllookatsomekeyverses.Q-Verse2below.WhywerepeoplefollowingJesus?

A-2Ahugecrowdkeptfollowinghimwhereverhewent,becausetheysawhismiraculoussignsashehealedthesick.Thischaptertellsusthatthecrowdis5,000men,pluswomenandchildren.Jesusdecidestofeedthemall.Andhestartswithfoodtheycanfind...aboyhadfiveloavesofbreadandtwofish.JesusgavethankstoGod,andthediscipleshandedoutthefood.Andtheyallateasmuchastheywanted.12Aftereveryonewasfull...13Sotheypickedupthepiecesandfilledtwelvebasketswithscrapsleftbythepeoplewhohadeatenfromthefivebarleyloaves.Q-Whatwasthecrowd'sreaction?Didtheyrealizewhathappened?(Seeversesbelow)A-14Whenthepeoplesawhimdothismiraculoussign,theyexclaimed,"Surely,heistheProphetwehavebeenexpecting!"So,whatdoyouthinkhappenedthenextday?WhenJesusfedthecrowd,theywereonamountainslopebytheSeaofTiberias.Jesuslefttheminthemiddleofthenight,andliterallywalkedontheSeaofTiberiastogettotheotherside.IfyoueverheardofJesuswalkingonwater-it'strue.It'sinJohn6:16-21Ok,sonowthecrowdwakesupandcan'tfindJesus.So,theywalkallthewayaroundthewatertotheotherside(13mileslong,8mileswide),andfindJesus.Rightaway,Jesusconfrontsthem.Q-WhatdoesJesusthinktheyshouldfocuson?A-26Jesusreplied,"Itellyouthetruth,youwanttobewithmebecauseIfedyou,notbecauseyouunderstoodthemiraculoussigns.27Butdon'tbesoconcernedaboutperishablethingslikefood.SpendyourenergyseekingtheeternallifethattheSonofMancangiveyou.

Theydon'treallygetit.TheytrytogoadJesusintogivingthemmorebread,byremindinghimthatGodgaveMosesandtheIsraelitesmanna(bread)whentheywereinthewilderness.Jesusknowsthattheyneedmorethanbread!TheyhavealongdiscussionandJesusfinallytellsthem:33ThetruebreadofGodistheonewhocomesdownfromheavenandgiveslifetotheworld."34"Sir,"theysaid,"giveusthatbreadeveryday."35Jesusreplied,"Iamthebreadoflife.Whoevercomestomewillneverbehungryagain.Whoeverbelievesinmewillneverbethirsty.Q-Inthefollowingverses(below),howsecureisYOURrelationshipwithJesus?A-37However,thosetheFatherhasgivenmewillcometome,andIwillneverrejectthem.39AndthisisthewillofGod,thatIshouldnotloseevenoneofallthosehehasgivenme,butthatIshouldraisethemupatthelastday.40ForitismyFather'swillthatallwhoseehisSonandbelieveinhimshouldhaveeternallife.Iwillraisethemupatthelastday."TheybegintoargueaboutwhoJesusis.Jesusagainrepeatsthathecangivethemeternallife.Andthey'restillfocusedonbread!SoJesussayssomethingreallyshocking.He'stryingtogettheirattention,andhemightbejustatadfrustratedwiththem.Iamthebreadoflife!49Yourancestorsatemannainthewilderness,buttheyalldied.50Anyonewhoeatsthebreadfromheaven,however,willneverdie.51Iamthelivingbreadthatcamedownfromheaven.AnyonewhoeatsthisbreadwillliveforeverJesusgoesontosay:58Iamthetruebreadthatcamedownfromheaven.Anyonewhoeatsthisbreadwillnotdieasyourancestorsdid(eventhoughtheyatethemanna)butwillliveforever."

Obviously,Jesusisseeingthingsfromadifferentperspective.Q-WhatisJesus'focusedonforthem?Andwhataretheyfocusedonforthemselves?A-Jesusreallydrovehomethepointhard:56Anyonewhoeatsmyfleshanddrinksmybloodremainsinme,andIinhim.57IlivebecauseofthelivingFatherwhosentme;inthesameway,anyonewhofeedsonmewilllivebecauseofme.EvenJesus'disciplesaretakenbackbythis.ItsaysthatmanyofthemdesertedJesusatthatpoint.Jesusexplainstothemthateternallifedoesnothingeonpeople'sefforts-eveneatingordrinking.Heclarifies:63TheSpiritalonegiveseternallife.Humaneffortaccomplishesnothing.AndtheverywordsIhavespokentoyouarespiritandlife.Q-WhatwasJesustryingtogetthepeopletounderstand?A-Q-DoyouthinkSimonPeter,oneofthetwelveapostles,gotitright?(seebelow)A-Youhavethewordsthatgiveeternallife.69Webelieve,andweknowyouaretheHolyOneofGod."It'skindofrefreshing,isn'tit,toseethatreligiouseffortisnotwhatGodwantsfromus.ButsimplytobelieveinJesus.~~~~~~~~~~~~10th-KnowingGodBetter-John7Ihopeyou'reenjoyingthese!TodayI'dliketostartbyremindingyouofafewpointsmadeearlier.--JesuscamefromGod(SonofGod),sentbytheFather.

--TheOldTestamentcontainspropheciesaboutJesus.ThesepointsaregoingtocomeupagaininJohn7,inaverycoolway.InJohn7,Jesusisatalargereligiousfeast.Again,thepeoplearequestioninghisidentity.They'retryingtofigureoutifheistheChrist,theMessiah.Youcanreadthisinverses1-36.We'regoingtoskipthoseandstartatverse37.37Onthelastday,theclimaxofthefestival,Jesusstoodandshoutedtothecrowds,"Anyonewhoisthirstymaycometome!38Anyonewhobelievesinmemaycomeanddrink!FortheScripturesdeclare,'Riversoflivingwaterwillflowfromhisheart.'"40Whenthecrowdsheardhimsaythis,someofthemdeclared,"SurelythismanistheProphetwe'vebeenexpecting."41Otherssaid,"HeistheMessiah."Stillotherssaid,"Buthecan'tbe!WilltheMessiahcomefromGalilee?42FortheScripturesclearlystatethattheMessiahwillbebornoftheroyallineofDavid,inBethlehem,thevillagewhereKingDavidwasborn."43Sothecrowdwasdividedabouthim.44Someevenwantedhimarrested,butnoonelaidahandonhim.45WhentheTempleguardsreturnedwithouthavingarrestedJesus,theleadingpriestsandPhariseesdemanded,"Whydidn'tyoubringhimin?"46"Wehaveneverheardanyonespeaklikethis!"theguardsresponded.[ThePhariseesreplied]SearchtheScripturesandseeforyourself--noprophetevercomesfromGalilee!"Jesus,infact,didgrowupinGalilee.ButhewasBORNinBethlehem!Here'swhathappened.JustbeforeJesuswasborn,ataxlawrequiredMary(andJoseph

whowasengagedtoMary)togototheirancestor'splaceofbirthtoberegisteredforthetax.Thatrequiredthemtotravelto"thecityofDavid"whichisBethlehem,whichiswhereJesuswasborn.(YoucanfindthisinMatthewandLuke'sGospels.)Also,theGospelsshowthatJesuswasoftheroyallineofDavid.DoyouknowpeoplewhospendalotoftimearguingovertheBible,andmissthemainpoint?WhatdidJesustalkabout,regardingwherehecamefrom?DidhetalkaboutGalilee,orBethlehem?No.Q-OnewaytostudytheBibleistonoticewhensomethingisrepeatedmanytimes.WhatdoesJesussayrepeatedly?(seebelow)A-John5:23:AnyonewhodoesnothonortheSoniscertainlynothonoringtheFatherwhosenthim.John5:24:...thosewholistentomymessageandbelieveinGodwhosentmehaveeternallife.John5:30:IcarryoutthewilloftheonewhosentmeJohn5:36:TheFathergavemetheseworkstoaccomplish,andtheyprovethathesentme.John5:38:youdonotbelieveme--theonehesenttoyou.John6:44:FornoonecancometomeunlesstheFatherwhosentmedrawsthemtomeJohn6:46:onlyI,whowassentfromGod,haveseenhimJohn7:28:Theonewhosentmeistrue,andyoudon'tknowhimJohn7:29:Icomefromhim,andhesentmetoyouJohn7:33:Iwillreturntotheonewhosentme.Ithinkyougetthepoint.Here'sastatementfromJesusthatI'llleaveyouwithtoday.It'safterJesus'resurrection.Heistalkingtohisdisciples.John20:21:AstheFatherhassentme,soIamsendingyou.Wow.Huh?Jesushasamissionforus-totellothersabouthim.~~~~~~~~~~~~

11th-KnowingGodBetter-John8John8startswithagreatstoryofJesusforgivingawomanwhowascaughtinadultery.Wehaveabriefarticleonthisonethatyoumightenjoy:www.everystudent.com/wires/women.htmlTodaywe'regoingtostartatverse12.ThisisoneofthosestatementsfromJesusthatyoucanbankyourentirelifeon.Q-WhatdoesJesuspromiseyou?(seebelow)A-12Jesusspoketothepeopleoncemoreandsaid,"Iamthelightoftheworld.Ifyoufollowme,youwon'thavetowalkindarkness,becauseyouwillhavethelightthatleadstolife."Q-Whatisourresponsibilityintheaboveverse?A-Q-IfwedofollowJesus,whatistheresult?A-Iamamazedthatwecangothroughlifewiththeconfidencethatwedon'thavetowalkindarkness.Jesusofferstobeourlight.Andheasksustofollowhim.Writethisversedownandmemorizeit!Duringthosetimeswhenyoufeellost,thankJesus,"Thankyou,thatyouarethelightoftheworld.Thankyouthatyouwillleadme.Thankyouthatyoudonotleavemeindarkness,butwillbemylight."Today,IthinkI'mgoingtoendourstudyrighthere.We'llpickuptherestofJohn8nexttime.TrustJesus.Heisourlight!Ifyouwouldliketoaskaquestion,pleasefeelfreehere:www.everystudent.com/contact.php~~~~~~~~~~~~

12th-KnowingGodBetter-John8continuedHereweareinJohn,chapter8.AndpeoplearestillaskingJesusabouthisidentity.You'reseeingthatJesusisveryuniquefromleadersofotherreligions.IfyoulookatBuddha,Mohammad,theDalaiLama...theconversationisalwaysaboutwhattheysaid,theirteachings.ButwithJesus,WHOheis,isthecentralpoint.Hewasn'taskingpeopletoonlyfocusonhisteachings.Hewasaskingustobelievehim.Torelyonhim.So,hereweareagain,whereJesusisoncemoretryingtohelpthemrealizewhoheis.Q-Whatistheramificationiftheydon'tbelieveinJesus?(seeverse23below)A-23Jesuscontinued,"Youarefrombelow;Iamfromabove.Youbelongtothisworld;Idonot.24ThatiswhyIsaidthatyouwilldieinyoursins;forunlessyoubelievethatIAmwhoIclaimtobe,youwilldieinyoursins."Q-HowdidJesusviewhisrelationshipwiththeFather?DidJesushaveanydoubtsabouthisownidentity?(seeversesbelow)A-26IsayonlywhatIhaveheardfromtheonewhosentme,andheiscompletelytruthful.28IdonothingonmyownbutsayonlywhattheFathertaughtme.29Andtheonewhosentmeiswithme--hehasnotdesertedme.ForIalwaysdowhatpleaseshim.Canyouimaginebeingabletosaythataboutyourself?"Ialwaysdowhatpleaseshim."??Iwish!!ButJesuscould.Q-Inthefollowingverses,whatdoesJesuspromiseus?A-31Jesussaidtothepeoplewhobelievedinhim,"Youaretrulymydisciplesifyouremainfaithfultomyteachings.32Andyouwillknowthetruth,andthetruthwillsetyou

free."Jesusalreadypromisedtobeourlight,tokeepusfromwalkingindarkness,ifwewillfollowhim.Nowheispromisingtoleadusintoknowingthetruth.BeforeIhadarelationshipwithJesus,Iwasanatheist.Andanexistentialist.Ialwayswantedtoknowthetruthaboutlife.Iwantedtoknowwhatwasimportant.Howtolive.WhatIcouldrelyon.WhenIcametoknowJesus,mysearchended.Heisthetruth.Heisourlight.Andheofferstoleadus!Again,I'mgoingtoendheretoday.ThenextstudyiscontinuinginJohn8-itiswhenJesusgetsveryconfrontationalwiththereligiousscribesandPharisees.Heputseverythingonthetable.Andtheyreact!InourstudythroughtheGospelofJohn,Ihopeyou'rehanginginthere.~~~~~~~~~~~~13th-KnowingGodBetter-John8stillcontinuedYouknowthecommonviewofJesus?Kind,patient,meek,mild?Thatistruesometimes.ButnotinJohn8.Jesusreallyputsitallonthetable,andtellsthePhariseeswhatheseesintheirhearts.Jesusjustgotdonetellingthemthatsinenslavesthem.ButiftheywillbelieveinJesus,hewillsetthemfree.ThePhariseesarereallyputoffbythat,claimingtobedescendentsofAbraham,enslavedtonoone!Jesuscounters,sayingiftheywerechildrenofAbraham,theywoulddowhatAbrahamdid...andlistentoGod.So,Jesusbringsintoquestionwhotheyreallybelongto.StartingatJohn8:42...42Jesustoldthem,"IfGodwereyourFather,youwouldloveme,becauseIhavecometoyoufromGod.Iamnothereonmyown,buthesentme.

