John

Lesson 1 w/AnswersIntroduction

The Gospel of John is a beautifully written and extremely insightful gospel that I believe God will surprise all of us as He leads us in this study.

This lesson’s study will be somewhat short as I want to focus first on a simple overview of the Gospel and John himself. In our next lesson, we will look at John 1:1-18, which is the first of what I believe to be the three most important passages included in the book of John. These verses alone could support a semester’s study in Theology and reveal life-changing truths that support our Christian worldview. The other two passages are John 3:16 and John 20:30-31. These three sections of scripture are more powerful than mere words can describe, but we will try to comprehend their meaning and significance as we study this very powerful gospel.

Bible

As we look at the total gospel according to John, we will note several things that distinguish it as unique within the New Testament. First, John focused not on the early life and historical aspects of Christ, but more on His Messiahship. The focus of John’s gospel is clearly evangelical and apologetic, and speaks to John’s evidence of why Jesus is the Christ. His gospel is unique in that it is built around several specific miracles that point to Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah. Also included are the seven "I am" sayings of Christ, Christ’s ministry in Jerusalem, the Jewish nation’s feasts, and Christ’s private conversations with individuals.

For sure, after we have completed this study, there will be no doubt that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and that faith in Him is the only way to the Father and eternity in Heaven. There is absolutely no doubt.

So let’s have a closer look at the book as whole in this lesson, as we prepare to gain insights into the Savior that perhaps you have never had before.

  1. What does the word "synoptic" mean?
    1. ANSWER: Taking a common view; taking a general view of the principle parts of a subject.
  2. What does the word "evangelistic" mean?
    1. ANSWER: Getting out the "good news" or gospel message that Jesus is the Christ, the promised Savior, the Messiah.
  3. What does the word "apologetic" mean?
    1. ANSWER: An argument presenting a defense of a position or point.
  4. Why is John’s gospel NOT synoptic, i.e., why is it referred to as a gospel, but not part of the "synoptic" gospels?
    1. ANSWER: It does not review the common message and points about Christ, e.g., his lineage through Mary or Joseph, etc. Rather, its focus is on specific events and for a specific purpose, versus serving as an overview of the life and ministry of Christ.
  5. What are some of the things written about in the "synoptic" gospels that are not referenced or written about in John’s Gospel?
    1. ANSWER: His lineage, his birth, his baptism, desert temptations, his casting out of demons, his parables, the Olivet discourse, his transfiguration, the Lord’s Supper, his agony at Gethsemane, and His ascension.
  6. List some examples of things written about in John’s Gospel that are not referenced or written about in the "synoptic" gospels.
    1. ANSWER: Changing of water into wine, the story of Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead, foot washing, the Lord’s Prayer, the appearance to Thomas, and Peter’s re-commissioning.
  7. Why did John write this gospel? (see John 20:30-31 for the answer)
    1. ANSWER: So that we would know that Christ is the Messiah, and that through believing in Him we have eternal life.
  8. In John 20:30-31, what does John say that we can have by believing in Jesus as the Christ? (see verse 31)
    1. ANSWER: Life.

Thanks again for studying with us.

In Christ,

Wes

[2018]

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