The Life of Jesus - Part 1

8/4/2019 The Life of Jesus - Part 1

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/the-life-of-jesus-part-1 1/41

TheLifeofJesus

Part1

ABibleStudySeriesinStoryingFormat

ByRonnieFox

August26,2011



TheLifeofJesus:Part1 2

TableofContents

Preface

Chapter1:IntroductiontoTheLifeofJesus

Chapter2:BirthofJesus

Chapter3:BabyJesusTheMessiah

Chapter4:JesusasaYoungChild

Chapter5:JesusasaBoy

Chapter6:BaptismofJesus

Chapter7:TemptationofJesus

Chapter8:JesusandHisFirstDisciples

Chapter9:JesusTurnsWaterintoWine

Chapter10:JesusCleansOuttheTempletheFirstTime

Chapter11:JesusandNicodemus

Chapter12:JesusandtheSamaritanWoman

Chapter13:JesusRejectedinNazareth




Preface

TheLifeofJesus:Part1ThisBiblestudyseriesisdesignedasachronologicalstudyofthelifeofJesusinstorying

format.Thisfirstseriesincludes13sessionsandcouldbeusedinavarietyofsettings.

Subsequentserieswillbemadeavailableastheyarewrittenandfield-tested.

Storyingasaformatwasfirstusedbymissionariesworkingamongisolatedpeoplegroupswithnowrittenlanguage.AchronologicalpresentationoftheeventsintheBibleisoften

usedwithapeoplegroupthathasnopreviousexposuretotheBible.Itmaybehelpful,

evennecessary,touseachronologicalpresentationinmanycontexts.

Thisseriesofstudieswaswrittenandfield-testedwithaspecificgroupofpeople,aBible

FellowshipGroup(BFG)1atFirstBaptistChurchofCumming,Georgia.Everymemberofthegroupwasliteratetohighlyliterate,includingmanywithcollegedegreesandsomewith

postgraduatedegrees.Storyingwasusedastheprimaryformat.Dialoguewasfacilitated

aftereachstorytoallowtheparticipantstoprocessthecontentandinternalizethetruthstheywouldapplyintheirownlives.

Itwillbenecessaryforanyonewhousesthisseriestoadaptthecontenttothegroupthey

aredisciplingevenifthegroupissimilarineducationalbackgroundandchurchexperience.

Theselectionofstoriesisspecifictotheneedsandprogressofthegroupmembers.EachgroupwillbeuniqueandtheBiblestoriesusedwillrequirecarefulselection.

Formulatingthequestionsforagroupisalsounique.Theobjectiveisthattheparticipants

liveoutthecommandsofJesus.Thiswillrequireaconsciousefforttonotfocusonthe

knowledgetobegainedandmaintainafocusonobedience.Thekeytodisciplemakingisthequestionsaskedandtheresultingdialog.Questionsallowparticipantstointeractwith

theconceptandinternalizethemeaning.ThislevelofinteractionwiththestoriesleadstogrowthinobediencetoJesus.

1BibleFellowshipGrouporBFGisthenameusedatFirstBaptistChurchofCumming,Georgia,forSundaySchool.




Chapter1

IntroductiontotheLifeofJesus

ThisisthefirstinaBiblestudyseriesonthelifeofJesus.Theseriesispresentedinstorying

format.Thestoriesofhislifeandministryprovideaguidetothosewhowanttobecome

moreobedientfollowersofJesus.EachstoryinthisseriesisfromtheBible.

Background:

Thestoryfortodayisacompilationstory.Itiscompiledfromseveraldifferentbooksand

versesoftheBible.Thisstoryprovidesanintroductiontohislifeandministryandservesasbackgroundfortheseries.

TherearetwoimportantthingsthatthisstoryteachesusaboutJesus:1)JesusisGodandlimitedhimselfforatimebybecomingaman;and2)Jesuslivedonearthasamanwithout

committinganysin.Thesefactsprovideanimportantfoundationforunderstandinghislife

andministryonearth.

StoryfromtheBible:

Isaiah7:14;Matthew3:17;Matthew16:16;Mark1:1;John1:1-18;Philippians2:5-8;

ThisisthestoryfromtheBible.

JesusisGod.Hewaspresentwhentheworldwascreatedandheisthecreatoreverythingwesee.Healsobecameahumanbeing,aman,andhelivedontheearth.Hechosetolimit

himselftoahumanbodyforthetimehelivedhereonearth.Heexperiencedlifejustasany

otherperson.

HewasnotrecognizedasGodinhumanformduringhislifeonearth.Thereligiousleadersrejectedhim.EvenhisclosestfollowersdidnotseehimasGodinhumanform.Eventhough

heperformedmanymiracles,theydidnotreallyseehisdivinenatureuntilafterhecame

backfromthedead.

Theprophetstoldabouthisbirthmanyyearsbeforehewasborn.Hewasbornintoa

Jewishfamily.HewastheMessiahtheJewishpeoplehadbeenwaitingfor.However,theydidnotrecognizehimastheMessiah.

Jesusistheonlypersontolivehisentirelifewithoutsin.Henevercommittedasinglesin.

Thisisvitallyimportantbecausehebecametheperfect,sinlesssacrificeforoursin.Jesus

diedonacrossinmyplaceandyourplace.Hecouldtakeourplacebecauseheistheonlypersontolivehislifewithoutsin.

ThisiswhattheBibleteaches.




Retellingthestory:

Let’sreviewthisstorybyretellingitasagroup.Wewanttoretellitasfaithfullyaswecan

tothestoryfromtheBible.Wedonotwanttoaddtoitorleaveoutanythingimportant.Whowillgetusstarted?

Questions:

Thequestionsanddiscussionshouldbefocusedbeyondknowledgeabouttheeventsinthe

story.TheobjectiveisthattheparticipantsinternalizethestoryinordertoliveasafaithfulfollowerofJesus.SuccessiswhentheparticipantsliveoutthecommandsofJesusandlive

likeJesusintheirdailylife.Therefore,thequestionsshouldbeadaptedtotheuniquenessofeachstudygroup.

TheBibleteachesthatJesusisGodandbecameaman.Hechosetolimithimselftoahumanbodyforthetimehelivedonearth.

HowdoesthefactthatJesusisGodimpactthewayweviewhislife?

HowcouldGodbeinhumanform?

WhydoyouthinkothersdidnotseeJesusasGodinhumanform?

WhydidtheJewishpeoplenotrecognizeJesusasthepromisedMessiah?

WhatdoesthisstoryteachusaboutGod?

Whatshouldwedoinresponsetotheseteachings?

Memoryverses

InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.(John1:1–NIV).

TheWordbecamefleshandmadehisdwellingamongus.Wehaveseenhisglory,theglory

oftheoneandonlySon,whocamefromtheFather,fullofgraceandtruth.(John1:14–

NIV)

WhoeverclaimstoliveinhimmustliveasJesusdid.(1john2:6–NIV)

1John2:3-6–Weknowthatwehavecometoknowhimifwekeephiscommands.Whoeversays,“Iknowhim,”butdoesnotdowhathecommandsisaliar,andthe

truthisnotinthatperson.Butifanyoneobeyshisword,loveforGodistrulymadecompleteinthem.Thisishowweknowweareinhim:Whoeverclaimstolivein

himmustliveasJesusdid.