Q-NowJesuspullsoutallthestops.SummarizewhatJesussaysistrueofthem(seebelow):A-43Whycan'tyouunderstandwhatIamsaying?It'sbecauseyoucan'tevenhearme!44Foryouarethechildrenofyourfatherthedevil,andyoulovetodotheevilthingshedoes.Hewasamurdererfromthebeginning.Hehasalwayshatedthetruth,becausethereisnotruthinhim.Whenhelies,itisconsistentwithhischaracter;forheisaliarandthefatheroflies.ThenJesusasksaquestionofthem(ofhisenemies)thatnoaveragepersonwouldnormallybeabletoask:46Whichofyoucantruthfullyaccusemeofsin?ThenJesusfinishesthelogicalprogressionofhismessage:AndsinceIamtellingyouthetruth,whydon'tyoubelieveme?47AnyonewhobelongstoGodlistensgladlytothewordsofGod.Butyoudon'tlistenbecauseyoudon'tbelongtoGod."Youknowhowtheyreacted?Theybegancallinghimnames!Nokidding.TheycalledhimaSamaritan(aracistslur).AndthensaidJesuswaspossessedbyademon(areligiousslur).Jesusdoesnotbackdown.Hesaysafewthings,thenthis:51Itellyouthetruth,anyonewhoobeysmyteachingwillneverdie!"Theyimmediatelyretort:53AreyougreaterthanourfatherAbraham?Hedied,andsodidtheprophets.Whodoyouthinkyouare?"HereishowJesusresponds:56YourfatherAbrahamrejoicedashelookedforwardtomycoming.Hesawitandwasglad."57Thepeoplesaid,"Youaren'tevenfiftyyearsold.HowcanyousayyouhaveseenAbraham?"Q-BasedonJesus'answerbelow,whatdoyouthinkheissaying

abouthimself?Whoishesayingthatheis?A-58Jesusanswered,"Itellyouthetruth,beforeAbrahamwasevenborn,IAm!"Hereistheirreaction:59Atthatpointtheypickedupstonestothrowathim.ButJesuswashiddenfromthemandlefttheTemple.Rememberthephrase,"IAm"isreservedforonlyGod.So,onceagain,Jesusisclearlyputtingforthhisidentity.BeforeAbrahamwasborn,Jesusexisted.Eternally."Iam."ThosewhosaythatJesusneverclaimedtobeGod,haveneverreadthegospels!NextstudyisJohn9,whichisprettycomical.Evensarcastic.Lookingforwardtoitwithyou!~~~~~~~~~~~~14th-KnowingGodBetter-John9John9openswiththedisciplesaskingaverysurprisingquestion.1AsJesuswaswalkingalong,hesawamanwhohadbeenblindfrombirth.2"Rabbi,"hisdisciplesaskedhim,"whywasthismanbornblind?Wasitbecauseofhisownsinsorhisparents'sins?"TheyfeltcomfortableaskingJesusanything...anyquestionaboutlife,theuniverse,ANYTHING!And(rightly)believedthatJesuswouldknow.HerewasJesus'answer...3"Itwasnotbecauseofhissinsorhisparents'sins,"Jesusanswered."ThishappenedsothepowerofGodcouldbeseeninhim.4Wemustquicklycarryoutthetasksassignedusbytheonewhosentus.Thenightiscoming,andthennoonecanwork.5ButwhileIamhereintheworld,Iamthelightoftheworld."

AndthenJesusdidthis...6Thenhespitontheground,mademudwiththesaliva,andspreadthemudovertheblindman'seyes.Q-Inverse6(above)didtheblindmanbelieveinJesus,andcooperatewithJesusputtingmudonhiseyes?OrdidJesusforcefullydothistohim?(Warning:Thisisatrickquestion.)A-Thereisnotenoughinformationinthatversetoknow.Butifwekeepreading,wedoknow!(Keepthatinmind.Sometimesyouneedtojustkeepreading.)Jesusthentoldtheman...7"GowashyourselfinthepoolofSiloam"...Sothemanwentandwashedandcamebackseeing!Q-DidthemanbelieveinJesus?A-John9continuesinarathercomicalway.Thisman,bornblind,cannowsee.Andthecrowd,andespeciallythePharisees,aretryingtofigureoutifthisistrue.Andifso,howdidithappen?(Youshouldreadthewholechapter.)Q-Accordingtotheversesbelow,whydidthecrowdtakethemantothePharisees?A-13ThentheytookthemanwhohadbeenblindtothePharisees,14becauseitwasontheSabbaththatJesushadmadethemudandhealedhim.Themanexplainedhowhewashealed.Q-WhatdoyouthinkofthePharisees'conclusion,inverse16?A-16SomeofthePhariseessaid,"ThismanJesusisnotfromGod,forheisworkingontheSabbath."Q-Accordingtothenextverse,howdesperatewerethePharisees?A-18TheJewishleadersstillrefusedtobelievethemanhadbeenblindandcouldnowsee,sotheycalledinhisparents.

Q-Theyaskedtheparentsifthiswasindeedtheirson,andifhereallywasbornblind.Accordingtotheparents'answerbelow,whatwasimportanttohisparents?A-20Hisparentsreplied,"Weknowthisisoursonandthathewasbornblind,21butwedon'tknowhowhecanseeorwhohealedhim.Askhim.Heisoldenoughtospeakforhimself."22HisparentssaidthisbecausetheywereafraidoftheJewishleaders,whohadannouncedthatanyonesayingJesuswastheMessiahwouldbeexpelledfromthesynagogue.Q-Intheversesbelow,lookatthisman'sanswer.WhatdoesthisshowyouabouthowYOUcanspeakaboutwhatGodhasdoneinyourlife?A-24Soforthesecondtimetheycalledinthemanwhohadbeenblindandtoldhim,"Godshouldgetthegloryforthis,becauseweknowthismanJesusisasinner."25"Idon'tknowwhetherheisasinner,"themanreplied."ButIknowthis:Iwasblind,andnowIcansee!"AfterthePhariseesthrewthemanoutofthesynagogue,Jesusfoundtheman,andaskedthemanthisquestion...35..."DoyoubelieveintheSonofMan?"36Themananswered,"Whoishe,sir?Iwanttobelieveinhim."37"Youhaveseenhim,"Jesussaid,"andheisspeakingtoyou!"38"Yes,Lord,Ibelieve!"themansaid.AndheworshipedJesus.Q-WhatdoesthisshowyouaboutJesus'heart?A-NextstudywillbeJohn10,whichmightbemyfavoritechapter.~~~~~~~~~~~~

15th-KnowingGodBetter-John10InthefirstfiveversesofJohn10,Jesustalksaboutsheepandthejobofashepherd.I'macitygirl(Chicago).Soitwasalittlehardformetopictureallofthis.Thenitsays...6ThosewhoheardJesususethisillustrationdidn'tunderstandwhathemeantSothatputsmeingoodcompany!Haha.ThenextverseshowsJesus'graciousheart:"Soheexplainedittothem..."Thoseinvolvedinthisparable:thesheep,ahiredhand(whodoesn'tcareaboutthesheep),andthegoodshepherd.Pictureasmallfield,withafencearoundit,andagateattheopening.Thesheeparegatheredbehindagate.Andtheshepherd'sjobistostandguardatnight,againstthievesandwolves.Duringtheday,sothesheepcangraze,theshepherdleadsthesheepinandoutofthegate.Theyknowtheshepherd,andtheysimplyfollowhisvoice.Jesussays...12Ahiredhandwillrunwhenheseesawolfcoming.Hewillabandonthesheepbecausetheydon'tbelongtohimandheisn'ttheirshepherd.Andsothewolfattacksthemandscatterstheflock.13Thehiredhandrunsawaybecausehe'sworkingonlyforthemoneyanddoesn'treallycareaboutthesheep.Q-HowdoesJesusidentifyhimselfinthisparable?Andwhatdoesheoffer(us)thesheep?Seebelow.A-"Itellyouthetruth,Iamthegateforthesheep.8Allwhocamebeforemewerethievesandrobbers.Butthetruesheepdidnotlistentothem.9Yes,Iamthegate.Thosewhocomeinthroughmewillbesaved.Theywillcomeandgofreelyandwillfindgoodpastures...Mypurposeistogivethemarichandsatisfyinglife.Q-Accordingtotheversesbelow,whatdidJesussayhewoulddoforus?A-

11"Iamthegoodshepherd.Thegoodshepherdsacrificeshislifeforthesheep.14"Iamthegoodshepherd;Iknowmyownsheep,andtheyknowme,15justasmyFatherknowsmeandIknowtheFather.SoIsacrificemylifeforthesheep.17"TheFatherlovesmebecauseIsacrificemylifesoImaytakeitbackagain.18Noonecantakemylifefromme.Isacrificeitvoluntarily.ForIhavetheauthoritytolayitdownwhenIwanttoandalsototakeitupagain.Q-Inthoseversesyoujustread,whydoyouthinkJesusstatesthissomanytimes?A-ItisgoingtosoonappearthatJesusisforcefullyarrested,crucified,atthedecisionofthePhariseesandRomans.Jesuswilllooklikehehasnocontroloverthesituation.Q-Accordingtotheversesabove,whoisincontrolofJesus'crucifixionanddeath?A-Inthenextstudy,wewillfinishJohn10,whereJesusdescribesourintimaterelationshipwithhim.IhopeyouareenjoyingstudyingGod'sWord!!Ifyouwouldliketoaskaquestion,hereyougo:www.everystudent.com/contact.php~~~~~~~~~~~~16th-KnowingGodBetter-John10continuedWearefinishingupJohn10.Jesushasbeendescribinghimselfasourgoodshepherd.Theonewhocaresforus.Theonewhowilllaydownhislifeforus.InJohn10:22,JesusisnowintheTemple,duringthereligiousFestivalofDedication.24Thepeoplesurroundedhimandasked,"Howlongareyougoingtokeepusinsuspense?IfyouaretheMessiah,tellusplainly."

25Jesusreplied,"Ihavealreadytoldyou,andyoudon'tbelieveme.Q-InJesus'nextstatement,whatreasondoesJesusgive,thattheyshouldbelieveinhimbynow?A-(25)TheproofistheworkIdoinmyFather'sname.Jesusisreferringtothemiraclesthattheyareseeinghimdo.(Youknow,allofthosemiraclesthatJesusdoes,evenontheSabbath!)Jesusgoesontodescribethosewhodobelieveinhim.Inhisnextstatements,Jesusimpliesthreethingshedoes,andthreethingshissheepdo.Q-WhatarethosethreeactionsJesus'takes?Andwhatarethethreeactionsofhissheep?(seebelow)A-27Mysheeplistentomyvoice;Iknowthem,andtheyfollowme.28Igivethemeternallife,andtheywillneverperish.Justsoyougetthisone.Heretheyare:Jesus:speakstous,knowsus,givesuseternallifeWe:listentohisvoice,followhim,neverperishQ-HowsecuredoesJesussay,isourrelationshipwithhim?(seebelow)A-Noonecansnatchthemawayfromme,29formyFatherhasgiventhemtome,andheismorepowerfulthananyoneelse.NoonecansnatchthemfromtheFather'shand.30TheFatherandIareone."Whatdoyousupposethepeople'sreactionistothis?Youguessedit!31Onceagainthepeoplepickedupstonestokillhim.32Jesussaid,"AtmyFather'sdirectionIhavedonemanygoodworks.Forwhichoneareyougoingtostoneme?"33Theyreplied,"We'restoningyounotforanygoodwork,butforblasphemy!You,amereman,claimtobeGod."

