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Lessons from the Book of John

Lessons from the Book of John for students

I – Deity of Jesus

READ: John 1:2
He was with God in the beginning.

Who is the “Word?”

“He” refers to the “Word” who is Jesus. “He” existed before the creation of the universe.
Does that mean Jesus had a beginning, meaning He was created by God?
Jesus was given the authority for all creation. He is also our savior, as well as our judge.

Why does God have no beginning and no end?

God created the “concept of time.” Only His creation is bound by time.
Only one God exists in three persons (Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit). They have no beginning or end.
People often confuse “time” as applicable to God. The Holy Trinity (3 persons in one God) is not bound by time, only God’s creations.

How to describe the Holy Trinity

The phrase “Holy Trinity” is not found in the Bible.
It’s one God in three Persons, “not three gods.”
Metaphorical description: Water can be liquid, solid, or smoke. But it will always be water or H₂O.

II – Knowing Jesus

READ: John 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with God in the beginning. ³ Through Him, all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

Who is Jesus to you?

The verse describes the power and authority of Jesus on all things.
The world belongs to Jesus, and He sustains all life, but some reject His authority.
How can you say you have the light of Christ?

How do you feel knowing everything belongs to Jesus?

He is worthy of our Praise.
Jesus deserves to be worshiped because He is God.

If Jesus is everything, what should be your attitude to those who don’t know about Jesus?

Share the hope of salvation with others.
Share that with Jesus; we have eternal life.

How should you live your life, knowing Jesus as your Savior?

By bearing fruits and being thankful always.
Spending time with God through “Quiet Time.”

III – Evolution vs. Creation

READ: John 1:3-4
Through Him, all things were made; without Him, nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.

The theory of evolution is an accepted fact, undermining God’s creation.

Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, claims everything was an “accident.” The objective of evolutionists like Richard Dawkins is to prove there is no God, thus, no creator.
The verse tells us there is a “Creator and Designer.”

Scientific arguments to refute evolution

Missing links remain missing.
Irreducible Complexity.
Intelligent Design (Such as DNA)
Structure of the Universe.

IV – Atheism

Why do you think evolutionists want to prove there is no God?

Evolutionists are atheists and agnostics.
They make fun of Christians.
They think they’re more intelligent.
Romans 1:22 “Claiming to be wise, they became fools.”

Why are people attracted to atheism?

Without God, one is free to do anything they want.
There is no accountability with anyone.
God has “moral laws,” and you can be immoral without them.
Atheists, Agnostics, and Satanists are NOT bound to “moral laws.”

Are you sometimes drawn to atheism why?

Two kinds of ideologies that will influence your thinking: Conservative and Liberal.
Mainstream media – BLM racial narrative
Hollywood – Abortion OK, movies like Lucifer, Sex in the City, polyamory
Music – Demonic songs of Billie Eilish
Professors – Neo-marxism
Politicians – Abortion is a right.

Is tolerance, equality, and diversity good?

Tolerance – Example: 6-years James Younger can take female hormones.
Equality & Diversity – Example: All-gender sports, bathroom law, blended families.
Universities teach tolerance, equality, and diversity, but it is really a “Narcissistic Victimology,” according to Dr. Swann.

Unless a person humbles himself and admits he is a sinner and needs a savior, he will not understand God’s words.
No one can come to Jesus unless God the Father draws him (John 6:44). It’s God’s Spirit who convicts, we only share God’s words. (Example: Nabeel Qureshi)
Your character is your Christian testimony.

VI – Father’s love

READ: John 1:12
But to all who did receive Him, He gave them the right to be children of God, to those who believe in His name.

READ: John 3:16
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

If God is love, why is there misery on earth?

The prince of the world is Satan.
Sin entered the world through Adam and Eve, who lived in the Paradise of Eden (heaven).
Both shared the misery on earth.

How did God the Father show His love?

When an angel sins, they are punished immediately (2 Peter 2:4), but God provided a way for us to escape punishment through Jesus.
Despite our sins, God loves us and gave His son Jesus to die for our sins and for all generations (2 Corinthians 5:15).
Memorize John 3:16; and John 1:12: “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”

If going to heaven is simply by faith, is it easy to believe?

Will a devout Muslim believe in Jesus?
Read James 2:19

V – Righteous anger

READ: John 2:15
So He made a whip out of cords and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.

What makes Jesus’ anger righteous?

Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your aFather It is clear, therefore, thFatheris OK to be angry, but for the right reasons.
Before Jesus died and was resurrected, the Temple of Jerusalem waFathered because God’s presence lived in the arc of the covenant, located in the “Holy of Holies.”
After Jesus was resurrected, God’s glory departed from the temple. Individuals who believed and received Jesus have become God’s temple. (Read Romans 12:1)
As God’s temple, we must free our minds and bodies from sin and hatred.

What does it mean to get angry but not sin?

In your anger – do not sin.
Be kind, forgive as God has forgiven you (Ephesians 4:32)
Blessed are the meek. (Matthew 5:5)
Fruit of the spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)

VII – Obedience to Jesus is our spiritual food

READ: John 4:34
“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.

If we don’t eat the food, we die. If a person like Jesus was to survive on the earth, He has to eat food. In this context, Jesus’ sustenance (or food) is his obedience to God. Incidentally, Jesus often fasted. Our spirit needs nourishment just like Jesus. “Our obedience to the will of God is our food.”

KEY POINTS:

When we obey, we are nourished.
Likewise, if we disobey, we become weak.
Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 8:3 when Satan tempted Him. He rebuked Satan with Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

What does Jesus ask of us?

