Posts Tagged ‘bible stories for kids’

Into the Lesson
As students arrive give each a piece of blank paper (or have students turn to “What Do You Think?” in the student books if you’re using those). Write the following open-ended statements on the board:
To be a good shepherd, a person must . . .Jesus was the good shepherd because . . .
Ask your students to write down as many responses to each statement as they can generate in a minute or two. Then call on volunteers to share their answers with the class.
After discussion say, “Today’s lesson will stress Jesus’ role as the good shepherd. We will also learn something about our responsibility to shepherd members of our congregation.”
Into the Word
This Yes or No exercise will help students note contrasts among the shepherd, the thief, and the hireling. Hand out copies of this exercise (or direct students to their student books, where this exercise is also found). Each student should study John 10:1-18 and then answer yes or no to each question. Correct answers are in parentheses; do not hand the answers out.
1. Does he access the sheep by the door? Shepherd (Y); Thief (N); Hireling (Y). 2. Do the sheep recognize his voice? Shepherd (Y); Thief (N);Hireling (Y). 3. Do the sheep follow him? Shepherd (Y); Thief (N); Hireling (19. 4. Does he take care of the sheep? Shepherd (Y); Thief (N); Hire-ling (Y, to a degree). 5. Does he care about other sheep besides those in his immediate fold? Shepherd (Y) Thief (N); Hireling (N). 6. Will he give his life for the sheep? Shepherd (Y); Thief (N);Hireling (N).
Review the correct answers, and then say, “Jesus made it clear that this figure of speech was about Him. What do we know about Jesus,
from this text and from other passages of Scripture, that proves Hint to be the good shepherd?”Discuss any passages the students mention. Then discuss the following questions:
1.How does Jesus “enter by the door”? (See John 9:35-41.)
2.How do the sheep recognize His voice? (Seamark 1:21-27.)
3.In what way is Jesus the “door” of the sheep? (See Acts 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:8-13.)
4.Who were the thieves and robbers?
5.Who were the hirelings?
6.Who were the “other sheep”?
7. How did Jesus have the power to lay His life down for the sheep? (See Matthew 26:53, 54; He-brews 5:7-9.)
You can follow up on each question by asking, “Why is this important to know?” The above could be a small-group activity.
Into Life
Students will be completing two exercises. Both parts are found in the student book.
Exercise A: What Do Shepherds Do? Ask students to consider what is involved in shepherding a church today. Each student should list as many essential functions as he or she can think of. For example, they might list teaching, counseling, and praying for the sick. Direct students to Acts 20:28-31; 1 Timothy 5:17; James 5:14;and 1 Peter 5:1-3 for more ideas.
When your students are finished, have them share their answers. Write their ideas on the board. Then ask your students to complete the next exercise.
Exercise B: How Can We Shepherd Our Flock? For each of the shepherding functions listed in Exercise A, instruct each student to jot down at least one possible ministry that your congregation can do to fulfill it. For example, a hospital calling program would carry out the function of praying for the sick.
When your students are finished, list their answers as you did before. Ask students which pro-grams your congregation currently performs. Brainstorm ways to begin new ministries that are not currently part of your church’s program. Challenge your students to participate actively in at least one such ministry.

Introduction
A. Knowing Your Own
For many years we had a large dog named Sassy. I could always identify Sassy’s bark from several blocks away, even though there were dozens of dogs in our neighbourhood; Sassy, in turn, could identify my call and would come to one in a crowd of people.
In a similar way my wife and I can identify our young daughter’s cry in a room full of toddlers. My son’s first-grade class at church, where I volunteer as a youth sponsor, includes a pair of twins who define the word identical. Their teachers are constantly in a quandary trying to
tell them apart. The teachers insist that the two must never wear matching clothes. Yet the parents of these boys can immediately tell one from the other.
Knowledge of this kind—the ability to pick out a voice or a face in a crowd—is a sign of intimacy: we know those we love and they know us, through constant interaction. In our lesson today Jesus will apply this principle to His loving relationship with His disciples.
B. Lesson Background
Most scholars today view John 9, just preceding today’s lesson text, as a critical passage for understanding the background of John 10. In John 9 Jesus met a man who had been blind from birth and healed hint. The healing came about when Jesus covered the man’s eyes with mud and sent him to wash at the Pool of Siloam. The cure was effective, but it was impossible for the man to recognize Jesus or know much about Him. (Jesus was gone before the man had a chance to see Him.)
The Pharisees later interrogated the man who had been healed because Jesus, in their view, had violated the Law of Moses by healing on the Sabbath. The man refused to condemn Jesus and ultimately criticized the Pharisees for ignoring the obvious evidence of His divine power. As a result they excommunicated him (John 9:1-34).Jesus later found the man and led him to faith, while the Pharisees continued to question Jesus’ authority (John 9:35-41). Jesus’ teaching in chapter 10 about His role as the good shepherd is a commentary on this situation. It includes several promises that Jesus will protect and save those who believe in Him.
This teaching undoubtedly was extremely meaningful to the apostle John. He, along with the other apostles, also experienced persecution and excommunication for faith in Christ (see John 16:1-4).
I. Shepherd and Thief(John 10:1-6)
A. Reaction to the Shepherd (vv. 1-4)1, 2. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up sonic other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
The opening phrase verily, verily, I say unto you leads an to ask a question: to whom is Jesus speaking? The context of John 9:40. 41 seems to indicate that Jesus is still talking to the Pharisees. On the other hand the phrase “they under-stood not” in John 10:6 (below) may indicate that a different audience is in view.
In either case Jesus’ parable about the sheep-,old here in verses 1-6 is a sharp condemnation of the Jewish religious leaders. Jesus compares God’s people to sheep in a pen; in the immediate context, the specific “sheep” in question is most likely the man whom Jesus has just healed of blindness in chapter 9.
The shepherd in this analogy is Jesus himself, while the thieves are the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders who are attempting to prevent people from believing in Him (compare John9:40). Jesus’ legitimate spiritual authority is evidenced by the fact that He enters by the door. He displays God’s care and love, and people recognize Him as the one whom God has sent (com-pare John 9:30-34).
God’s true sheep, however, refuse to accept the false teachings of the Pharisees. These sheep recognize that those teachings do not reflect correct understanding of Christ in light of Jesus’ miracles. Many Pharisees are thieves and robbers, bent on self-preservation at the sheep’s expense (compare Ezekiel 34; Jude 12).
3. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Middle Eastern shepherds lead their flocks by voice commands. Consequently the sheep know the voice of their shepherd. Even when many different flocks graze together, a shepherd can gather his own simply by calling to them. In a similar way those who sincerely seek God’s will recognize Jesus’ voice and willingly follow Him.
The porter is the person who guards the gate of the sheep pen. In the context of Jesus’ illustration, this character probably does not refer to any specific person. Rather, the reference is to the general fact that Jesus has a legitimate claim to call God’s people.
KNOWN BY OUR NAMES
For several years we had a professor on our college faculty who had an amazing gift. He would look at the pictures of all incoming fresh-men that the admissions department provided. He would also notice the hometown of each. At freshmen orientation he would then have all new students stand up—usually over two hundred people whom he had never met.
Starting at one end of the group, he would begin to call out names and hometowns. Each
student named would then sit down. By the time he got to the other end of the room, only one or two students would be standing—and often they were recent applicants for whom the admissions office did not have a picture!
In addition that man often taught at a particular “high school week” at a nearby Christian service camp. He would have all students who were there the previous year stand up. He had not seen these students in a year, but he called off their names without any mistakes.
In the 1996 movie Fly Away Home, Amy Alden raises a flock of orphaned Canada geese. She gives them all names and leads them into winter quarters in the southern United States. To most of us one goose looks just like another.
If a human being can have an ability to know names, hometowns, and individual geese, how much more is Jesus able to know us! He is the good shepherd, and He knows the names of His sheep. That’s a comfort that will follow us into eternity.
4.And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
To heed the call of Christ is vital! Ancient shepherds walk ahead of their flocks to lead them from the pen to safe pasture, and Jesus uses this analogy to describe His leadership of God’s people. The twofold emphasis is on knowing his voice and on following him. The first of these two speaks to the ability to recognize Jesus as throne who has come to reveal God to the world. The second speaks to being obedient to His teaching in all circumstances.
B. Reaction to Strangers (v. 5)
5.And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him; for they know not the voice of strangers.