Atleasttheyunderstood.Jesustriedoncemoretomovethemtowardfaith.37Don'tbelievemeunlessIcarryoutmyFather'swork.38ButifIdohiswork,believeintheevidenceofthemiraculousworksIhavedone,evenifyoudon'tbelieveme.ThenyouwillknowandunderstandthattheFatherisinme,andIamintheFather."Q-SummarizeallthatyouknowtobetrueofJesus,andyourrelationshipwithhim,justfromtoday'sstudy.A-"Jesus,youarefarmoregraciousthanwewilleverdeserve.Thankyouforgivingusreasontobelieveinyou.Thankyouforcaringaboutustothepointofdeath.Thankyouforspeakingtous.Forleadingussothatwemayfollow.Andforknowingus,whenwedon'tmerityourintimacy.Thankyouforholdingustightlyinyourhand."Nextstudy-John11.Jesusdoesthespectacular!~~~~~~~~~~~~17th-KnowingGodBetter-John11InJohn,chapter11,we'regoingtoseeJesuswiththreeofhisbestfriends.Theyareafamilycomprisedofonebrotherandtwosisters.Hehangsoutwiththemoften.TwootherplacesinthegospelsyouseeJesusintheirhome.They'reclosefriends.AndJesusclearlylovesthem.Itevensaysso.Intoday'schapterwe'regoingtoseewhatJesusdoesforhisfriend,Lazarus,thebrother.Heletshimdie.Heliterallystoodby,andlethimdie.Rathershockingifyou'veeverheardthesong,"WhatafriendwehaveinJesus..."PleasereadJohn11onyourown,thencomeback.

Hereitisonlineforyou:http://tinyurl.com/8ag77beQ-Verse3(below),whatdoyouthinkMaryandMarthawereexpecting?Whyshouldtheyexpectit?A-SothetwosisterssentamessagetoJesustellinghim,"Lord,yourdearfriendisverysick."EverythingtheyhadwatchedJesusdo.Everythingtheyknewabouthimandabouttheirfriendshipwithhim.Ofcoursetheywouldsendthismessage!TheyknewwhereJesuswas.Alltheyhadtodowassendamessage.Q-Intheversesbelow,whattworeasonsdoesJesusgiveforNOTgoingtoLazarus?A-4...ithappenedforthegloryofGodsothattheSonofGodwillreceivegloryfromthis."15I'mgladIwasn'tthere,fornowyouwillreallybelieve.Come,let'sgoseehim."Next,wewillfinishthisstudyofJohn11.It'spowerful.~~~~~~~~~~~~18th-KnowingGodBetter-John11(continued)MaryandMarthahadthesameconclusion.IfJesushadcome,theirbrotherwouldn'thavedied.ButMarthaaddsthiscommentoffaith:21MarthasaidtoJesus,"Lord,ifonlyyouhadbeenhere,mybrotherwouldnothavedied.22ButevennowIknowthatGodwillgiveyouwhateveryouask."Marthaisarock.HerfaithinJesusissteadyeveninthemoment.Q-DoesMarthabelieveJesusisgoingtoraiseLazarusfromthedeadrightthen?(seebelow)A-23Jesustoldher,"Yourbrotherwillriseagain."

24"Yes,"Marthasaid,"hewillrisewheneveryoneelserises,atthelastday."Q-IsMartha'sfaithfocusedonherneeds,onLazarus'well-being,oronJesus?(seebelow)A-25Jesustoldher,"Iamtheresurrectionandthelife.Anyonewhobelievesinmewilllive,evenafterdying.26Everyonewholivesinmeandbelievesinmewillnevereverdie.Doyoubelievethis,Martha?"27"Yes,Lord,"shetoldhim."IhavealwaysbelievedyouaretheMessiah,theSonofGod,theonewhohascomeintotheworldfromGod."Maryisnotsocalm.32WhenMaryarrivedandsawJesus,shefellathisfeetandsaid,"Lord,ifonlyyouhadbeenhere,mybrotherwouldnothavedied."33WhenJesussawherweepingandsawtheotherpeoplewailingwithher,adeepangerwelledupwithinhim,andhewasdeeplytroubled.Thetranslationwe'rereadingisunusualinwordingitas,"adeepangerwelledupwithinhim."OthertranslationssayJesuswas:deeplymovedinspiritandtroubleddeeplymovedwithinhisheartwastroubledverymuchhegroanedSoIguesstranslatorshaveahardtimeputtingintowordsJesus'emotions.Theywereextremelyintense,howeveryouwordit.Q-InlightofLazarus'death,peoplewailing,hisgoodfriendssuffering,howelsedidJesus'react?(seebelow)A-35ThenJesuswept.Again,inverse38.I'llbracketthesewords...38Jesuswas[stillangry,deeplymoved]ashearrivedat

thetomb,acavewithastonerolledacrossitsentrance.39"Rollthestoneaside,"Jesustoldthem.LogicalMarthaprotests:"Lord,hehasbeendeadforfourdays.Thesmellwillbeterrible."Martha'sunwaveringfaithinJesusjusttookaleft-turn.Jesushadtoremindher:40Jesusresponded,"Didn'tItellyouthatyouwouldseeGod'sgloryifyoubelieve?"Thiscomesnext:41Sotheyrolledthestoneaside.ThenJesuslookeduptoheavenandsaid,"Father,thankyouforhearingme.42Youalwayshearme,butIsaiditoutloudforthesakeofallthesepeoplestandinghere,sothattheywillbelieveyousentme."43ThenJesusshouted,"Lazarus,comeout!"44Andthedeadmancameout,hishandsandfeetboundingraveclothes,hisfacewrappedinaheadcloth.Jesustoldthem,"Unwraphimandlethimgo!"Q-WhatwastheoutcomeofJesusmakingLazarusaliveafterbeingburiedfor4days?(seebelow)A-45ManyofthepeoplewhowerewithMarybelievedinJesuswhentheysawthishappen.46ButsomewenttothePhariseesandtoldthemwhatJesushaddone.53Sofromthattimeon,theJewishleadersbegantoplotJesus'death.Q-Basedonthischapter,whenthecircumstanceslookdismalinyourlife,isJesusawareofyourcircumstancesanddoeshehaveabigpictureinmind?A-Q-AsyoulookatJesus'emotionshere,doyouthinkJesus'caresaboutyou?A

Q-Whatdoeshewantyoutodo?FindaverseabovethatsummarizeswhatGodwantsyoutodo.A-IfyouwanttoknowtheheartofJesus,thischaptertellsyoualot.It'sinScripture,sothatwecanknowhimandtrusthim.Hopeyou'reenjoyingthese.Ifyoueverhavequestions,orwanttofindouthowconnectwithotherChristians,emailus:www.everystudent.com/contact.php~~~~~~~~~~~~19th-KnowingGodBetter-John12Whatdoyoudowhenyourbrother,whowasdeadandburiedinatombforfourdays...comesbacktolife?Youthrowaparty!!!SoMary,Martha,Lazarushaveaparty,inJesushonor.(Howdoyouthanksomeonewhobroughtyourbrotherbacktolife?)9WhenallthepeopleheardofJesus'arrival,theyflockedtoseehimandalsotoseeLazarus,themanJesushadraisedfromthedead.Q-Andintrueform,thereligiousleadersweighin.Accordingtotheseverses(below),whyweretheJewishpriestssoopposedtoJesus?A-10ThentheleadingpriestsdecidedtokillLazarus,too,11foritwasbecauseofhimthatmanyofthepeoplehaddesertedthemandbelievedinJesus.Sometimesyou'llfindinasectionofScripture,amainpointrepeated.Intoday'sstudywe'regoingtoseeoneofthese.*Glory*Thepriestswantedglory.Inverses12-15weseeinstead,thecrowdgivingJesusglory.Theyputpalmbranchesontheroad,andJesusrodeintoJerusalemonadonkeywhilethecrowdcriedout:"Hosanna!BlessedishewhocomesinthenameoftheLord,eventheKingofIsrael!"

We'retoldthatJesusdidthis,"justasitiswritten."Meaning,intheOldTestament,(inthiscase,bytheprophetZechariah.)Thenyouseeaninterestingcommentinverse16:16Hisdisciplesdidn'tunderstandatthetimethatthiswasafulfillmentofprophecy.ButafterJesusenteredintohisglory,theyrememberedwhathadhappenedandrealizedthatthesethingshadbeenwrittenabouthim.WhendidJesusenterintohisglory?Itwasn'tnow,asheisreceivingthecrowd'spraise.Here'saclue.SeewhatJesussaid:23...NowthetimehascomefortheSonofMantoenterintohisglory.27Nowmysoulisdeeplytroubled.ShouldIpray,'Father,savemefromthishour'?ButthisistheveryreasonIcame!"28Father,bringglorytoyourname.32AndwhenIamliftedupfromtheearth,Iwilldraweveryonetomyself.33Hesaidthistoindicatehowhewasgoingtodie.Q-Accordingtotheversesabove,whydidJesuscome?A-ThecrowdsarehopingthatJesuswillbetheirnewKing.ButJesusisenteringJerusalemwithawholedifferentagenda.35Jesusreplied,'Mylightwillshineforyoujustalittlelonger.Walkinthelightwhileyoucan,sothedarknesswillnotovertakeyou.36Putyourtrustinthelightwhilethereisstilltime;thenyouwillbecomechildrenofthelight.'Chapter12continues,andquotestheOldTestamentprophet,Isaiah.ThenaddsthisinterestingcommentaboutIsaiah(wholived700yearsbeforeJesus):41IsaiahwasreferringtoJesuswhenhesaidthis,becausehesawthefutureandspokeoftheMessiah'sglory.Incontrast,weread:42Manypeopledidbelieveinhim,however,includingsomeof

theJewishleaders.Buttheywouldn'tadmititforfearthatthePhariseeswouldexpelthemfromthesynagogue.Andthisisthezingerclose:43FortheylovedhumanpraisemorethanthepraiseofGod.Q-Onapersonallevel,doI,doyou,liveforthepraiseofmenorthepraiseofGod?A-Jesuscallsustofocusonhim:46Ihavecomeasalighttoshineinthisdarkworld,sothatallwhoputtheirtrustinmewillnolongerremaininthedark.Anamazingoffer,don'tyouthink?IhopeyouareenjoyingthisstudyoftheGospelofJohn.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasefeelfreetoemailusatEveryStudent.com.Specificallyhere:www.everystudent.com/contact.php~~~~~~~~~~~~20th-KnowingGodBetter-John13Thanksforstayingwithmethroughallofthese!WhenwegettoJohn14through17,we'regoingtoslowdownalittle.Sowe'regoingtotakeaquickerlookatJohn13.Haveyoueverbeenbetrayedbyafriend?Maybe?Butnottowheretheyhadyoukilled!(Imean,you'restillhere,right?)Atthis"LastSupper"Jesustellshisdisciplesthatoneofthemwillbetrayhim.Inverse18and19,Jesussays,...thisfulfillsthe[OldTestament]Scripturethatsays,'Theonewhoeatsmyfoodhasturnedagainstme.'19Itellyouthisbeforehand,sothatwhenithappensyouwillbelievethatIAmtheMessiah.

ItisJudaswhogoestotheJewishauthoritiesand,formoney,tellsthemwhenandwheretoarrestJesus.(Readchapter13,toseethefullstoryofJesus'interactionwithJudas.Here'salink:http://tinyurl.com/32rpg97)Jesus'desireisthatthedisciplestoknowthatheistheMessiah,theChrist,theSonofGod(allvarioustitlesthatmeanthesamething).ButJesusalsowantsthemtoknowhelovesthem.John13openswiththisstatement:(I'mgoingtoquotefromadifferenttranslation,justbecauseIlovethewayit'sworded):1...whenJesusknewthathishourhadcometodepartoutofthisworldtotheFather,havinglovedhisownwhowereintheworld,helovedthemtotheend.ThatissuchatruestatementofJesus'relationshipwithus."...havinglovedhisownwhowereintheworld,helovedthemtotheend."Atthis"lastsupper"Jesuschosetheroleofthelowestservant,andwashedeachofthedisciples'feet.Hethentalkedabouttheirneedtoalsobehumble.Andtoserveothers.Jesusalwaysseemedconcernedwithheartmotives,rightattitudes.InearlierchaptersofJohn,welookedatsomeofthelawsthePhariseeshad.Theywereobsessedwithoutwardbehaviorsandrules.NowJesusbringsthemanewlaw:34SonowIamgivingyouanewcommandment:Loveeachother.JustasIhavelovedyou,youshouldloveeachother.Q-WhatdoyouthinkofJesus'commandment?A-Q-Howwouldtheyknowhowtolove?WhatdoesJesuspointtothatwouldhelpthemknowhowtolove?(seeverse34above)A-Inourrolesandresponsibilities,therearecertainstandardswearemeasuredby.Itmightbeproductivity,timeliness,ideas,whatweaccomplish,etc.

