Bible studies on the book of John. The gospels take their name from the fact that they “proclaim” or “speak of” “the gospel.” These books are called evangelion in Greek and evangelium in Latin. They are also called good news because they tell about the good news of God’s saving deeds and promises to man
The study on the book of John is designed to help people understand the message that John was writing. John’s gospel was written in order to show all people that Jesus Christ is God’s Son and came on earth as a man so that everyone may have eternal life by believing in Him.
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Bible Studies on the Book of John
Gospel of John Study Guide PDF
– Are there any resources available for studying the Gospel of John? Yes, there are several online study guides and resources available in PDF format for those interested in studying the Gospel of John. These study guides are designed to provide a deeper understanding of the book and its teachings. They often include insightful commentary, discussion questions, and additional references. The Gospel of John Study Guide PDF is a valuable tool for individuals or groups who wish to delve into the rich and profound content of this book.
Book of John Bible Study Questions and Answers
– Are there any specific questions and answers available for a Bible study on the Book of John? Absolutely! Bible studies on the Book of John often include a wide range of thought-provoking questions and well-researched answers to help participants engage with the text more deeply. These questions may cover various themes, such as the identity of Jesus, his teachings, and the significance of the miracles he performed. By exploring these questions and discussing the corresponding answers, individuals or groups can gain a better understanding of the profound message conveyed in the Book of John.
Free Printable Bible Study on the Book of John
– Is there a free printable Bible study available specifically for the Book of John? Yes, there are numerous websites that offer free printable Bible studies focused on the Book of John. These studies usually consist of a series of lessons, each providing insightful commentary, study questions, and suggested readings. The printable format allows individuals to easily access and study the material at their own pace, whether individually or within a group setting. This free resource serves as a valuable tool for those seeking to grow in their understanding of the Book of John.
Bible Studies on the Book of John
Gospel of John Bible Study for Youth PDF
– Are there any study guides available specifically designed for teaching the Gospel of John to youth? Certainly! Gospel of John Bible Study for Youth is often available in PDF format. These study guides cater to the specific needs and interests of young individuals, presenting the material in a more relatable and engaging way. The guides may include interactive activities, creative discussions, and practical applications of the teachings found in the Gospel of John. By utilizing this resource, youth can develop a solid foundation of faith while building a deeper understanding of the message conveyed in the book.
Small Group Bible Study on John
– Can the Book of John be studied effectively in a small group setting? Absolutely! Small group Bible studies are an excellent way to explore and understand the Book of John. This setting allows for meaningful discussions and the sharing of insights among the participants. By engaging in conversations focused on the text and its underlying themes, individuals gain different perspectives and deepen their understanding of the spiritual truths presented. Small group Bible studies on the Book of John provide a supportive environment where participants can ask questions, share experiences, and grow together in their faith journey.
John Bible Study Questions PDF
– Is there a specific resource that presents insightful questions to aid in the study of the Book of John? Yes, many resources provide John Bible Study Questions in PDF format. These questions are meticulously crafted to guide individuals or groups through the content of the book, drawing attention to key passages and prompting deeper reflection. By engaging with these questions, readers can delve into the intricacies of the text, uncovering profound truths and gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the teachings within the Book of John.
Bible Studies on the Book of John
Book of John Study Guide for Beginners
– Is there a study guide specifically designed for beginners to understand the Book of John? Yes, there are study guides available that specifically cater to those who are new to studying the Bible, particularly the Book of John. These study guides are designed to provide clear explanations and definitions of important terms and concepts while guiding beginners through the book’s overall structure and themes. By utilizing a Book of John Study Guide for Beginners, individuals can embark on a transformative journey of faith, gradually deepening their understanding of the Gospel’s message and the life of Jesus Christ.
Book of John Explained Verse by Verse
– Is there a resource that breaks down the Book of John verse by verse to provide a comprehensive understanding? Yes, there are resources available that offer verse-by-verse explanations of the Book of John. These resources often provide in-depth analysis of each verse, exploring its historical, cultural, and theological significance. By examining the text in such detail, individuals can gain a more profound understanding of the specific teachings and messages conveyed in each verse. The Book of John Explained Verse by Verse serves as a valuable tool for those seeking a comprehensive understanding of this profound Gospel narrative.
Bible studies on the book of john
The Gospel of John was written by John, one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. Even among the twelve, John was one of the three apostles (along with Peter and James) who were the closest to Jesus; The Gospel of John, also called “Book of John,” is an eyewitness account written by someone very close to Jesus.
