Clarence

Q4. (John 8:10-11) Why didn’t Jesus condemn the lady? Was she guilty, do you think? Instead of condemnation, what did Jesus tell her to do? Why is repentance necessary for salvation? What happens to the gospel when we don’t emphasize repentance? Jesus seems to be conveveying the message in the gospels that he does not condemn, but people condemn themselves as a consequence of the decisions they make and the things they do (Matt 12:37, Mark 16:16, Luke 6:23). Jesus was compasionate towards the woman. As the 'advanced member' in th forum notes,Jesus did not come to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17,writer's paraphrase) in addition he did not come to judge the world but to save the world (John 12:47). Repentance therefore, is an essential and integral part of the gospel of salvation (Matt 4:17, Luke 13:3,5, Luke 5:17, Acts 2:38). The apostle John therefore has some emphatic things to say about people who sin, in his letters to the church, for example 1John 3:6: "No one who abides in him sins; no one who sins has either seen him or known him".

Q3. (John 8:3-8) Why do you think Jesus wrote on the ground? Was the content of his writing important to the story? What effect did this have on the situation? Whatever he wrote perhaps it served to reinforce what he was about to say. It may well have been a poignant moment as the hate filled accusers, left without saying anything after Jesus spoke to them.

Q2. (John 8:3-8) Why did Jesus insist on unbiased, righteous witnesses casting the first stone? Why is verse 7 so often misused? Does Jesus require sinlessness of those called on to judge? What does he require? How does this compare with Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 7:1-5? Because it was so much a set up. The accusers were being hypocrites, because they knew that these accusations were spurious and false, all because they wanted to entrap Jesus. Jesus does not require those called to judge to be sinlessness, but he required a right attitude and holness, not self righteousness (John 7:24). I have trouble getting my head around judging, when I read Matt 7:1-5. However I think what jesus is saying in John 8 is similar to his teaching in Matt 7:2-5

Q1. (John 8:3-6) What was the trap Jesus’ enemies tried to spring on him with the woman taken in adultery? What might be the consequence if he upheld stoning her? What might be the consequence if he said not to stone her? So it would be against his nature to agree that the woman should be stoned. Jesus is merciful and taught his followers about mercy and love (Luke 6:32). (In addition the law was misquoted as the woman's partner would also be stoned according to the law -see Leviticus 20:10). The notes add that the Roman authorities would take a dim view of a stoning as they were the ruling authority not the Jews. Conversely, if Jesus had said, do not stone her he would also have been in trouble, as the people would have accused him of going against the teachings of Moses.

Q4. (John 7:37-39) In Jesus’ teaching on streams of living water from within, whom does he invite to drink? What does he promise to believers? How is this fulfilled at Pentecost rather than immediately after Jesus spoke it? To what degree has this been fulfilled in your life? Jesus invites whoever is thirsty to come and drink (v37). Jesus promises that rivers of living water (the Holy Spirit) will flow out of their hearts (v38). The Holy Spirit came upon the believers and disciples who were waiting in Jerusalem, after the ascension. And while staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me, for John baptized with water, but before many days you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4,5) When a person becomes a believer, the Holy Spirit enters their life (1 John 5:11, 12). There is also biblical evidence that person may experience recurring fillings of the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:6).

(John 7:17) Can we truly know God’s will if we’re not really willing to obey the truth we know? Why not? Often, I don't obey the truth that I already know- its called sin. So I probably miss out on God's blessings and will in my life according to John 7:17 and 8:31-32. So I wonder what my life would be like if I had diligently obeyed God's will and obeyed His word. "What keeps us away from Christ so that we don't eagerly drink of his refreshing, life-giving presence? Answer: our preoccupation with ourselves and our own concerns. Perhaps our creeping secular mindset. Our pride in doing it ourselves and not asking for help. Our spiritual dullness" (Pastor Ralph notes)".

Q2. (John 7:15-17) How were rabbis trained in Jesus’ day? How was Jesus trained? How were his disciples trained? What is the value of formal theological training? What is the value of learning to hear and obey the voice of the Spirit? According to the notes, "Jesus would have studied Hebrew and the Scriptures as a boy in the school in his local synagogue". He would also have had input from his parents and extended family. Jesus most probably would have also learned a lot from discussing and debating with the Jewish authorities in the synagogues (Luke 2:46-47). Jesus may even have received formal training a rabi/rabis however there is no record of this in the scriptures. The value of formal training is that the recipient is trained by a professional teacher, someone who has spent time studying and learning from the scriptures and in the light of this the experience of life.

