John

Lesson 7John 6:1 – John 7:9

In this lesson, we pick up our study with Jesus as he teaches and performs miracles around the Sea of Galilee. Using Capernaum as the center of his ministry, Jesus travels across the Sea from there to the other side, where he will teach and perform a well-known miracle—the feeding of the five thousand. During his time around the Sea of Galilee he reveals much about himself, and provides additional evidence that he is indeed the Messiah.

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Following a series of teachings and miracles around the Sea and in Capernaum, Jesus then returns to Jerusalem, where he continues preaching and teaching about the Good News. In turn, the hostility against him increases, as he confronts the teaching of the day—and the Jewish leadership.

We find these events described in John 6:1 through 7:9, as Jesus teaches on the shores of Galilee and in Capernaum. Along the way, as part of our study, we will learn a few things that we can apply to our own lives as we continue to follow Jesus our Lord and Savior.

In John Chapter 6, we read about the signs Jesus provided on both the sea and the land before his trip to Jerusalem, which is introduced in John 7:1-9. Read all of Chapter 6, and continue through the first 9 verses of Chapter 7. Then consider the following:

  1. Jesus has crossed the Sea of Galilee and is sitting on a hill looking back across the Sea towards Capernaum (see John 6:17). His disciples are with him. A large crowd gathers; they have seen his healing miracles and are curious to see what miracles he will perform next. How many people were in the crowd (see John 6:10)? Be thoughtful in your answer, as that verse does not tell us how many people were there. Nevertheless, are you able to make an estimate from what verse 10 tells us?
  2. What can we apply to our lives today from the this miracle? What do the circumstances of the disciples show us about our own lives and the difference between man’s thinking and the Lord’s (see Isaiah 55:8)?
  3. In the aftermath of the miracle above, how did the crowd react to Jesus? (See John 6:14-15.)
  4. Jesus walking on water is another well-known miracle. What a night it must have been for the disciples, tossed by the sea and frightened—and Jesus was not in the boat with them. Looking closer at that sea crossing and Jesus’ miracle, we note that the Sea of Galilee is about eight miles wide and thirteen miles long. How far had the disciples rowed before they saw Jesus; and what happened with regard to the back half of the trip? How long was that? (See John 6:19-21.)
  5. What often gets lost with respect to this miracle is that Jesus not only had command of the sea and the winds and nature; but he also had command of time and space, moving the disciples and the boat four miles in an instant. He can do the same for us, What does he teach us in Matthew 17:20?
  6. The following morning, Jesus and his disciples returned to Capernaum. Once the crowd on the other side of the Sea realizes this, they quickly jump into the available boats and head for Jesus in Capernaum. Jesus, knowing why they have come, quickly points out their error and teaches us another valuable lesson. Why does Jesus say they came to see him in Capernaum? (See John 6:26-27.)
  7. This illustrates that our motivation should always be to do good works for the Kingdom of God, and not to meet our own selfish and earthly desires. Where does Jesus say this "food that endures to eternal life" will come from? What does he say "the work of God" is? (See John 6:27-29.)
  8. It is amazing that, in spite of all the miracles they’ve seen Jesus do, they ask for yet another sign, "that we may see it and believe." (John 6:30) Read John 6:34-51, what does Jesus promise them (and us) in verse 40, who does he say will raise up the saved in the "last day," and what does Jesus tell them about bread in verse 48?
  9. How did the crowd react to Jesus’ teaching in the synagogue? (See John 6:52-59.) How did his disciples react to the same teaching? (See John 6:60-66.)
  10. Jesus than asked the twelve disciples who remained, ":You do not want to leave too, do you?" How did the disciples respond? How are we to respond today when something Jesus teaches is hard for us to understand? (See John 6:67-69.)
  11. Jesus’ ministry now moves to Jerusalem, as described in John 7:10. At the beginning of Chapter 7, Jesus is encouraged to go from Galilee to Judea and into Jerusalem for the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles. Why does Jesus tell them he does not want to go, even though it is a Jewish Festival? (See John 7:1-9)

In the next lesson, we will observe Jesus travelling to Jerusalem and once again confronting the leadership and teaching of those in authority. He will show them how the world’s ways are totally opposed to God’s ways, and once again demonstrate that he is the true Messiah.

Have a blessed week as you continue to study with us.

In Christ,

Wes

[2018]

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