Jesustellsushowweshowothersthatwearefollowersofhim:35Yourloveforoneanotherwillprovetotheworldthatyouaremydisciples.Inchapters14-17,wewilllookatHOWwe'reabletoloveoneanother.Jesusisourmodel.Buthe'smuchmorethanthat.HeisalsoGod,andtheonewhocanliveinusandloveothers,throughus.You'llsee!Justincaseyou'renotsureyouhavearelationshipwithGod,thisexplainshowyoucan:www.everystudent.com/features/gettingconnected.html~~~~~~~~~~~~21st-KnowingGodBetter-John13continuedToday'sstudywillbeaboutwhatittakestogettoheaven.We'regoingtostartinverse31.Judasisleaving.He'sgoinggobetrayJesustotheJewishauthorities,tohelpthemarrestJesus.Atthispoint,Jesusbringsupanuncomfortabletopic.Jesusistalkingaboutleavingthedisciples.Butthistime,thedisciplescannotgowithhim.31AssoonasJudaslefttheroom,Jesussaid,"ThetimehascomefortheSonofMantoenterintohisglory,andGodwillbeglorifiedbecauseofhim.32AndsinceGodreceivesglorybecauseoftheSon,hewillsoongiveglorytotheSon.33Dearchildren,Iwillbewithyouonlyalittlelonger.AndasItoldtheJewishleaders,youwillsearchforme,butyoucan'tcomewhereIamgoing.ThisisoneofthosetimeswhenyouneedtokeepreadingtofindoutwhatJesusistalkingabout.Thediscipleswereconfusedaboutthis.36SimonPeterasked,"Lord,whereareyougoing?"AndJesusreplied,"Youcan'tgowithmenow,butyouwill

followmelater."AsJohn14starts,webegintounderstand.Jesussays:Don'tletyourheartsbetroubled.TrustinGod,andtrustalsoinme.2ThereismorethanenoughroominmyFather'shome.Ifthiswerenotso,wouldIhavetoldyouthatIamgoingtoprepareaplaceforyou?3Wheneverythingisready,Iwillcomeandgetyou,sothatyouwillalwaysbewithmewhereIam.Q-WhereisJesuspreparingaplaceforthem?(seeaboveverses)A-Q-OftenJesustalkedaboutbeingsentbytheFather,whoisinheaven.JesuscamefromtheFather.SowhereisJesusgoing?A-Ifyou'restillnotsurewhat'sgoingonhere,thediscipleswereconfusedalso.Jesussaidtothedisciples:3Wheneverythingisready,Iwillcomeandgetyou,sothatyouwillalwaysbewithmewhereIam.4AndyouknowthewaytowhereIamgoing.5"No,wedon'tknow,Lord,"Thomassaid."Wehavenoideawhereyouaregoing,sohowcanweknowtheway?"HereisJesus'reply.Itisamonumentalcomment!It'sonethatyoushouldconsiderwritingdownandmemorizing.Hereyougo:6Jesustoldhim,"Iamtheway,thetruth,andthelife.NoonecancometotheFatherexceptthroughme.SonowJesushasclarifiedthatheisgoingtotheFather,andheispreparingaplaceforthemtobewithhim,withtheFather.Q-WhenThomasaskedhimhowtheycouldpossiblyknowtheway,howdidJesusanswerhim?WhatisthewaytotheFatherinheaven?A-

JesusisnotmerelyawaytotheFather.Heisn'tlikeagreatteacheroraprophetthatpointspeopletowardGod.Itisn'tlikehe'sjustsaying,"ListentowhatItellyou,anditwilltellyouhowtogettoheaven."JesussaidthatheisTHEway,andinfactnoonecangettotheFatherexceptthroughhim.Heisthetruth.Heiseternallife.He'swhyJesusisnotjustAwaytotheFather.Hereareverses7through11,Jesus'speaking:7Ifyouhadreallyknownme,youwouldknowwhomyFatheris.Fromnowon,youdoknowhimandhaveseenhim!"8Philipsaid,"Lord,showustheFather,andwewillbesatisfied."9Jesusreplied,"HaveIbeenwithyouallthistime,Philip,andyetyoustilldon'tknowwhoIam?AnyonewhohasseenmehasseentheFather!Sowhyareyouaskingmetoshowhimtoyou?10Don'tyoubelievethatIamintheFatherandtheFatherisinme?ThewordsIspeakarenotmyown,butmyFatherwholivesinmedoeshisworkthroughme.11JustbelievethatIamintheFatherandtheFatherisinme.Oratleastbelievebecauseoftheworkyouhaveseenmedo.Jesusisremindingthemofalltheyhaveseen...Lazarusbeingraisedfromthedead.Amanbornblindabletosee.Feedingfivethousandpeople,startingwithfiveloavesofbreadandtwofish.Q-Aretheretimeswhenthecurrentcircumstanceshaveyousoconfused,sofocusedontheproblems,thatyouforgetwhatyouknowaboutJesus?A-I'mgoingtocheatalittleandgiveyouastatementthatJesusmakesinJohn16(whichwehaven'tcometoyet).Butitlandstheplaneforyou.Jesustellshisdisciples:27fortheFatherhimselflovesyoudearlybecauseyoulovemeandbelievethatIcamefromGod.28Yes,IcamefromtheFatherintotheworld,andnowIwillleavetheworldandreturntotheFather."

Q-WhatisthemainverseforyoutoknowandbelieveaboutJesusfromtoday'sstudyofJohn14?A-Theremaybeseveral.MakesureyoucatchJohn14:6.6Jesustoldhim,"Iamtheway,thetruth,andthelife.NoonecancometotheFatherexceptthroughme.AndJesusexplainswhythisistrue:AnyonewhohasseenmehasseentheFather!IamintheFatherandtheFatherisinme.Forthosewhobelieveinhim,heispreparingaplaceforus.Andhewillbringusthere,tobewithhimforever!Nextstudy...somehere-in-this-lifehelpforus!IfyouarelookingforawaytotellfriendsorrelativesaboutJesus,Ihaveanideaforyou.Youcouldemailormessagethemthislink:http://www.everystudent.com/features/faith.htmlOryoucouldpostthatlinktoyourFacebookpageorinTwitter.~~~~~~~~~~~~22nd-KnowingGodBetter-John14InJohn13,wesawJesusathislastsupperwithhisdisciples.InJohn14,Jesusisnowsoundingurgent,veryparentalwithhisdisciples.Protective.Heknowshe'sleavingthemsoon.Thecrucifixionisnear,andJesusknowsit.Healsoknowsthatthisisgoingtobeaverystressful,unsettlingtimeforthem.Sohehassomeimportantwordsforthem...whichherepeatsseveraltimes.Q-Intheseversesbelow,whatisJesus'instructiontothem?A-15Ifyouloveme,obeymycommandments.

21Thosewhoacceptmycommandmentsandobeythemaretheoneswholoveme.23...allwholovemewilldowhatIsay.Q-WhatdoesthefollowingversetellyouwhatJesuscaresabout,andmodeledtothem?A-31IwilldowhattheFatherrequiresofme,sothattheworldwillknowthatIlovetheFather.Amazingconsistency.Jesuswassoclear.WouldtheybeabletoobeyJesusonceheleaves?Here'swhatJesussays:16...IwillasktheFather,andhewillgiveyouanotherAdvocate,whowillneverleaveyou.17HeistheHolySpirit,wholeadsintoalltruth...youknowhim,becauseheliveswithyounowandlaterwillbeinyou.18No,Iwillnotabandonyouasorphans--Iwillcometoyou.JesussaysthattheHolySpiritwillliveinthem.TothosewhodesirearelationshipwithGod,whobelieveinJesus,Goddoesnotremainoutsideourlives.Heisnot"outthere"andwesimplydoourbesttoobeyhim.No.Hecomestoliveinsideofus,givingushislifeinus.Givingusthepowertoobeyhim.Jesussaysintheseverses:20WhenIamraisedtolifeagain,youwillknowthatIaminmyFather,andyouareinme,andIaminyou.23...andwewillcomeandmakeourhomewitheachofthem.Q-Accordingtotheseverses,wholivesinthelivesofbelievers?A-verse17-verse20&23-Youcanseehere,andinmanyotherplacesinScripture,JesusclearlydescribestheFather,theHolySpirit,andhimselfinauniquerelationshipwitheachother.JesusaskstheFathertosendtheHolySpirit.And"they"asoneGod,resideinuswhobelieve.ThisisagreatillustrationoftheTrinity-three,yetonlyoneGod.IfyouwantafurtherdescriptionoftheTrinity,pleasesee

www.everystudent.com/forum/trinity.htmlAndifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasefeelfreetoemailus:www.everystudent.com/contact.phpNextchapter,Jesuswilltellushowtorelyonhislove!~~~~~~~~~~~~23rd-KnowingGodBetter-John15Whatdoyouknowaboutgrowinggrapes?I'mfromChicago.Iknowzipaboutfarming,orgardening.Yet,John15isallaboutgrowinggrapes.Itwasafamiliarpictureforthedisciples,soJesususedittoteachthemabouthislove.Andalsotheimportanceofstayingconnectedtohim.Ok,sograpes.IhadtodosomehuntingontheInternet.Here'sagreatpictureIfound.Pleasetakealookatit:http://www.everystudent.com/grapes.jpgYou'llnoticethattherearethreeparts:-thevineisthethickstalkthatconnectstotheground-thebranchesareskinnieranduponthetrellis-thegrapesareattachedtothebranchesWhatisthegoalofsomeonewhorunsavineyard?Toproducethemostgrapespossible,withhisland.Andhe/sheprobablycaresaboutthequalityofthegrapes.Jesusgivesthisdirective:4Remaininme,andIwillremaininyou.Forabranchcannotproducefruitifitisseveredfromthevine,andyoucannotbefruitfulunlessyouremaininme.5Yes,Iamthevine;youarethebranches.Thosewhoremaininme,andIinthem,willproducemuchfruit.Forapartfrommeyoucandonothing.WhatkindoffruitisJesuslookingfor?

Whathavewebeenhearinghimsay?"AnewcommandmentIgivetoyou,thatyouloveoneanother.""Ifyouloveme,obeymycommands.""Bythiswillallmenknowthatyouaremydisciples,thatyouhaveloveforoneanother."Right?Pictureabranchthatisbrokenorcutawayfromthevine.It'slyingaloneontheground.Canitproducegrapes?Whynot?Becauseit'sdeadandhasnolifeinit.InJohn14welearnedthattheHolySpiritwillliveinus,andneverleaveus.Jesussaid,"BecauseIlive,youwilllivealso."Lookatverse5again:5Yes,Iamthevine;youarethebranches.Thosewhoremaininme,andIinthem,willproducemuchfruit.Forapartfrommeyoucandonothing.Jesusisshowingthemthattheyneedtorelyonthevineforlife.Thebranchescandonothingontheirown.Theycanonlyproducefruitbecauseofthevine.I'mprettysurethatthenutrientscomefromthevinewhichisintheground.Thewatertheyneedalsocomesthroughthevine.Thebranchessimplyare"there"toletthevineproducegrapes,producefruit.Theirmainjobistostayattached!HerethenisJesusspeaking-verses9-129IhavelovedyouevenastheFatherhaslovedme.Remaininmylove.10Whenyouobeymycommandments,youremaininmylove,justasIobeymyFather'scommandmentsandremaininhislove.Q-Accordingtothenextverse,whyisJesustellingthemthis?A-11Ihavetoldyouthesethingssothatyouwillbefilledwithmyjoy.Yes,yourjoywilloverflow!Doesn'titseemalittleironicthatJesuswouldbetalkingaboutthembeingjoyful,whenhe'sheadingtowardthecross?

