John - Next Steps

Message Summary

John was the son of Zebedee, a well-to-do fisherman, and Salome, the sister of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Therefore, John and his brother James were Jesus’ first cousins. John followed John the Baptist and then switched to follow Jesus, becoming one of Jesus’ inner-circle, along with Peter and James. Jesus nicknamed the brothers John and James “sons of thunder,” denoting John’s fiery character. Luke records John wanting Jesus to rain fire on an offending Samaritan village. John was ambitious, a little competitive with Peter, and jockeyed for leadership over the other Apostles. Yet, John was also spiritually discerning and had a tender side. He called himself “the disciple whom Jesus loved” and described himself as the one who reclined at dinner with his head on Jesus’ breast. He became a faithful, steadfast, miracle working Apostle who labored tirelessly to spread the Gospel into his old age. John wrote the Gospel that bears his name, three epistles and the Book of Revelation, making him one of the most prolific writers in the New Testament.

1) “Believe” is a key word in the Gospel of John. What do you think it means to believe?

2) John called himself the “disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23). Can you say that about yourself that you’re a disciple whom Jesus loves? Why or why not?

Consider This

The Apostle John cultivated a close relationship with Jesus and noticed when Jesus had one-on-one conversations with other individuals. He took the time to write down his observations, or get the story from the individual or others.

1) Read the story of Nicodemus in John 3:1-21.

a. What was Nicodemus’ attitude toward Jesus? What did Jesus teach him?

b. His response wasn’t recorded there, but how do you think Nicodemus ultimately responded (see John 7:50-52 and 19:38-42)?

2) Read the story of the Adulterous Woman in John 8:1-11

a. Where was the man caught in adultery with the woman? What does this tell you about the Officers, Chief Priests and Pharisees?

b. What do you think Jesus wrote on the ground? Why did the accusers drop their stones, beginning with the older ones?

c. How did the woman respond to Jesus? How do you think she ultimately responded?

d. What does this story tell you about the grace and forgiveness available to all believers (see also James 2:12-13)?

3) Read the story of the Blind Man in John 9:1-39

a. What did Jesus know about this man and the reason he was born blind?

b. How did the man’s neighbors respond to the healing (Verses 8-10)?

c. How did the Pharisees respond (Verses 13-16, and 22, 24, 28)?

d. How did the blind man respond (verses 17, 25, 30-33, 35-38)?

4) Can you share a miracle God performed in your life? How did it affect your relationship with God? Do you commemorate that memory in some way?

5) What else do these stories tell you about Jesus and how you can be in a relationship with Him? (If you have time, see also John 4:7-30, 38-42, 5:5-16, and 21:15-23 for more personal encounters with Jesus)

6) How did Jesus and John relate in the heavenly realm, as recorded in Revelation 1:12-19? How will you respond when you see Jesus for the first time in His glory?

7) Why did John write his gospel according to John 20:30-31? What kinds of things could you do this week to also follow Jesus’ command to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19-20)?

Moving Forward

When asked His name, God told Moses “I am who I am” and to tell the Israelites that “I am” has sent me to you” Exodus 3:14. This phrase spoke of God’s eternality and transcendence and more. It is the word that became the base for Israel’s most sacred name of God, YHWH, usually translated LORD in capitals in English Bibles. Hundreds of years before Christ, these Hebrew words were translated into a Greek version of the OT known as the Septuagint. The Greek words are identical to Jesus’ “I Am” declarations in the Gospel of John.

1) List the “I Am” statements of Jesus in the following verses.

a. John 6:35, 48, 51

b. John 8:12

c. John 10:7, 9

d. John 10:11, 14

e. John 11:25

f. John 14:6

g. John 15:1, 5

2) Think about what each of these means to you for a day each day this week.

3) Jesus also identified himself with an “I am” in response to the questions of various people and groups. Reflect on how Jesus identified himself in the following passages? What do they tell you about the deity of Jesus?

a. John 4:25-26 (See Daniel 9:25-26)

b. John 8:28 (See Daniel 7:13-14)

c. John 8:58 (See Exodus 3:14)

d. John 10:36 (See Psalm 2:2, 6-12)

e. John 13:19 (See Deut 18:15)

f. John 18:5-6 (See Exodus 3:14 and Matthew 2:23)

g. John 18:37 (See Revelation 17:14)