John 2-3

John 2-3 Study Guide, to be discussed September 23 (Sukkot)
Day 1: Read John 2:1-12 (with footnotes 1a, 4a)
[Note: a “firkin” equals about 10 gallons.]
1. How does the JST footnote for John 2:4a help the meaning of Jesus’ statement to his mother? How did Mary exhibit her faith?


2. Why was the governor or ruler of the feast impressed? How was something old made new?



3. According to John 2:11, who believed on Jesus because of this miracle?


BONUS: Find Cana, Capernaum, and Jerusalem on your Bible maps. How far is it from Cana to Capernaum? From Capernaum to Jerusalem?

Day 2: Read John 2:13-25 (with footnotes 17b, 24c), Psalm 69:9, Malachi 3:1-4
4. Give two reasons why Jesus drove the changers of money out of the temple. How was something old made new?



5. Why do you think the Jews asked for a sign?


6. Why didn’t Jesus commit or entrust himself to those who followed him at Jerusalem?


Day 3: Read John 3:1-7 9 (with footnote 3b), D&C 56:18, Alma 7:14, 23-24, 1 Peter 2:1-5
7. Who was Nicodemus? When did he visit Jesus? Upon what was his testimony based?



BONUS: Look up “Pharisees” in the Bible Dictionary. What did the Pharisees teach?



8. Use the footnote to John 3:3b to give another reading for “born again.” Compare John 3:3 with John 3:5. Jesus repeated his counsel, but also expanded it. List the differences in His warnings.



BONUS: Read D&C 56:18. Who will see the kingdom of God coming?



9. Read Alma 7:14, 23-24 and 1 Peter 2:1-5. List ways we can follow Christ’s counsel to “be born of water and of the Spirit” (John 3:5).



Day 4: Read John 3:8-13 (with footnotes 8a, 11b), Ecclesiastes 11:4-5
10. Rewrite John 3:8 in your own words. (See also Ecclesiastes 11:4-5.)



11. In John 3:11-12, Jesus used “ye” (second person plural) instead of “thou” (second person singular). What group might He have been addressing?


12. Why do you think Nicodemus was confused?


Day 5: Read John 3:14-17, Numbers 21:5-9, 1 Nephi 17:41, 2 Nephi 25:20
13. Read 1 Nephi 17:41, 2 Nephi 25:20 and Numbers 21:5-9. Why did so many Israelites perish in the wilderness? How was Christ “lifted up” like the brass serpent on Moses’ pole?


14. How did God illustrate his love for mankind?


15. What part of Jesus’ testimony indicates He is the Savior of all men, not just Israel’s Messiah?


Day 6: Read John 3:18-22 (with footnote 18c), Moses 5:13-15
16. Why do men NOT come unto Christ? (See also Moses 5:13-15.)



17. Why DO men come unto Christ? Why did Nicodemus have a hard time SEEING?



18. According to the JST footnote for John 3:18c, what bold statement did Jesus make in his dialogue with Nicodemus?


Day 7: Read John 3:23-36 (with footnotes 26a, 33a, 34b, 36a,c)
19. Find Aenon and Salim on your Bible maps. How did John the Baptist encourage his disciples to follow Christ?


20. If Jesus is the Bridegroom and John is the Bridegroom’s friend, who is the bride?


21. What reasons did John the Baptist give for the statement “He must increase, but I must decrease? (John 3:30)? How was something old made new?



BONUS: Read Mosiah 27:23-29, Moses 6:59-60 and Alma 5:14-26. How can we be “changed” into new creatures?