The Gospel According To John 1- 5

Questions

2009

“But will God indeed dwell on the earth?” asked Solomon as he dedicated the temple. Not simply the essence of God, the glory of God, the presence of God, but God Himself? His glory dwelt in the Tabernacle and in the temple, but that glory had departed from disobedient Israel (Ezek. 9:3; 10:4,18; 11:22-23).

Then a marvelous thing happened: the glory of God returned to His people in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ! Think of that, God Himself, not just knowledge about Him, loved us so much that He purposely left heaven and was born a man, to bear our sins and to offer us the gift of eternal life.

While the first three Gospels tell of the events in the life of Jesus, the Gospel of John emphasized the meaning of these events. John, one of the Lord’s first disciples, gives an eye-witness and intimate account of Jesus’ ministry and repeatedly returns to the major theme of this book: Jesus is the Son of God, and if you commit yourself to Him He will give you eternal life. In the first chapter, John recorded seven names and titles of Jesus that identify Him as eternal God.

Chapter 1 – God Is Here!

“In the beginning, the Word already existed. He was with God, and He was God.”

What is the “Word” – a unit of speech used to express ourselves to others? (A) The “Word” John is writing about is a _________. That person is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. In God’s Word, Jesus, _____ has fully expressed Himself to mankind. By coming into the world, Christ _________ to us what God is like. By dying on the cross for us, He has told us how much God loves us. In this way, Christ is God’s living Word to man, the expression of God’s thoughts.
“In the Beginning…” – if He was in the beginning of all things, did something precede Him? (A) No, He did not have a beginning Himself, but ______ from all _______. He never was created. He was and is ________. He is, was, and will always be God.
Jesus is the creative Word (v.3) – “He created everything there is. Nothing exists that He didn’t make.” Some say Jesus was created too – is this right? (A) If Jesus created everything, that means He ________ was. These verses mention two identities, both named God. These are two of what we know as the trinity, God the Father and God the Son. The Holy Spirit is the Third part of the Trinity.
Jesus is the incarnate Word (v.14) – could Jesus have been a spirit or a phantom when He was on the earth as some believe? (A) “And the Word became _______ and lived here on earth with us.” John makes it clear throughout the Gospel that Jesus, in His ______ form, ______ and _________ all that we do – hunger, thirst, sorrow, He bled and died. How was the Word made flesh? By the miracle of the _______ birth. He took on Himself sinless human nature and identified with us in every aspect of life from death to birth.
He is the Light (1:4-13) – John the Baptist testified that Jesus was the true light of the world, so that all people might put their trust in Him. Why is this so significant? (A) What are the _________ of human life? One of them is light – without it, everything would ____! Without His light, we would never see ourselves for who we are. His light reveals everything. His light reveals the darkness, Satan, and the horrors and error of sin.
A key verse is v.9, “The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world.” What is significant about “gives light to everyone?” (A) Through God’s sovereign power, _____ man has enough light to be ______. God has planted His knowledge in man through general revelation in ______ and _________. That does not produce salvation, but either leads to the _______ light of Christ or produces ____________ in those who reject His light. No one can claim that he was not shown the way.
V. 16 sounds almost like an aside, but is essential in understanding our position in Christ. Why is it essential? (A) The ___, given by Moses, became the all in all to the Jews. It was so important that they even added to it and it became their standard of living. However, no one could ever live up to even the Ten, let alone the other 600+ laws they attained to. The law was designed as a means to demonstrate the ___________ of man in order to show the need for a _______, Jesus Christ. It is only by God’s _______ that we are truly saved.
John the Baptist was baptizing both Jews and Gentiles, preparing the way for the coming of the Messiah. While baptizing Jesus, he saw the Holy Spirit descend on Him as a sign, foretold by the Father, that this was indeed the Messiah. Why does John call Jesus “The Lamb of God?” (A) The lamb was a traditional symbol of ______ for the Jews, in fact, it was a daily sacrifice used in the Temple for Israel. John used this expression as a reference to the _________ sacrifice of Jesus on the cross to ________ (make payment) for the sins of the world.
Philip is the 5^th of the disciples Jesus called. He in turn invites Nathaniel to “come and see for yourself (v.46).” Have you ever invited anyone to simply come and see for themselves the Savior Jesus? This is the great _________ of God’s _______!

