John 12-13

John 12-13 Study Guide – to be discussed November 4
Day 1: Read John 12:1-11 (with footnotes 6b, 7a)
1. How did Mary show love and gratitude for the Savior? Was there sacrifice involved?




2. Why did Judas raise an objection to Mary’s offering? How did Jesus answer his objection? (See footnote 7a.)



3. Why did the chief priests conspire against Lazarus?



Day 2: Read John 12:12-19, Luke 19:29-44, Zechariah 9:9, Bible Dictionary entry, “Hosanna”
[NOTE: All four Gospel writers record Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. See also Matthew 21:1-11 and Mark 11:1-10.]
4. List details from Luke 19:19-44 not included in John’s record of the Lord’s triumphal entry.




5. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Hosanna.” What does “hosanna” mean and why did the people greet Jesus using this word?



6. How did Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem fulfill the prophecy in Zecharaiah 9:9? From John 12:18, why were so many people there? What kind of triumph did they anticipate?




BONUS: If Passover began on a Friday night, on what day of the week was the triumphal entry?


Day 3: Read John 12:20-36
7. How was the doctrine Christ taught in John 12:24-26 designed to prepare his listeners? How might it prepare us today?




8. What did Jesus say directly before the Father’s witness? Did the congregation hear and understand that witness?





9. In John 12:31-32, who will be judged? Who is the prince of this world? How would Jesus be “lifted up”?



Day 4: Read John 12:37-50, Isaiah 53:1-6
10. Why did so many still fail to recognize Jesus as the Christ?



11. Why didn’t many of the believing chief rulers confess Christ?



12. Why did Christ come into this world?



Day 5: Read John 13:1-11, JST John 13:8-10, D&C 88:139-141 (For background, read Luke 22:24-30.)
13. List three things Jesus knew, as recorded in John 13:1-3.



14. Why did Jesus want to wash the disciples’ feet? (See also D&C 88:139-141.) Why did Peter initially refuse?



15. Read JST John 13:8-10 (p. 808 in Bible Appendix). How does this new translation add to your understanding of the Lord’s answer to Peter?



Day 6: Read John 13:12-21 (with footnote 19a), D&C 39:5-6, D&C 84:35-39, Psalm 41:9
16. What kinds of actions did Jesus suggest would help his disciples be happy?



17. Read D&C 39:5-6 and D&C 84:35-39. What does it mean to “receive” God’s servants (John 13:20)?



18. Read Psalm 41:9 with John 13:18 and 21. Why was Jesus troubled?



Day 7: Read John 13:22-38, Luke 22:31-33
19. Was it too late for Judas to repent and turn away from his betrayal? Why or why not?



20. How did Jesus prepare his disciples to endure his death and to lead the church in his absence?



21. Read Luke 22:31-33. List additional details regarding Peter’s exchange with Christ from Luke’s account. Do you think Peter was sincere in his offer to die for his Lord?

John 11-12

John 10-11 Study Guide – to be discussed October 28
[Note: In John 10, verses 1-21 relate events that occurred directly after the events recorded in John 9. The events described in John 10:22-42 happened 2-3 months later.]
Day 1: Read John 10:1-10 (with footnote 8a), 2 Nephi 31:17-18, D&C 18:34-36, D&C 64:34, D&C 66:2
1. Does a good shepherd lead or drive his sheep? What is required of the sheep? (See also D&C 18:34-36.)



2. Mark the third “I AM” statement in John 10:9. Read 2 Nephi 31:17-18. What does the “gate” represent in this scripture block? Why did Jesus identify himself with “the door of the sheep”?



3. Read D&C 64:34 and D&C 66:2 with John 10:10. How can we claim the promise the Savior made in John 10:10, to have a more abundant life?



Day 2: Read John 10:11-21 (with footnote 18c), Isaiah 40:11, Psalm 23, Ezekiel 34:11-16, 1 Nephi 22:25, Mosiah 26:20-22
4. Mark the fourth “I AM” statement in John 10:11. Read all references listed above. What does the good shepherd do for his sheep – physically and spiritually?




5. Why do hirelings abandon the sheep? Who were the “hirelings” in John 9? Without using names, who might be seen as hirelings today?