Q1. (John 7:1-5) Why did Jesus stay in Galilee and avoid Jerusalem? What is the balance between taking precautions to protect yourself and trusting yourself into God’s care? The way I read it is that Jesus did not avoid going to Jerusalem, as he went to Jerusalem after his brothers left to go to the feast (7: 10). So Jesus avoided going with his brothers. In addition he did not even tell his brothers that he was going to the feast, probably because he could not trust them to be discrete. In my opinion God requires us to take every precaution to protect ourselves, as much as possible. Jesus knew that there were people out to kill him (7:1) so he chose to go to Jerusalem unannounced. It was not the right time for him to go to Jerusalem in an open way. Jesus knew the time was comming, when that would happen (John 7:6).

Q6. (John 6:61-66) What was the difference between the Twelve and the crowd of “disciples” that turned away from Jesus? What is the mark of true disciples according to John 8:31-32? So the twelve were like Jesus companions, but also Jesus shared more deeply with the twelve. He also shared special occasions with them. Like the transfiguration (Matt 17). He also taught them more deeply. They had to carry on the ministry in the world where Jesus left off, after Jesus ascension (Matt 28:16ff) - Jesus still promised to help them in a different way now. This is the mark of a true disciple: Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. “If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.”(John 8:31-32, "The Message")

Q5. (John 6:53-59) What is “eating the Bread of Life” a metaphor of? What is “eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood” a metaphor of? How are these metaphors similar to each other? Why do you think Jesus used such a vivid and repugnant metaphor? Eating the Bread of Life is a metaphor for believing in Jesus, putting faith and trust in him, partaking in a way of life which reflects believing in Jesus Christ, and the new position the believer is now in (Eph 2). Eating his flesh and drinking his blood is a metaphor for partaking in the "communion" or "Lord's supper", however in my opinion the Lord's supper is not a literal consumption of his flesh and blood, but is symbolic, and has spiritual significance. Partaking in the Lord's supper is also not essential for eternal life. As the notes state, the metaphors in the bread of life 'discourse' are all similar. Jesus used the consumption of his flesh and blood metaphor to provoke in order that people would listen to him and choose.

Q4. (John 6:35-51) What does the metaphor of “eating the Bread of Life” mean in practical terms? To extend the same metaphor, what do you think might be the difference between nibbling the Bread of Life rather than actually making a meal of it? Jesus used bread as a metaphor. So just as bread is life sustaining (a staple food) for physical life, he is the bread of life and sustaining for spiritual life. In practical terms, eating the bread of life means believing in Jesus Christ, putting your faith in him and receiving eternal life (John 6:47, 51). I wonder whether it is possible, in some ways, just to 'nibble the bread' as eternal life is granted to all those who believe (1 John 5:11, 12). However in another way believing in Jesus, putting faith in him, is still a choice in our every day life.

Q3. (John 6:37, 44, 65) What is the significance of Jesus’ teaching that only the ones the Father “draws” to him can come to him? In what way does this sound like predestination? How does the Holy Spirit prepare people to put their faith in Christ? Some people I know have heard the gospel many a time, however they do not respond to it. Perhaps they privately say no to God, in their hearts. I find it frustrating that they are 'spiritually dull' (a term from the notes) and unbelieving. Perhaps God has not touched them with his "prevenient grace" yet. Then there are people I know who have built up attitudes (beliefs about God) that are not biblically acurate, some of them, nominal church people who have been feed a universialist diet, from the liberal church. This also frustrates me. Sometimes I have a hard unteachable heart too. I know that I miss a lot that I could gain from God because of my hard spiritual heart. Perhaps there is a spiritual battle for peoples lives (and I believe there is)- they are given an opportuity to respond to the gospel, however are dulled by lies of the world and the devil. 2 Corinthians 10:4 states that there are strongholds in the world and we have divine power to demolsh them.

Q2. (John 6:28-29) What kind of “works” do people sometimes pursue to please God? According to Jesus, what is the most important “work” that God requires of us? The work that Jesus talked about was believing in the one God sent (himself). It amazes me that the people ask for a sign from him, so they could believe in him when at least some of them had witnessed the feeding of the 5000 and a lot of them were probably told about the occasion. I think that sometimes even believers ask God for signs (perhaps miracles) so that we can trust in him even more. I guess most of us from time to time fall into the trap of 'good works' in order to earn favour with God.