Q-Whatwillbringthemjoy?(seeverse9,repeatedbelow)A-9IhavelovedyouevenastheFatherhaslovedme.Remaininmylove.Andagain,Jesustalksaboutthegrapes,thefruithewantstoproduceinus:12Thisismycommandment:LoveeachotherinthesamewayIhavelovedyou.Q-Doyouthinklovingothersisalsowhatwillbringjoytoourlives?A-16Youdidn'tchooseme.Ichoseyou.Iappointedyoutogoandproducelastingfruit,sothattheFatherwillgiveyouwhateveryouaskfor,usingmyname.17Thisismycommand:Loveeachother.Conclusion.WhatdoesJesusofferus?(verse9)Whatdoeshewantustodo?(verse9)Whatwillheproduceinus,ifweremaininhislove?(verse16and17).Ourmainjob...relyonthevine,andlethimproducethefruit.Lethimloveothersthroughus.Thatishisdesire.Nextlessonwe'llfinishupJohn15wherehetalksaboutrealopposition.IfyouwanttoofferthisstudyofJohntoanyoneelse,itisavailableforthemhere:http://www.everystudent.com/knowingGod.html~~~~~~~~~~~~24th-KnowingGodBetter-John15(continued)Ilikepeoplewhosimplystatewhat'strue.Itsometimestakescouragetotellthetruth,tonotsugar-coatit.Especiallytoughwhenitsthelastthingthepersonwantstohear,butneedsto.

We'regoingtoseeJesustellthedisciplessomereallytoughnews.Jesusisabouttogothecrosssoon.Andhismessagetothemisthis:you'regoingtosuffertoo.See,you'renotsureYOUevenwanttoreadthis.Wehatesuffering!ButJesuswantsthemtobeprepared.Hedoesn'twantthemsurprisedbythis.And,hetellsthemsomegoodnewsinthemidstofit.Soheregoes...TheseareJesus'disciples,whomhechose,andtheyindeedlefteverythingandfollowedJesus.SonowJesusispreparingthemforhisdeparture.John15:18"Iftheworldhatesyou,rememberthatithatedmefirst.19Theworldwouldloveyouasoneofitsownifyoubelongedtoit,butyouarenolongerpartoftheworld.Ichoseyoutocomeoutoftheworld,soithatesyou....Sincetheypersecutedme,naturallytheywillpersecuteyou.Andiftheyhadlistenedtome,theywouldlistentoyou.Q-Thedisciplesareobviouslygoingtostayintheworldawhile.They'renotgoingtodiesoon.SowhatdidJesusmeanby"Ichoseyoutocomeoutoftheworld"?A-Theworld,theJewsandtheRomanswillhatethemandpersecutethembecausetheirliveshavebeenchangedbyJesus,andthey'regoingtotalkaboutit!Iftheykeptsilent.Iftheywentbacktofishing,orcollectingtaxes,orwhatevertheiroccupation,theyprobablywouldbefine.ButJesuschosethemtolivedifferently.Toliveforhim.HeknewtheywillspendtherestoftheirlivestellingothersthatJesusistheChrist.And,becauseofJesus'lifeinthem,theywoulddisplayacharacterthatwouldbedifferentfromothers.Q-Howaboutyou?Whatdoyoudowhenourculturegoesacertainway,andyouchooseanotherwaybecauseofyourrelationshipwithJesus?Canyougiveoneexamplewherethat'shappenedinyourlife?A-

Jesustellsthemthattheworld'shatredforJesusisnotrational.It'swithoutcause.Andtheworld'streatmentofthediscipleswillbethesame.Theywillsufferforthesamereason-somepeoplechoosetorejectGod.21Theywilldoallthistoyoubecauseofme,fortheyhaverejectedtheOnewhosentme.22TheywouldnotbeguiltyifIhadnotcomeandspokentothem.Butnowtheyhavenoexcusefortheirsin.23AnyonewhohatesmealsohatesmyFather.24IfIhadn'tdonesuchmiraculoussignsamongthemthatnooneelsecoulddo,theywouldnotbeguilty.Butasitis,theyhaveseeneverythingIdid,yettheystillhatemeandmyFather.25ThisfulfillswhatiswrittenintheirScriptures:'Theyhatedmewithoutcause.'SoJesusistellingthem,beprepared,they'regoingtohateyoutoo,anditwillalsobeunfair.Withoutjustification.InJohn16,Jesusgetsveryspecific:2Foryouwillbeexpelledfromthesynagogues,andthetimeiscomingwhenthosewhokillyouwillthinktheyaredoingaholyserviceforGod.3ThisisbecausetheyhaveneverknowntheFatherorme.SoJesusisgivingthemthetruthsotheywillstaystrong,andunderstandwhythisishappening.We'llendwiththeselaststatementsinJohn15...thegoodnews.Jesusisnotleavingthemtofendforthemselves.TheywillnotbetellingtheworldaboutJesusontheirown.Whew.JesustellsthemagainthathewillsendthemtheHolySpirit:26"ButIwillsendyoutheAdvocate--theSpiritoftruth.HewillcometoyoufromtheFatherandwilltestifyallaboutme.27Andyoumustalsotestifyaboutmebecauseyouhavebeenwithmefromthebeginningofmyministry.Thisweek,askGodtogiveyouanopportunitytotestifyaboutJesus.Rememberthevine&branches?AskJesustoconveyhislovethroughyou.

AndtellthemsomethingaboutJesusthatmightbehelpfulforthemtoknow.Ifyougetaskedaquestionyoudon'tknowhowtoanswer,tellthepersontogoto:www.EveryStudent.com.That'snotcheating.That'sservingapersonwell,inhelpingthemconsiderreasonstobelieveinJesus.Maybeemailthemalinktoanarticle.AsktheHolySpirittoguideyou.Hewill.MoreontheHolySpiritinournextemail.AverseIlike:"AndIpraythatthesharingofyourfaithmaypromotetheknowledgeofallthegoodthatisoursinChristJesusourLord."(Philemonverse6,RSV)~~~~~~~~~~~~25th-KnowingGodBetter-John16ThelastlessonwasaboutJesusgivingthedisciplessomereallytoughnews:Theywouldbepersecutedalso.Inthischapterwe'llseethattheywon'tbeontheirown!Lifeanddifficultiesarenotgoingtobesolelyontheirshoulders.Isn'tthatgreatnews?Wecanhandledifficulties.What'sawfuliswhenwehavetobeallalone!Andfigureeverythingoutonourown.Butthisneverneedstobethecaseforus.Thischapterexplainswhy.Jesusistellingthemthatheisgoingaway(backtotheFather),buthewillsendthem"theAdvocate."(John16:7)JesusprimarilyreferstotheHolySpiritas"theSpiritoftruth."Q-Lookatthefollowingverses.AfterJesus'resurrection,whatwilltheSpiritoftruthdoforthedisciples?A-13WhentheSpiritoftruthcomes,hewillguideyouintoalltruth.Hewillnotspeakonhisownbutwilltellyouwhathehasheard.

Hewilltellyouaboutthefuture.14Hewillbringmeglorybytellingyouwhateverhereceivesfromme....TheSpiritwilltellyouwhateverhereceivesfromme.IpicturetheHolySpiritassomewhatofacoach."Ok,guys,here'stheplan.He'swhatyouneedtoknow...He'swhatIneedtofillyouinon."SometimeswhenI'minasituation,I'llgetoutmyBibleandapieceofpaper.AtthetopofthepaperI'llwriteabriefdescriptionofwhat'sgoingoninmylife.ThenI'llwrite,"God,whatwouldyoulikemetoknowaboutyoupertainingtothissituation?Howdoyouwantmetotrustyou?Whatwouldyoulikemetoknow?"Godalwaysseemstoanswerthatprayer.Iwanttotrusthim.IwanthimtotellmewhateverperspectiveIneed.Correctmythinking,mymotives,myunderstandingoflife.AndshowmewhatabouthimselfthatIneedtoknow,totrusthimbetter.ThisiswhattheHolySpiritdoesforus.HeistheSpiritoftruth.Q-WhycanweaskGodtodothisforus?(seeversesbelow)A-27fortheFatherhimselflovesyoudearlybecauseyoulovemeandbelievethatIcamefromGod.alsoyouwillasktheFatherdirectly,andhewillgrantyourrequestbecauseyouusemyname.24Youhaven'tdonethisbefore.Ask,usingmyname,andyouwillreceive,andyouwillhaveabundantjoy.I'mnotsayingthatwegettogothroughScriptureandpickoutwhatwewanttobelieveGodwilldoforus.I'mnottalkingaboutthesituationortheendresult.Wedon'tdictatetoGod.Instead,theprayerthatI'veseenGodfaithfullyansweristhisone:whataboutYoudoyouwantmetoknowandrelyon?Nomatterwhat'sgoingoninourlives,Jesussaysthatheisabletogiveuspeace.AndIbelievethathappensaswechoosetotrusthim.Here'showJesuswrapsuphiscommentsabouthisleaving,their

futuresuffering,theHolySpiritguidingthemintotruth...33Ihavetoldyouallthissothatyoumayhavepeaceinme.Hereonearthyouwillhavemanytrialsandsorrows.Buttakeheart,becauseIhaveovercometheworld.Q-AsyoureadJesus'statements,whatdoestheworldgiveus?AndwhatdoesJesusgiveus?(seeverse33above)A-Q-Whichismorepowerful(theworldorJesus)?A-Iheardsomeoneoncesay,"Whentheworldseemstobefallingapartaroundus,Jesuscankeepustogether,becausehehasovercometheworld."I'vefoundthattobetrue.NextstudyisinJohn17....anawesomechapter!!WegettohearJesuspraytohisFather.Wegettoseewhat'sonhisheartandwhat'simportanttohim.(Bytheway,ifyouhavequestionsaboutprayer-whichprayersGodanswers,here'sanarticlethatmighthelp:www.everystudent.com/wires/prayers.html)Anyquestions,hereyougo:www.everystudent.com/contact.php~~~~~~~~~~~~26th-KnowingGodBetter-John17IntheOldTestamentwhenGodspokewithMoses,GodtoldMosestotakeoffhisshoes,fortheplacehewasstandingonwas"holyground."IkindoffeelthatwaywhenwecometoJohn17.We'relisteninginonaveryintimateconversationbetweenJesusandtheFather.Shhhhh....listen....1Aftersayingallthesethings,Jesuslookeduptoheavenandsaid,"Father,thehourhascome.GlorifyyourSonsohecangiveglorybacktoyou.

Doesthisremindyouofanything?WaybackinJohn5,JesusrightlyaccusedthePhariseesofonlywantingpraiseandgloryfromthepeople.TheirheartsandliveswerenotsetonbringingglorytoGod.ButlookatJesus:GlorifyyourSonsohecangiveglorybacktoyou.Braceyourselvesforthisone.Jesusgoesontosay:4Ibroughtglorytoyouhereonearthbycompletingtheworkyougavemetodo.5Now,Father,bringmeintotheglorywesharedbeforetheworldbegan.Wow,huh?Wecanonlyaspiretoonepartofthis-tobringGodglorybycompletingtheworkhegivesustodo.Butwecan'ttouchverse5.Ok,jumpingbackuptoverses2and3,whichIskipped,Jesustalksabouteternallife.Referringtohimself,Jesussays:2Foryouhavegivenhimauthorityovereveryone.Hegiveseternallifetoeachoneyouhavegivenhim.Q-Accordingtohisnextstatement(verse3below)howcanwehaveeternallife?A-3Andthisisthewaytohaveeternallife--toknowyou,theonlytrueGod,andJesusChrist,theoneyousenttoearth.Jesusthenreferstohisdisciples.Asyoureadthefollowingverses,askyourself...Q-Isthisalsotrueofyou?A-6Ihaverevealedyoutotheonesyougavemefromthisworld.Theywerealwaysyours.Yougavethemtome,andtheyhavekeptyourword.7NowtheyknowthateverythingIhaveisagiftfromyou,8forIhavepassedontothemthemessageyougaveme.TheyaccepteditandknowthatIcamefromyou,andtheybelieveyousentme.