6. From whom did Jesus inherit the ability to lay down his life? From whom did he inherit the power to take it up again?



Day 3: Read John 10:22-42
7. How did Jesus answer the question about his Messiahship in John 10:24?



8. What can we do to be counted among the Lord’s sheep? List promises from John 10:27-29.



9. Why did the leaders of the Jews want to stone Jesus? What witness did Jesus call to their attention? Does it sounds as though some of them listened and followed him?




BONUS: How many times did the Lord refer to his sheep recognizing his voice in John 10?


Day 4: Read John 11:1-16 (with footnotes 2a, 16a), Bible Dictionary entry, “Bethany”
10. Who were Mary, Martha and Lazarus? Look up “Bethany” in the Bible Dictionary. What does the name “Bethany” mean?



11. Why was Jesus glad he had not been in Bethany when Lazarus was dying?



12. What did Thomas offer in John 11:16?



Day 5: Read John 11:17-29 (with footnotes 17a, 18a)
13. How long had Lazarus been dead when Jesus arrived in Bethany?


14. Mark the “I AM” statement in John 11:25? How does it relate to the situation with Lazarus?



15. List the progressive steps in Martha’s testimony, from John 11:21-28.




Day 6: Read John 11:30-42
16. Why do you think Jesus wept?



17. Which of Martha’s statements shows she didn’t yet understand Jesus’ power and/or intent to ease her pain?



18. What was the purpose of the Savior’s prayer in John 11:41-42?



BONUS: How do you think you would have reacted to the sight of Lazarus come back from the dead?


Day 7: Read John 11:43-57
19. Give two reasons Lazarus was raised from the dead.



20. For what purpose did the chief priests and Pharisees sit in counsel?


21. Who was Caiaphus? How was his statement in John 11:50-52 ironic and prophetic?

John 8-9

John 8-9 Study Guide – to be discussed October 21
Day 1: Read John 8:1-11, Deuteronomy 17:6-7
1. Why had Jesus come to the temple? How did he respond to the questions of the scribes and Pharisees? Why?



2. What kind of stones do we sometimes throw today, and at whom? (See footnote to John 8:7c, and expand.)



3. How were the woman’s accusers convicted? Why didn’t the Savior condemn her?



Day 2: Read John 8:12-30, John 3:31, Moroni 10:24-26, Abraham 3:24-28
4. Underline the words, “I am” in John 8:12, 16, 18, 23, 24 and 28. Why did the Pharisees reject Jesus’ witness or declaration of himself? What other witness did Jesus offer?



5. Read John 3:31 and Moroni 10:24-26. What did Jesus mean when he said, “ye are from beneath” (John 8:23), and “ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24)?



6. Read Abraham 3:24-28. What is the ultimate example of Christ doing the will of the Father?


Day 3: Read John 8:31-45, D&C 50:25, D&C 84:44-45, D&C 93:26-28, John 16:13
7. How can the truth make us free? (See also D&C 50:25, D&C 84:44-45, D&C 93:26-28, John 16:13.)



BONUS: Use D&C 50:25 to explain why Jesus declared, “I am the light of the world,” while teaching in the temple.


8. How did Jesus explain the bondage of the people (who were at that time in bondage to Rome)? What sins of the Pharisees did Jesus point out?



9. Were the Pharisees literal descendants of Abraham? Were they spiritual descendants of Abraham? Which of the Pharisees’ sins did Jesus point out?



Day 4: Read John 8:46-59 (with footnotes 46a, 47a, 58b), D&C 63:49
10. Compare John 8:46 with John 8:7. Why do you think the people were more eager to kill Jesus than they were to kill the woman taken in adultery?


11. Read D&C 63:49 with John 8:51. How might those who keep the commandments never see death?



12. In John 8:54-58, Jesus made clear his role as Jehovah of the Old Testament and Son of God. Why weren’t the Pharisees able to see who He was?


Day 5: Read John 9:1-12 (with footnote 4c), Isaiah 8:5-7
13. What question did Jesus’ disciples pose regarding the blind man? What was Jesus’ answer?



