Gospel of John - Lesson 6

Lesson 6

... but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God,
and that believing you may have life in His name. John 20:31

Lesson 6, John 7
WHO IS THIS JESUS?

The Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:33-44) The Feast of the Tabernacles is also called the Feast of Ingathering or Feast of Booths. One of three national feasts for the Jews (the others being Passover and Pentecost), the Feast started on the 15th day of the 7th month, Tishri, (Sept.-Oct.) after the harvest, and lasted 7 days. The Jews camped in booths (tents) made of branches to commemorate the wilderness life of the Hebrews in their flight from Egypt. It memorialized the redemption of Israel out of Egypt. All males were obligated to attend the feast, the first and last days of which were to be celebrated with holy convocations. The Feast was a jubilant time for the people. Offerings were made. The temple was illuminated by large candlesticks that reminded the people of the guiding pillar of fire that led the Hebrews through the wilderness. Every day the priests brought water from the pool of Siloam in a golden vessel and poured it out in libation upon the altar of the temple, reminding the Jews of the miraculous provision of water from the rock.

Before the Feast: Disbelief (John 7:1-10)

Why did Jesus leave Judea and spend more time in Galilee?
Thought question: Jesus had been targeted by the Jewish leaders since He healed the paralytic on the Sabbath (5:1-16). We find it surprising that anyone would want to kill our Savior. How does the Jews' earnestness to kill Jesus differ from our nation earnestly seeking Osama Bin Laden or other enemies?
Summarize Jesus' answer to His brothers as to why He was not going into Judea.
Jesus moved in accordance with God's timetable. Did his brothers? How about you?
How was the brothers' proposal similar to what Jesus experienced in Matthew 4:8, 9?
Thought question: Jesus' brothers sarcastically proposed that He go to Jerusalem during the upcoming Feast, using the opportunity to do more works and show Himself to the world. Surely then He could reveal Himself as the Messiah and overcome all opposition and obtain power. How would that have changed things both then and now?
Why would the world hate Jesus and not hate His brothers?

What will the world's reaction be to us when we speak out against evil?
How does Jesus fulfill Psalm 69:8?
Mary bore other children with Joseph as their natural father (Matt. 13:55-56; Mark 6:1-6). Do you find it surprising that his half brothers did not believe in Him at this time?

Read Acts 1:14, Galatians 1:19, Acts 15:13-21, I Corinthians 15:7 and report on their stand after the resurrection.
The brothers reasoned that Jesus would want to show Himself to the world. From Revelation 1:7, when will that happen?

In the Midst of the Feast: Debate (John 7:11-36)
Why were the Jews looking for Jesus in Jerusalem?
The debate about Jesus' character began before He arrived in the city. What was being said about Him?
When Jesus began teaching in the temple, the debate switched to His doctrine. Why was His doctrine being questioned?

While the scribes and Pharisees taught from authorities, Mark 1:22 says Jesus taught as one having authority. What is the source of Jesus' authority?
From the following verses, how did Jesus bring glory to God?
How do we bring glory to God?
Using Jewish practice, how did Jesus justify His healing on the Sabbath?
In verse 24, Jesus admonishes us not to judge by appearance, but to judge with right judgment. How do we judge rightly? See John 8:15, 16; Romans 16:17, 18; II Thessalonians 3:14; I John 4:1-3; II John 7-11
What were the people saying about Jesus?

The End of the Feast: Division (John 7:37-52)
During the Feast, the priests traditionally brought water from the pool of Siloam in a golden vessel and poured it out in libation upon the altar of the temple, reminding the Jews of the miraculous provision of water from the rock that saved the Hebrew people from dying in the wilderness. How did Jesus claim to quench the people's thirst?
Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit whom those that believe would receive. Why had the Holy Spirit not yet been given? See John 12:16, 16:7, 17:4, 5
What were the different views of who Jesus was?

Is this still true today?
Why did the officers sent to arrest Jesus not perform their duty?

The officers surprised the Pharisees. What was the Pharisees' response to try and change the officers' way of thinking?
Who comes to the Jesus' defense? Where have we heard from him before?
From the following verses, summarize Jesus' main teaching points about Himself.
How have you been convinced that Jesus is the Son of God, the Messiah, sent to rescue you? How are you helping to extend this same conviction to others? How will you improve?

Lesson Seven

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