Video:1John2:6-YouTubeVideo–FrancisChan–JesusMoreThan(2:46)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpB-FUg9PD4&feature=player_embedded




Chapter2

BirthofJesusReview:

Thepreviousstoryinthisseriesprovidedanoverviewandbackgroundtothestudyofthe

lifeofJesus.Thereweretwofoundationalelementspresented:1)JesusisGodandlimitedhimselfforatimebybecomingaman;and2)Jesuslivedonearthasamanwithout

committinganysin.Thesefactsguideusinunderstandinghislifeonearth.

Background:

Thestoryfortodayisafamiliarone,perhapstoofamiliar.Itisrepeatedeveryearat

Christmas.ItisthestoryofthebirthofJesus.

Prophetsforetoldmanyofthefactsabouthisbirthandthecircumstancesthatsurrounded

hiscomingtoearth.Isaiahtoldthathewouldbebornofavirginandthathewouldbe

called,“Immanuel.”(Isaiah7:14)Thisisjustoneexampleofthefactsthatwereforetold;therearemanymore.

MatthewbeginswiththegenealogyofJesus.HelistshisancestorsfromAbrahamtoDavid,

fromDavidtotheexiletoBabylon,andfromtheexiletoBabylontoJesusastheMessiah.

Thereare14generationsineachofthesethreesections.(Matthew1:1-17)

StoryfromtheBible:Luke1:26-38;Matthew1:18-25;andLuke2:1-21

MarywasthemotherofJesus.

Godsenttheangel,Gabriel,toMarytotellherwhatwasgoingtohappen.Hebeganbytellinghernottobeafraid,thatshewashighlyfavoredandthatGodwaswithher.Hetold

hershewouldconceiveandgivebirthtoason.HetoldhertogivethebabythenameJesus.

HetoldherhewouldbegreatandwouldbecalledtheSonoftheMostHigh(theSonofGod).HealsotoldherGodwouldgivehimthethroneofhisfatherDavid,hewouldreign

overJacob’sdescendantsforever,andhiskingdomwouldneverend.

Maryaskedtheangelhowthiscouldbesinceshewasavirgin.Theangelansweredher

questionbytellingherthattheHolySpiritwouldcomeonherandthepowerofGod(theMostHigh)wouldovershadowher.ThisiswhyhewillbecalledtheSonofGod.

MarytoldtheangelthatshewasGod’sservant.Andshesaidthatshewouldacceptwhathehadsaidwouldhappen.

MarywaspledgedtobemarriedtoJosephbeforeshebecamepregnantwithJesus.Thephrase“pledgedtobemarried”issimilartoourmoderndayengagementbutitismore

bindingandwouldrequireadivorcetobreak.




WhenJosephfirstlearnedthatMarywaspregnant,heknewthechildwasnothisbecausetheyhadnothadsexualrelations.Hedidnotwanttopublicallydisgraceherandhad

plannedtodivorceherquietly.

AnangelfromGodappearedtohiminadream.TheangeltoldJosephnottobeafraidtotakeMaryhomeashiswife.TheangelexplainedthattheHolySpiritconceivedthechildshewascarrying.Theangeltoldhimthatshewouldgivebirthtoason,andJosephwouldgive

himthenameJesusbecausehewouldsavehispeoplefromtheirsins.

WhenJosephwokeup,hedidwhattheangelhadtoldhimtodo.HetookMaryhometobe

hiswife.ButhedidconsummatetheirmarriageuntilafterJesuswasborn.HegavethechildthenameJesus.

JesusbirthwasthefulfillmentofwhattheprophetIsaiahhadsaid;thatavirginwouldconceiveandgivebirthtoasonandtheywouldcallhimImmanuel,whichmeans“Godwith

us.”AtthesametimeCaesarAugustusorderedthatacensusbetakenoftheentireRoman

world.Everyonewastogototheirowntowntoregister.

JosephwasadescendantofDavidandhadtogotoBethlehemtoregister.Hetraveledthere

withMarywhowaswellalonginthepregnancy.Theystayedinastablebecausetherewerenoguestroomsavailable.

Whiletheyweretherethebabywasborn.Marywrappedthebabyinclothsandplacedhim

inafeedtrough.

Therewereshepherdslivingoutinthefieldsnearby.Theyweretendingtheirsheepwhen

anangelfromGodappeared.Theywerefrightened.Theangeltoldthemnottobeafraid.He

saidthathebroughtgoodnewsthatwouldcausegreatjoyforallpeople.HeannouncedthebirthofJesusandtoldthemhewouldbethesavior,theMessiah.Hetoldthemthat,asa

sign,theywouldfindthebabywrappedinclothsandlyinginafeedtrough.

ThenahostofangelsjoinedtheotherangelandtheywerepraisingGodandsaying;““Glory

toGodinthehighestheaven,andonearthpeacetothoseonwhomhisfavorrests.”

Whentheangelsleft,theshepherdstalkedamongthemselvesanddecidedtogoandcheck

outwhattheangelhadtoldthem.Theyhurriedoffandfoundeverythingjustastheangelhadsaid.TheyfoundMary,Josephandthebaby.Thebabywaslyinginafeedtroughjustas

theangelhadtoldthem.Aftertheylefttheyspreadthewordaboutthebabyandallwhoheardthenewswereamazed.TheshepherdswhenbackglorifyingandpraisingGod.





Retellingthestory:



Questions:




WhydoyouthinkJosephwaschosen?

WhydoyouthinkMarywaschosentogivebirthtoJesus?WhatisimportantaboutJesusbeingbornfromavirgin?

Whatdoes“Immanuel”mean?Whyisthisimportant?

Whydoyouthinktheangelsstartedwhattheyhadtosay(toMary,toJosephandtotheshepherds)bytellingthemnottobeafraid?

WhatdotheeventssurroundingthebirthofJesusteachusaboutGod?

WhatshouldwedoinresponsetothisstoryfromtheBible?

Memoryverses:

InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.(John

1:1–NIV).


oftheoneandonlySon,whocamefromtheFather,fullofgraceandtruth.(John1:14–NIV)

WhoeverclaimstoliveinhimmustliveasJesusdid.(1john2:6–NIV)1John3-6–Weknowthatwehavecometoknowhimifwekeephiscommands.

Whoeversays,“Iknowhim,”butdoesnotdowhathecommandsisaliar,andthetruthisnotinthatperson.Butifanyoneobeyshisword,loveforGodistrulymade

completeinthem.Thisishowweknowweareinhim:Whoeverclaimstolivein





Chapter3

BabyJesusTheMessiah

Review:

ThepreviousstoryinthisseriespresentedthebirthofJesus.Thestoryisaveryfamiliar

one.MarywasthemotherofJesus.She(Mary)andthemanshewaspledgedtomarry(Joseph)bothreceivedavisitfromanangel.Theybothdidwhattheangelstoldthem.Jesus

wasbornofavirgin,borninBethlehem,andwasvisitedbyshepherds.Hewascalled

Immanuel(Godwithus)andtheSonofGod.

Thereweretwofoundationalelementsthatwerepresentedifthefirstsessioninthis

series:1)JesusisGodandlimitedhimselfforatimebybecomingaman;and2)Jesuslivedonearthasamanwithoutcommittinganysin.Thesefactsguideusinunderstandinghis

lifeonearth.

