Search The Scriptures —Study 30 — John 14:25 - 15: 8

Study 30 From the Book of John is: John 14:25 - 15: 8

1. The disciples were distressed at the thought of Jesus going away and leaving them alone in a hostile world; cf. 16:6. What promises does Jesus give in verses 25-29 to answer their fears? Why does His going to the Father bring greater benefit than if He had remained as He was? What also does verse 31 teach about Christ's reason for facing the cross?

2. What does the parable of the vine teach about (a) the purpose for which the branches exist, (b) the vinedresser's dealing with the branches, and (c) the dependence of the branches upon the vine? With verses 3 and 7 compare 14:15, 21, 23; see also 8:31, 32. What kind of fruit do you bear? Cf. Gal 5:22, 23.

Notes

1. 14:28. 'The Father is greater than I' cf. 10:29, 30. He is not greater in being more divine, but in the eternal Father -Son and God-man relationships.

2. 14:30. ' The ruler of this world': cf. 12:31; 16:11; 2 Cor. 4:4; Eph. 2:2; 1 Jn. 5:19. The RSV; 'has no power over me' gives the true sense of these words. There is nothing in Jesus over which the devil can claim possession, and therefore domination.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 29 — John 14:15-24

Study 29 From the Book of John: John 14:15-24

1. Three times in this passage Jesus speaks of loving Him (verses 15, 21, 23). How does our love for the Lord Jesus show itself? Is this true of you? Since love is personal, can you see to what personal relationship this love leads?

2. In what sense does Jesus 'come' to us (verse 18)? How is this related to the coming of 'another Advocate' (see Note 1)? Give examples of ways in which Jesus proved to be the first 'Advocate'.
3. Why Cannot the world 'see' the Spirit or Jesus (verses 17, 19)? Cf. 1:11; 3:19; 5:37; 7:34; 8:19, 47; 12:37-40. What explanation did Jesus give here in answer to Judas? How can the eyes of men be opened to see Him?

Notes

1. Verse 16. 'Counsellor': literally, one called to one's side to plead on one's behalf. 'Advocate' is a better translation. Cf. 1 Jn. 2:1
2. Verse 18. 'Desolate': better, 'bereaved'.
3. Verse 22. Cf. 7:4. The disciples also naturally expected that the Messiah would display His power to the world.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 28— John 13:33 – 14:14

Study 28 From the Book of John: John 13:33 – 14:14

1. Trace the connection between 13:33-37 and 14:1-6. Where was Jesus going? Why could they not follow until later? To what event does 'I will come again' refer?

2. In what respect were the questions of both Thomas and Philip short – sighted? How is Jesus the way, the truth and the life, especially in relation to the Father?

3. What prospect does Jesus set before His disciples as a consequence of His return to the Father? See verses 12:14. Do you know anything of this in your experience? Why are the works of the believers called 'greater works'?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 27 — John 13:21-32

Study 27 From the Book of John is: John 13:21-32

1. Trace the action of Satan upon the heart of Judas as shown in this gospel. See 6:70; 12:4-6; 13:2, 27. If the giving of the morsel to him in verse 26 was Jesus' last appeal of love, what state of heart does verse 27a indicate? What connection has verse 30 with 12:35,36.
2. Compare verses 31, 32 with 12:23, 28. Verses 31 and 32a point to the action of the Son and 32b to that of the Father. To what impending events did these words point? How can the Father be glorified in you?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 26 — John 13:1-20

Study 26 From the Book of John: John 13:1-20

1. Verse 13. 'Teacher and Lord'. What degrees of Lordship are revealed in verses 1 and 3? Did Jesus perform the task of a servant in spite of, or because of, His relation tot he Father? Cf. Phil. 2:5-8.

2. What important lesson did Jesus teach in response to Peter's interruptions? See verses 8 and 10. Cf. Tit. 3:5; 1 Jn. 1:7.
3. What further application did Jesus make of His actions as an example to His followers? Cf. Lk. 22:22-27. Are you giving sufficient heed to this matter? See verse 17.

Notes

1. Verse 10. 'Bathed': the disciples had been cleansed; all except Judas (verse 11). Cf. 15:3.
2. Verse 20. 'Anyone whom I send': ie., the apostles and all subsequent witnesses to Christ. So also verse 16.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 35 — 2 Kings 24 and 25

Study 35 From the Book of 2 Kings is: 2 Kings 24 and 25

With this lesson, we end the book of 2 Kings. Tomorrow, we delve into the book of John and will continue where we left off with John 13.