In John 9 the man healed of blindness stubbornly refused to yield to the Pharisees. He would not condemn Jesus despite pressure. His reaction contrasted sharply with that of his parents, who tried to straddle the fence when called to testify(John 9:18-23).
The attitude of the man healed of blindness parallels the way that sheep will scatter when strangers attempt to lure them away. God’s people will listen to Jesus’ voice and no other.
C. Reaction of the Listeners (v. 6)
6.This parable spake Jesus unto them; but they understood not what things they were which He spake unto them.
Although the meaning of Jesus’ analogy seems obvious to us now, it is misunderstood by the original hearers. This confusion may suggest that Jesus is now speaking to a different audience: not to the Pharisees of John 9:40, 41 but to a larger group of Jews of John 10:19.
This view could be supported by the reaction of the chief priests and scribes in Luke 20:19.There we see that those religious leaders are able to understand all too well that Jesus uses a figure of speech against them. Here, however, the audience understood not what things they were which He spoke unto them.
So perhaps this is a larger audience (again, John 10:19) that is not aware of Jesus’ earlier discussion with the min whom He had cured of blindness. In either case Jesus proceeds to expand the illustration in order to explain its relevance to all people who are considering whether or not to follow Him (next verse). [See question#3, page 2011
II. Individuals and Motives(John 10:7-10)
A. Now vs. Then (vv. 7,
7.Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
In ancient times sheep often are kept in caves or in pens made of rock walls in open fields. The shepherd brings his flock back to the pen at the end of the day. There he counts and inspects them.
These pens may have no physical doors or gates. For that reason the shepherd himself would stand or lie across the opening to prevent sheep from wandering out and wolves from entering. Thus the shepherd himself becomes the door or gate of the sheep pen. This is the imagery Jesus uses to describe how He watches over His sheep and guards them from harm.
R. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. The thieves here may refer again to the Jewish religious leaders as depicted in Jeremiah 23:1, 2;Ezekiel 34:2, 3. The term may also refer to the
various false messiahs who led anti-Roman revolutionary movements after the death of Herod the Great in 4 BC (compare Acts 5:36, 37). In either case God’s people are waiting for the true shepherd, Jesus. Thus the sheep do not heed the imposters who came before Jesus.
B. Salvation vs. Destruction (vv. 9, 10)
9.I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
This verse pictures the sheepfold as the dwelling place of God’s redeemed people. Go inland out does not suggest that one falls in and out of salvation. Rather, the reference is to the way that Jesus continually provides for His people by leading them to safe pasture—by providing for their spiritual needs. The sheep depend on the shepherd to lead them out of the pen for food and water. In the same way we depend on Christ to provide for us.
The imagery thus emphasizes the shepherd’s ongoing. daily care for the flock. Jesus’ concerti for His people is constant.
10.The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The false messiahs attempt to “call” God’s sheep, but they do so for selfish reasons. They want to increase their own power and prestige in service of their own agendas. Jesus, here as else-where, stresses that His motives are entirely pure. He does not wish to promote himself at the expense of others. He seeks only to protect the lives and well being of His flock. In fact He is willing to sacrifice His own life to save them (v.11, next). (See question #4. page 2001
III. Shepherd and Hired Hand(John 10:11-18)
A. Shepherd’s Actions, Part 1 (v. 11)
11. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Shepherds give their lives for their sheep in at least two ways. First, sheep need constant care and attention, with many long days and nights in the field. The job is all-consuming.
Second, and more specifically here, shepherds are called upon to protect the flock from dangerous predators. In these cases the shepherd risks his life by placing himself between the sheep and the wolves. Ancient Jews can well relate to this sort of imagery because so many of them work with livestock.
The Old Testament frequently refers to God as the shepherd of His people. Often the emphasis is on protection and provision. Perhaps the most famous of these passages is Psalm 23. Jesus calls himself the good shepherd against this backdrop to emphasize His loving care for His people. This is in contrast to the religious leaders of His day. It is Jesus alone who literally will give his life on the cross for the sheep (compare Hebrews13:20).
LAYING DOWN ONE’S LIFE
On January 23, 1943, more than 900 men sailed from New York on the USAT Dorchester, a former luxury liner, now a troop ship bound for Greenland. Most of the travelers were young Army enlistees, plus some officers and Merchant Marine sailors. There were also four chaplains: George L. Fox, a Methodist minister; Clark V.Poling, a Dutch Reformed minister; John P.Washington, a Roman Catholic priest; and Alexander D. Goode, a Jewish rabbi.
About 150 miles from Greenland, at about1:00 AM on February 3, German submarine U-223torpedoed the aging transport. The attack killed about 100 men immediately. The rest groped for the openings in the darkness that would lead to the deck. The four chaplains helped where they could, lending some sense of calm to the fear-crazed young men. Lifeboats were readied, and the chaplains went to the lockers to hand out lifejackets.
Unfortunately. there were not enough jackets for everyone. The four chaplains had theirs on, but all four removed their jackets and handed them to young men and directed them to the boats. The Dorchester sank in less than 30 minutes. As it went down the survivors noticed the four chaplains standing at the railing, arms linked together, singing and praying, giving strength to others.
About 75 percent of the men aboard perished in the sinking, including the four chaplains. Those four had laid down their lives for the men of their “flock.” We marvel at their sacrifice, even after more than 60 years. Do we marvel as much about Jesus? He also laid down His life, but in much more profound way. His sacrifice made it possible for us to live eternally. That’s something that even the selfless sacrifice of the four chaplains could not accomplish. —J. B. N.
B. Hired Hand’s Actions (vv. 12, 13)
12, 13. But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming. and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
While the thieves and robbers of verse likely allude to the Pharisees who had persecuted the healed man in John 9, we’re not really sure who the hireling represents. Whoever this is. such a person works among the flock (God’s people) but without genuine concern.
Jesus, by contrast, knows His people and loves them as His own. The next several verses de-scribe the ways that He expresses this love.
C. Shepherd’s Actions, Part 2 (vv. 14-18)
14, 15. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
The verb know here refers to more than merely “know about.” Of course Jesus knows His sheep in the sense that He knows who we are. But the hireling of verse 13 can also claim that he knows the sheep in this way—how many sheep there are, what they look like, which ones walk slower, etc.
Jesus therefore proceeds to outline two ways in which His ministry is unique. First, He emphasizes the special relationship that He has with His people through comparison with His own relationship to God. Jesus and the Father are completely united, and Jesus and His people are united as well (see Matthew 11:27). Second, Jesus restates His willingness to lay down His life, sacrificing everything for the well-being of His flock.
16.And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Who are the other sheep of whom Jesus speaks? Most commentators conclude that these are Gentiles (that is, non-Jewish people) who have not yet heard about Jesus and His message. Consider the prediction in Isaiah 42:6: “I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles.”
Jesus is thus making a prediction about the mission to the Gentiles that will follow the con-version of Cornelius in Acts 10. That mission ultimately will find its fullest expression in Paul’s ministry.
Notice also the emphasis on the unity of the flock. The phrase one fold speaks to the unity of Jew and Gentile in Christ, one shepherd. Jesus’ words are especially meaningful to John’s churches in the late first century AD. These churches likely include believers from both Jewish and Gentile backgrounds. Christ cares for all of His people equally.
17.Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that t might take it again.
7′ake it again refers to Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus enjoys the Father’s love because He, unlike the Pharisees and false Messiahs, proves His love for God’s people.
The ultimate proof comes when He lays down His life to pay the price for sin. After the resurrection Jesus is exalted once again to His heavenly position beside the Father.
18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down. and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father. John stresses throughout his Gospel that Jesus ‘death was not an accident of circumstance. Despite the fact that He died in a gruesome and humiliating way, Jesus was at every moment completely in control of everything that happened to Hint. This snakes His death so much more meaningful as an expression of His care for the flock.
Many shepherds may have to risk their lives to protect the sheep at a moment’s notice; Jesus consciously chooses when and how He will die, confident that He has the power to live again. No one else could make such a claim.
Conclusion
A. One of the Crowd
Very often we are told (especially in advertisements) that it’s bad to he “just one of the crowd.” We are supposed to let our individuality stand out. We like to think of ourselves as independent individuals who don’t need to rely on anyone else.