Background:

ThestoryfortodaytellsaboutthededicationofJesusinthetempleasinstructedinJewish

law.Thelawrequiredthatamalechildbecircumcisedwhenheiseightdaysold.Thelaw

alsorequiredthatthefirst-bornbededicatedtoGod.ThisinformationwasfamiliartothereadersofLuke’saccountoftheseevents.

Thefinalversesinthischapter(Luke2:39-40)tellaboutMaryandJoseph’sreturntotheir

hometown,Nazareth,inGalilee.Nextweekwewillhereaboutsomeothereventsthat

occurredbeforetheyreturnedtoNazareththatarerecordedinMatthew’saccountofthelifeofJesus.

StoryfromtheBible:

Luke2:22-38


MaryandJosephfollowedtherequirementsofJewishlawandtraveledtothetempleinJerusalemfortheevent.BethlehemisaboutsixmilesfromJerusalem.

TherewasamaninJerusalemwhowasrighteousanddevout.HisnamewasSimeon.He

hadbeenwaitingontheMessiah.Godhadrevealedtohimthathewouldseethepromised

Messiahbeforehedied.HewasguidedbyGodtogotothetemple,andwhenMaryandJosepharrivedwithJesus,SimeontookbabyJesusinhisarmsandpraisedGod.Hespokea

loudtoGodandsaid:

“SovereignLord,asyouhavepromised,youmaynowdismissyourservantinpeace.Formyeyeshaveseenyoursalvation,whichyouhavepreparedinthesightofall




nations:alightforrevelationtotheGentiles,andthegloryofyourpeopleIsrael.”

(Luke2:29-32–NIV)

MaryandJosephmarveledatwhatwassaidaboutthechild.SimeonblessedthemandtoldMary:

“ThischildisdestinedtocausethefallingandrisingofmanyinIsrael,andtobeasignthatwillbespokenagainst,sothatthethoughtsofmanyheartswillberevealed.Andaswordwillpierceyourownsoultoo.”(Luke2:34b-35–NIV)

TherewasalsoaprophetnamedAnnatherethatday.Shehadbeenmarriedforsevenyearsandthenwidowed.Shewasnow84yearsold.Shehadlivedinthetemplesinceher

husbandhaddiedandspentherdaysandnightsworshippingGodandfastingandpraying.AnnacameuptothemandgavethankstoGodandspoketoallthatwerearoundthatthis

babywasthepromisedone,theMessiah.

ThisconcludesthestoryfromtheBible.

Retellingthestory:

Let’sreviewthisstorybyretellingitasagroup.WewanttoretellitasfaithfullyaswecantothestoryfromtheBible.Wedonotwanttoaddtoitorleaveoutanythingimportant.

Whowillgetusstarted?

Questions:


story.Theobjectiveisthattheparticipantsinternalizethestoryinordertoliveasafaithful

followerofJesus.SuccessiswhentheparticipantsliveoutthecommandsofJesusandlivelikeJesusintheirdailylife.Therefore,thequestionsshouldbeadaptedtotheuniquenessof

eachstudygroup.

WhydidMaryandJosephtakeJesustothetempleinJerusalem?

WhatdidSimeonsayaboutJesus?

WhatdidAnnasayaboutJesus?

WhyisitimportantthattwodifferentpeopleatthetemplerecognizedJesusasthe

Messiah?

WhoelseannouncedJesusastheMessiah?

WhatdoesthisteachusaboutGod?





Memoryverses


1:1–NIV).

TheWordbecamefleshandmadehisdwellingamongus.Wehaveseenhisglory,thegloryoftheoneandonlySon,whocamefromtheFather,fullofgraceandtruth.(John1:14–NIV)

WhoeverclaimstoliveinhimmustliveasJesusdid.(1John2:6–NIV)1John2:3-6–Weknowthatwehavecometoknowhimifwekeephiscommands.







Chapter4

JesusasaYoungChildReview:

ThepreviousstoryinthisseriestoldaboutamannameSimeonandawomannamedAnna.TheywerebothinthetemplethedayMaryandJosephbroughtJesustobededicated

accordingtoJewishlaw.TheyeachdeclaredJesustobetheMessiah.



lifeonearth.

Background:

ThestoryfortodaytellsaboutJesusduringhisearlychildhood.TheBibledoesnotrecordmuchaboutthispartofhislife.

ThevisitoftheMagiisoftenincludedinthestoryofthebirthofJesus,asapartofthe

Christmasstory.TheyaresometimesreferredtoastheThreeWiseMenandtheyare

shownvisitingJesusthesametimeastheshepherds.ListentothestoryandwewilldiscussthisduringtheQ&Atime.

StoryfromtheBible:

Matthew2


Magi(traditionalcalledwisemen)camefromtheeasttoJerusalemsometimeafterJesus

wasborninBethlehem.Theyasked,“WhereistheonewhohasbeenbornkingoftheJews?

Wesawhisstarwhenitroseandhavecometoworshiphim.”

WhenKingHerodheardaboutthesemenandespeciallythequestiontheyasked,hewas

disturbed,aswasallofJerusalem.HerodcalledtogethertheJewishpeople’schiefpriestsandtheteachersofJewishlaw.HeaskedthemwheretheMessiahwastobeborn.They

answered,inBethlehem.

HerodcalledintheMagiprivatelyandquestionedthemabouttheexacttimethestar

appeared.HesentthemtoBethlehemtosearchforthechildthere.Hetoldthemtoreportbacktohimassoonastheyfoundthechildsothathecouldgoandworshiphimtoo.

TheMagiwentontheirwayaftertheyhadmetwithHerod.Thesamestarappearedandtheyfollowedituntilitledthemtotheplacewherethechildwas.Theywereoverjoyedto

seethestar.




WhentheyarrivedtheyfoundthechildwithhismotherMary,andtheyboweddownandworshipedhim.Theypresentedhimgiftsofgold,frankincenseandmyrrh.

TheywerewarnedinadreamnottogobacktoHerod.Sotheywentbacktotheircountry

byanotherroute.AftertheMagihadgone,JosephwaswarnedinadreambyanangelofGod.Theangeltold

JosephtotakethechildandhismotherandescapetoEgypt.HetoldJosephtostaythere

untilhetoldhimtoreturnbecauseKingHerodwasgoingtosearchforthechildinordertokillhim.

Josephdidwhattheangeltoldhimtodo.TheyleftforEgyptatnightandstayedthereuntil

KingHerodhaddied.

HerodrealizedthattheMagihadoutwittedhimandhewasfurious.Hegaveordersthat

everybabyboyagestwoandunderlivinginBethlehemandthesurroundingareatobekilled.

AfterKingHeroddied,anangelappearedtoJosephagaininadream.HetoldJosephthatthosewhowantedtokillthechildwerenowdead.Hetoldhimtotakethechildandhis

motherandgobacktothelandofIsrael.

Josephdidwhattheangeltoldhimtodo.HehadheardthatArchelauswasreigninginhis

father’splace.Josephwasagainwarnedinadream,andsohemovedhisfamilytothetownofNazarethinGalilee.


Retellingthestory:



Questions:




WhendidtheMagivisitJesus?WasitthesamenighttheshepherdcametovisitJesus?

WhatdidtheMagidowhentheyfoundthechild?




WhyaretheMagioftenreferredtoastheThreeWiseMen?

WhydidtheangeltellJosephtotakeJesusandhismothertoEgypt?

HowlongdidtheystayinEgypt?WheredidtheygowhentheywentbacktoIsrael?Why?