John the apostle never identifies himself as “John” in his gospel, preferring to refer to himself simply as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23, 19:26, 20:2, 21:7 and 21:20). From the context of these and other references in this gospel, however, it is clear that John is the writer.
John wrote this gospel, as inspired by God, after the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke already had been written, and assumes the readers’ familiarity with some of the details – e.g., the Birth of Jesus – in the other gospels. This Bible study draws from those gospels, as well as from the other books of the Bible.
Why is The Gospel of John so popular for a Bible study?
If the Bible were a mountain, the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament lead up to the top, where the cross of Jesus stands as described by the four gospels, and the remaining twenty-three books of the New Testament lead down from the top while looking back at His cross. And even among the four gospels, the Gospel of John sheds perhaps the brightest spotlight on Jesus and His cross.
And “Gospel” simply means “good news.” Hopefully you will enjoy the good news brought to you by a man whose reference to himself as someone Jesus loved made his name – “John” (English), “Juan” (Spanish), “Jean” (French), “Jan” (Dutch), “Giovanni” (Italian), “Johannes” (German), “Johan” (Swedish), etc. – the most popular name for sons in many countries around the world.
John is often the book recommended to new believers or seekers to study first. While the book of Mark is an excellent choice as well, it is hard to argue against John. John was written that “you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.” The thesis itself is sufficient to show us that this is a great place to start.
The perspective in the book of John is a bit different from the other synaptic gospels, as the content is largely unique to this book. That means you get a lot of teachings and stories from Jesus’ life not recorded elsewhere. And all of these are compiled to show us that Jesus is indeed the Son of God. What can be more worthy of study than that!
Our Bible study guides provide an excellent resource for teachers of small groups, but can also be used for personal study. You can use the discussion questions as a quick way to start conversation on the text and point those in your Bible study to key points in the text. Teaching points provide additional reflection on some points that may have not been noticed. And cross-references supplement the studies with supporting Scriptures. We hope you will share your thoughts with us in the comments of each lesson as you begin your journey to study and obey the book of John.
This summary of the Gospel of John provides information about the title, author(s), date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the Gospel of John.
Author
The author is the apostle John, “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (13:23 [see note there]; 19:26; 20:2; 21:7,20,24). He was prominent in the early church but is not mentioned by name in this Gospel — which would be natural if he wrote it, but hard to explain otherwise. The author knew Jewish life well, as seen from references to popular Messianic speculations (see, e.g., 1:21 and note; 7:40-42), to the hostility between Jews and Samaritans (see 4:9 and note), and to Jewish customs, such as the duty of circumcision on the eighth day taking precedence over the prohibition of working on the Sabbath (see note on 7:22). He knew the geography of the Holy Land, locating Bethany about 15 stadia (about two miles) from Jerusalem (11:18) and mentioning Cana, a village not referred to in any earlier writing known to us (2:1 [see note there]; 21:2). The Gospel of John has many touches that appear to reflect the recollections of an eyewitness — such as the house at Bethany being filled with the fragrance of the broken perfume jar (see 12:3 and note). Early writers such as Irenaeus and Tertullian say that John wrote this Gospel, and all other evidence agrees (see Introduction to 1 John: Author).
Date
In general, two views of the dating of this Gospel have been advocated:
The traditional view places it toward the end of the first century, c. a.d. 85 or later (see Introduction to 1 John: Date).
More recently, some interpreters have suggested an earlier date, perhaps as early as the 50s and no later than 70.
The first view may be supported by reference to the statement of Clement of Alexandria (died between 211 and 216) that John wrote to supplement the accounts found in the other Gospels (Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History, 6.14.7), and thus his Gospel is later than the first three. It has also been argued that the seemingly more developed theology of the fourth Gospel indicates that it originated later.
The second view has found favor because it has been felt more recently that John wrote independently of the other Gospels (see essay and chart, p. 1943). This does not contradict the statement of Clement referred to above. Also, those who hold this view point out that developed theology does not necessarily argue for a late origin. The theology of Romans (written c. 57) is every bit as developed as that in John. Further, the statement in 5:2 that there “is” (rather than “was”) a pool “near the Sheep Gate” may suggest a time before 70, when Jerusalem was destroyed. Others, however, observe that John elsewhere sometimes used the present tense when speaking of the past.
bible studies on the book of john free
John’s Gospel is rather different from the other three. Whether or not he knew them (or any one of them) continues to be debated. In any event, his witness to Jesus goes its own way, highlighting matters that in the other Gospels remain implicit and underdeveloped. The literary style of this witness of Jesus is also unique among the Gospels; here focus is on the “signs” of Jesus’ identity and mission and on lengthy, theologically rich discourses.