At the same time, however, it is very comforting to be a member of a group in which we can feel safe and at home. The hit television show Cheers (which ran from 1982 to 1993) portrayed group of close friends at a small bar in Boston. That bar was a place “where everybody knows your name.” That was an important part of the show’s appeal: it illustrated the type of place that many of us long to find. A place to be “one of the gang.” A place to be accepted for who one is. The sad thing about that television program is that so many people seek these types of relation-ships in bars rather than in churches. While we are all individuals, together we make up Jesus’ flock as we follow His voice. He knows each of our names, and we each have a special place in His family. In Him we find an eternal peace and comfort that the world cannot provide.
B. Prayer
Lord, we know that You call to us its every situation; help us to hear Your voice. We live in a world with many false ideas and .1f-servingteachers. Sometimes it’s hard to know what’s right. Keep us focused on the one who gave His life for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Jesus still shepherds us today.

1.Since Christ is the “Word of life,” what life changes have you experienced after coming into a relationship with Him? What changes do you yet expect?
Obviously the promised inheritance of eternal life is the ultimate change for the Christian! We gain assurance of this eternal state when we first accept Jesus according to the biblical plan of salvation. That acceptance sets in motion (or should set in motion) a series of life changes that begin in the here and now. Being part of a “called out” community without the heavy taxation that sin brings helps us to live life with a different perspective and purpose.
If your students have trouble verbalizing changes, you can jump-start their thinking by mentioning the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-26. The changes implied in that list should be discussed and celebrated.
2.How has your relationship with God affected your relationship with other Christians thus far? Have you discovered that your relationship with others serves as a barometer of your relationship with God? Or is it more the other way around? Explain.
When we become Christians, the way in which we measure our relationships changes. Too often secular friendships are based upon what each individual can receive from the shared experience. In forgiven, Christ-sanctified relationships, we discover our responsibilities for contributing to the spiritual well-being of others. If we expect a strong relationship with God, then we must learn to live with His other sons and daughters. Be sure to read 1 John 4:20 on this point.
3. Think of some ways that light is used today that were not part of the daily life of John’s con-temporaries. How would you use these to illustrate how Jesus’ light guides us today?
This can lead to a wide-open discussion, with many possible illustrations. Lasers certainly were not available in John’s day. These are very common now, being used in things like “laser levels” to provide construction crews perfectly aligned reference points. Runway lights guide aircraft to safe landings. Dashboard lights allow us to see our car’s fuel level, speed, etc. Even the light switches in our homes are themselves illuminated so we can find them easily in the dark. When the lights go out during a storm, our lives are disrupted. Without the light of Jesus, we would not see the way to God.
4.Verse 7 tells us that the blood of Christ cleanses us from all sin. In later verses, how-ever, we are once again reminded that we are sinful creatures. How do these two facts affect your relationship with God and with others?
These two facts should help us avoid the extremes of pride and feelings of worthlessness. The recognition that we are still sinners eliminates the first of these two; the fact that we are sinners saved by grace eliminates the second. Our relationships with God and with others improve when we keep in mind that sinful imperfections come from unholy patterns that we have learned. What was learned can be un-learned! When we stumble back into unholiness, we admit it (to God and, possibly, to others) and repent. Hopefully people will be gracious to us. We must certainly be gracious to others (Matthew 18:21-35). God wants us to keep working our way toward the sinless example of Jesus.
5.Sometimes Christians talk about how they hope they are doing what Jesus wants them to do. John suggests our relationship with Christ should be built on knowledge rather than just hope. What are some steps you need to take to increase both your knowledge of Christ and your hope in Him?
A good starting point is to begin to get to know His commandments (1 John 2:3). But the Christian walk will also demand that we get to know the person of Christ through His Word.
We also should build accountability relation-ships with other Christians who are struggling with the same concerns. An even better plan into partner with those who have successfully conquered weaknesses similar to those wills which we are struggling. The assurance of God’s plan is always there. Learning to trust in His promises is a launching point.

Into the Lesson
As class members enter the room, blindfold each of them and tell them not to remove their blindfolds until asked to do so. Say that this experience is a part of today’s lesson. Tell class members to find a place to sit (have a helper ready to assist with this) and to feel free to visit with the people around them.
While the students remain blindfolded, tell them that bolls darkness and blindness bring special challenges and dangers. Ask, “What has your experience of being blindfolded been like? Tell us what has happened to you.” Also ask, “What are some of the dangers of not being able to see?”
Have students remove their blindfolds. Make the transition to Bible study saying, “The con-’vast between darkness and light is not only something that relates to seeing. In the Bible,…darkness and light are often metaphors for sin and righteousness. The phrase ‘walking in the light’ has its roots in Scripture and is the core of-relay’s study.”
Into the Word
Before class begins hang four signs from the ceiling. Each sign will have one of the following headings: Appreciating Jesus; Rich Fellowship; Light and Darkness: Walking Like Jesus.
Begin the Bible study by reading the printed text. Tell the class that this text will be explored by looking at key phrases (these key phrases are also included in the student book). Ask class members to divide into study groups by standing underneath one of the signs hanging from the ceiling. Give each study group one set of the following printed instructions:
Group #1: Appreciating Jesus. Your task is to look at the following phrases from our text and to explain the significance of each. Be sure to
read the entire text to glean information that will be helpful. Be prepared to share your conclusions with the class. The phrases are That which was from the beginning (1 John 1:1) and The Word of life (1 John 1:1, 2).
Group #2: Rich Fellowship. Your task is to look at the following phrases from our text and to explain the significance of each. Be sure to read the entire text to glean information that will be helpful. Be prepared to share your conclusions with the class. The phrases are Fellowship with us . . . with the Father . . . with his Son(1 John 1:3) and Your joy may be full (1 John 1:4).Group #3: Light and Darkness. Your task is to look at the following phrases from our text and to explain the significance of each. Be sure to read the entire text to glean information that will be helpful. Be prepared to share your conclusions with the class. The phrases are God is light, and in him is no darkness (1 John 1:5) and Walk in the light (1 John 1:7).
Group #4: Walking Like Jesus. Your task is to look at the following phrases from our text and to explain the significance of each. Be sure to read the entire text to glean information that will be helpful. Be prepared to share your conclusions with the class. The phrases are Propitiation for our sins (1 John 2:1, 2) and Ought himself also so to walk (1 John 2:3-6).
Alternative activity. Prepare eight posters, each featuring one of the eight key phrases from the above group assignments. Affix the signs to the wall before you lead a discussion of each phrase in turn.
Into Life
Prepare cloth ribbons to be used as wrist-bands. Use adhesive-backed hook-and-loop dots for fastening the wristbands. Also have numerous cloth markers available. Tell the class that today’s text reminds us of the WWJD? (“What Would Jesus Do?”) phenomenon. Have class members assemble their wristbands and write on them: “WWJD? Walk in the light!” Ask class members to wear their wristbands for the weeks reminders to walk faithfully and enjoy the light that God brings to life. (If you think your class members will resist wearing wristbands, make bookmarks instead.)

Light That Conquers Death
Jesus Christ: A Portrait of God
Unit 1: Christ, the Image of God (Lessons 1-5)
Lesson Aims
After participating in this lesson, each student will be able to:
1.Quote 1 loan J1, t4 from memory.
2.Discuss the personal implications of what it means to walk as Jesus did.
3.Describe one way that he or she will walk as Jesus did.
Lesson Outline

A. Unresolved Guilt
B.Lesson Background
I. THE WALK OF FELLOWSHIP (1 John 1:1-4)
A. Experiencing the Word of Life (vv. 1, 2)
B. Experiencing Fellowship (v. 3)
C. Experiencing joy (v. 4)
II. THE WALK IN THE LIGHT (1 John 1:5-10)
A. Full Cleansing (vv. 5-7)
B. Full Confession (vv. 8-10)III. T. WALK OF Love. (1 John 2:1-6)
A.Jesus Our Advocate (v. 1)An Advocate
B.Jesus Our Propitiation (v. 2)
C.Jesus Our Standard (vv. 3-5)Keeping Commandments
D.Jesus Our Trailblazer (v. 6)CONCLUSION
A.What Would Jesus Do?
B.Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
Introduction
A. Unresolved Guilt
She sat on the tailgate of a pickup in the parking lot, her body shuddering with silent sobs. In
the nearby park the rest of the church was enjoying the annual picnic, but she didn’t participate.
ne just sat there, hugging herself tightly, staring into nothing.
The preacher sat down next to her and asked.”What’s wrong, dear? Can I help?” She gained control for a minute and blurted, “I take shower after shower, but I still feel dirty.” Her problem? She had recently committed adultery with her
best friend’s husband. Her sin made her feel guilty and unclean, and she felt there was no way to get over it.