Q-Asyoureadthefollowingverses,whatisJesus'purposeforyourlife?(Ifyou'veeversearchedforalifepurpose,thisisit!)A-9Myprayerisnotfortheworld,butforthoseyouhavegivenme,becausetheybelongtoyou.10Allwhoareminebelongtoyou,andyouhavegiventhemtome,sotheybringmeglory.I'mgoingtoendhere,andnextlessonwe'llseehowJesuspraysforthedisciples...andforus(literally)...verse20:20Myprayerisnotforthemalone.IprayalsoforthosewhowillbelieveinmethroughtheirmessageThat'sus!We'llpickthisupnext.Staytuned!~~~~~~~~~~~~27th-KnowingGodBetter-John17continuedBeforewekeepgoingonJohn17,I'dliketointerjectaquickcomment.InJohn17we'relisteninginonanincrediblyuniqueconversation:GodtheSon,talkingwith,GodtheFather.Obviously,someofwhatJesussaysinthatprayerisgoingtobeforeigntous.ThenatureofGodisdifferentfromourhumannature.Foronething,weliveina3-dimensionalworld.I,asaperson,amseparatefromanotherperson.Godisnotlimitedbyspacialdimensions.So,theSoncanbeseparatefromtheFather,andyetnot.Ok,startingatJohn17:99"Myprayerisnotfortheworld,butforthoseyouhavegivenme,becausetheybelongtoyou.Jesusisverymindfulofthedisciples,whomheissoonleaving.Hereallycaresaboutthemandtheirwelfare.ThemajorityofJesus'prayerisfocusedonthem.11NowIamdepartingfromtheworld...protectthembythe

powerofyournamesothattheywillbeunitedjustasweare.12Duringmytimehere,Iprotectedthembythepowerofthenameyougaveme.Iguardedthem.13ItoldthemmanythingswhileIwaswiththeminthisworldsotheywouldbefilledwithmyjoy.Jesusthenmentionsthattheworldhatesthedisciples,justliketheyhatedhim.Soheprays:15I'mnotaskingyoutotakethemoutoftheworld,buttokeepthemsafefromtheevilone.DoyouknowwhoJesusisreferringtoby"theevilone?"Satan.InJohn8:44,JesusdescribesSatanas"aliarandthefatheroflies."SoitmakessensethatJesusthengoesontopray:17Makethemholybyyourtruth;teachthemyourword,whichistruth.18Justasyousentmeintotheworld,Iamsendingthemintotheworld.19AndIgivemyselfasaholysacrificeforthemsotheycanbemadeholybyyourtruth.Q-Jesushasprayedfortheirprotectionintheworld.WhatdoesJesusmentionasaprotectionsforthem?Lookatthefollowingverses:A-11...protectthembythepowerofyournamesothattheywillbeunitedjustasweare.12...Iprotectedthembythepowerofthenameyougaveme.ForthosewhobelieveinJesus,webelongtohim.Wehavebecomehischild(John1:12)andbearhisname(Christian-Christinone,orinsideone.)So,simplybelongingtohimisonelevelofprotection.Q-WhatotherprotectiondoesJesusgiveus?(seebelow)A-17Makethemholybyyourtruth;teachthemyourword,whichistruth.Q-Andfinally,whatelsedoesJesusmentionasourprotectionfromtheeviloneandtheworld?A-21Ipraythattheywillallbeone,justasyouandIareone--asyouareinme,Father,andIaminyou.

25"OrighteousFather,theworlddoesn'tknowyou,butIdo;andthesedisciplesknowyousentme.26Ihaverevealedyoutothem,andIwillcontinuetodoso.Thenyourloveformewillbeinthem,andIwillbeinthem."So,insummary,Jesusisabouttogotothecross,andleavethedisciples.Heisconcernedforthemandwantstoprotectthemthrough:hisname(belongingtohim,GodasourFather)hisword,whichistruthhisloveinushimselfinusQ-Canwesecurelygothroughthisworldifwehavethat?A-Jesusdoesnotprayorpromisethattheywillescapeallpainorallproblems.Butaswegothroughthisworld,thisiswhatwehavefromhim.Iskippedverses20and21,soletmegivethemhere:20"Iamprayingnotonlyforthesedisciplesbutalsoforallwhowilleverbelieveinmethroughtheirmessage.21Ipraythattheywillallbeone,justasyouandIareone--asyouareinme,Father,andIaminyou.Andmaytheybeinussothattheworldwillbelieveyousentme.Nextchapter...Jesusisarrested.Isn'titamazingthathewouldbesomindfulofthedisciples(andus)rightbeforewhatheknewhewouldsoonendure?Youdon'tneedtowonderifGodisawareofyouorifhecaresaboutyou.Ifyouaretemptedtodoubtthat,lookatwhathesayshere.Nextchapter,thingsgetintense.~~~~~~~~~~~~28th-KnowingGodBetter-John18Ihopeyou'reenjoyingthesestudies.We'reabletoonlyhitsomeofeachchapter.SoIhopeyou'reabletotaketimetoreadthewholechapter.Youmightremember,JudaswasoneofJesus'12apostles.HespentthreeyearswithJesusandtheotherdisciples.Butattheend,helpedtheRomansarrestJesus.

3TheleadingpriestsandPhariseeshadgivenJudasacontingentofRomansoldiersandTempleguardstoaccompanyhim.Nowwithblazingtorches,lanterns,andweapons,theyarrivedattheolivegrove.Jesusshowshisdesiretoprotectthediscipleswhowerewithhim:4Jesusfullyrealizedallthatwasgoingtohappentohim,sohesteppedforwardtomeetthem.8..."AndsinceIamtheoneyouwant,lettheseothersgo."Therestoftoday'sstudyisgoingtofocusonPeter.EarlierinJohn13,JesushadtoldPeterthatPeterwoulddenythatheevenknewJesus.Notjustonce,butthreetimesbeforethemorning(beforetheroostercrows).Canyouimagineblowingit,notonce,butthreetimes?Yes,wecanrelate!SohereweareinJohn18.Q-Fromtheversesbelow,howmanydisciplesfollowedJesusashewasarrestedandbroughttothehighpriest?A-15SimonPeterfollowedJesus,asdidanotherofthedisciples.Thatotherdisciplewasacquaintedwiththehighpriest,sohewasallowedtoenterthehighpriest'scourtyardwithJesus.Johnrarelyreferstohimselfbynameinhisgospel.Soit'slikelyJohnwhoisthere,withPeter.(JohnalsoshowsupatJesus'crucifixion.)Q-WhenPeterdeniedJesus,wasitunderpressurefromthehighpriest?HowscaredwasPeter?Whodidhecaveinto?(seebelow)A-16...thewomanwatchingatthegate,andsheletPeterin.17ThewomanaskedPeter,"You'renotoneofthatman'sdisciples,areyou?""No,"hesaid,"Iamnot."Q-WhoelsedidPetergiveinto?(seebelow)A-18Becauseitwascold,thehouseholdservantsandthe

guardshadmadeacharcoalfire.Theystoodaroundit,warmingthemselves,andPeterstoodwiththem,warminghimself.25theyaskedhimagain,"You'renotoneofhisdisciples,areyou?"Hedeniedit,saying,"No,Iamnot."Q-WhoelsedidPeterdenyJesusto?(seebelow)A-26Butoneofthehouseholdslavesofthehighpriest...asked,"Didn'tIseeyououtthereintheolivegrovewithJesus?"27AgainPeterdeniedit.Andimmediatelyaroostercrowed.UsuallywestayintheGospelofJohn.ButIwantyoutoseesomethingfromLuke'sgospel.LukeincludedmoreoftheconversationbetweenJesusandPeter,whenJesustoldPeterthiswouldhappen.(Bytheway,Peterisoftencalled"SimonPeter.")FromLuke22:31-34:Jesussays:32ButIhavepleadedinprayerforyou,Simon,thatyourfaithshouldnotfail.Sowhenyouhaverepentedandturnedtomeagain,strengthenyourbrothers."We'llseethatPeterbecameoneofthebravestleadersoftheearlychurch(oftheearlyChristians),boldlyproclaimingJesus'resurrectionfromthedead.CanyouimagineJesusprayingforyou?Knowingyourfaithwouldfail,butprayingforyou?Prayingthatyouwouldbecometheonetostrengthenothers?Don'tbediscouragedbyyourfailings.Jesushasnotdesertedus.Hepromisestoneverabandonus.(Hebrews13:5)IfyouhavesignedupforthisstudyandarenotsureyouhaveeverreceivedJesusintoyourlife,thisexplainshow:www.everystudent.com/features/gettingconnected.htmlIfyouhavebegunarelationshipwithhim,andsometimesgetdiscouragedthatyou'renota"better"Christian,I'dinviteyoutosignupforthisseries:"SkiptheStress"www.startingwithgod.com/skip-the-stress/

Nextstudy...Jesus'conversationwithPilate(whoordershiscrucifixion).~~~~~~~~~~~~29th-KnowingGodBetter-John18(continued)Ok,todaywe'llbeginwithaquickhistorylesson.Jerusalem,inIsrael,iswhereJesuswasontrial.InJesus'time,thoughmostoftheresidentswereJews,theRomangovernmentwasincontrol.TheJewsdidhavejudgesovertheirownreligiouslaws.Butinthiscase,theybroughtJesustotheRomangovernment.Inaminuteyou'llseewhy.PilatewastheRoman"curator"(thegovernor)incharge.WeseePilate,scratchinghishead,tryingtofigureoutwhatcrimeJesushascommitted:35"Yourownpeopleandtheirleadingpriestsbroughtyoutomefortrial.Why?Whathaveyoudone?"Q-WhydidtheJewsbringJesustotheRomans,ratherthandealwithJesusthemselves?(seeversesbelow)A-29SoPilate,thegovernor,wentouttothemandasked,"Whatisyourchargeagainstthisman?"30"Wewouldn'thavehandedhimovertoyouifheweren'tacriminal!"theyretorted.31"Thentakehimawayandjudgehimbyyourownlaw,"Pilatetoldthem."OnlytheRomansarepermittedtoexecutesomeone,"theJewishleadersreplied.32(ThisfulfilledJesus'predictionaboutthewayhewoulddie.)So,yougetthattheJewswantedJesuskilled.Theywantedhimgone.PilatetriedtopersuadethecrowdtoletJesusgo.Butfirst,hetriedtoappeasethecrowd,bytorturingJesussome.(John19):1ThenPilatehadJesusfloggedwithalead-tippedwhip.2

Thesoldierswoveacrownofthornsandputitonhishead,andtheyputapurplerobeonhim.3"Hail!KingoftheJews!"theymocked,astheyslappedhimacrosstheface.Thewhipwascalleda"cat-o-nine-tails."Ithadmetalorbone-tippedendson9strapsofleather.Usuallytheylimitedthewhippingto40times,whichwasenoughtocutdowntotheperson'sbones.AfterJesus’beating,PilatethentriestoreleaseJesus:4Pilatewentoutsideagainandsaidtothepeople,"Iamgoingtobringhimouttoyounow,butunderstandclearlythatIfindhimnotguilty."Q-Lookingattheversesbelow,whatwasthesinglereasontheJewswantedJesuskilled?A-6Whentheysawhim,theleadingpriestsandTempleguardsbeganshouting,"Crucifyhim!Crucifyhim!""Takehimyourselvesandcrucifyhim,"Pilatesaid."Ifindhimnotguilty."7TheJewishleadersreplied,"ByourlawheoughttodiebecausehecalledhimselftheSonofGod."TotheJews,theyhadonlytwochoices:believethatJesuswaswhoheclaimedtobe,orchargehimwithblasphemy,punishablebydeath.Today,wearepresentedwiththesamequestion.Thereisnomiddleground.WeeitherbelieveJesusisequaltoGod,asheclaimed,orbelievehewaslyingorinsane.(Hereisanarticlewhichdiscussesthesepossibilities,andwhyJesuswillingwenttothecrossforus:www.everystudent.com/features/faith.html)Jesusdidn'taskustodecideabouthisteachings.Heasksustodecideabouthisidentity.Next,we'llfinishupJohn19,whereJohngivesushisreportofJesus'crucifixion.Ifyouhaveanyquestions,rememberyoucanalwaysemailyourquestionhere:www.everystudent.com/contact.php~~~~~~~~~~~~

30th-KnowingGodBetter-John19RegardingJesus'crucifixion...notonlydidJesusknowwhatwasgoingtohappen,butmanyOldTestamentprophetshadalreadywrittenaboutit.InJohn19,you'llseethesestatements:24...ThisfulfilledtheScripturethatsays...28...andtofulfillScripturehesaid...36ThesethingshappenedinfulfillmentoftheScripturesthatsay...IsaiahwasjustoneoftheprophetswhowroteaboutthecomingMessiah.Isaiahlived700yearsbeforeJesus.IsaiahdescribestheMessiah'scrucifixionindetail(hundredsofyearsbeforecrucifixionwasinventedasaformofdeath).BeforewelookatJohn19,intoday'sstudy,let'sjustreadexcerptsfromIsaiah,chapter53.Therewasnothingbeautifulormajesticabouthisappearance,nothingtoattractustohim.3Hewasdespisedandrejected--amanofsorrows,acquaintedwithdeepestgrief.Weturnedourbacksonhimandlookedtheotherway.Hewasdespised,andwedidnotcare.4Yetitwasourweaknesseshecarried;itwasoursorrowsthatweighedhimdown.AndwethoughthistroubleswereapunishmentfromGod,apunishmentforhisownsins!5Buthewaspiercedforourrebellion,crushedforoursins.Hewasbeatensowecouldbewhole.Hewaswhippedsowecouldbehealed.6Allofus,likesheep,havestrayedaway.WehaveleftGod'spathstofollowourown.YettheLordlaidonhimthesinsofusall.7Hewasoppressedandtreatedharshly,yetheneversaidaword.