Chapter 2 – The Wedding At Cana

It is interesting that John records the specific day of the wedding at Cana. Jesus and His 6 disciples had begun the three-year long journey that now was to lead, without fail, to Jerusalem and His death. Their ministry begins in Galilee and interestingly, at a feast. His mother was there and Jesus and His disciples were invited. This meant that it probably was the wedding of some family member or close friend. His mother approaches Jesus and simply identifies a problem that the hosts had run out of wine.

She does not tell Him what to do, or even suggest anything to do. Why not? What does He mean when He says, “My time has not yet come (v.4)?” (A) Mary knew from the beginning that Jesus was so much more than just her Son; He was the _______ and the work He was to do was the ______ work. She knew He had the power, although no sign or miracle had yet been done. When He mentioned that the time had not yet come, he was referring to the Father’s ________, marked out for Him by His Father God. He did only the Father’s will, not mans’.
How does Mary respond in v.5? (A) “But His mother told the ________, “___ whatever ___ tells you.” Many pray to Mary and seek her guidance and her help in matters. Here she gives us the correct _______ to our lives. We ______ are to do whatever _____ tells us. He is the boss and to Him alone do we turn and ____.
What did the miracle do for the apostles? (A) It revealed His ______ for the first time and gave them a stronger _________ for their faith. They believed (v.11)!
Earlier we said that John would not only relay the miracle, but explain the inner meaning of the signs and miracles Jesus was to perform. What can we see as an inner meaning here? (A) Jesus might be talking to ____, to whom He was called. In the OT, the nation Israel is pictured as “married” to God and _________ in her marriage. When the wine ran out, all that was left were six empty water pots. They held water for _______ washing, but could provide nothing for ________ cleaning or joy, In this miracle, the Lord brought ________ where there was emptiness, _____ were there was disappointment, and something _______ for that which was only external (the water for cleansing).
While Jesus deliberately violated the man made religious traditions of the Pharisees, He faithfully obeyed the commandments of the law and in His life, He fulfilled what the law demanded. One of the laws was that every male Jew must attend three feasts during the year and Jesus went to Jerusalem to participate in the Passover. Entering the temple court, He finds what He considers a sacrilege to God. The Court of the Gentiles, instead of being a holy place to witness to the Gentiles, had become marketplace and a money-changing place of business. What do His actions show about Jesus? (A) He certainly had no fear, but more importantly, when the ______ of God and His _______ were at stake, Jesus took fast and furious action. This was the initial fulfillment of Mal. 3:1-3 and Zech. 14:20,21 that speak of the Messiah’s _______ the religious worship of His people.

Chapter 3 – Christ Witnesses To Nicodemus

Jesus concludes His Passover feast and many in the crowd now believe in Him because of the signs which He did ((2:23). Jesus doesn’t trust their belief because it takes more than intellectual assent to truly believe. It calls for whole-hearted commitment of one’s life as His disciple. This is the background for Jesus’ remarks to Nicodemus when He says to Jesus, “Your miraculous signs are proof enough that God is with You (3:2).”

Jesus answered a question that Nicodemus does not even ask: “Unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom of God (3:3).” What was the heart of his problem? (A) It was the same as all of the other Pharisees and other Jews – the need for spiritual _________ produced by the Holy Spirit. They believed that mere keeping of religious _______ (keeping the law, believing in signs and the supernatural) qualified them for entrance into the Kingdom rather than the _____________ transformation that Jesus taught.
In vs. 5-8, Jesus explains that to enter His Kingdom, one must be born of water and the Spirit. What does He mean born of water & born of Spirit? (A) V.6, Humans can reproduce only ______ life (born of water), but the Holy Spirit gives new, _______ life from heaven. Physical birth is not enough. There must also be a spiritual _____ if one is to enter the Kingdom of God. The Holy Spirit produces this spiritual birth when one _________ in Christ.
But the Jews did not believe. How were they to enter the Kingdom (the literal, millennial Kingdom) as promised? (A) Refer back to Ezekiel 36:24-27, p.706. This explains what God will do at the End Time when He gathers ______ from among the nations, ceremonially ______ her with the cleansing water of the New Covenant, and gives her a new heart and a new _____ – His Spirit of regeneration and salvation! He does this for His name’s sake! Praise Him!
V.3:16 summarizes what the Lord had been teaching Nicodemus concerning the manner by which the “new birth” is received. God so loved the world – all of mankind, but not man’s sin and is not willing that any should perish. Does this mean that everyone is saved? (A) No! A person must ________ what Christ has done for him before God will give him eternal life. A way has been provided to receive this new life, but a person must _________ the Lord Jesus Christ as personal _________.
John the Baptist laid out two alternatives for mankind. Name them. (A) (1) ______________ (36) and (2) __________________. Believe for eternal life, or disbelieve for eternal judgment.