Counseling professionals say that unresolved guilt is one of the great problems facing troubled adults. The church knows the cause of unresolved guilt: sin. Some secular counseling theories deal with sin problems by saying, “That’s who you are. Just accept yourself and be happy.”They believe that clients want a therapist who will say that their sin is OK. Actually, no one needs to spend money to hear this. All you have to do is find a bunch of drinking buddies to party with, and they will tell you this for nothing! God, who made us, knows that sin cannot be ignored or explained away. It must be confronted and overcome. Ignoring sin is a sin itself and is ultimately destructive. The apostle John has a strategy for dealing with sin that we will see today. This week’s lesson uses bold symbolic language to guide us into a fellowship with God. This fellowship moves beyond paralyzing guilt to a joyous walk with the Lord.
B. Lesson Background
The apostle John was one of Jesus’ closest associates. Jesus trusted him enough to task hint with the care of His own mother, Mary, at the cross (see John 19:26, 27). Church tradition says that John later moved to the great city of Ephesus, taking Mary with hint. There he ministered for many years, dying sometime between An 95and 100. His exile to Patmos is also well known(Revelation 1:9).
There are five books in the Bible written by the apostle John: the Gospel of John; 1, 2, 3 John: and Revelation. We are not sure who the in-tended audience was for 1 John, but apparently they were confronted with many threats to their faith. Some may have been Jewish believers who had denied Jesus in order to return to the synagogue (see 1 John 2:22). Others may have been foresee pagans who were being lured back into the worship of idols (see 1 John 5:21).
Still others were being tempted by an early form of the attractive heresy we call Gnosticism (see discussion of this in the first lesson of this quarter). For this reason John emphasized his personal contact with the human Christ including seeing and touching (1 John 1:1).
First John deals with both extremes on the issue of sin: legalism and license. On the one hand, John confronts a legalism that refuses to recognize the sufficiency of Jesus to deal with sin. On the other hand, John will not stand for those who think that they have a license to sin because :hey believe that personal righteousness and life-style are unimportant (compare Romans 6:1, 2).John’s solution to both extremes is to combine forgiveness with godly living. If we try to live righteously but do not feel forgiven for those times we have failed, we will be miserable. If we dory in our forgiveness but disdain God’s standards of personal purity and integrity, then we have given up the possibility of a close relation-ship with God. We too will ultimately be miser-able. These issues of John’s day are amazingly current for us today. The message of 1 John still has a place in the church and should be heard.
I. The Walk of Fellowship(1 John 1:1-4)
John begins his letter by outlining a dual purpose. First, he writes to bring about true fellow-ship among his readers. This is fellowship not only with one another but also with God (1 John1:3). Second, he wants his readers to have hearts full of joy from hearing his words (1 John 1:4). John has no joy in knowing that some of his readers lack true, intimate fellowship. He wants to break down the barriers that destroy fellow-ship and cause joy to be stifled.
A. Experiencing the Word of Life (vv. 1, 2)1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life.
This verse contains strong echoes of the first verses of the Gospel of John. In both places the apostle opens with an affirmation of the pre-existence of Christ: He was from the beginning. When the universe was created and time began, He was already there. John identifies the Christ as the Word of life, combining his descriptions of Word (John 1:1) and life (John 1:4). These are Wong statements of Jesus’ deity. (See question.
Also important are John’s eyewitness reports of the humanity of Jesus. Jesus was not a divine being who merely seemed to be human. John employs three of the five senses to confirm how humanly real Jesus was: John heard Him, saw Him, and even touched Him. These things are burned into John’s memory, and he shares them freely with his readers.
2.(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;).
John now explains further what he means when he calls Jesus the “Word of life” from verse1. First, he describes Him as eternal life. In Jesus we both find and receive eternal life. Jesus is life(John 11:25), and Jesus grants life to His believers (see John 10:28).
Second, true life cannot be found apart from a relationship with God the Father. One of the great promises of the Bible is that, in the end, we will be given renewed access to the tree of life that is in the presence of God (see Revelation2:7). Believers, though, don’t need to wait until Heaven to experience life. John wrote to assure us that Jesus brings us life in the here and now(John 20:31). By scathing with Jesus, trusting and following Him, we will experience LIFE in all capital letters!
B. Experiencing Fellowship (v. 3)
3.That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. Fellowship is the Greek word koinonia. This word has the sense of “mutual sharing.” Fellow-ship is not a matter of being part of an audience. How much fellowship can you have with strangers while watching a movie in the theater? Koinonia fellowship involves closeness and caring. A church with this type of fellowship will have members who care about one another far beyond the casual, “How are you doing?” on Sunday morning.
John teaches us that fellowship in the church must exist on two levels. First, we must have fellowship with God. God has already initiated this. He has revealed himself through His prophets and, finally, through His Son (Hebrews 1:1, 2,last week’s lesson). We can know the very heart of God if we study the Scriptures.
Second, we will begin to have fellowship that is more authentic with fellow believers when we allow our relationship with God to flourish. Weave much stronger mutual ties and learn to care for each other as God does. Christian fellowship, then, is experienced on both the vertical level(with God) and the horizontal level (with other believers). ,es1 km #2, 144.!
C. Experiencing Joy (v. 4)
4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
John has no ulterior motives, no hidden agendas, in writing to his friends. He is seeking neither personal gain nor personal vindication over his critics. He simply wants his readers to experience the joy that comes from having a secure relationship with God. That result should control their relationship with others. This is the walk of fellowship. It is the abundant, joyous life (see John 10:10).
H. The Walk in the Light(1 John 1:5-10)
Another powerful theme that 1 John shares with the Gospel of John is the image of Jesus as the light (see John 1:4; 8:12). Walking in His light implies two things for believers. First, it means that we walk without hiddenness, without private sin. We live with integrity, with no fear of public exposure of even the most intimate details of our lives. Darkness for John is equated with sin and ignorance. Walking in the light means we walk in truth and holiness.
Second, walking in the light means walking with God. God allows no darkness in His presence. The great barrier to walking with God, then, is sin. John outlines a two-part process to deal with sin: cleansing and confessing.
A. Full Cleansing (vv. 5-7)
5.This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
We begin to understand personal spiritual cleansing by remembering that the cleanser(God) is without any taint of sin. John’s image God is light means that God is pure and holy in every possible way. We should not understand this as an exclusive, absolute statement that conflicts with John’s other basic declarations about God. For example, John can say “God is light” here and “God is love” later (1 John 4:8), and both statements are completely true.
6.If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.
The church always has had false believers among its members. These are the ones who claim to be God’s children but engage in behaviours that God abhors. We, from our human perspective, cannot always tell who is a true believer and who is a false believer. Sometimes the person with many chronic and visible sin problems is struggling sincerely to change his life every day.
In other cases a person who presents the appearance of great righteousness and piety may be living a secret life of evil and disdain for God. For John this is the person walking in darkness. His or her relationship with God is a sham as life is lived only for self. Jesus labeled such people hypocrites and reserved His strongest condemnation for them (see Mark 7:6). Elsewhere Jesus indicated that such evil persons may coexist with believers now, but they will be condemned at the time of judgment (Matthew 13:30).
7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
John follows the discussion of the hypocrite with a message of hope for the one struggling with sin (and this includes every believer). This is not addressed to the nonbeliever.
How does the Christian deal with sin? First, we maintain a strong relationship with God, walking in the light. (See question #3, page 144.)Out, furthermore, we never lose sight of the fact that our sins have been paid for by the blood of Jesus, shed for us (see Revelation 1:5). [See question #4. paw: I -141
B. Full Confession (vv. 8-10)
8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
It is unlikely that John is dealing with a hypothetical situation here. There apparently are false teachers trying to convince the church that they have no sin at all. We know this is not true, both from our experience and from God’s Word. Even the strongest, most mature believers can still sin. Remember that Paul had to confront Peter on a matter of hypocrisy (Galatians 2:11-14).
9.If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive on our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
John offers another key to how Christians can overcome sin problems. We must confess our sins. To confess means to acknowledge our sin before God. It means we are not comfortable nor do we ignore it. We come to God and say, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Romans 7:24).We acknowledge our sinfulness and our helplessness. God cleanses us, meaning He forgives us. We who are unrighteous are reckoned by God as righteous because of His cleansing power.