John begins with the profound announcement that Jesus is the “in the beginning” creative Word of God who had become embodied (incarnated) as a human being to be the light of life for the world. After this comes the proclamation that this Jesus is the Son of God sent from the Father to finish the Father’s work in the world (see 4:34 and note). God’s own glory is made visible in him (“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father,” 14:9), and what he does glorifies the Father. In him the full grace and truth of God has shown itself. Strikingly, a series of “I am” claims on Jesus’ lips echoes God’s naming of himself in Ex 3:14, further strengthening the link between the Father and the Son (see 6:35; 8:12; 9:5; 10:7,9,14; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1,5).
Jesus’ words to Nicodemus nicely summarize this Gospel’s central theme: “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” (3:16). Although a variety of motivations for the composition of John’s Gospel have been posited by interpreters (such as to supplement the other Gospels, to combat some form of heresy, to oppose the continuing followers of John the Baptist), the author himself states his main purpose clearly in 20:31: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
For the main emphases of the book see notes on 1:4,7,9,14,19,49; 2:4,11; 3:27; 4:34; 6:35; 13:1 — 17:26; 13:31; 17:1-2,5; 20:31.
Outline
Prologue: The Word Became Flesh (1:1-18)
The Beginning of Jesus’ Ministry (1:19-51)
John the Baptist’s Testimony about Jesus (1:19-34)
John’s Disciples Follow Jesus (1:35-42)
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael (1:43-51)
Jesus’ Public Ministry: Signs and Discourses (chs. 2-11)
Changing Water into Wine (2:1-11)
Cleansing the Temple (2:12-25)
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus (3:1-21)
John the Baptist’s Final Testimony about Jesus (3:22-36)
Jesus and the Samaritans (4:1-42)
Healing of the Official’s Son (4:43-54)
Jesus’ Visit to Jerusalem at an Annual Feast (ch. 5)
Feeding the 5,000 and Jesus’ Claim to Be the Bread of Life (ch. 6)
Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles and Disputes over Who He Is (chs. 7-8)
Healing of the Man Born Blind (ch. 9)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd (10:1-21)
Conflict at the Feast of Dedication over Jesus’ Identity (10:22-42)
The Raising of Lazarus (ch. 11)
The Passion Week (chs. 12-19)
The Anointing of Jesus’ Feet (12:1-11)
Jesus’ Entry into Jerusalem as King (12:12-19)
Jesus Predicts His Death (12:20-36)
Belief and Unbelief among the Jews (12:37-50)
Jesus’ Farewell Discourses and Prayer (chs. 13-17)
At the Last Supper (chs. 13-14)
Jesus washes the disciples’ feet (13:1-17)
Jesus predicts his betrayal (13:18-30)
Jesus predicts Peter’s denial (13:31-38)
Jesus comforts his disciples (14:1-4)
Jesus is the way to the Father (14:5-14)
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit (14:15-30)
On the way to Gethsemane (chs. 15-16)
The vine and the branches (15:1-17)
The world hates the disciples (15:18-25)
The work of the Holy Spirit (15:26;16:15)
The disciples’ grief will turn to joy (16:16-33)
Jesus’ prayer (ch. 17)
For himself — that he be glorified (17:1-5)
For his disciples (17:6-19)
For all believers (17:20-26)
Jesus’ Betrayal and Arrest (18:1-11)
Jesus’ Trials before Jewish and Roman Officials (18:12-40)
Jesus’ Crucifixion (19:1-27)
Jesus’ Death and Burial (19:28-42)
Jesus’ Resurrection (20:1-29)
Statement of the Gospel’s Purpose (20:30-31)
Epilogue: Jesus’ Recommissioning of the Disciples (ch. 21)
The Gospel of John plays a unique and influential role in the Christian Bible. In this account of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we learn that Jesus is the Son of God, sent by God the Father to give eternal life to all who believe in him. Jesus repeatedly shatters people’s assumptions, teaching that salvation is not earned but rather is a free gift received through a miracle of grace—being born again. John’s Gospel also sounds a constant theme of mission. Just as the Father sent Jesus to earth, Jesus sends his followers to continue his mission by testifying that Jesus is the Son of God so that “whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Of the four Gospels, John was probably the last one written. It is the most theologically and philosophically profound Gospel account. John does not narrate Jesus’ birth. Instead, he begins his Gospel at the very beginning, stating in his opening sentence that Jesus has eternally existed and that “all things were made through him” (John 1:3). John roots Jesus’ identity in eternity past, providing a lofty vision of the Son of God sent to earth as fully God and now also fully man. Other than the feeding of the five thousand, the anointing at Bethany (John 12:1–8), and the passion narrative, John does not share any sizable blocks of teaching with the Synoptic Gospels. John is organized around carefully crafted narrative strands that highlight both the signs and teachings of Jesus. This gives John’s Gospel a sense of depth as the reader is presented with a rich, multi-layered, and cosmic display of the identity, works, words, and mission of Jesus.