Q1. (John 6:26-27) Why were some of these “believers” following Jesus? What were their selfish motives? For what motives do true disciples seek Jesus? Hi all, It appears that some were seeking Jesus because their physical needs were meet on the mountain. Most "believers" probably have selfish motives, from what I have observed in others and in myself. This reminds me of 'The rich ruler' who walked away from Jesus because he couldn't (didn't want to) do what Jesus asked of him.

This may have been a temptation but Jesus was not tempted, just as he was not tempted in the wilderness (Luke 4:12). Jesus knew what his job was in the world (John 3:16,17) and he did not let himself become distracted by anyone (John 2:24-25). Of course, God's plan of redemption would not have happened if he let the people take him to make him their king. If I was honest, I have probably made a lot of mistakes in life and I will continue to make mistakes because I am rotten to the core because I am a sinner (1 John 1:9). We kid ourselves if we think we are better than any body else (1 John 1:10).

(John 6:12-13) Why does Jesus have his disciples pick up the left-over pieces? What does it have to do with his teaching the disciples about abundance? According to the notes it was the Jewish custom to collect up what was left over at the end of the meal. The baskets full of leftover food also served to illustrate God's abundant provision (Mark 8:19). What does this have to do with his attitude towards waste? I would like to think that Jesus cared for the natural environment- after all He created it! He did not want to leave food littered all over the hill side. This generation would not only leave food left overs littered all over the hillside but also the wrappers which the food came in.

(John 6:11) How did Jesus distribute the multiplied loaves and fishes to the multitudes? How do the disciples fit in? How are the baskets used? We are not told exactly how he did this. He must have used his disciples and even other deligated people in the crowd. Otherwise this would have been a very onerorus task for his disciples alone, given the number of people there. One thing we know about the baskets is that some were used to gather up the fragments of food left over after the people had eaten their fill (6:12). So we can assume that the baskets were used as recepticals, also to distribute the food. What impression do you think this is making on the disciples as they work hard during the ongoing miracle? This occasion must have been faith building to Jesus' disciples as it was to all the people (6:14).

(John 6:10) Why does Jesus have the crowds sit down before feeding them? Given that there were so many people to organise and feed, it would probably have been more manageable to do it this way. Rather than it being a 'free for all'. There would have been a danger of stampedes and women, children and the elderly or disabled could have been hurt or even worse-the people would have been very hungry and tired by now. What is the disciples’ role in this? Why would you prepare for a miracle if you don’t think it would happen? The disciples may have been excited at the anticipation of what was going to happen next, as they had already seen Jesus perform miracles. The turning of the water into wine at the weeding in Cana for example. He issued the servants with instructions, they carried them out and there was much celebrating to be done after that, and the hosts of the wedding were saved a whole lot of embarrassment (2:1-11). The disciples would also have been involved in the logistics of this event, which probably would have been quite an onerous task, as there were so many people. They would have had to relay the information to all of the people, or make sure that others did that task. They would have then had to arrange for the distribution of all of the food that appeared after Jesus had given thanks for the barley loves and fish, and then gather all the leftovers! How ready is your congregation to see miracles take place? I think that I can only answer this question for myself. Sometimes I do not have an expectant attitude that God will change something in my or other peoples lives, however sometimes he does it in spite of me!

(John 6:5-9) Why does Jesus try to get the disciples to own the task of feeding the crowds? What is the significance to the story of the boy’s five loaves and two little fish? Jesus teaches us several aspects about himself in this passage and this would have been his intention for his disciples of the day. First Jesus tested his disciples by asking Philip how they could feed all the people. You would think the disciples had been with Jesus long enough for them to realise by now, what he was capable of. So Philip first of all thought about money, and suggested that buying food would be impossible-bearing in mind that there could have been more that 10,000 people on that hillside as 5000 was only the number of men there. Andrew then noted that there was a 'lad' who had some food, so he must have gone to the trouble of finding this out. This answer was probably more pleasing to Jesus as Andrew had gone to the trouble of at least doing ths. Jesus showed his disciples that he was full of compassion for the people (Matt 9:36) as he didn't want to send them all away to go and get the food, bearing in mind that they would probably have had to travel for a signicant number of hours and a considerable distance to find food to supply all those people. So he also taught his disciples that He was able to supply more that enough food for all the people. In addition, he uses this miracle to teach them that he was the "bread of life" (verse 35) so they will never go hungry, nor thirst, if they put there trust in them. But of course, he was teaching them a spiritual lesson.