10.If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. John now presents the most awful consequences of falsehood: if we deny our sinfulness, we are calling God a liar. We are saying that we don’t need a Savior and that God didn’t need to send Jesus to die for our sins. This is the complete, polar opposite of confessing our sins.
III. The Walk of Love
(1 John 2:1-6)
Our lives as believers are to be controlled and characterized by love (John 13:35). When we truly understand what God has provided for us in Jesus, our lives will radiate His love to others.
A. Jesus Our Advocate (v. 1)
1. My little children, these things write I onto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
In Christ we have another advantage when it comes to sin. In the heavenly court of judgment, we have the finest defense attorney available: Jesus our advocate. The Greek word for this canalso be translated “comforter,” as it is in John14:26. There this word is used of the Holy Spirit by Jesus.
An advocate was a common practice in my neighborhood when I was a youngster. If you wanted to do something with some of the other kids and you
believed Mom might not approve, you brought in one of the other kids to ask her, “We’re going to ride our bikes over to the park. Can Johnny come with us?” You could ask her yourself, of course, but you knew you had a better chance of getting her approval if one of the other kids asked. We wanted someone to stand alongside as and speak our request to Mom.
The word advocate suggests a lawyer who rep-resents someone in court. Such a one stands alongside, speaks to the judge, and argues the case. The picture that emerges out of all this is that Jesus is our defense attorney, so to speak. Jesus pleads our case. As He does He stresses that we can go free with no penalty, because He has paid sin’s price on the cross. He knows our desire to live right, but He also knows how poorly we have been able to do it. Yet in all this He faithfully represents our best interests. What an advocate we have! —J. B. N.
B. Jesus Our Propitiation (v. 2)
2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
John uses doctrinally heavy language to state a basic truth: Jesus is our propitiation, meaning our sacrifice for sins. This is the doctrine of the atonement; God’s penalty for our sins is paid by the sacrificial death of Jesus on the cross. The statement here is remarkably similar to the declaration of John the Baptist about Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). See also 1 John 4:10.
C. Jesus Our Standard (vv. 3-5)
3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
A confused brother or sister may wonder, “Am I really a believer? Sometimes I doubt my own faith.” John says the time for self-delusion is over. You know whether you are a believer by looking at your own life. Jesus said, “Ye shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). John says that you can know yourself by your actions as you keep his commandments.
KEEPING COMMANDMENTS
Some years ago a friend of mine mentioned an incident that had occurred in his family. His children had various chores they were to do around the house. His youngest son, Jimmy, was to take the garbage each evening and put it in the garbage can at the back of their yard. His mother usually wrapped it in a newspaper and placed it on the corner of the kitchen cabinet.
One night Jimmy went out to play, and my friend asked his daughter, “Did Jimmy pick up the garbage?” She looked into the kitchen and noticed the garbage was still on the kitchen counter. My friend said, “Tell Jimmy to come back and get the garbage.” She went to the backdoor and yelled out, “Jimmy, come back and get the garbage.” Jimmy yelled back, “Who says so?”She replied. “Dad says so.” Only at that point did Jimmy came back and pick up the garbage! Jimmy had heard his sister’s command, but there was no obedience because he did not respect her authority. When he understood whose authority lay behind the command, he obeyed readily. John says that if we know Jesus, we will keep His commands. Do we? —J. B. N.
4, 5. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word. in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
Why do we keep God’s commandments? Out of fear? To earn heavenly merit badges? No, there is only one valid reason: We follow God’s will because we love Him. Some children obey their parents primarily out of the fear of punishment. Other children obey primarily because they love their parents and do not want to disappoint them or hurt them.
To obey out of love is a godly motivation. for God loves us consistently at all times. When we truly appreciate God’s great love, the enjoyment of sin grows less and less enticing. We are stoning toward what John sees as perfect love. When we achieve this type of relationship with God, we no longer fear Him (1 John 4:18).
D. Jesus Our Trailblazer (v. 6)
6. He that saith he abideth in hiss ought him-self also so to walk, even as he walked.
The section concludes by looking to the example of Jesus. When we don’t know what to do, we should look at the pattern of Jesus’ life. In this His the “author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews12:2). He has walked before us and shown us how to live.
Conclusion
A. What Would Jesus Do?
Over a century ago Charles Sheldon penned the classic Christian novel In His Steps. The main character, a minister named Henry Max-well, is confronted by an angry poor man who asks, “But what would Jesus do? Is that what you mean by following His steps?”
This challenge sets off a series of events that transforms a town because the people begin to ask themselves, “What would Jesus do in this situation?” They allow the answer to determine their decisions.
The “What Would Jesus Do?” fad passed through many churches a few years ago, accompanied by WWJD? wristbands and other paraphernalia. The question WWJD? doesn’t always work because Jesus did some miraculous things that we cannot; Jesus even died on a cross to pay sin’s price—something we cannot and need not do. But by and large the WWJD? phenomenon was a good thing. Even if it is now out of fashions, the question still is worth asking.
Are you willing to do what Jesus would do, to live as Jesus lived, to walk as Jesus walked? Are you willing to act in a manner that acknowledges Christ’s presence in your life and let Hiss be the controlling influence for your actions? This is the message of this lesson. When we do this, wearer not automatically perfect. But we have yielded to God’s conquering light in our lives, and we are truly walking with Him.
B. Prayer
Gracious and merciful God. thank You for loving us in spite of our sin. Thank You for being willing to allow us into Your close fellowship de-spite our weaknesses. And thank You for cleansing us despite our spiritual filthiness. We pray in the powerful name of Jesus, Your Son and our advocate in Heavers, amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Walking with Jesus means living with His presence in our lives.

Introduction
A. Famous Last Words
For some reason we attach special significance to the “last words” of a famous person. Good or bad, a person’s final words often seem to summarize his or her life. The last words of U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower (1890-1969) were, “I’ve always loved my wife. I’ve always loved my children. I’ve always loved my grand-children. I’ve always loved my country. I want to go. God, take me.”
Nathan Hale (1755-1776), an American revolutionary spy, said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country,” just before he was hanged by the British. Karl Marx (1818-1883), reflecting his prideful spirit, came to the end of his life by saying, “Go on. Get out. Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.”As His crucifixion approached, Jesus had “yet many things to say” to His disciples (John 16:12).But He was no fool, as Marx’s statement would suppose! Many of the final words of Jesus, recorded in John 13-17, are notable for their emphasis on the future.
B. Lesson Background
Our lessons in this series so far have focused on passages from the first 12 chapters of the Gospel of John. As we noted last week. This section is often called the Book of Signs because it highlights Jesus’ public ministry of miracles and teachings; it portrays Jesus’ actions as signs of His divine nature.
Yet despite all these great works, most people either did not believe Jesus or refused to confess their faith for fear of persecution (see John 7:13;9:22). Following this rejection, Jesus met privately with His disciples on the last night of His life in an upper room. There they celebrated the Passover (John 13:1-3).
It is interesting to compare the Gospel accounts here. Matthew, Mark, and Luke focus mainly on the events surrounding the institution of the Lord’s Supper (see Matthew 26:17-30; Mark14:12-26; Luke 22:7-38). John, however, includes lengthy excerpts from Jesus’ “farewell address”—His last words for the disciples before His arrest. The farewell address occupies all of John13-17. It focuses on the need for unity after Jesus’ departure. This includes not only the disciples’ unity with Christ but also unity with one another. In today’s passage Jesus reminds the disciples that they can come to God only by believing in Him and following His example.
I. Ultimate Comfort (John 14:1-4)
A. What to Do (v. 1)
1. Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
The original Greek text of this verse can be translated in two different ways. One possibility is that Jesus could be urging the disciples to believe in both God and himself. Following this approach the New International Version reads, “Trust in God; trust also in me.”
On the other hand, Jesus may be building on their already existing belief in God to encourage them to place complete faith in Him as well. The King James Version follows this approach: ye [al-ready] believe in God, [now] believe also in me.
The King James Version seems to be the better translation. As Jews the disciples naturally believe in God and His power; now, however, Jesus asks them to trust in Him as well.
Jesus asks this knowing full well that the faith of the disciples will soon be tested by the shocking events of His arrest and crucifixion. The disciples should not lose faith even though most others do not believe. The disciples should maintain belief even when it looks like the forces of evil have won the day.
