Notes from Book and Video Sessions
Why did John write his gospel?
There were already three accounts of the life of Jesus circulating when John wrote this fourth account.
1. Matthew - a former tax collector and one of the original 12 apostles. This document was full of details for a Jewish audience.
2. Mark - Some think this could have been dictated by Peter because Mark traveled with Peter. But it may be that he just wrote what he learned from Peter. Mark was not an apostle, but he followed the actions of Jesus' ministry as Jesus traveled between towns healing, casting out demons, and preaching about the kingdom of God. (If you want to read through the Bible, Mark is good book to start with. It is very short and easy to read through.)
3. Luke - probably a Gentile doctor. Luke gives lots of details and obviously had taken meticulous notes. He interviewed and researched many people and gathered their stories. He wrote to convince Gentiles that this Jewish man, Jesus was the Son of God.
(Disciple is a "student'. There were many disciples of Jesus. Also, the followers of John the Baptist were his disciples, students. An apostle is "one who is sent out by Jesus". You can research this, but the apostles were sent with authority. This is the original 11 which excludes Judas, the betrayer. Paul and James the brother of Jesus are also apostles since Jesus appeared to them and sent them.)
So, what is different about John? What could he add to these documents?
John wrote this book to correct the heretical teachings being taught. Some believed Jesus was a good teacher, but they didn't believe He was the Son of God. John examines the nature of Jesus and his attributes. He tells the identity of Jesus and brings our focus back on to who Jesus really was, both fully man and fully God."
My first description of the Book of John years ago was John is just "more". It is about the 'love'. Our friend, Carla Guthrie told me John is the Masters class of the gospel. She loved this book and she loved the Lord. But we are going to find the identity of Jesus as we study through this book. John gives us proof that Jesus is the Son of God, he was more than a man or teacher. And by believing in Him, we have eternal life.
The INTRODUCTION to the Video from Robby Gallaty (paraphrased to save space)
John's Gospel starts as Genesis does in the beginning. (We studied this in our Genesis study. You can go back and read Wiersbe's account of Jesus being there in the beginning.)
Creation is the bedrock of a biblical worldview for it's the first ultimate truth: God made everything. He wove it like fabric. He spun it like clay. He breathed it into formation like glass.
More remarkable than what God did is the way He did it: His tool was His Word. He spoke, and it was. The apostle John traced this Word through time.
John the Baptist announced that this Word that gives light to everyone was coming into the world wrapped in human flesh.
A remarkable claim like this requires remarkable evidence, and John provided it for us. In John's Gospel we come to know Jesus in the same way evidence is presented to a jury in a courtroom. John introduced witnesses who testified of the Word made flesh. He examined the words Jesus said about himself, He described the things Jesus did that testified of His divinity.
Everything you're about to see points to one conclusion: Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and by believing, you can have life through Him.
Statement about Jesus in opening of the Video
The more we know Him, the more we love Him. The more we love Him, the more we obey Him. The more we obey Him, the more he manifests Himself.
Scripture Readings for the Week
Day 1: John 1:1-28
Day 2: John 1:29-31
Day 3: John 2:1-12
Day 4: John 2:13-25
Day 5: John 3:1-21
Day 6: John 3:22-36
Day 7: John 4
QUESTION TO SIT IN THIS WEEK:
Do you have a situation where you are struggling this week? Do you need to be still and listen to Jesus say, "Fear not, for I AM"?
Memory Verse for this week: John 6:20 "But he said to them, "It is I, do not be afraid!"
Love and grace,
Connie
Link to Video
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