Hewasledlikealambtotheslaughter.Andasasheepissilentbeforetheshearers,hedidnotopenhismouth.8Unjustlycondemned,hewasledaway.Noonecaredthathediedwithoutdescendants,thathislifewascutshortinmidstream.Buthewasstruckdownfortherebellionofmypeople.9Hehaddonenowrongandhadneverdeceivedanyone.Buthewasburiedlikeacriminal;hewasputinarichman'sgrave.10ButitwastheLord'sgoodplantocrushhimandcausehimgrief.Yetwhenhislifeismadeanofferingforsin,hewillhavemanydescendants.Hewillenjoyalonglife,andtheLord'sgoodplanwillprosperinhishands.11Whenheseesallthatisaccomplishedbyhisanguish,hewillbesatisfied.Andbecauseofhisexperience,myrighteousservantwillmakeitpossibleformanytobecountedrighteous,forhewillbearalltheirsins.Nextstudy,we'lllookatJohn19.Inthemeantime,thankJesusforpayingforyoursin.Hedid.Yoursinsarefullypaidfor.Allofthem..."hewillbearalltheirsins."Itissobering,becauseweareguilty...buthetookawaynotonlyoursins,butourguilt.IfwebelieveinJesus,andwhathedidforus,weareforgiven.(SeeColossians1:13-20)Ok,IwastemptedtowriteoutthatsectionfromColossians.Hereitis,ifyouhavetimetoreadit:http://tinyurl.com/9sauoqaJohn19next!~~~~~~~~~~~~31st-KnowingGodBetter-John19(continued)

LaststudywereadtheprophetIsaiah'sdescriptionoftheMessiahbeingcrucified:beaten,whipped,piercedforourrebellion,etc.Ok,inJohn19...16...SotheytookJesusaway.17Carryingthecrossbyhimself,hewenttotheplacecalledPlaceoftheSkull...18Theretheynailedhimtothecross.Twootherswerecrucifiedwithhim,oneoneitherside,withJesusbetweenthem.Lookattheseverses:23WhenthesoldiershadcrucifiedJesus,theydividedhisclothesamongthefourofthem.Theyalsotookhisrobe,butitwasseamless,woveninonepiecefromtoptobottom.24Sotheysaid,"Ratherthantearingitapart,let'sthrowdiceforit."ThisfulfilledtheScripturethatsays,"Theydividedmygarmentsamongthemselvesandthrewdiceformyclothing."Sothatiswhattheydid.LookatwhattheprophetDavidsaidinPsalms22(anotherchapterfromtheOldTestament,thatdescribesJesus'crucifixion):16Myenemiessurroundmelikeapackofdogs...Theyhavepiercedmyhandsandfeet.17Icancountallmybones.Myenemiesstareatmeandgloat.18Theydividemygarmentsamongthemselvesandthrowdiceformyclothing.CrucifixionwastheRomanformoftorture,alwaysleadingtodeath.TheynailedJesus'wristsandfeettoacross.Thecrosswasthenraised.Yet,inthatstate,lookatJesus'concernforhismother...26WhenJesussawhismotherstandingtherebesidethediscipleheloved...(ThisishowtheapostleJohnreferredtohimselfinhisgospel.HeviewedhishighestworthintermsofJesus..."thedisciplewhomJesusloved.")Jesussaidtohismother,Mary:

26..."Dearwoman,hereisyourson."27Andhesaidtothisdisciple,"Hereisyourmother."Andfromthenonthisdiscipletookherintohishome.Q-Accordingtothenextverse,howwouldyoudescribeJesus'missiononearth?A-28Jesusknewthathismissionwasnowfinished,andtofulfillScripturehesaid,"Iamthirsty."SeePsalms22again:14Mylifeispouredoutlikewater,andallmybonesareoutofjoint.Myheartislikewax,meltingwithinme.15Mystrengthhasdrieduplikesunbakedclay.Mytonguestickstotheroofofmymouth.BacktoJohn19:29Ajarofsourwinewassittingthere,sotheysoakedaspongeinit,putitonahyssopbranch,andheldituptohislips.30WhenJesushadtastedit,hesaid,"Itisfinished!"Thenhebowedhisheadandreleasedhisspirit.ThisisJesus,whohealedtheblind,thelame,thedemon-possessed.HebroughtLazarusandothersbacktolife.Clearly,thenailsdidnotkeephimonthecross.Q-AccordingtoJesus'statementfromJohn10(below),weretheJewsandRomansincontrolofJesus'crucifixion?A-18Noonecantakemylifefromme.Isacrificeitvoluntarily.ForIhavetheauthoritytolayitdownwhenIwanttoandalsototakeitupagain.BeforetheytookJesusdownfromthecross,theywantedtomakesurehewasdead.33ButwhentheycametoJesus,theysawthathewasalreadydead...34Oneofthesoldiers,however,piercedhissidewithaspear,andimmediatelybloodandwaterflowedout.Iamtoldthatamedicalevidenceofdeathiswhenbloodandwaterseparates.

IloveJohn'saddednotehere.Hesoundslikeacoroner:35(Thisreportisfromaneyewitnessgivinganaccurateaccount.Hespeaksthetruthsothatyoualsocanbelieve.)NextstudywillbetheburialandtheresurrectionofJesus!!~~~~~~~~~~~~32nd-KnowingGodBetter-John20I'mgoingtostartofftodaywithaquestion:Q-WhothetwomenwhotookJesusdownfromthecross?Andwhatwasinterestingaboutthem?(seebelow)A-38AfterwardJosephofArimathea,whohadbeenasecretdiscipleofJesus(becausehefearedtheJewishleaders),askedPilateforpermissiontotakedownJesus'body.WhenPilategavepermission,Josephcameandtookthebodyaway.39WithhimcameNicodemus,themanwhohadcometoJesusatnight.YoucanfindNicodemusinJohn,chapter3.Bothoftheseguyswere"secret"believersinJesus,whodidn'twantotherstoknowaboutit.Butnow,theybothfeltcompelledtoshowup.We'retoldthattheybroughtwiththem75poundsofperfumedointmentandlongsheetsoflinencloth.Thiswasthecommonapproachinpreparingabodyforburial.Thegummyointmentwouldbespreadbetweenthestripsoflinencloth,wrappedaroundthebody.Itwouldhardenlikeatightcasing.39Hebroughtseventy-fivepoundsofperfumedointmentmadefrommyrrhandaloes.40FollowingJewishburialcustom,theywrappedJesus'bodywiththespicesinlongsheetsoflinencloth.WeknowfromtheothergospelsthattheyplacedJesusinthetombwasJosephofArimathea'sowntomb.41Theplaceofcrucifixionwasnearagarden,wheretherewasanewtomb,neverusedbefore.42And...theylaidJesusthere.Theothergospels(Matthew,Mark,Luke)fillinalittledetailthatJohndoesn'tmentioninhisgospel.

TheJewsknewthatJesushadsaidhewouldrisefromthedead.So,attherequestoftheJewishleaders,theRomansaffixedanofficialRomansealfromthebouldertothetomb'sentrance,andpostedatrainedguardofRomansoldiersatJesus'tomb.John20:1EarlyonSundaymorning,whileitwasstilldark,MaryMagdalenecametothetomb...WeknowfromthepreviouschapterthatMaryMagdalenehadbeenatJesus'crucifixion.Whenshegottothetomb,whathappened?1...andfoundthatthestonehadbeenrolledawayfromtheentrance.2SheranandfoundSimonPeterandtheotherdisciple,theonewhomJesusloved.[meaning,John]Shesaid,"TheyhavetakentheLord'sbodyoutofthetomb,andwedon'tknowwheretheyhaveputhim!"3Peterandtheotherdisciplestartedoutforthetomb.4Theywerebothrunning,buttheotherdisciple[John]outranPeterandreachedthetombfirst.Q-WhatdidJohnseeinthetomb?Itwasn'tcompletelyempty.Whatdidhesee?(seebelow)A-5Hestoopedandlookedinandsawthelinenwrappingslyingthere,buthedidn'tgoin.6ThenSimonPeterarrivedandwentinside.Healsonoticedthelinenwrappingslyingthere,7whilethecloththathadcoveredJesus'headwasfoldedupandlyingapartfromtheotherwrappings.Q-Whathappenedwhentheysawthelinens,butonlythelinens?(seebelow)A-8Thenthedisciplewhohadreachedthetombfirstalsowentin,andhesawandbelieved--9foruntilthentheystillhadn'tunderstoodtheScripturesthatsaidJesusmustrisefromthedead.

Nextstudyyou'llseeevenmoreproofofJesus'resurrection...~~~~~~~~~~~~33rd-KnowingGodBetter-John20(cont.)Irealizedthatinthelaststudy,Ineverreallyexplainedwhatatomblookslike.Jesuswasn'tburiedintheground.Instead,hewasputinsomethingthatlookedlikethis(takealook):http://tinyurl.com/yhw4vgyOk,inthelastlessonwenoticedthatPeterandJohnSAWsomethingwhereJesuswasburied.Nobody.ButemptylinensthathadbeenaroundJesus'bodyandhead.Today,we'llseethatMaryMagdalenealsosawsomething.(MarywasthefirstonetoseetheopentombandranandgotPeterandJohn.)Now,PeterandJohnhaveleft.ButMaryisstillatthetomb...sobbing.Q-WhatdidMarysee?(seebelow)A-11Marywasstandingoutsidethetombcrying,andasshewept,shestoopedandlookedin.12Shesawtwowhite-robedangels,onesittingattheheadandtheotheratthefootoftheplacewherethebodyofJesushadbeenlying.Theangelsaskedher,"Whyareyoucrying?"Q-DidMaryrealizethatJesushadbeenraisedfromthedead?LookatMary'sexplanationforherweeping.(seeversebelow)A-13BecausetheyhavetakenawaymyLord...andIdon'tknowwheretheyhaveputhim.Sothensomeoneelseshowsupandasksherthesamequestion,"Dearwoman,whyareyoucrying?Whoareyoulookingfor?"Butthereallycoolpartis...thepersonwasJesus!14Sheturnedtoleaveandsawsomeonestandingthere.ItwasJesus,butshedidn'trecognizehim.15"Dearwoman,whyareyoucrying?"Jesusaskedher."Whoareyoulookingfor?"Shethoughthewasthegardener."Sir,"shesaid,

"ifyouhavetakenhimaway,tellmewhereyouhaveputhim,andIwillgoandgethim."IloveJesus'reply!!16"Mary!"Jesussaid.Thatwasallsheneeded.Verse16continued:Sheturnedtohimandcriedout,"Rabboni!"(whichisHebrewfor"Teacher").ItmakessensethatJesus'nextwordsare"Don'tclingtome..."ThatisexactlywhatMarywantedtodo!!!ButJesushasinstructionsforher,andshefollowsthem.Heretheyare:17"Don'tclingtome,"Jesussaid,"forIhaven'tyetascendedtotheFather.Butgofindmybrothersandtellthem,'IamascendingtomyFatherandyourFather,tomyGodandyourGod.'"18MaryMagdalenefoundthedisciplesandtoldthem,"IhaveseentheLord!"Thenshegavethemhismessage.MaryMagdalenewassomeonethatJesuscast7demonsfrom.(seeLuke8:2).ShefollowedJesusfromthenon,literallyallthewaytohiscrucifixion,andnowtohistomb,wantinghimtohaveaproperburial.Jesusappearedtoher,turninghersorrowintojoy(somethinghepromisedthediscipleshewoulddothroughhisresurrection).ItisagainstallJewishnormsforJesustochooseawomantofirstappearto.ShewasalsotheonewhofirstgrabbedPeterandJohntocometothetomb.AndnowsheisthefirstonetoannouncethatshehadseenJesusrisen!!Somehavepointedtothisasfurtherconfirmationthatthegospelsareaccurate,becausenoonewouldhavescripteditthisway!ButJesusdid.Heoftendeliversthesurprising.Nextlesson,we'llseewhatThomassees.~~~~~~~~~~~~

34th-KnowingGodBetter-John20(still)Wearenearingtheend.Butnotquite.StillJohn21togo.Todaywe'regoingtofinishupJohn20.Ok,PeterandJohnsawemptygravelinens.Marysawtwoangels,plusJesushimself!Nowthediscipleswillseesomething.RememberwhenJesuswasarrested?PeterwasinthecourtyardsoscaredhedeniedheevenknewJesus.Whenyourleaderissentencedtothemostbrutaltortureimaginable,untildeath,itcertainlywouldunnervethefollowers.Soitmakessensethatwesee:19ThatSundayeveningthedisciplesweremeetingbehindlockeddoorsbecausetheywereafraidoftheJewishleaders.Suddenly,Jesuswasstandingthereamongthem!"Peacebewithyou,"hesaid.Q-DidtheyrecognizeJesus?(seeverse20below)A-20Ashespoke,heshowedthemthewoundsinhishandsandhisside.TheywerefilledwithjoywhentheysawtheLord!Q-WhatmessagedidJesushaveforthem?(seeversebelow)A-21Againhesaid,"Peacebewithyou.AstheFatherhassentme,soIamsendingyou."22Thenhebreathedonthemandsaid,"ReceivetheHolySpirit.InJohn14wesawthatJesussaidhewouldsendthemanotherCounselortobewiththemforever.Jesusreferredtohimas"theSpiritofTruth."AssoonasJesuswasraised,hesenttheHolySpiritintothelivesofthosewhobelievedinhim.It'sthesamewayforus.WhenwebelieveinJesusandaskhimintoourlives,wealsoreceivetheHolySpirit,rightthen.(FormoreontheHolySpirit,seehttp://tinyurl.com/8gjw5px)Therewasonedisciplemissingfromthis.Thomas.