B. What Awaits (vv. 2-4)
2.In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
The totality of Jesus’ remarks undoubtedly give the disciples both comfort and alarm. The alarm comes with His announcement that He is going to leave them for a time. The alarm leads to confusion in the minds of the disciples when Jesus says that He is going to a place where they cannot come (John 13:33).
Peter, and apparently the others, take this to mean that He is going to go into hiding for awhile. Peter then insists that he will follow Jesus even to death (13:37). Now Jesus assures the disciples that He is not leaving forever. He wants them to be with Him, so He must prepare a place for them in His Father’s house.
This verse has caused a certain confusion about the nature of Heaven. The antique Ian-page of the King James Version says that the Father’s house has many mansions, which suggests to twenty-first-century readers that Heaven is a place of large, expensive country estates. This mental picture, which builds on the imagery of the New Jerusalem in Revelation 21-22, perhaps places too much emphasis on the physical and not enough on the spiritual. We would do well to think of these “mansions” as some-thing like “dwelling places”—special places within God’s house. (See question #1, page 216.1) Believers have no permanent place in this world, which hates and persecutes the disciples (John 15:18; 16:1-3). We can take comfort, how-ever, in the fact that Jesus has prepared places for us in God’s house. Then we can be with Him forever in Heaven.
3. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where 1 am, there ye may be also.
This is the good news: Jesus will not abandon His people. The word go clearly refers to His up-coming death, resurrection, and ascension. Jesus ‘death pays sin’s penalty while His resurrection
shows His mastery over death (Revelation 1:18).That is how Jesus is able to prepare a place for those who love Him.
Commentators are divided on the meaning of come again. Some argue that Jesus is referring to His appearances to the disciples after the resurrection, when He will give them further teaching. Others, however, suggest that the phrase receive you unto myself refers to our eternal home in Heaven (v. 2), so that come again must refer to Jesus’ second coming. In either case Jesus stresses that a temporary departure will ultimately make it possible for believers to dwell wills Him forever.
4.And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Based on Jesus’ ministry and teaching to this point, the disciples should understand who Jesus is and what is about to happen to Him. They should realize that His origin and destination is Heaven (whither I go) and that He must die (the way) in order to prepare their heavenly home. Jesus presumably intends to continue discussing that issue, but Thomas interrupts with a question that reveals a lack of understanding about Jesus and His mission.
II. Profound Truth(John 14:5-11)
A. Know the Way (vv. 5-7)
5.Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou guest; and how can we know the way?
Jesus’ popularity seems to ebb and flow. Jesus was at a height of popularity following the feeding of the 5,000 in John 6:1-14. But then Jesus’ popularity in Galilee collapsed following His hard teachings (John 6:60-66).
The resurrection of Lazarus served to refocus attention on Jesus’ indisputable power (John11:45). A huge crowd has just welcomed Him tithe Passover celebration in Jerusalem (John12:12-18). Even the Pharisees are forced to admit that “the world is gone after him” (John 12:19).It is against this backdrop that the disciples probably expect that Jesus will now take charge. Will He lead a revolt against Rome? Will He reform the temple? Thomas reveals some of this “earthly thinking” with his question. Exactly where is Jesus going and how are the disciples supposed to get there? Is Jesus going home to Galilee for a visit? I she going into hiding so that He cannot be arrested(see John 10:39; 11:54; 12:9-11)?
Thomas’s question shows a lack of spiritual discernment. It has not yet occurred to him that
Jesus may be talking about His death and return to Heaven. See question #2. page 216.1
6.Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
The first part of Jesus’ answer to Thomas’s question features three nouns: the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus’ statement that He is the way to God most directly answers Thomas’s question inverse 5, “How can we know the way?” Jesus is the truth in that He defines correct beliefs about God. When we look at Jesus, we learn the truth about who God is, how He operates, and what He expects. For this reason, all people must accept Christ in order to come to a proper under-standing of the Father.
Finally, Jesus is the life because He has life inhimself (John 5:26). He is “the resurrection, andthe life” (John 11:25). Jesus is “the true God, andeternal life” (1 John 5:20).
These facts mean that no man cometh unto theFather, but by me. Truly John 14:6 is one of themost important verses in the Bible! (See question#3. page 216.1
7.If ye had known me, ye should haveknown my Father also: and from henceforth yeknow him, and have seen him.
Because Jesus is God’s Son, and because He follows God’s will perfectly, knowing Jesus gives us knowledge of God as well. The verb know goes beyond simple awareness that God exists; rather, it refers to a certain understanding of who God is, how He operates, and how we are to live as His people.
The disciples have learned (or should have learned) all that they need to know about these
things through their experience with Jesus. The word if opens a criticism of the disciples’ failure to understand adequately that Jesus is the true way to the Father. Now that Jesus has explained the matter more fully, He expects them hence-forth to have a better comprehension.
B. Know the Father (vv. 8-11)
8. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
Philip’s innocent request reveals that he, like Thomas, is still having a hard time understanding Jesus’ plan for the future. His request seems more unusual, however, in light of what Jesus has just said to Thomas.
As a result, students of the Bible are divided on Philip’s intent. On the one hand, some believe that Philip harbors doubts about Jesus’ claims to be the only way to God, and therefore Philip wants to see evidence to confirm his faith. Under this theory, the phrase show us the Father would thus be a request for some sort of visionary experience that would allow them to be certain of the truth of what Jesus is saying.
On the other hand it simply could be that Philip does not yet realize that Jesus’ “Father” is not Joseph of Nazareth, but rather the eternal God in Heaven (compare John 6:42). If this is the case, then Philip perhaps thinks that Jesus is going back to Galilee to visit His parents. So Philip wants Jesus to explain exactly why He is going to do that. In either case Philip clearly does not yet comprehend fully that God the Father has made himself known in Jesus.
Show ME!
There are numerous phrases that mean, “Prove it!” One that was popular a few years ago was “Show me the money!” (from a movie). Enthusiastic talk is one thing. But when the impatient seller wants to close the deal, he or she may say, “Show me the money!” A similar phrase is, “Put your money where your mouth is!” Big talk is not enough.
This “prove it” attitude cuts across many areas of life. For several years I have been active in ac-crediting associations that review institutions of higher education. At one of our annual meetings couple of years ago, the staff of the association sported buttons that proclaimed, “Show me the learning.” It is not enough for a college to say they educate their students; they have to demonstrate that learning does in fact take place. Our modern world is filled with demands of “Show me!” The same was true in ancient times, as we see in Philip’s request. Jesus bad identified himself with the Father and said that the disciples had seen the Father in Jesus’ activities. Yet even after three years, Philip still did not under-stand. “Show sire,” he demanded.
We are not mull different. Our actions constantly request, “show me Your grace,” “show me Your forgiveness,” “show me Your love,” “show one that You understand what I am going through.” Before we make too many such re-quests of God, we should remember that Jesus did show us—on the cross. —J. B. N.
9.Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long-time with you, and yet hast than not known me, Philip? he that bath seen me halts seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?
At this point in the Gospel of John, Jesus has spent some three years (so long time) with the disciples, teaching and working miracles. Over the course of His ministry, Jesus has explicitly discussed His unity with the Father and has said that He came to reveal God to the world.
Jesus is therefore dismayed at the lack of understanding in even His closest followers. They still do not really understand who He is. This is spiritual blindness.
10.Believest than not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelled in me, he doeth the works. Jesus’ question reflects His frustration. His words emphasize His complete unity with God—the Father is in Jesus, but Jesus is also in the Father, suggesting that the two think and act as one. This has been called a “mutual indwelling.”Jesus points to two areas of His ministry where this relationship should be obvious: the things He says and the things He does. Both Jesus’ teachings and miracles reveal God to the world in an unprecedented way.
11. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake.
Jesus did a tremendous miracle in John 6when He fed the 5,000. But the result was that people sought Him out not because of the miracles but because they had had their fill (John6:26). Jesus’ miracles should prove that He is more than just a prophet, magician, or a bread king. These mighty deeds should lead people to understand that He reveals God in a new and unique way.
Jesus assumes that His works will eliminate any doubt about His own identity and the identity of His Father. If Philip can’t understand Jesus’ teachings about himself, which seem to be obvious enough., perhaps he should ask himself what it means that Jesus could raise Lazarus from the dead!