1. Looking back to 23:31, what four kings reigned between Josiah's death and the fall of Jerusalem? What was the length of their reigns, and what was their record, as described in these chapters?
2. In what ways was Nebuchadnezzar's treatment of Jerusalem after his second capture of it much more severe than when he captured it the first time? What reasons are given in chapter 24 for the captivity? Cf. 23:26, 27; Je. 15:1-4; Dt. 4:26, 27. What does this teach us about the end of persistent sinning? Yet what star of hope is seen shining in the closing verses of the book? Cf. 2 Sa. 7:14, 15.

Note. 25:22. 'Gedaliah the son of Ahikam': see 22:12; Je. 26:24. The story of his assassination is told more fully in Je. 40:1-41:10.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 34 — 2 Kings 22 and 23

Study 34 From the Book of 2 Kings: 2 Kings 22 and 23

1. Make out a list of all that Josiah did, both positively to promote true religion, and negatively to destroy the false. Are our lives marked by a similar eagerness to depart from iniquity and to live in covenant with God? Cf. 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1. What was the mainspring of Josiah's reforming zeal? Cf. Ps. 119:161b; Is. 66:2; see also 2 Ki. 23:25; and contrast the behaviour of Jehoiakim in Je. 36:23-25.
2. Examine the part played by Huldah the prophetess and compare with the influence of other women mentioned in previous chapters

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Search The Scriptures —Study 33 — 2 Kings 20 and 21

Study 33 From the Book of 2 Kings is: 2 Kings 20 and 21

The events described in chapter 20 happened in the earlier part of Hezekiah's reign before the invasion of Sennacherib (see verses 6 and 13), and also 18:15, 16) and are introduced here as a kind of appendix to the story of Hezekiah.

1. Put yourself in Hezekiahs place, and try to picture the effect on him of Isaiah's announcement. What did he do (cf. Ps. 102:24), and what did God then do? How would these experiences help to prepare Hezekiah for the greater tests of faith that he was to meet when Sennacherib attacked him? In spite of his faithfulness to God, in what way did Hezekiah fail in the incident recorded in 20:12-19? Cf. Pr. 29:5. How did Isaiah view the incident, and what word of Judgment was given him to speak? For its fulfillment over a century later see chapter 25.
2. Summarize in your own words Manasseh's flagrant idolatry. What judgments did God declare through His Prophets? Do you think it can have been easy for the prophets to speak thus? Cf. mi. 3:8.

Notes

1. 20:12. Merodach-baladan (see Is. 39:1) was a northern chieftain, who had seize Babylon and was looking round for every possible means of strengthening his position. His reign did not last long, and it would have been folly for Hezekiah to enter into alliance with him.
2. 21:13. The first half of the verse means that Jerusalem will receive the same measure of judgment as Samaria and the house of Ahab. The metaphor in the second half of the verse is a very strong and vivid one.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 32 — 2 Kings 19:8-37

Study 32 From the Book of 2 Kings: 2 Kings 19:8-37

1. Comparing Hezekiah's action and word in verses 14-19 with those of the earlier crisis in verses 3, 4, what evidence do you find that Hezedkah's faith had grown stronger?
2. How did Sennacherib appear to merely human judgment? How did he appear as seen by Isaiah with the eyes of faith? Are we learning to look at the world situation today in relation to God? Cf. Jn. 14:1. What does the whole story teach as to the difference which faith in God makes in individual and national life?

Note: verse 29. The meaning is that only in the third year from the time at which the words were spoken would there be normal sowing and reaping. The fulfillment of the prophet's pronouncement would attest his divinely given authority.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 31 — 2 Kings 18:1-19:7

Study 31 From the Book of 2 Kings is: 2 Kings 18:1-19:7

1. What four points about Hezekiah's attitude and conduct with reference to God are mentioned in 18:3, 5 and 6? Are these things true of us? How did Hezekiah's faith manifest itself in action, and what evidence had he of God's favour and blessing? See verses 4, 7 and 8.
2. In what ways did the Assyrian speaker, Rabshakeh, threaten the people of Israel? What were the reactions to this attack of (a) the people, and (b) Isaiah? Cf. Ex. 14:13; I Sa. 17:44, 45; Dn. 3:15-18. Are you able to encourage others by your faith, or are you among those that fear and need encouragement?

Notes

1. 18:22. Hezekiah's reforming zeal was no doubt unpopular with many. Rabshakeh knew this, and sought to turn it to advantage for his own end.
2. 19:3b. A figure of speech denoting a crisis of extreme gravity.

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