Welcome to: Bible Study - Lesson #6  
 

The Telescopic Approach to Bible Study

Opening Observation

To gain an overview of a long and involved Bible book, it is sometimes best to read it in one sitting. John's Gospel can be read in about an hour.

 
 

The Purpose of John's Gospel

John tells us why he wrote his gospel:

“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30 –31

 
 

Themes in John's Gospel

It's useful to keep the major themes in mind, as you read John.

Eternal life

 

John links eternal life with the “new birth” and with the “second birth.”

 

John 1:4, 12 –13; 3:3–7, 16, 36; 5:21, 24–29; 6:27, 40, 47, 54, 57–58, 68; 10:28; 11:25; 12:25, 50; 17:2–3

 

The Holy Spirit

 

John talks more about the Holy Spirit than the other three gospel writers. The Holy Spirit is spoken of as the one who takes the place of Jesus, after Jesus returns to the Father.

 

John 1:32 –33; 3:5–6, 8, 34; 4:23–24; 6:63; 7:37–39; 14:16–17, 25–26; 16:7–15; 20:22

 

Jesus died for sinners

 

John concentrates on why Jesus had to die, and on the great love which motivated him in this.

 

John 1:29, 36; 2:19 –22; 3:14–17; 6:51, 53–56; 8:28; 10:11, 15, 18; 11:50–52; 12:24, 27, 32–34; 15:13

 

 
 

Outline of John's Gospel

Introduction

 

John 1:1 –51

 

Jesus' work in Galilee, Judea and Samaria

 

John 2:1 –4:54

 

Jesus heals a lame man on the Sabbath

 

John 5:1 –47

 

Jesus feeds five thousand people

 

John 6:1 –71

 

Jesus meets opposition at the Feast of Tabernacles

 

John 7:1 –9:41

 

Jesus is the Good Shepherd

 

John 10:1 –42

 

Jesus is the life-restorer

 

John 11:1 –57

 

Jesus meets opposition entering Jerusalem

 

John 12:1 –50

 

Jesus in the upper room

 

John 13:1 –30

 

Jesus prepares for his departure

 

John 13:31 –16:33

 

Jesus prays for his followers

 

John 17:1 –26

 

Jesus' arrest, trials, and crucifixion

 

John 18:1 –19:42

 

Jesus' resurrection

 

John 20:1 –21:25

 

 
 

Read through John's Gospel again

• This time, watch for the words “belief” and “faith,” and words related to them. These words, and associated words, appear nearly 100 times in John's Gospel.

    
    Source: Water, M. (1998). Bible Study made easy . The Made Easy Series (16–17). Alresford, Hampshire: John Hunt Publishers Ltd.