III. Extreme Promise(John 14:12-14)
A. What We Can Do (v. 12)
12. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
This verse presents us with some interesting challenges of interpretation. First, who is it that will do greater works than Jesus’? Is it only the original apostles or is it all believers? The phrase He that believeth on are points to all Christians. With that identity established we next need to ask, “In what sense will Christians be able to do greater works than Jesus?” The clue to answering this question is found in the last phrase because I go unto my Father. That exaltation will happen only after Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is Jesus’ sacrifice that launches a new era of power. None of Jesus’ own miracles or teaching up tithe point of the cross and empty tomb could bring about salvation.
Compare the power of the gospel before and after the cross. Even after more than three years of Jesus’ teaching, preaching, and miracles, His most dedicated followers were relatively few in number. But after Jesus’ resurrection conies the Day of Pentecost. Preceding that glorious day, there were only about 120 believers gathered in Jerusalem (Acts 1:15). Peter’s sermon arid the arrival of the Holy Spirit then add about 3,000(Acts 2:41)!
Whereas Jesus’ displayed His power only in a very limited geographical region, His followers eventually proclaim the gospel across the Roman Empire. Their efforts will reach a much larger number of people, including Gentiles. Christ empowers us to show everyone that He alone is the way to the Father. (See question #5, page 2161
B. What Jesus Will Do (vv. 13, 14)
13, 14. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
These verses must be interpreted both within their immediate context and within the larger context of the John’s writings. Jesus has just told the disciples that believers will be empowered to-do “greater works.” In verses 15-17 (not in today’s text), Jesus proceeds to tell His disciples that He will ask God to send “the Spirit of truth “to abide with them. The Spirit will give comfort in the face of persecution (John 14:26, 27) and will work with the disciples to convict the world of sin (16:8-14). Jesus clearly is speaking, then, of the power to proclaim the gospel. This is what brings glory to the Father (7:18; 8:50, 54; 12:28).
Consistent with this theme, 1 John 5:14, 15states that God will answer prayers that we offer “according to his will”; in that context this apparently refers to prayers for those who have fallen away (1 John 5:16). Jesus is not saying, then, that we can expect God to grant our whims like some sort of heavenly Santa Claus. The emphasis, rather, lies in the phrase in my name: Through Jesus alone we come to God, and through Him God grants us power to proclaim the truth in a lost world.
ASK IN MY NAME
My father was a carpenter who spent most of his working years building houses for a contractor. While working on one project, he and his crew experienced significant harassment from the residents of a neighbouring house. They threatened to sue because some of the workmen had walked through a corner of their yard, dam-aging some grass. They refused to allow the workmen to get drinking water from an outside tap.
They wanted a ridiculous amount of compensation because they said that the workmen had damaged some vegetables in the garden. This hostile situation changed dramatically when the neighbors discovered that the workmen were under the contractor rather than under the developer.
The neighbors had been cheated by the developer, but they had no grudge against the contractor. The name of the contractor was respected; the name of the developer was despised. It is important to establish in whose name we operate, isn’t it? If we come to God and request things in our own name, or on our own merits, we will not get much response. But when we ask in the name of Jesus according to His will, that’s a different story! The name of Jesus opens us up to the marvelous power of God.
Conclusion
A. Mansion? Cottage?
The hymn “Mansion Over the Hilltop” by Ira Stanphill (1914-1993) is well known. Its lyrics compare the “cottage” the singer has on earth with the “mansion” that awaits in Heaven. But when the King James Version came into being in1611, the word mansion simply meant an “abode” or “dwelling place” or a separate apartment that was not part of a larger building. In this sense a mansion in Heaven is the special place that God has prepared for those who are faithful to Hint. Jesus does not emphasize the material comforts of this heavenly dwelling. Instead He focuses on the essential benefit that we will enjoy: God and Christ will be with us forever.
In the meantime Jesus calls us to live lives that show we are in fellowship with Hint. As we do we have the confidence that He will give us the power we need to do all that He asks. This may be difficult, but a heavenly home awaits for those who remain faithful.
B. Prayer
Father, we live in a world of falsehood. Some-times we have a hard time saying what the word truth means anymore. Please help us live lives that are pleasing to You. Give us confidence so that we can stand up for You and do the greater works that Jesus calls us to do. In Jesus’ name. Men.
C. Thought to Remember
Believe in Jesus and find God.

1.In what ways do you think our future, eternal dwelling places will contrast with our cur-rent, earthly homes?
It’s tempting to focus on the physical as we imagine no more leaky pipes or balky furnaces to repair! The most important contrast, however, will be our new honors’ nearness to the presence of God. God is ever with us now, of course. But His presence and nearness in eternity probably cannot be described!
2.What was a time in your life that you showed a lack of spiritual discernment? How did you grow from this experience?
The greatest challenge for most of us probably is realizing, on a continuous basis, that there is a spiritual reality that is more enduring than our current physical reality. If Satan can’t get us to forget about the spiritual reality entirely, his other tactic is to get us to “compartmentalize” areas of our lives: spiritual stuff is for Sunday morning and grace before meals, while regular life is for all the other limes.
When we slip into this kind of compartmentalizing, we do not allow Jesus to lead us in all areas. Which movies we watch, where we surf on the Internet, what kind of cars we buy—Jesus is interested in all of these areas. Our choices indicate spiritual discernment. Wouldn’t it be great if we always knew for sure that we were making the choices that Christ snouts us to make? Confusion in these areas may be reduced by greater attention to Bible study and prayer.
3. Suppose that you share John 14:6 with a skeptic. In response he or she says, “You’re just being narrow-minded. Surely a loving God would make a way for those who have never heard of Jesus!” How do you prepare yourself in advance for this kind of reaction?
You may or may not be able to persuade the skeptic. Remember that even Jesus himself did not persuade everyone.
What is most important is that your own faith remain unwavering when you hear such arguments. Was Jesus himself narrow-minded? See Matthew 7:14: “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there
be that find it.” Does God have any plan other than Jesus? See Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
God sent His Son to die for the sins of the world (John 3:16). You can’t get more loving than that!
4.Make a list of some out-of-the-ordinary things that Jesus did in front of His disciples. Despite the miraculous things on this list, what made His disciples linger in their uncertainty about Jesus’ identity and authority? How are your own doubts similar?
One reason for the disciples’ wavering was that Jesus didn’t fit their preconceived ideas about the Messiah. We see their misconception pop up again in the question that they ask right before His ascension (see Acts 1:6). Undoubtedly our own misconceptions also serve as roadblocks to unconditional acceptance of Jesus’ authority. Perhaps a doubt that lingers in the back of our minds is, “Where is the promise of his coming?”This doubt is not new – see 2 Peter 3:4.
Doubts also arise because of our focus on the physical. The disciples could see the power of Rome all around them. But to realize that God’s spiritual forces were more powerful required the eye of faith that they didn’t quite have (compare2 Kings 6:15-17). Similarly our vision often is limited only to the moment. We too quickly for-get about God’s power and what long-term benefits we can gain if we heed the teachings of His Word.
5.Jesus talked about others doing things even greater than He had done. How do you apply Jesus’ expectations in your own life?
Jesus has general expectations of all believers(see Matthew 28:19, 20). Jesus also has expectations that tie in to our individual spiritual gifts(Romans 12; 1 Corinthians 12; and Ephesians 4).We learn of His expectations when we meditate on His Word. As we do we take care to notice that His promise to the disciples gave a purpose for their actions: “that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (v. 13). This is our motive as well.

Into the Lesson
Distribute the following list of famous last words. Ask students to match each quote with itsauthor. (If you use student books, you will findthe exercise printed there.)
1. “How were the [circus] receipts today atMadison Square Garden?” 2. “I have offendedGod and mankind because my work did notreach the quality it should have.” 3. “That was agreat game of golf, fellers.” 4. “All my posses-sions for a moment of time.” 5. “Lord, help mypoor soul.” 6. “I … am now quite certain that thecrimes of this guilty land will never be purgedaway but with blood!” 7. “Don’t turn down thelight. I’m afraid to go home in the dark.” 8. “Lastwords are for fools who haven’t said enough.”A. Bing Crosby; B. P. T. Barnum; C. 0. Henry;D. Queen Elizabeth I, of England; E. John Brown(American abolitionist executed in 1859 for lead-ing a raid); F. Leonardo da Vinci; G. Edgar Allan Poe; H. Karl Marx.
Answers: 1.11; 2F; 3A; 4D; 5G; BE; 7G; 8H
After going over the answers, ask student show these final quotes might reflect the character and lives of their authors. For example Edgar Allan Poe was an alcoholic who also suffered from severe depression for much of his adult life. John Brown was convinced that the only way to end slavery in the United States was to start a re-volt. When you have finished your discussion, say, “Today’s lesson will focus on some of Jesus’ last words to His disciples. Those words will re-veal important things about Him.”