14. Why do you think the Lord made a physical poultice to apply to the man’s eyes, rather than just touching or blessing them?


BONUS: Read Isaiah 8:5-7. Of what are the waters of Siloam a type or symbol?


15. What did the blind man know about Jesus at this point in the narrative?


Day 6: Read John 9:13-23
16. What were the two opinions among the Pharisees regarding this miracle?



17. In John 9:17, what did the once-blind man say he knew about Jesus?


18. How do you feel about the parents’ answer to the Pharisees?



Day 7: Read John 9:24-41 (with footnote 32a), Jacob 4:14-16
19. Why were the Pharisees eager to question the man born blind? How did the previously blind man fulfill Jesus’ prophecy from John 9:3?



20. Read Jacob 4:14-16 (written well before Christ’s birth). Why did the Pharisees cast out (excommunicate, ostracize) the man born blind?



21. List the verses in John 9 that trace the progression of the blind man’s testimony (starting with John 9:11).



BONUS: Re-write John 9:39-41 in your own words.

John 6-7

John 6-7 Study Guide, to be discussed October 14
Day 1: Read John 6:1-14, Mark 6:21-44
1. Read Mark 6:21-36. What event took place directly before the events recorded in John 6? Why did Jesus and his apostles seek privacy?



2. From John 6:2, why did the multitude follow Christ? From John 6:11, what did Jesus do before he fed the multitude?



3. Read Mark 6:38-44 with John 6:9-14. List details from each account indicating this miracle was done in an orderly fashion.




BONUS: Why were the fragments gathered?



Day 2: Read John 6:15-27 (with footnote 26a), Mark 6:45-51 (with footnotes 46a, 48a, 50a, 52a)
[NOTE: 25-30 furlongs = 3-4 miles; the “fourth watch” was from 3-6am]
4. Why did the people want Jesus as their king? Why did Christ retreat from them? (See also Mark 6:46.)



5. What did Jesus say to his disciples as they rowed against the wind, in order to calm their fears?


6. In John 6:25, by what title did the people address the Savior? What was Jesus trying to teach the people in John 6:27?



Day 3: Read John 6:28-46 (with footnote 40c), JST John 6:44
7. What “work” did Jesus say the people must do in order to “work the works of God”? What did they request of him?



8. List ways in which Christ is like manna. (See also Exodus 16:2-4, 14-15 with footnote 15a; Numbers 11:4-9; Revelation 2:17.)




9. Why did the Jews murmur? Compare John 6:44 with John 6:65a. What must we do to “come unto Christ”?



Day 4: Read John 6:47-71 (with footnotes 54c, 65a, 69a), Alma 5:33-36, 3 Nephi 18:1-7, John 17:3
10. Read Alma 5:33-36 and 3 Nephi 18:1-7. List ways in which Christ is the Bread of Life.



11. Read John 17:3 with John 6:54-55. How can we have eternal life?



12. Why do you think so many disciples “walked no more” with Jesus after this miracle and discourse? What was Peter’s answer when the Lord asked if the twelve would also go away?




BONUS: Review John 6. How many times did Jesus say “I am the bread…”?

Day 5: Read John 7:1-13, Matthew 12:46-50
13. Read Matthew 12:46-50. Who might John have been referencing as Jesus’ “brethren” in John 7:3,5, and 10?


14. Why did his brethren want Jesus to go up to Jerusalem?



15. What were people saying about Jesus in Jerusalem, and why did no one speak openly?



Day 6: Read John 7:14-31 (with footnote 24b)
16. Where did Jesus teach? How did he say we might know if his teachings are true?



17. What statement from the people in Jerusalem indicates they were waiting for the Sanhedrin to declare Jesus the long-awaited Messiah?


18. Why did many believe?


Day 7: Read John 7:32-53 (with footnote 39b), Mosiah 18:5-14
19. Read Mosiah 18:5-14 with John 7:37-40. How can we receive the Spirit, or feel it “poured out” upon us?


20. What were the four schools of thought among those who heard Jesus preach? How are these four ideologies represented among people today?



21. How did the Pharisees react to Nicodemus’ defense of the law? Compare with John 1:46.