24Oneofthetwelvedisciples,Thomas...wasnotwiththeotherswhenJesuscame.25Theytoldhim,"WehaveseentheLord!"Q-WhatwasThomas'reply?Whatdidhewant?(seebelow)A-Buthereplied,"Iwon'tbelieveitunlessIseethenailwoundsinhishands,putmyfingersintothem,andplacemyhandintothewoundinhisside."Ifyou'veeverheardthephrase"doubtingThomas"-thisiswhereitcomesfrom.Herehisbestfriendstellhimsomethingwonderful,butheisnotquicktobelieve.WhatdoesJesusdowiththis?HeletsThomasstewonthisforeightdays.I'msureMary,Peter,JohnandalltherestofthedisciplesweretryingtoconvinceThomasfromwhatthey'dseen.Buthewouldn'tbend.Untilthis...26Eightdayslaterthedisciplesweretogetheragain,andthistimeThomaswaswiththem.Thedoorswerelocked;butsuddenly,asbefore,Jesuswasstandingamongthem."Peacebewithyou,"hesaid.27ThenhesaidtoThomas,"Putyourfingerhere,andlookatmyhands.Putyourhandintothewoundinmyside.Don'tbefaithlessanylonger.Believe!"Thomas'reply:28"MyLordandmyGod!"Thomasexclaimed.Q-DidThomasgotoofar,referringtoJesusashisGod?(seeJesus'responsebelow)A-29ThenJesustoldhim,"Youbelievebecauseyouhaveseenme.Blessedarethosewhobelievewithoutseeingme."IlovethatJesusgivesuscreditforbelievingwithoutseeing.Atthesametime,we'veseensomuchinthisgospel,we'renotwithoutconvincingproof!

Johnendsthischapterinaprofoundway.Iwillleaveitwithoutcomment.It'sworthwritingdown!30ThedisciplessawJesusdomanyothermiraculoussignsinadditiontotheonesrecordedinthisbook.31ButthesearewrittensothatyoumaycontinuetobelievethatJesusistheMessiah,theSonofGod,andthatbybelievinginhimyouwillhavelifebythepowerofhisname.Nextlesson,Johnchapter21.Areminder,ifyouhaveanyquestionsyoucansendanemailhere,andsomeonewillpersonallyreplytoyou:www.everystudent.com/contact.php~~~~~~~~~~~~35th-KnowingGodBetter-John21I'vereallyenjoyedbeinginthisstudywithyou.Atthestart,IthoughtI'dbewritingmaybe7or8emails.ButonceyougetintoScripture,it'stoughtopulloutorhitthesurface.WhenIfirstreceivedChrist,IwassoexcitedtoreadtheBibleandseeGod'sperspectiveonlife.Atthetime,Iwasastudent,theveryendofhighschool.IrealizedthatIhadtoalternatenights...studyingonenight,readingtheBiblethenext.Itwastheonlywaytogetthestudyingin!Well,hereweareatthelastchapterofJohn.ThedisciplesareprobablystilltryingtofigureouttheirlivesnowthatJesusisnotwiththem.Peterdoesthesensiblethingandgoesfishing.backtohisnormalwayoflife:fishing.3SimonPetersaid,"I'mgoingfishing.""We'llcome,too,"theyallsaid.Sotheywentoutintheboat,buttheycaughtnothingallnight.Bummertotrytoreturntoyourold,familiarwayoflife,onlytofindoutitisn'tworkinganymore.4AtdawnJesuswasstandingonthebeach,butthedisciples

couldn'tseewhohewas.5Hecalledout,"Fellows,haveyoucaughtanyfish?""No,"theyreplied.6Thenhesaid,"Throwoutyournetontheright-handsideoftheboat,andyou'llgetsome!"Sotheydid,andtheycouldn'thaulinthenetbecausethereweresomanyfishinit.They'dseenmiraclesbefore.7…thediscipleJesuslovedsaidtoPeter,"It'stheLord!"There'sJohnagain,referringtohimselfas"thediscipleJesusloved."Whentheygottoshore,Jesushadbreakfastreadyforthem.10"Bringsomeofthefishyou'vejustcaught,"Jesussaid.11SoSimonPeterwentaboardanddraggedthenettotheshore.Therewere153largefish,andyetthenethadn'ttorn.12"Nowcomeandhavesomebreakfast!"Jesussaid.Noneofthedisciplesdaredtoaskhim,"Whoareyou?"TheyknewitwastheLord.I'mwonderingwhyitwouldcrosstheirmindstoaskwhohewas.MaybeJesusdidn'tlookquitethesame.Maybeitnowtooksomefaithtoknowhim...justlikeweknowhim,notbasedonphysicalappearance.13ThenJesusservedthemthebreadandthefish.14ThiswasthethirdtimeJesushadappearedtohisdisciplessincehehadbeenraisedfromthedead.NowweseeaninterestingdialoguebetweenJesusandPeter.15AfterbreakfastJesusaskedSimonPeter,"SimonsonofJohn,doyoulovememorethanthese?""Yes,Lord,"Peterreplied,"youknowIloveyou.""Thenfeedmylambs,"Jesustoldhim.

Ifyou'llreadJohn21,you'llseethatJesusaskshimthisquestionthreetimes,whichhurtPeter'sfeelingssome.JesustoldPetertofeedandtakecareofhissheep.PeterwashurtthatJesusaskedthequestionathirdtime.Hesaid,"Lord,youknoweverything.YouknowthatIloveyou."Jesussaid,"Thenfeedmysheep.YouknowthatJesusisn'ttalkingliterallyaboutsheep.He'sreferringbacktowhatwereadinJohn10:14:14"Iamthegoodshepherd;Iknowmyownsheep,andtheyknowme,justasmyFatherknowsmeandIknowtheFather.SoIsacrificemylifeforthesheep.AndJohn10:27:27Mysheeplistentomyvoice;Iknowthem,andtheyfollowme.28Igivethemeternallife,andtheywillneverperish.Noonecansnatchthemawayfromme...SoJesusisnowtellingPetertofeedhissheep.Q-WhydoyouthinkJesusaskedPeterifPeterlovedhim?A-Q-WhydoyouthinkPeter'sloveforJesuswouldbetherequirementforPeter'sjoboffeedingJesus'sheep?A-Here'swhyIthinkPeterwouldneedtoloveJesusinordertodothisjob.Peterwouldfacepersecution,justlikeJesusdid.Jesustalksaboutthisnext:18"Itellyouthetruth,whenyouwereyoung,youwereabletodoasyouliked;youdressedyourselfandwentwhereveryouwantedtogo.Butwhenyouareold,youwillstretchoutyourhands,andotherswilldressyouandtakeyouwhereyoudon'twanttogo."19JesussaidthistolethimknowbywhatkindofdeathhewouldglorifyGod.ThenJesustoldhim,"Followme."

Thereisonlyonemotivationstrongenoughtoendurethat...ifyouloveJesus.IfyouareconvincedthatheistheLord,theSavioroftheworld.IusedtothinkitwaskindofmeanforJesustotellPeterthis.ButthenIwonderedifitmighthavebeenextremelykind.Here'swhy.AfterJesus'arrest,Peter(outoffear)haddeniedheevenknewJesus-notonce,butthreetimes.JesuswasnowtellingPeterthatPeterwouldbefaithfultoJesusfortherestofhislife,untildeath.Insomeways,thatwouldbeencouragingtoPeter.Itwouldgivehimconfidenceinhisleadershiprole,infeedingotherbelievers,inhelpingothersknowJesus,likeheknewJesus.Nextlessonwillbeourlast.I'llwrapuptheendofJohn'sgospel.~~~~~~~~~~~~36th-KnowingGodBetter-John21(lastmessage)Thisisit.ThelastlessonintheGospelofJohn.Youshouldgetagoldstarforhanginginthere!Ihopeyou'reencouragingotherstothisstudyalso.Hereiswheretheycansignup:www.everystudent.com/knowingGod.htmlJohn,chapter1,startedoutdeclaringJesustobetheWordofGod...whonowcame.4TheWordgavelifetoeverythingthatwascreated,andhislifebroughtlighttoeveryone.5Thelightshinesinthedarkness,andthedarknesscanneverextinguishit.Johnnowendshisgospel,hisreport,thisway:24Thisdiscipleistheonewhotestifiestotheseeventsandhasrecordedthemhere.Andweknowthathisaccountofthesethingsisaccurate.25Jesusalsodidmanyotherthings.Iftheywereallwrittendown,Isupposethewholeworldcouldnotcontainthebooksthatwouldbewritten.

Ofcourse,Matthew,MarkandLukealsowroteaccountsofJesus'life.TheyarealsofoundinthebeginningpartoftheNewTestament.LukealsowrotethebookofActs.Hestartsout,referringtohisgospel.Acts1:1--1InmyfirstbookItoldyou,Theophilus,abouteverythingJesusbegantodoandteachuntilthedayhewastakenuptoheaven...Q-WhatdoesLukesaythatJesusdidfor40daysafterhisresurrection?(seebelow)A-3Duringthefortydaysafterhiscrucifixion,heappearedtotheapostlesfromtimetotime,andheprovedtotheminmanywaysthathewasactuallyalive.AndhetalkedtothemabouttheKingdomofGod.IntheGospelofLuke,chapter24,LukerecordsoneofthosetimesthatJesusappearedtothem.ThediscipleswerestilltryingtofigureoutwhyJesus'tombwasempty.SoJesusappearedtothem,andexplainedafewthingstothem–Luke24:25-2725ThenJesussaidtothem,"Youfoolishpeople!YoufinditsohardtobelieveallthattheprophetswroteintheScriptures.26Wasn'titclearlypredictedthattheMessiahwouldhavetosufferallthesethingsbeforeenteringhisglory?"27ThenJesustookthemthroughthewritingsofMosesandalltheprophets,explainingfromalltheScripturesthethingsconcerninghimself.Wouldn'tTHAThavebeenagreatBiblestudytobein?!Q-NowgoingbacktoActs1,LukeistalkingaboutyetanothertimethatJesusappearedtothem.WhydidJesusexplainalloftheScripturestothem?(seeversesbelow)A-8ButyouwillreceivepowerwhentheHolySpiritcomesuponyou.Andyouwillbemywitnesses,tellingpeopleaboutme

everywhere--inJerusalem,throughoutJudea,inSamaria,andtotheendsoftheearth."Thankyouforjoiningmeinthisstudy.Letmeendreviewingafewoffersforyou.IfyouhavenotyetreceivedJesusintoyourlife,I'dencourageyoutoreadthis,anddoso:http://www.everystudent.com/features/faith.htmlIfyoudobelieveinJesus,andhavenotyetreceived"TheSpiritualStarterKit"itisavailablehere:www.startingwithgod.com/starter-kit/And,ifyouhavealreadybegunarelationshipwithJesus,andyou'dliketounderstandbetterhowtotrusthim,thismightbehelpful:www.startingwithgod.com/skip-the-stress/MayyoucontinuetotrustGod,forheisworthyofyourtrust!Sincerely,MarilynAdamsondirectorofEveryStudent.comandStartingwithGod.comUnless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.