Chapter 4 – Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

Jesus leaves Judea to avoid trouble with John’s disciples and with the Pharisees. V.4 tells us that He had to go through Samaria. Why did He have to go there? Who are these Samaritans? (A) The route Jesus chose was not the only way to Galilee. More than likely, He chose this route because He had a ____________ to meet this Samaritan woman, to whom He would reveal His Messiahship. When the nation of Israel split under Solomon’s rule, the northern kingdom was named Samaria. It had been taken captive by Assyria and many non-Jews were sent into the region to _________ with the Jews. This mixed race developed tensions with the Jews and the Samaritans withdrew from worshipping Yahweh at __________ and at the Temple and established their worship at Mt. Gerizim, in the North. They only regarded the Pentateuch (the first 5 books of Moses) as authoritative, thus causing conflict with the legalistic Jews, who had not only the Law, but over 600 other rules and traditions.
Jesus meets this Samaritan woman and offers her “living water” (v.10). What is the living water? (A) In Jer. 2:13, Yahweh is angered by the Jews for rejecting Him as “the fountain of Living Water.”. This OT metaphor spoke of the knowledge of God and His grace which provides cleansing, spiritual life, and the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit. ______ is the living water which is symbolic of ________ life from Him through the Holy Spirit.
God’s timetable will be kept and there is no stopping it. V. 23 declares “the hour is coming…” What hour is He referring to? (A) This refers to His death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, having completed His work of ____________.
Who are the “true worshippers?” What will their worship consist of? (A) Within the context of the chapter, true worshipers will not be identified by ________ they worship (Jerusalem or Gerizim or any other holy place), but by their worship of the ________ through the ________.
V. 24 says believers must worship Him “in spirit and in truth.” Does this refer to the Holy Spirit and to some supernatural gift (tongues, etc.)? (A) It refers to the _____ spirit. A person must worship not simply by external rituals and in special places. The believer is to ______ (in spirit) worship with the proper heart attitude. Truth is revealed in ________ centered on _________ who ultimately reveals the ________.

Chapter 5 – Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God

Jesus is once again in Jerusalem, obeying the law that a man must visit the temple three times in a year. Jesus enters Jerusalem through the “Sheep Gate” and passes a pool called Bethesda, a pool known for its healing qualities. A crippled man sat there for 38 years waiting a chance for healing in the pool.

1) Out of the entire multitude waiting there, Jesus picks one man. Why? (A) We often talk about the __________ of God (His supremacy in rule and power). V.6 tells us that Jesus saw the man and “_____” how long he had been ill. The word implies supernatural knowledge of the man’s situation. Jesus picks the man out from among many sick people. It was His sovereign _____ and no reason is given for His choice. God _________ whom He will. You may not like it, but He is God, not you!

2) Jesus could have chosen to keep on walking, but instead chose to stop and heal this man. It was the Sabbath and the Jews were incensed. Why? (A) They believed, according to ______ tradition (there were 39 activities forbidden ), not the law, that it was prohibited to do these things (heal, carry the bed) on the Sabbath.

3) What was Jesus’ ultimate reason for healing on the Sabbath? (A) In vs.17-47, Jesus confronts their hypocrisy as an opportunity to _______ who He really was. It is His own personal statement of His _______. He is God!

4) Name the five claims in these verses to prove His equality with God. (A) 1) He is equal to God in _____ (vv.17, 18); 2) Equal to God in His _____ (vv.19, 20; 3) Equal in His _____ and _________ (v.21); 4) equal in His ________ (v.22) and 5) equal with God in His _______ (v.23).