Memoryverses


1:1–NIV).TheWordbecamefleshandmadehisdwellingamongus.Wehaveseenhisglory,theglory


WhoeverclaimstoliveinhimmustliveasJesusdid.(1John2:6–NIV)1John2:3-6–Weknowthatwehavecometoknowhimifwekeephiscommands.







Chapter5

JesusasaBoyReview:

ThepreviousstoriesinthisseriestoldaboutthingsthathappenedwhenJesuswasbornandwhenhewasababy.SimeonandAnnabothrecognizedJesusastheMessiahand

announcedittoeveryonearound.



lifeonearth.

Background:

ThestoryfortodaytellsaboutJesusasaboy.TheBibledoesnotrecordmuchaboutthispartofhislife.

StoryfromtheBible:

Luke2:41-52


MaryandJosephwenttothetempleinJerusalemeveryyearfortheFestivalofthe

Passover.Jesuswentwiththemandonthistriphewastwelveyearsold.

Afterthefestivalwasover,MaryandJosephbeganthejourneyhome.Theyweretraveling

withalargegroupthatincludedmanyintheirextendedfamily.MaryandJosephassumedthatJesuswaswithsomeoftheextendedfamilyanddidnotdiscoverhewasmissinguntil

theywereaboutaday’sjourneyfromJerusalem.TheyhurriedbacktoJerusalemtosearch

forJesus.

Itwasthreedaysbeforetheyfoundhim.Hewasinthetemplecourttalkingtotheteachers

oftheJewishLawwhentheyfoundhim.Thereligiousleaderswereamazedathisinsightandmarveledathisquestionsandhisanswers.MaryandJosephwerealsosurprisedat

whathewasdoing.

Mary,hismother,askedJesuswhyhehaddonethistothem.Shesaidthattheyhadbeen

anxiouslysearchingforhim.

Jesusaskedwhytheywerelookingforhim.Hesaidthattheyshouldhaveknowntolookfor

himinhisfather'shouse.MaryandJosephdidnotunderstandwhathemeant.




JesuswentbackwiththemtoNazarethandwasobedienttothem.Hecontinuedtogrowin

wisdom,physicalsizeandinfavorwithGodandman.


Retellingthestory:Let’sreviewthisstorybyretellingitasagroup.Wewanttoretellitasfaithfullyaswecan

tothestoryfromtheBible.Wedonotwanttoaddtoitorleaveoutanythingimportant.


Questions:




WhyhadthefamilytraveledtoJerusalem?

Howlongwasitbeforehisparentsrealizedthathewasmissing?

WereMaryandJosephnegligent?

HowlongdidittakethemtofindJesus?

WheredidtheyfindJesus?Whatwashedoingthere?

WhatdidMarysaytoJesuswhentheyfoundhim?

WhydidMaryandJosephnotunderstandJesuswhenhetoldthemtheyshouldhaveknown

tofindhiminhisfather'shouse?

WhatdowelearnaboutJesusfromthisevent?



Memoryverses


1:1–NIV).






WhoeverclaimstoliveinhimmustliveasJesusdid.(1John2:6–NIV)




Chapter6

BaptismofJesus

Review:

ThepreviousstoryinthisserieswasaboutJesusasa12-year-oldboy.Heandhisfamily

wenttoJerusalemfortheFestivalofthePassover.HestayedbehindandwasinthetemplecourtstalkingtotheteachersoftheJewishlawwhentheyfoundhim.

Thefirststoryinthisseriesprovidedanoverviewandbackgroundtothestudyofthelifeof

Jesus.Thereweretwofoundationalelementspresented:1)JesusisGodandlimitedhimself

foratimebybecomingaman;and2)Jesuslivedonearthasamanwithoutcommittinganysin.Thesefactsguideusinunderstandinghislifeonearth.

Background:

ThestoryfortodayisaboutthebaptismofJesus.Itisabriefstory,anddoesnotprovidea

lotofextrainformation.

JohntheBaptistisanimportantcharacteristhestoryofthebaptismofJesus.John1:19-28providesbackgroundtotheevent.JohnknewthatJesuswastheMessiah.Whenhesaw

Jesushesaidtohisfollowers,"HereistheLambofGod,whotakesawaythesinofthe

world!”(John1:29)

StoryfromtheBible:Matthew3:13-17andJohn1:29-34


JohntheBaptistwasteachingandpreachinginthewilderness.HewasalsobaptizingintheJordanRiver.

JesustraveledfromGalileetowhereJohnwasteachingandbaptizing.HewenttoJohntobebaptized.

AtfirstJohndidn'twanttobaptizeJesus.HesaidthatJesusshouldbaptizehim.JesustoldJohnthatitwaswhatneededtohappentofulfillallrighteousness.Johnconsentedbecause

ofwhatJesussaid.

JohnbaptizedJesusintheJordanRiver.AssoonasJesuscameupoutofthewater,heaven

openedup,andhesawtheSpiritofGodcomingdownlikeadoveandlandingonhim.

Thentheyheardavoicefromheavensay,“ThisismySon,whomIlove;withhimIamwell

pleased.”





Retellingthestory:


Whowillgetusstarted?Questions:

Thequestionsanddiscussionshouldbefocusedbeyondknowledgeabouttheeventsinthestory.Theobjectiveisthattheparticipantsinternalizethestoryinordertoliveasafaithful


eachstudygroup.

WhatwasJohntheBaptistdoingbeforeJesuscametohimtobebaptized?

HowdidJohnrespondtoJesus'requesttobebaptized?

WhatdidthestorytellusthatindicatesthatJesuswascompletelyimmersedwhenhewasbaptized?

HowdidGodrespondtothebaptismofJesus?

DidthefactthatJesuswasbaptizedindicatethathehadsinned?

WhywasJesusbaptized?

Whyarewebaptized?



Memoryverses:


1:1–NIV).







Chapter7

TemptationofJesusReview:

ThepreviousstoryinthisserieswasaboutthebaptismofJesus.Thenextevent,chronologically,isthetemptationofJesus.Biblescholarsdonotalwaysagreeontheexact

orderoftheeventsinthelifeofJesus,andwewillnotexploretheirdifferences.Wewillfollowawidelyacceptedorderinthisseries.

ThefirststoryinthisseriesprovidedanoverviewandbackgroundtothestudyofthelifeofJesus.Thereweretwofoundationalelementspresented:1)JesusisGodandlimitedhimself

foratimebybecomingaman;and2)Jesuslivedonearthasamanwithoutcommittingany

sin.Thesefactsguideusinunderstandinghislifeonearth.

Background:

ThestoryfortodaytellsaboutthetemptationofJesus.Thiseventisrecordedinthree

differentplacesintheBible.Matthew,Mark,andLukeallincludethiseventintheiraccountsofthelifeofJesus.Markonlymentionsitbriefly.MatthewandLukeincludethe

samebasicinformationbutthetemptationsareinadifferentorder.Thestoryherewill

followMatthew'saccount.

TherearesomeimportantthingstorememberaswelistentothisstoryfromtheBible.First,JesusisGodandhechosetolimithimselftobecomeaman.AnotheristhattheGreek

wordtranslated"tempted"canalsomean"tested."