Into the Word
Each student will pair up with another to complete both activities below. Allow pairs several minutes to complete the first activity. Then discuss their conclusions as a class, using the les-son commentary to guide the discussion.
Follow the same procedure for the second activity. Provide pens and paper for students to use, or direct their attention to the student books where the activities are printed.
Activity A. Read John 14:1-14 and discuss with your partner the nature of Jesus’ relationship with the Father by answering these questions:(1) What do Jesus’ statements about preparing a palace for us (vv. 2-6) tell us about His relation-ship to the Father? (2) What did Jesus mean when He said, “He that hath seen use hath seen the Father” (v. 9)? (3) What reason does Jesus give for the works that He will enable His disciples to do (v. 12)?
Activity B. Read John 14:6 and discuss with your partner what Jesus meant when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (1) How does Jesus constitute the only way to reach God?(Compare to John 10:9; Acts 4:12.) (2) What did Jesus mean when He called himself “truth”?(Compare to Ephesians 1:13; 1 John 2:4.) (3) In what ways does Jesus embody life for the believer? (Compare Matthew 16:25; 19:29; John3:36; 6:35; Romans 5:10-18.)
Into Life
Using the commentary on John 14:12-14, ex-plain the relationship among Jesus’ miraculous works, the works of His disciples, and the Holy Spirit’s use of those works to convict the world of sin. You may find that John’s “purpose statement” in John 20:30, 31 will enrich your class discussion.
Next, ask each pair of students to write a brief meditation (100 words or less) on one of Jesus’ miracles as recorded in John’s Gospel. Assign each pair one of these passages: John 2:1-11;4:43-54; 5:1-15; 6:1-15; 6:16-21; 9; 11:1-44. The meditations should answer these questions: (1)What did Jesus do? (2) What effect did the miracle have on the faith of those who witnessed or experienced it? (3) What effect should it have on our faith today?
Collect the meditations and compile them into booklet. Distribute copies of the collection to your students at the next class period. Ask them to use them as part of their daily devotions forth week ahead. Suggest that they read one meditation each day.

1.John called Jesus the Word, or logos, from which we get our word logic. Yet there are many who would say that belief in Jesus is any-thing but logical. Why do they say this? How do you respond?
People hold what we may call “sets of pre-understandings” (or presuppositions). Whatever doesn’t fit those pre-understandings is rejected. That was the problem of the Jewish leaders in Jesus’ day. They thought that they knew what the Messiah “should” be like. When Jesus didn’t meet those expectations, they crucified Him. We may make progress with a skeptic by gently probing his or her pre-understandings. We may discover, for example, that a person has a presupposition that miracles are impossible, thus the claims about Jesus are “illogical.” This may require that we explore the idea that the God who set up the laws of nature to begin with is the one who has the authority and power to supersede those laws via miracles when He chooses.
2.John pointed to the creative ability of Jesus as a reason that we should believe in Him. What’s the difference between human creativity and that of Jesus? How is this distinction important to your personal faith walk?
We see television shows about people who know how to take something that is in one form and transform it into something that is better. We admire them for their “creativity” as a result. Jesus is able to create without using preexisting materials—He creates, literally, from nothing. His creative partnership with the Father in this regard demonstrates not only His power but also His absolute ownership. An atheist who believes in evolution does what he or she pleases, having no sense of being accountable to God. The Christian knows, however, that he or she has not only been created but has been “bought with a price”(1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23). The Christian lives to please God as a result.
3. The apostle John, in writing his Gospel, chose to approach the study of Christ in a certain way. How and why should we adjust John’s approach for today? Or should we leave well enough alone? Explain.
The facts of history are what they are. They cannot be revised. Jesus’ role in creation, the lessons He taught, the type of life He modeled, His crucifixion, and His resurrection are un-changing historical facts.
However, the apostle John also described Jesus as one “which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled” (1 John 1:1). John himself could use this approach because he was an eyewitness. Our approach is to pass along his testimony as reliable and credible. Remember to pray when talking about Christ to an unbeliever! To focus on finding a perfect witnessing approach or technique runs the risk of leaving the power of the Holy Spirit out of the picture.
4.John 3:19 says that “men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” What was a time when you resisted Christ’s light? What helped you change to prefer His light?
A primary reason that many prefer darkness undoubtedly is an unwillingness to see beyond the pleasures of the next five minutes to the con-sequences of eternity. This can be an ongoing internal battle, even for mature Christians. A desire not to be accountable to anyone but oneself is usually a major factor why people prefer spiritual darkness.
5.Jesus came with both grace and truth. Has there ever been a time in your life when you had to balance one of these ideas against the other? Explain.
Think about a man who gets an ugly tie for Christmas. Instead of being brutally truthful and saying “It’s ugly,” he is gracious and says.”Thanks for thinking of me!” There was a time when Peter was confronted with the potential need to pay a certain tax or tribute. Jesus responded that He was exempt from that tax. But this truth was not vital enough to “push” and thus risk causing offense. So He graciously made provision to pay (Matthew 17:24-27). At other times sharp truth was the most important thing(Matthew 23:1-36). To work through this balance on a daily basis requires spiritual maturity.

Into the Lesson
Display three posters of multiple-choice questions. A religious Christmas card attached to each roster will help students connect the season with the activity. Give each student three colored, self-adhesive dots when entering the classroom. Ask students to stick a dot on each poster near or on the best answer for each question.
Poster #1. The word Messiah is the Hebrew form of (a) Christ, meaning “creator-God”; (b)Christ, meaning “anointed one”; (c) Christ, meaning “redeemer”; (d) a song written by a man named Handel.
Poster #2. The word incarnation refers to (a)God becoming a man; (b) the virginity of Mary when giving birth to Jesus; (c) another name for communion; (d) a nation with lots of cars.
Poster #3. The word Immanuel means (a) “redeemer”; (b) “anointed one”; (c) “God with us” (d) “God against us.”
After the class members have made their voices by placing stickers on the posters, review each question. Give the correct answer and comment on the significance of each.
The answer to question #1 is b. Ask, “What does the title Messiah tell us about Jesus—His life and mission?” The answer to question #2s a. Say, “The incarnation is a difficult concept. Today’s text, however, enthusiastically explains is key to understanding Jesus’ identity and origin.” The answer to question #3 is c. Say, “Immanuel was introduced in Isaiah 7:14,neching us even more about the nature of Jesus.”Transition to Bible study by stating that these and other titles given to Jesus in the Gospel of help ass know our God and Savior better.
Into the Word
Begin this section of study with a brief lecture on some titles given to Jesus in the Gospel of
John. Also touch on the purpose of John’s Gospel. On the board or overhead write “Titles for Jesus.” As you speak, write some titles astound in the lesson Introduction. Give a brief explanation of each.
Next read today’s printed text. Then ask the discussion questions that follow. You may wish to announce the focus of each group of questions. (These questions are also in the student book; this can be a small-group activity, one group per Focus.)
Focus: Jesus as the Word (John 1:1-5): (1) Why do you think John chose to call Jesus “the Word”? (2) What truths do verses 1-5 teach us about the nature of Jesus? (3) Why do you think John chose this way to introduce Jesus rather than beginning with Jesus’ birth?
Focus: Jesus as the Light (John 1:6-13): (1) Why do you think John chose to insert John the Baptist into these verses? (2) What do verses 10-13teach us about how people respond to Jesus? What comfort or challenge does this bring to your life?
Focus: Jesus in the Flesh (John 1:14-18): (1)What are some of the earthshaking implications of the incarnation—of God becoming a man? (2)What do you think is the main point of this pas-sage of Scripture? (3) Why is the story of the in-carnation precious to Christians at this time of year?

Into Life
Point to the three posters used at the beginning of class as you remind students that they have discovered a new and rich appreciation for words such as Immanuel, incarnation, Messiah. Say, “What happened was nothing less than God becoming flesh. This is our time to use that fact to help us walk more closely with Him.”
Ask the class to work in teams of two or thereto write an acrostic. This acrostic will provide some steps that will help change personal behavior from darkness to light, based on the word Messiah.
Give each team a poster board and marker with the letters to the word Messiah written vertically. Examples for the first three letters could be Maintain personal holiness. Expect God’s blessings, and Spend time in prayer.