Search The Scriptures —Study 35 — John 17 (second study)

Study 35 From the Book of John: John 17 (second study)

1. What is our relationship to the world? How should we ourselves pray regarding people in the world?

2. Verses 20-23. Is the Lord praying for the uniting of all branches of the Christian Church as in the ecumenical movement? What is the object of His prayer? What will its fuller realization means?

3. Observe the significance of the 'word' or 'words' of the Father and the Son in this passage.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 34— John 17 (first study)

Study 34 From the Book of John: John 17 (first study)

Jesus's prayer falls into three divisions: (a) verses 1-15, for Himself; (b) verses 6-19, for the immediate circle of disciples; (c) verses 20-26, for the great company who should afterwards believe.

1. The hour of Jesus's supreme sacrifice has come (verse 1; cf. 2:4; 7:6, 30; 8:20; 13:1). How is this related to the glorifying of the Son and the Father (verses 1-4)? Already the glory of God has been seen in Jesus (1-4); how is it seen also in His disciples (verse 12)? When will they see the full glory of the Son (verses 5, 24)?
2. In verses 6-14 note how many things Jesus has already done for His disciples.
3. What does our Lord pray that the Father will do for those whom He has given Him? Is this prayer being answered in you? Are you 'consecrated in truth'.

Notes

1. Verse 2. 'Power': better, 'authority', as in RV, The whole of humanity lies within the sphere of Christ's commission. Cf. Ps. 2:8; Mt. 28:18, 19.
2. Verse 5. A prayer that the glory of which for a time He had 'emptied himself' (Phil. 2:6, 7) might be restored to Him.
3. Verses 17, 19. Note the repetition of the word ' to consecrate'. Jesus consecrated Himself to the holy Father in fulfillment of His perfect will, particularly in offering Himself as the sacrifice for sin. Cf. Heb. 10:5-10. This shows what true consecration involves.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 33 — John 16:16-33

Study 33 From the Book of John is: John 16:16-33

1. 'A little while'. In the light of verses 16:22 do you consider that this refers to the time between the death of Jesus and His resurrection; between His ascension and Pentecost; or both?

2. Note the RSV in verse 23, 'You will ask me no questions.' With the Spirit to enlighten (cf. Verses 12-15) and the Father to supply our needs, what do we learn in verses 23-28 about the place of prayer? On what do we rely when we pray in the name of Jesus Christ? Cf. 14:13, 14; 15:16.
3. In verse 33 Jesus sums up the situation. In what two opposing spheres would the disciples live? What would be their expeirence in the one and in the other? What can be the ground of your courage and confidence?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 32 — John 15:26 – 16:15

Study 32 From the Book of John: John 15:26 – 15:15

1. What evidence do you find in 16:1-7 that the disciples were cast down by Jesus words? Why did He say that He had not spoken of these things before, and why He speak of them now? Notice, however, that He did not lighten in any way the dark picture He had drawn, but rather shaded it more deeply (16:2)
2. What new force, does Jesus say, will be brought to bear upon the world, and through whom (see 15; 26, 27)? What threefold result will follow (16: 8-11)? How would this make Jesus's departure an advantage instead of a loss?
3. What results ought this situation to have upon the disciples (a) in their dependence on the Holy Spirit, and (b) in the place of the Holy Spirit and the person of Jesus Christ in their thinking? Is this true of us? See 16:14, 15.

Notes

1. 16:2. 'Put you out of the synagogues' see note on 12:42.
2. 16: 5. The questions of Thomas (14:5) and Peter (13:36, 37) concerned their own following of Jesus. No-one was now asking about the glory to which Christ was going in His return to the Father.
3. 16:8-11. The Holy Spirit will convince men of their false standards of sin, righteousness and judgment (cf Is. 55:8, 9). He will show them that the essence of sin is unbelief in Christ; that true righteousness is not that of the Pharisees (works of the law) but the righteousness seen in Christ, and declared in the gospel; and that judgment awaits all who follow the ruler of this world. At Pentecost the heavens were convinced by the Spirit 's witness through the apostles, exactly as Jesus says here.
4. 16:13. 'Declare to you the things that are to come': i.e, interpret the significance of Christ's impending crucifixion and resurrection, as well as other divine actions.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 31— John 15:9-25

Study 31 From the Book of John: John 15:9-25

1. People think of the Christian life as a joyless observance of rules. What answer to this idea is contained in these verses? Is it your experience?

2. If we are disciples of Jesus, why must we expect hatred from the world? Why did many hate and persecute Jesus?

3. Love not only feels, but acts. By what actions is (a) the love of the Father shown to the Son, (b) the love of the Son to His disciples, and (c) the love of the disciples to one another? Cf. 3:35; 5:20; 1 Jn. 3:16-18.

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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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