StoryfromtheBible:

Matthew4:1-11,Mark1:12-13,andLuke4:1-13


TheHolySpiritledJesusintothewildernesstobetemptedbythedevil.Hedidnoteatfor

40daysandnightsandhewashungryandinneedoffood.Thedevil(Satan)cametoJesus

andsaid;“IfyouaretheSonofGod,tellthesestonestobecomebread.”

JesusansweredbyquotingScripture.Hesaid,“Itiswritten:‘Manshallnotliveonbreadalone,butoneverywordthatcomesfromthemouthofGod.'"(Deut.8:3)

ThedeviltookJesustoJerusalemandhadhimstandonthehighestpartofthetemple.Thedevilsaid,“IfyouaretheSonofGod,throwyourselfdown.TheBiblesays,‘Hewill

commandhisangelsconcerningyou,andtheywillliftyouupintheirhands,sothatyou

willnotstrikeyourfootagainstastone.’"(Psalm91:11-12)




JesusansweredhimbyquotingtheBible,“Itisalsowritten:‘DonotputtheLordyourGod

tothetest.’"(Deut.6:16)

Again,thedeviltookJesustoaveryhighmountainandshowedhimallthekingdomsoftheworldandtheirsplendor.“AllthisIwillgiveyou,ifyouwillbowdownandworshipme.”

Jesussaidtohim,“Awayfromme,Satan!FortheBiblesays:‘WorshiptheLordyourGod,andservehimonly.’”(Deut.6:13)

Thenthedevillefthim,andangelscameandattendedhim.


Retellingthestory:



Questions:




WhatwerethethreetemptationsthatSatanpresentedtoJesus?

WhatdidJesususetorespondtothetemptations?

Whatdoesthiseventteachusabouthowwecanorshouldrespondtotemptation?

WhydoyouthinkSatanquotedtheBibletoJesus?

WhydoyouthinkGodallowedSatantotemptJesus?

WhyisitimportanttonotethatSatanleftJesus(hedepartedforatime)?






Memoryverses


1:1–NIV).






Chapter8

JesusandHisFirstDisciples

Review:

ThepreviousstoryinthisseriestellsaboutthetemptationofJesus.HerespondedtoeachtestwithwhattheBiblesays.ThisdemonstratestheimportanceoftheBibleinJesuslife

andhisknowledgeofwhatitsays.


Jesus.Thereweretwofoundationalelementspresented:1)JesusisGodandlimitedhimselfforatimebybecomingaman;and2)Jesuslivedonearthasamanwithoutcommittingany


Background:

ThestoryfortodayisaboutsomeofthefirstfollowersofJesusandhowtheyrecognizedhimastheMessiah.ThestorybeginswithJohntheBaptist.Hehadbeenteachingand

preachinginthewildernessacrosstheJordanRiverfromJerusalem.HehadbeenbaptizingintheJordanRiverandhadjustrecentlybaptizedJesus.

TheBook(orGospel)ofJohntellsustheeventsthathappedonconsecutivedays.ThefirstdayJohntheBaptistrespondstoquestionsfromthereligiousleaders.Theseconddayhe

tellshisdisciples(followers)thatJesusistheMessiahandtellswhathesawwhenhebaptizedJesus.Thisstorywillbeginwiththissecondday.

StoryfromtheBible:

John1:29-51


JohntheBaptistsawJesuscomingtowardshimandsaid;"HereistheLambofGod,whotakesawaythesinoftheworld!ThisistheOneItold

youabout:'Aftermecomesamanwhohassurpassedme,becauseHeexistedbefore

me.'Ididn'tknowHim,butIcamebaptizingwithwatersoHemightberevealedtoIsrael."(John1:30-31-NIV)

JohntoldhowhehadseentheSpiritofGodcomedownfromheavenlikeadoveandit

landedonJesus.JohnsaidthatGodhadrevealedtohimthatthiswouldbethesignofthe

SonofGod(theMessiah).HesaidhewouldbetheonewhowouldbaptizewiththeHolySpirit.

Thenextday,Johnwaswithtwoofhisfollowers(disciples)whenhesawJesuspassingby.Hesaid,"Look!TheLambofGod!"




John'stwodisciplesheardhimsaythisandfollowedJesus.WhenJesusturnedandnoticed

themfollowingHim,Heaskedthem,"Whatareyoulookingfor?"TheysaidtoHim,"Rabbi"(whichmeans"Teacher"),"whereareYoustaying?"

Jesusinvitedthemsaying,"Comeandyou'llsee."SotheywentandsawwhereHewas

staying,andtheystayedwithHimthatday.Itwasabout10inthemorning.OneofthemwasAndrew,SimonPeter'sbrother.Hewentandfoundhisbrotherandtold

himthathehadfoundtheMessiah.AndrewbroughthisbrotherSimontoJesus.

WhenJesussawSimonhesaid,"YouareSimon,sonofJohn.YouwillbecalledCephas."

(whichmeans"Rock").

ThenextdayJesusdecidedtoleaveforGalilee.HefoundPhilipandinvitedhimtocome

andfollowhim.PhilipwasfromthetownofBethsaida,whichwasalsothehometownofAndrewandPeter.

PhilipfoundNathanaelandtoldhimthattheyhadfoundtheMessiah.HetoldhimhewasJesus,thesonofJoseph,fromNazareth.Nathanaelaskedifanythinggoodcouldcomeoutof

Nazareth.Philipjustsaid,"Comeandsee."

WhenJesussawNathanaelcomingtowardHim,Jesussaid,"HereisatrueIsraelite;no

deceitisinhim."NathanaelaskedJesushowheknewhim.Jesusresponded,"BeforePhilipcalledyou,whenyouwereunderthefigtree,Isawyou."

Nathanaelreplied,"Rabbi,"youaretheSonofGod!YouaretheKingofIsrael!"

Jesusrespondedtohim,"Doyoubelieve[only]becauseItoldyouIsawyouunderthefigtree?Youwillseegreaterthingsthanthis."ThenHesaid,"Iassureyou:Youwillsee

heavenopenedandtheangelsofGodascendinganddescendingontheSonofMan."


Retellingthestory:



Questions:


story.Theobjectiveisthattheparticipantsinternalizethestoryinordertoliveasafaithful


eachstudygroup.




WhatdidJohntheBaptistmeanwhenhesawJesusandsaid,"HereistheLambofGod,whotakesawaythesinoftheworld!"?

WhatdidJohnsayaboutthebaptismofJesus?

WhatdidthetwofollowersofJohntheBaptistdowhenJohnpointedoutJesusandcalledhimtheLambofGod?

WhodidAndrewbringtoJesus?

WhatnamedidJesusgivetoSimonPeter?

WhodidPhilipbringtoJesus?

WhatdidJesustellNathanaelthatconvincedhimthatJesuswastheMessiah?

WhatdidJesussaythatNathanaelwouldsee?

WhohaveyoubroughttoJesus?

WhoshouldyoubringtoJesustoday?(writetheirnamesdown)



Memoryverses:


1:1–NIV).

TheWordbecamefleshandmadehisdwellingamongus.Wehaveseenhisglory,thegloryoftheoneandonlySon,whocamefromtheFather,fullofgraceandtruth.(John1:14–

NIV)





Chapter9

JesusTurnsWaterintoWineReview:

ThepreviousstoryinthisseriestellsaboutthefirstfollowerofJesus.TheyrecognizedJesusastheMessiah.AndrewandPhilipeachbroughtsomeonetoJesus.




