Gospel of John Sunday School Lesson Topic Discussion

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Gospel of John Sunday School Lesson Topic Discussion

1.John called Jesus the Word, or logos, from which we get our word logic. Yet there aremany who would say that belief in Jesus is any-thing but logical. Why do they say this? How doyou respond?

People hold what we may call "sets of pre-understandings" (or presuppositions). Whateverdoesn't fit those pre-understandings is rejected.That was the problem of the Jewish leaders inJesus' day. They thought that they knew what theMessiah "should" be like. When Jesus didn'tmeet those expectations, they crucified Him.We may make progress with a skeptic by gen-tly probing his or her pre-understandings. Wemay discover, for example, that a person has apresupposition that miracles are impossible, thusthe claims about Jesus are "illogical." This mayrequire that we explore the idea that the Godwho set up the laws of nature to begin with is theone who has the authority and power to super-sede those laws via miracles when He chooses.

2.John pointed to the creative ability of Jesusas a reason that we should believe in Him.What's the difference between human creativityand that of Jesus? How is this distinction impor-tant to your personal faith walk?

We see television shows about people whoknow how to take something that is in one formand transform it into something that is better. Weadmire them for their "creativity" as a result.Jesus is able to create without using preexistingmaterials—He creates, literally, from nothing.His creative partnership with the Father in thisregard demonstrates not only His power but alsoHis absolute ownership. An atheist who believesin evolution does what he or she pleases, havingno sense of being accountable to God. The Chris-tian knows, however, that he or she has not onlybeen created but has been "bought with a price"(1 Corinthians 6:20; 7:23). The Christian lives toplease God as a result.

3. The apostle John, in writing his Gospel,chose to approach the study of Christ in a cer-tain way. How and why should we adjust John'sapproach for today? Or should we leave wellenough alone? Explain.

The facts of history are what they are. Theycannot be revised. Jesus' role in creation, thelessons He taught, the type of life He modeled,His crucifixion, and His resurrection are un-changing historical facts.

However, the apostle John also described Jesusas one "which we have heard, which we haveseen with our eyes, which we have looked upon,and our hands have handled" (1 John 1:1). Johnhimself could use this approach because he wasan eyewitness. Our approach is to pass along histestimony as reliable and credible. Remember topray when talking about Cluist to an unbeliever!To focus ott finding a perfect witnessing ap-proach or technique runs the risk of leaving thepower of the Holy Spirit out of the picture.

4.John 3:19 says that "men loved darknessrather than light, because their deeds wereevil." What was a time when you resistedChrist's light? What helped you change to preferHis light?

A primary reason that many prefer darknessundoubtedly is an unwillingness to see beyondthe pleasures of the next five minutes to the con-sequences of eternity. This can be an ongoing in-ternal battle, even for mature Christians. A desirenot to be accountable to anyone but oneself isusually a major factor why people prefer spiri-tual darkness.

5.Jesus came with both grace and truth. Hasthere ever been a time in your life when youhad to balance one of these ideas against theother? Explain.

Think about a man who gets an ugly tie forChristmas. Instead of being brutally truthful andsaying "It's ugly," he is gracious and says."Thanks for thinking of me!" There was a timewhen Peter was confronted with the potentialneed to pay a certain tax or tribute. Jesus re-sponded that He was exempt from that tax. Butthis truth was not vital enough to "push" andthus risk causing offense. So He graciously madeprovision to pay (Matthew 17:24-27). At othertimes sharp truth was the most important thing(Matthew 23:1-36). To work through this balanceon a daily basis requires spiritual maturity.

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