Blameless, moral, and upright. Read (Luke 6:46-49)
Pray without ceasing—never giving it up (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Great commission. (Read Matthew 28:16-20)

IX – Two kinds of followers of Jesus

READ: John 4:48
“Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

Why are you a Christian?

Do you follow Jesus because He can fill your needs?
Will you still follow Jesus if life is hard?
Example of a martyr
In what ways do you express your love for God?
What should you do if you don’t feel like loving God today?
Read Hebrews 12:6

They got something but chose to believe and trust, even if they didn’t at times
They got something and stopped believing when they did not get what they wanted.

X – Believer in Christ

READ: John 6:35-36
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still do not believe.

READ: John 6:40
⁴⁰ For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”

XI – Vine and the Vinedresser

READ: John 15:1-4
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vineyard keeper. ²Every branch in Me that does not produce fruit He removes, and He prunes every branch that produces fruit so that it will produce more fruit. ³You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴Remain in Me, and I in you. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in Me.

READ: John 15:5-8
⁵“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit because you can do nothing without Me. ⁶If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown aside like a branch and withers. They gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. ⁸My Father is glorified by this: that you produce much fruit and prove to be^[a] My disciples.

VIII – What Christians should expect

READ: John 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

What does the world give?

Wealth and temporary things.
Since Satan is the ruler of this world, he gives temptations.

Why did Jesus give peace, not wealth?

In this world, you will have trouble. “I have told you these things so that you may have peace in me. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world,” John 16:33
God will discipline you. “The Lord disciplines the one He loves and punishes every son He receives,” Hebrews 12:6
Jesus gives peace, which means by trusting Him, we have peace.
He also said, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword,^“ Matthew 10:34-36
The word of God is like a sword to correct or rebuke.

What should be our response when trouble comes?

Consider it a great joy whenever you experience various trials; the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. (James 1:2-4)
Do not be anxious, be thankful for everything. (Philippians 4:6-7)

Takeaway

Jesus promised peace in your hearts.
Discipline and trials are part of God’s love.
If you want to be a child of God, He will discipline you.

XII – Attitude of love, humility, servant-attitude

READ John 13:5
After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. ⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” ⁷ Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.”

READ: John 15:9
⁹“As the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you. Remain in My love. ¹⁰If you keep My commands you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commands and remain in His love.

XIII – Bear Fruit

John 15:5
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. ²Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He ^[a]prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. ³You are already ^[b]clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

⁴Remain in Me, ^[c]and I in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit ^[d]of itself ^[e]but must remain in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in Me. ⁵I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him ^[f]bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

⁶If anyone does not remain in Me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷If you remain in Me, and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

⁸My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so ^[g]prove to be My disciples. ⁹Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you; remain in My love. ¹⁰If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love.

In what “fruit” are you struggling, and how can you bear that fruit?

Only by abiding in Jesus can one bear fruit.
Part of bearing fruit is being pruned (Read John 15:5)

XIV – Joy made complete

READ: John 15:11-15
“I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. ¹²This is My command: Love one another as I have loved you. ¹³No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends. ¹⁴You are My friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵I do not call you slaves anymore because a slave doesn’t know what his master is doing.

READ: John 15:16-17
I have called you friends because I have made known to you everything I have heard from My Father. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you. I appointed you that you should go out and produce fruit and that your fruit should remain so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. ¹⁷This is what I command you: Love one another.

What is the feeling when you have completely obeyed God?

God created us to do good works (Read Ephesians 2:8-9)
When we help others, it gives us joy and a thankful heart.
When we live contrary to God’s design, we become unhappy.

How do you prove friendship with someone?

Jesus showed His love for us by sacrifice.
What sacrifice have you made for your family and friends to show your love?

What Father greatest command of Jesus?

Some of your friends may become your enemies in the future; how do you apply this verse?
It’s difficult to respond with love with someone who is unkind. For example, rude and unreasonable people. How should you respond?
People spat on Jesus; they mocked, pushed, cursed, and killed Him.
Jesus responded with humility.

How can you be Christ-like?

Jesus showed humility the moment He was born on earth. Growing up, He refrained to use His power or His angels to fight for him.
We can be humble not because it’s natural. People ask Jesus with wrong motives. Only God can give us a humble heart, but we have to make that choice.
What happens when we are humble?

READ: John 16:23
On that day, you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly, I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask, and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.

How can your joy be complete?

To be Christ-like is to be humble; what should you ask Him?
What kinds of things should we ask Jesus, so we can be completely joyful?

XIV – The Holy Spirit

READ: John 16:13
“But when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears and tell you what is yet to come.”

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Third Person in the Holy Trinity of (one) God.
Jesus sends the Holy Spirit. (John 16:13)
The Holy Spirit causes us to be born again. (John 3:5)
No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:3)

The Holy Spirit’s role in your life

The author of the Old Testament (Pentateuch) is mostly attributed to Moses.
The New Testament is a combination of letters and words from the Holy Spirit.
The Bible is “breathed out by God” for teaching, rebuke, correction, and training. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Our efforts to pursue holiness will be hopeless because sanctification is by the Spirit. (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
True wisdom comes only from the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 1:17)

What do you say when someone says the Bible is a fairy tale book?

Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it. (Luke 11:28)
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. (James 1:22)

READ: John 20:10-23
On the evening oFather first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” ²⁰ After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. ²¹ Again, Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.”

XVI – Feed my sheep

READ: John 21:15-17
¹⁵When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” ¹⁶Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” ¹⁷The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

READ: John 21:25
²⁵Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Lessons from the Book of John