Background:

ThestoryfortodayisaboutthefirstrecordedmiracleofJesusduringhislifeonearth.It

occursataweddinginCana,atowninGalilee.Scholarsdonotallagreeontheexactlocationofthisancienttown.Inspiteofthisuncertainty,itisgenerallyagreedthatCana

wasnotfarfromNazareth.

StoryfromtheBible:

John2:1-12


TherewasaweddinginCanaofGalilee.Jesusandsomeofhisfollowersattendedthe

wedding.Jesus'motherwastherealso.

Duringtheweddingfeast,theyranoutofwine.Jesus'mothertoldJesusthatthewinehadrunout.

Jesusrespondedbyaskingherwhysheinvolvedhiminthisproblem.Hetoldherthathistimehadnotcomeyet.Jesus'mothertoldtheservantstodowhateverhe(Jesus)toldthem

todo.

Thereweresixstonewaterjarsnearby.Thesewerejarsusedforceremonialwashingand

wouldeachholdabouttwentytothirtygallons.

Jesustoldtheservantstofillthejarstothebrimwithwater.Sotheydid.

Thenhetoldthem,“Nowdrawsomeoutandtakeittothemasterofthebanquet.”Theydid

whatJesushadsaid.Whenthemasterofthebanquettastedit,thewaterhadbeenturned

intowine.Hedidnotknowwherethiswinehadcomefrom,buttheservantdid.Themasterofthebanquetcalledthegroomasideandsaidtohim,“Everyonebringsoutthechoice




winefirstandthenthecheaperwineaftertheguestshavehadtoomuchtodrink;butyou

havesavedthebesttillnow.”

ThiswasthefirstmiracleofJesusandwasasignthathewastheMessiah.Hisdisciplessawthisandbelievedinhim.

ThisconcludesthisstoryfromtheBible.

Retellingthestory:



Questions:

Thequestionsanddiscussionshouldbefocusedbeyondknowledgeabouttheeventsinthestory.TheobjectiveisthattheparticipantsinternalizethestoryinordertoliveasafaithfulfollowerofJesus.SuccessiswhentheparticipantsliveoutthecommandsofJesusandlive


WhydidJesushesitatetodosomethingaboutthefactthattheyhadrunoutofwineatthewedding,evenwhenhismothertoldhimabouttheproblem?

HowdidJesusaddresstheproblemoftheshortageofwine?

HowmanyjarsofwaterdidJesusturnintowine?

Abouthowmuchdideachjarhold?

(Sixjars-about20or30gallonseach-equals120-180gallonsofwine)

DoesthisstorymeanthatJesusendorsesthedrinkingofwine?

Whatwasthepurposeofthismiracle?

DidJesushonorhismotherwithwhathedid?

HowdidthismiracleimpactJesus'disciples?






Memoryverses


1:1–NIV).






Chapter10

JesusClearsOuttheTempleCourtsfortheFirstTimeReview:

ThepreviousstoryinthisseriestellsaboutthefirstrecordedmiracleofJesus.ItoccurredataweddinginthetownofCanaofGalilee.Jesusturnedwaterintowine.Hisearlydisciples

believedinJesusbecauseofthismiracle.




Background:

ThisstorytellsaboutthefirsttimeJesusrunsthesellersandmoneychangersouttheTemple.Hedoessomethingsimilarasecondtimelaterinhisministry(seeMatthew21:12-

13).

StoryfromtheBible:

John2:13-22


JesuswenttoJerusalem.ItwasalmosttimefortheJewishPassover.Whenheenteredthe

templecourtshefoundpeoplesellingcattle,sheepanddoves.Healsofoundotherpeoplesittingattablesexchangingmoney.

Jesusmadeawhipoutofcordsanddroveallthecattleandsheepfromthetemplecourts.

Hescatteredthecoinsofthemoneychangersandturnedovertheirtables.Hetoldthose

whosolddovestogetthemoutofthetemple.Hetoldthem,"StopturningmyFather'shouseintoamarket!"

ThereligiousleadersaskJesus,“Whatsigncanyoushowustoproveyouhaveauthoritytodoallthis?”

Jesusansweredthem,“Destroythistemple,andIwillraiseitagaininthreedays.”

Theyreplied,“Ithastakenforty-sixyearstobuildthistemple,andyouaregoingtoraiseitinthreedays?”

TheyweretalkingaboutthebuildingsbutJesuswastalkingabouthisphysicalbody.Itwasn'tuntilafterJesuswasraisedfromthedeadthathisdisciplesunderstoodwhathe

meant.Itwasn'tuntilthenthattheybelievedwhatJesushadsaid.




WhilehewasinJerusalematthePassoverFestival,manypeoplesawthemiracleshewasperformingandbelievedinhim.ButJesusknewallpeopleanddidnotentrusthimselfto

them.

ThisconcludesthisstoryfromtheBible.Retellingthestory:



Questions:


story.TheobjectiveisthattheparticipantsinternalizethestoryinordertoliveasafaithfulfollowerofJesus.SuccessiswhentheparticipantsliveoutthecommandsofJesusandlivelikeJesusintheirdailylife.Therefore,thequestionsshouldbeadaptedtotheuniquenessof

eachstudygroup.

WhatdidJesusfindinthetenplecourts?

WhywasJesusupsetwiththepeople?

JesusreferstotheTemple,includingthetemplecourts,ashisFather'shouse.Inwhatstory

didJesusalsodescribethetempleas"hisFather'shouse?"

WhatdidthereligiousleadersaskJesus?

WhatsigndidJesustellthereligiousleadersthathewouldgivethem?("Destroythistemple,andIwillraiseitagaininthreedays.”)

WhendidJesus'disciplesunderstandwhatJesussaid?("Destroythistemple,andIwill

raiseitagaininthreedays.”)

WhydoyouthinkthatJesusdidnotentrusthimselftohisnewfollowers?

WhatdoesthiseventteachusaboutGod?


Memoryverses


1:1–NIV).





NIV)





Chapter11

JesusandNicodemusReview:

ThepreviousstoryinthisseriestellsaboutJesusdrivingtheanimalandmoneychangersoutoftheTemplecourts.Jesusmadeawhipoutofcordsanddrovetheanimalsout.He

overturnedthetablesofthemoneychangers.ThisoccurredduringthePassoverFestival.

Thefirststoryinthisseriesprovidedanoverviewandbackgroundtthestudyofthelifeof



Background:

NicodemuswasaPhariseeandaJewishreligiousleader.HehadheardaboutJesusanddecidedtoseehimface-to-face.Thestoryisabouttheirmeetingandtheconversationthat

tookplace.

JesususesaneventfromJewishhistoryinhisexplanationtoNicodemus.Theeventoccured

whentheJewishpeoplewereinthewildernessontheirwayfromEgypttothePromisedLand.ThepeoplewerecomplainingandGodsentpoisonoussnakesamongthemandmany

died.GodtoldMosestomakeabronzesnakeandputitontopofapoleinthemiddleofthecamp.Ifsomeonewasbittenbyoneofthesnakes,theyweretolookupatthebronzesnake

andtheywouldnotdie.(Numbers21:4-9)

Thisstoryincludesaveryfamiliarverse,John3:16.

StoryfromtheBible:

John3:1-21


NicodemuswasaPharisee.HewasaJewishreligiousleader.HewenttomeetJesusatnightwhennooneelsewouldbearound.

