The apostle John came from apparently comfortable circumstances in Galilee, where he and his brother James left their home and fishing trade to follow a man named Jesus. More than sixty years later John, the Beloved of the Lord, recorded his testimony of the divinity of the Savior. His gospel stands apart in literature as a careful and passionate witness of the Son of God. In stating his reasons for writing, John explained, "And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:30-31).
John's Gospel carries a unique focus on the words "believe," and "life." It was written for Church members, those who already believe. John bears a tender and intimate witness of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we might know Him and gain Eternal life through faith in His sacrifice; that "when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." (1 John 3:2). John invites us to leave behind the things that bind us to this world, as he once left his fishing nets on the shore of Galilee, and to follow the Son of God as sheep follow their shepherd.

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Tuesday, September 28, 2010

John 4-5



John 4-5 Study Guide – to be discussed October 7 (NOTE: No class September 30 because of Auxiliary Training Meeting)

Day 1: Read John 4:1-15, JST John 4:1-4, Bible Dictionary entry, “Samaritans”
1. List three facts from JST John 4:1-4 not included in the KJV. Why did Jesus leave Judea?




2. Read the Bible Dictionary entry, “Samaritans.” Why was the Samaritan woman surprised Jesus would even talk to her?



3. What three things did the Samaritan woman need to know and/or do to receive living water? Can you apply these three things to our lives today?




BONUS: How is the living water Jesus offers similar to physical water? How is it different? (See also Psalm 42:1-3, Isaiah 55:1-3, Isaiah 58:10-11, Jeremiah 2:13, Revelation 7:13-17.)



Day 2: Read John 4:16-30 (with footnotes 24a, 26a)
4. Why do you think Jesus asked the woman at the well to go call her husband?



5. How do true worshippers worship? Using the footnote to John 4:24a, what are true worshippers promised?




6. Why did the Samaritan woman leave her water pot?



Day 3: Read John 4:31-54
7. How did Jesus define his “meat” (sustenance, strength)?



8. On what was the faith of the Samaritans in this story based? How was it strengthened?




9. How did the nobleman from Capernaum exhibit active faith?




Day 4: Read John 5:1-9 (with footnote 1a), Bible Dictionary entry, “Bethesda”
10. How long had the infirm man at the pool of Bethesda been ill?



11. What question did Jesus ask the man in John 5:6? What was His command in verse 8?


12. Look up “Bethesda” in the Bible Dictionary. What does “Bethesda” mean?


BONUS: Find the Pool of Bethesda on the map of Jerusalem in your Bible Maps section (map 12?)

Day 5: Read John 5:10-23
13. In what way did Jesus’ healing on the Sabbath pose a threat to the Jews? Did Jesus’ answer regarding that healing comfort the Jews?



14. What did Jesus tell the healed man about sin when he met him later in the temple?



15. List three facts about himself Jesus attempted to teach in John 5:19-23.



Day 6: Read John 5:24-31, D&C 76:15-24
16. What did Christ promise any who hear his words and believe?



17. Give two ways Jesus’ prophecy in John 5:25 has been or will be fulfilled.



18. Read D&C 76:15-24. What was given to Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon as they meditated on John 5:29?



Day 7: Read John 5:32-47 (with footnotes 34a, 36a)
19. How does the JST footnote for John 5:34a clarify the meaning of John 5:34?



20. List witnesses named by the Savior in John 5:33-45.




21. Why didn’t the people believe Jesus was the Son of God?
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