5) “I assure you…(v.24)” – Jesus is saying, “pay attention to this!” What I am about to say is important! These next verses (24-29) and those in Chapter 6 are critical to understanding Christ and His role on earth. In this paragraph (vv.24-29), Jesus describes four different resurrections:

q The resurrection of lost sinners into eternal life (v.v.24, 25). How is this a resurrection? (A) The lost sinner is as ______ and as _______ as a corpse. If you are dead, you are dead! The lost sinner is helpless to _____ himself and he cannot give himself eternal life. Dead sinners are raised to life by _______ God’s Word and _______ in God’s Son. Everlasting life means that they can never die _________ again, nor can they ever come into ________ (Rom. 8:1) – we stand perfect in the righteousness imputed (put upon or passed unto) to us. To hear His word and _________ means salvation; to _______ His Word means condemnation.

q The second resurrection is the resurrection of the Lord Himself (v.26). Because God is eternal (no past, no future, He says it best - “I Am”) He has life in Himself. He is life. Later in John 10:17-18, John says Jesus laid down His life and took it up again. Who is in charge of life? (A) Jesus is! Because He has life in Himself, He can ______ that life with all who will _____ Him. He is in charge of all things!

q The third resurrection named is the future resurrection of life, when believers are raised from the dead (vv.28-29a). This is fully explained in 1 Thess. 4:13-18 and 1 Cor. 15. Remember that God does not “put the pieces of our bodies back together again.” The resurrection body is a new body, a glorified body, suited to the new heavenly environment. Death is not the end for the believer, nor will he/she live in heaven as a body-less spirit. God saves the whole person and this includes the body (Rom. 8:23; Phil 3:20-21). When does this happen? (A) This resurrection of life will take place when Christ _______ in the air and calls His people to Himself. This is called the _______. This is not the Second Coming.

q The fourth resurrection He mentioned is the resurrection of condemnation (v.29). What does this involve and when does it take place? (A) It involves only the ___, and it will take place just ______ Jesus Christ ushers in the new heaven and the new earth, after the Millennium, (Rev. 20:11-15). All of the lost, great and small, will stand before the ______, Jesus Christ, on that day, and be judged for their ______ and the ___ they have committed.

6) In Jesus’ day, it was required to have two or more witnesses to an event to be considered legal or valid. Jesus’ claims to be the Son of God, in other words, God Himself, and that He does only what the Father tells Him and according to the Father’s will (v.30). Jesus knew that this required witnesses to make it valid (v.31), so He names those witnesses. What are they? (A):

q John the Baptist (30-35) – John told the people that Jesus was the _____, the _____ of God, and the _____ of God.

q The witness of His teaching and His miracles (v.36). John includes seven of these “signs” in his Gospel to prove that Jesus is the Son of God. Others had performed miracles, but none had claimed to be the Son of God. Jesus went on to say that the Father who sent Him ________ these teachings and miracles to Him. This shows that the Father gave Him a ________ ministry to finish while He was here on earth and a _________ to do it in.

q The third witness was the Word of the Father (37-47). They held the ______ Word of God in high respect, particularly the Law given through Moses. The OT Scriptures bear witness to Jesus Christ, yet the people who received and preserved that Word were _____ to their own Messiah. They refused to _____ that Word to generate faith in their hearts (v.38). The Jewish scribes sought to know the written Word of God and believed that it gave them _______ life (v.39). They refused to see Christ in their own Scriptures. There was something wrong with their wills because they would not trust in their Savior. They _______ Him because they did not have God’s love in them (v.41). They were religious and self-righteous, but they were not saved. They claimed to love God, but their _______ toward Christ proved their love was insincere.

7) Jesus said that He would not accuse them of these sins before the Father, but that Moses would (v.45). What did He mean? (A) They set their hopes of eternal life on Moses and the ______. But the very scripture written by Moses would bear witness against them. They knew what Moses ______, but they did not really _____ what he wrote. It is one thing to have the Word in our hand or our heads, but quite another thing to have it in our _________.

Is it so very different today? Are we letting religious tradition blind us to the truth in God’s Word? The Word reveals Jesus Christ in His glory! The assurance of Salvation is yours when you believe in Christ as Savior and Lord.