HespoketoJesuswithgreatrespectbycallinghim"Rabbi."Hesaid,"weknowthatyou

havecomefromGodasateacher,fornoonecouldperformthesesignsYoudounlessGod

werewithhim."

Jesusreplied,"Iassureyou:Unlesssomeoneisbornagain,hecannotseethekingdomof

God."




Nicodemusdidnotunderstandandhewasthinkingliterally.Heasked,"Buthowcan

anyonebebornwhenheisold?Canheenterhismother'swombasecondtimeandbeborn?"

JesusknewNicodemuswastryingtounderstandandheexplaineditbysaying,"Iassure

you:UnlesssomeoneisbornofwaterandtheSpirit,hecannotenterthekingdomofGod.Whateverisbornofthefleshisflesh,andwhateverisbornoftheSpiritisspirit"

Jesuswentontosay,"DonotbeamazedthatItoldyouthatyoumustbebornagain.The

windblowswhereitpleases,andyouhearitssound,butyoudon'tknowwhereitcomesfromorwhereitisgoing.SoitiswitheveryonebornoftheSpirit."

Nicodemuswasstillconfusedandasked,"Howcanthesethingsbe?"

Jesusaskedhim,"AreyouateacherofIsraelanddon'tknowthesethings?"

Jesusexplainsthatheisspeakingaboutthingsheknowsandhasseen,buthepointsoutthatNicodemusdoesnotacceptwhatheissaying.Jesusgoesontosaythatifhedoesnotbelievethethingshesaysaboutthingsonearth,howwillheeverbelieveanythinghesays

aboutthethingsofheaven?

Jesusexplainsthattheonlyonewhohasascendedintoheavenistheonewhocamefrom

heaven,theSonofMan(theMessiah).Healsosaid,"JustasMosesliftedupthesnakeinthewilderness,sotheSonofManmustbeliftedup,sothateveryonewhobelievesinHimwill

haveeternallife."

Jesussaid,"ForGodlovedtheworldinthisway:HegaveHisOneandOnlySon,sothat

everyonewhobelievesinHimwillnotperishbuthaveeternallife.ForGoddidnotsendHisSonintotheworldthatHemightjudgetheworld,butthattheworldmightbesaved

throughHim.AnyonewhobelievesinHimisnotjudged,butanyonewhodoesnotbelieve

isalreadyjudged,becausehehasnotbelievedinthenameoftheOneandOnlySonofGod."

Jesussaid,"This,then,isthejudgment:thelighthascomeintotheworld,andpeopleloveddarknessratherthanthelightbecausetheirdeedswereevil.Foreveryonewhopractices

wickedthingshatesthelightandavoidsit,sothathisdeedsmaynotbeexposed.But

anyonewholivesbythetruthcomestothelight,sothathisworksmaybeshowntobeaccomplishedbyGod."


Retellingthestory:






Questions:




WhatdoesJesusmeanwhenhetellsNicodemus"youmustbebornagain?"

HowdidNicodemusrespondtoJesus'statement,"youmustbebornagain?"

WhydoyouthinkNicodemusdidnotunderstand?

Whatdoesitmeantobebornofwater?

Whatdoesitmeantobebornofthespiritortobebornspiritually?HowisJesusliftedup?

CanweliftJesusup?Ifso,how?

WhyisJohn3:16quotedsooften?

WhatdoyouthinkJesusmeantwhenhesaid,"peopleloveddarknessratherthanthelightbecausetheirdeedswereevil?"



Memoryverses


1:1–NIV).


oftheoneandonlySon,whocamefromtheFather,fullofgraceandtruth.(John1:14–

NIV)





Chapter12

JesusandTheSamaritanWomanReview:

ThepreviousstoryinthisseriestellsaboutaconversationbetweenJesusandNicodemus.ItincludesoneofthemostquotedversesintheBible,John3:16.JesustoldNicodemus,

"Youmustbebornagain."




Background:

ThisstorytellsofJesusinacross-culturalsituation.HemeetsaSamaritanwoman.TheSamaritanswerehatedbytheJews.WomenwerealsolookeddownuponinJesus'dayand

notgivenequalstandingwithmen.

StoryfromtheBible:

John4:1-42


WhenJesuswasbecomingwellknownandhadmorefollowersthanJohntheBaptist,he

leftJudeaandwentbacktoGalilee.TravelingthroughSamariawasthemostdirectroute.

JesuscametoaSamaritantowncalledSycharwhichisneartothepropertythatJacobgavehissonJoseph.Jacob'swellwasthere.

Jesuswastiredfromthejourneyandhesatdownatthewell.Itwasaboutnoon.Hisdiscipleswentintothetowntobuyfoodwhileherestedthere.

ASamaritanwomancametodrawwater.Jesusaskedhertogivehimadrink.

SheaskedJesus,"HowisitthatYou,aJew,askforadrinkfromme,aSamaritanwoman?"SheaskedthisbecauseJewsdonotassociatewithSamaritans,especiallyawoman.

Jesusanswered,"IfyouknewGod'sgiftandwhoIam,youwouldbeaskingmeandIwouldgiveyoulivingwater."

Shedidnotunderstandhisresponse.Shesaid,"Youdon'tevenhaveabucket,andthewellisdeep.Sowheredoyougetthis'livingwater'?Youaren'tgreaterthanourfatherJacob,

areyou?Hegaveusthewellanddrankfromithimself,asdidhissonsandlivestock."




Jesussaid,"Everyonewhodrinksfromthiswaterwillgetthirstyagain.ButwhoeverdrinksfromthewaterthatIwillgivehimwillnevergetthirstyagain—ever!Infact,thewaterI

willgivehimwillbecomeawellofwaterspringingupwithinhimforeternallife."

Shesaid,"Sir,givemethiswatersoIwon'tgetthirstyandhavetocomeheretodrawwater."

Jesustoldher,"Gocallyourhusband,andcomebackhere."

Shereplied,"Idon'thaveahusband."

Jesusthensaid,"Youwererightwhenyousaid,'Idon'thaveahusband,'Foryou'vehadfive

husbands,andthemanyounowhaveisnotyourhusband.Whatyouhavesaidistrue."

"Sir,"thewomanreplied,"Iseethatyouareaprophet.Ourfathersworshipedonthis

mountain,yetyouJewssaythattheplacetoworshipisinJerusalem."Jesustoldher,"BelieveMe,woman,anhouriscomingwhenyouwillworshiptheFather

neitheronthismountainnorinJerusalem.YouSamaritansworshipwhatyoudonotknow.Weworshipwhatwedoknow,becausesalvationisfromtheJews.Butatimeiscoming,

andisnowhere,whenthetrueworshiperswillworshiptheFatherinspiritandtruth.Yes,

theFatherwantssuchpeopletoworshipHim.Godisspirit,andthosewhoworshipHimmustworshipinspiritandtruth."

ThewomansaidtoJesus,"IknowthatMessiahiscoming.WhenHecomes,Hewillexplain

everythingtous."

Jesussaidtoher,"IamtheMessiah,theonespeakingtoyou."

Justthenhisdisciplesarrived,andtheywereamazedthathewasgoingagainstthecustomsandwastalkingwithawoman.But,theydidn'taskhimaboutit.

Thenthewomanleftherwaterjar,wentintotown,andtoldthemen,"Come,seeaman

whotoldmeeverythingIeverdid!CouldthisbetheMessiah?"Theyleftthetownandmade

theirwaytoHim.