John’s purpose is to present Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, sent to earth to fulfill all that the Old Testament anticipated: bringing new life—eternal life—to a dark world.
Definition: Son of God
Definition: Sent
Definition: Eternal Life
Placing It in the Larger Story
While Matthew focuses on Jesus as the Jewish Messiah, Mark focuses on Jesus as the one who ushers in the kingdom of God, and Luke emphasizes Jesus as the one who welcomes the outsider, John emphasizes Jesus as the eternal Son of God. Through his signs and teaching, through his death and resurrection, and through the mission he entrusts to his disciples, Jesus fulfills all the Old Testament hopes and promises. He inaugurates the long-awaited new age.
Key Passage
“Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20:30–31).
Date and Historical Background
The Gospel of John was written by the apostle John, the son of Zebedee. He was a Palestinian Jew and a member of Jesus’ inner apostolic circle. John most likely wrote his account of Jesus between AD 70 (when Jerusalem was besieged by the Romans and the temple was destroyed) and AD 100 (the approximate end of John’s lifetime). Most likely he wrote his Gospel in Ephesus, one of the most important urban centers of the Roman Empire. John’s Gospel was aimed at both Jews and Gentiles living throughout the Greco-Roman world. John frequently explains Jewish customs and Palestinian geography to non-Jewish readers. John also presents Jesus as the eternal Word that has now become flesh, utilizing the background of Greek thought familiar to his Gentile audience. Yet John clearly also has a Jewish audience in mind: he reveals Jesus to be the Jewish Messiah, the fulfillment of many Old Testament themes, and the eternal Son of God sent by God the Father to mediate a new relationship between God and man.
John thus wrote his Gospel about two generations after the death and resurrection of Jesus. At the time of writing, the other three Gospels had been written and the Greco-Roman world was in a state of change. Jerusalem had been sacked by Rome. Jews were increasingly dispersed throughout the Roman Empire, causing Jews and Gentiles to come into even more frequent contact. It is to this mixed and dispersed Jewish and Gentile audience that John directed his Gospel.
Outline
Prologue: The Incarnate Word (John 1:1–18)
The Signs of the Messiah (John 1:19–12:50)
John the Baptist and the start of Jesus’ ministry (John 1:19–2:11)
Jesus’ expanding ministry (John 2:12–4:54)
More signs amid mounting Jewish opposition (John 5:1–10:42)
The final Passover: the ultimate sign (John 11:1–12:19)
The Messiah’s death at hand (John 12:20–50)
The Farewell Discourse and the Passion Narrative (John 13:1–20:31)
Jesus’ final teaching and prayer (John 13:1–17:26)
Jesus’ arrest, trials, death, and burial (John 18:1–19:42)
Jesus’ resurrection and appearances (John 20:1–29)
Purpose statement and epilogue (John 20:30–21:25)
As You Get Started . . .
What is your general understanding of the role of John’s Gospel related to the other three Gospels? Do you have any sense of what John uniquely contributes?
How do you understand John’s contribution to Christian theology? From your current knowledge of John, what does this account of the life of Jesus teach us about God, humanity, sin, redemption, and other doctrines?
What has perplexed you about John’s Gospel? Are there any confusing parts to this Gospel that you would like to resolve as you begin this study of John?
As You Finish This Unit . . .
Take a moment now to ask for the Lord’s blessing and help as you engage in this study of John. And take a moment also to look back through this unit, to reflect on a few key things that you would like to learn throughout this study of John.