(John 5:39-40) What should be the role of the Scriptures in our lives? The bible says: Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. It is about knowing the written Word of God and obeying it- putting it into practice (Luke 6:46, 49a). Is it possible for a person to be a great student of the Bible, but so lacking in spiritual discernment and lifestyle? There are and have been academics who know the bible well, as well as other writings such as the Koran or other 'religious' writings. So the bible sits alongside other writings of this ilk with no special significance. How can we keep our churches orthodox but not legalistic and judgmental? It is important to adhere to the principles of scripture. Paul said if we do not have love we have, or gain nothing (1Corinthians 13). Having a legalistic and judgmental attitude is not love.

(John 5:36-37) According to John’s Gospel, what is the value of miracles? The value of the miracles in the Gospel of John is to glorify God. They served to backup what Jesus has taught and claimed about himself. What is the weakness of faith that depends solely on miracles? Such faith tends to be shallow (Matt 13:5). Why do you think that we don’t have more miracles in our day? The implication of the question is that less miracles happen today compared to other periods of time in the christian world. Perhaps because of unbelief (Matt 15:38). Perhaps today in the western word there is less need for miracles because of the advance of modern medicine. How much is that dependent upon a congregation’s attitude (and unbelief) towards the importance of modern-day miracles? Not only the congregation but leaders as well. I have witnessed pastors/ministers who appear to lack humility and make a big show of what they can apparently do, like perform so called miracles. When is a miracle not a miracle? Perhaps I am too skeptical?

(John 5:30) Why is Jesus so dependent upon the Father for wisdom? How dependent are you upon your culture to approve of your way of life and validate your wisdom? To what degree do you depend upon God for wisdom? The notes state that "The doctrine of the Trinity affirms that the Father and Son and Holy Spirit are eternally equal in Person, but acknowledges that the Son and Holy Spirit are subordinate in role" In addition, In lesson 8, Pastor Ralph explains that even though ..."Jesus was God, he emptied himself, he divested himself of some of the attributes of his divinity" (Phillipians 2:7). As a result, Jesus was dependent upon God for wisdom. We must also be dependent on God for wisdom (James 1:5). Even though I would like to say that I am largely dependent on God for my wisdom, I depend on my culture for approval. I do not find it easy to go out on a limb, as it were, for my God.

(John 5:21-24) According to John 5:24, when does eternal life begin? What is our default position without Christ – life or death? How can people come to eternal life if they never “hear my word”? How do your friends and neighbors normally hear Jesus’ word? What might be your role in seeing that they hear his word? Eternal life begins from the time of belief, the decision to be a believer in Christ (John 3:16, John 5:24, 1 John 5:11,12). The default position is death (seperation from Christ), because the default position is that there is no eternal life. There are two forms of revelation according to the theologians. General (natural) and Specific. The general is all of God's creation (Romans 1:18-32), and specific is the revelation of the Word of God and His dealings with people throughout history (http://www.biblicaltraining.org/library/doctrine-revelation). The site states that the ultimate purpose of God's revelation is to bring people to Himself. The word of God is generally heard through believers who influence others through interaction in the community in which they live, by the way believers in Christ live and by what they say. This is our job and it is not easy (Matt 28:19,20).

(John 5:14-15) Is it possible to be blessed outwardly, but lost inwardly? It is possible to be blessed outwardly but lost inwardly. No matter what our beliefs we are all blessed with life and all the things we enjoy in life (John 3:27). Why did Jesus confront the healed man in the temple with his sin? Jesus confronted the man because he needed to tell the man the truth, and warn him about where he is heading. How was this necessary for a full healing, his salvation? Does the man seem to respond with faith to Jesus’ rebuke? In some ways Jesus did not seem to seperate the inward from the outward-spiritual and physical. The man did not appear to repent at the time.

(John 5:9-13) Why are the “sabbath police” (the Pharisees) so upset at the man who is healed? These people seemed to be so upset because in their view, the law was being broken. As a result, that they failed to be joyful for the man who was healed. Perhaps they felt threatened by Jesus because he healed a man, and they never have. How can a person be so intent on rules that they miss what God is doing? It is very sad that a person has this attitude. I sometimes feel resentful at the way things are done in our church, especially at the services. I think I have said before that I get upset at what I see as hype, perhaps my attitude is wrong. What is the sin of the Pharisees here? The sin of the Pharisees is that they miss the very purpose of the law that God gave his people. The pharisees are so cauht up with their own man made laws. The 'law' is to them more important that the welfare of the people, whom they are meant to be serving! Jesus brought it all into perspective when he said " “The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath; (Matt 12:2, Mark 2:27)