InthemeantimethediscipleskepturgingJesustoeatsomething.ButJesussaid,"Ihave

foodtoeatthatyoudon'tknowabout."

Thedisciplessaidtooneanother,"CouldsomeonehavebroughtHimsomethingtoeatwhileweweregone?"

Jesussaid,"Myfoodistodothewillofhimwhosentmeandtofinishhiswork."Jesustoldthem."Don'tyousay,'Therearestillfourmoremonths,thencomestheharvest'?Listento

whatI'mtellingyou:Openyoureyesandlookatthefields,fortheyarereadyforharvest.




Thereaperisalreadyreceivingpayandgatheringfruitforeternallife,sothesowerand

reapercanrejoicetogether.

ManySamaritansfromthetownbelievedinJesusbecauseofwhatthewomansaid.TheybelievedherwhenshesaidthatJesushadtoldhereverythingshehadeverdone.

Therefore,whentheSamaritanscametoHim,theyaskedHimtostaywiththem,andHestayedtheretwodays.ManymorebelievedbecauseofwhatHesaid.Andtheytoldthe

woman,"Wenolongerbelievebecauseofwhatyousaid,forwehaveheardforourselves

andknowthatthisreallyistheSavioroftheworld."

ThisconcludesthisstoryfromtheBible.

Retellingthestory:



Questions:




WhydidJesusreturntoGalilee?

WhydidJesusstopatthewell?

Wheredidthedisciplesgo?

WhatwasthefirstthingJesusaskofthewoman?

HowdidthewomanrespondwhenJesusaskedherforwatertodrink?

WhatkindofwaterdidJesusofferthewoman?Whatwasherresponse?

WhatdidJesustellhertodowhensheaskedforthelivingwaterheoffered?

WhydoyouthinkJesustoldhertogoandgetherhusband?

Whatwasthewoman'sresponsewhenJesustoldhertogoandgetherhusband?

WhatdidJesussaywhenthewomansaidthatshedidnothaveahusband?




ThewomanrecognizedJesusasaprophetbecauseheknewaboutherfivehusbandsandthemanshewaslivingwithnowthatwasnotherhusband.Whydoyouthinksheasked

Jesusaboutwheretoworship?(thismountainorJerusalem).

WhatdidJesussayaboutworship?Whodidthewomansaywouldanswerthequestion?

WhydidJesuswaitsolongtotellherhewastheMessiah?

WhatdidthewomandowhenJesustoldherhewastheMessiah?

Werethedisciplessurprisedwhentheyreturnedandfoundhimtalkingtoawoman?

WhatdidthedisciplesaskJesustodo?(eat)Whatwashisresponse?Whywerethey

confusedbyhisresponse?WhatwasJesus'completeresponse?WhydidmanySamaritansbelieveinJesus?

HowlongdidJesusstaythereandwhyisthatsignificant?



Memoryverses


1:1–NIV).







Chapter13

JesusRejectedinNazarethReview:

ThepreviousstoryinthisseriestellsaboutJesusmeetingaSamaritanwomanatawellinSamaria.HeidentifiedhimselfastheMessiah.Hetoldthewomanaboutherpastmarriages

andthatshewascurrentlylivingwithamanthatwasnotherhusband.ThewomantoldotherswhatJesuswasabletotellherandbroughtmanypeopletomeetJesus.Hestayed

withthemfortwodays.ThisstoryshowshowJesusbridgedsocialandculturalbarriers.




Background:

ThesettingforthisstoryisthetownofNazareth.Jesuslivedthereduringhischildhoodandonintohisearlyadultlife.Thetownwassmallenoughtoalloweveryonetoknow

everybody.

InthisstoryJesusreadsfromIsaiahandtellsthepeopleheistheonetheseversesare

talkingabout.HealsomentionsElijahandElisha.Thesewerefamiliarstoriestothen.

JesusisrejectedinNazarethforasecondtime.

Mathew13:54-58andMark6:1-6

StoryfromtheBible:

Luke4:14-30


JesusarrivedinGalileeandthenewsabouthimspreadthroughoutthearea.Hewas

teachinginthesynagogues(Jewishhousesofworship).Hewasbecomingwellknown.

HewenttoNazareth,thetownhehadlivedinwhilegrowingup.HewenttothesynagogueontheSabbathdayasheusuallydid.Hestooduptoread.ThescrolloftheprophetIsaiah

wasgiventohim.Heunrolledthescrollandfoundtheplaceandread:

"TheSpiritoftheLordisonMe,becauseHehasanointedMetopreachgoodnewstothepoor.HehassentMetoproclaimfreedomtothecaptivesandrecoveryofsight

totheblind,tosetfreetheoppressed,toproclaimtheyearoftheLord'sfavor."

Whenhehadfinishedreading,herolledupthescroll,gaveitbacktotheattendant,andsat

down.Everybodywaswaitingandlistening.




JesusbeganbytellingthemthattheScripturehehadjustreadwasfulfilledthatday.

Theywereamazed,andeventhoughtheyspokewellofhim,theystillasked,"Isn'tthisJoseph'sson?"

Jesussaidtothem,"Nodoubtyouwillquotethisproverbtome:'Doctor,healyourself.''Allwe'veheardthattookplaceinCapernaum,dohereinyourhometownalso.'"

Jesusalsosaidtothem,"Iassureyou:Noprophetisacceptedinhishometown."

ButIsaytoyou,therewerecertainlymanywidowsinIsraelinElijah'sdays,whentheskywasshutupforthreeyearsandsixmonthswhileagreatfaminecameoveralltheland.Yet

Elijahwasnotsenttoanyofthem,insteadhewassenttoawidowatZarephathinSidon.

AndintheprophetElisha'stime,thereweremanyinIsraelwhohadseriousskindiseases,yetnotoneofthemwashealed,insteadNaamantheSyrianwashealed"

ThepeopleofNazarethwerefuriousbecauseofwhathesaid.Theydrovehimoutoftownandtookhimtotheedgeofthehillthetownwasbuiltonandintendedtothrowhimoffthe

cliff.Buthepassedrightthroughthecrowdandheleft.


Retellingthestory:


tothestoryfromtheBible.Wedonotwanttoaddtoitorleaveoutanythingimportant.


Questions:



likeJesusintheirdailylife.Therefore,thequestionsshouldbeadaptedtotheuniquenessof

eachstudygroup.

DidJesusgotothesynagogueregularly?Why?

Doesachurchhavetobeperfectforustocommittoattendregularly?

WhydoyouthinkJesuswasnotacceptedbythepeopleofNazareth?

WhydidJesusgothereifheknewhewouldberejected?

WhatwasJesussayingtothemwhenhementionedthemiraclesdonebyElijahandElisha?



WhatdoesJesus'statement,"Noprophetisacceptedinhishometown."meantoustoday?

Canyouthinkofasituationwherethisstorymightbehelpfultotell?

WhatdoesthisteachusaboutGod?Whatshouldwedoinresponsetotheseteachings?

Memoryverses

InthebeginningwastheWord,andtheWordwaswithGod,andtheWordwasGod.(John1:1–NIV).


NIV)WhoeverclaimstoliveinhimmustliveasJesusdid.(1John2:6–NIV)

The Life of Jesus - Part 1

Documents

Transcript of The Life of Jesus - Part 1