The Resurrection and the Life

by | Jul 19, 2020 | I AM, Study

Study Guide Download

Week 5

Last week we discovered in John 10 Jesus’ claim that He is the Good Shepherd.

John 10:14-15
“14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.”

Jesus made these claims after He had been confronted by the Pharisees for healing a blind man on the Sabbath in John 9. Jesus was showing Himself to be the Good Shepherd of Israel promised in Ezekiel 34. He was also showing that it was the Pharisees who were truly blind because they did not know their Shepherd.

After yet another confrontation with the Pharisees at the Feast of Dedication or Festival of Lights, He again exposed the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. In frustration, the Jews demand that Jesus tell them plainly if He is the Christ. Jesus then makes the startling claim that He and the Father are one. Through numerous encounters with the Jewish leaders, Jesus has been describing His close and intimate relationship with the Father; they are unified not only in essence but also in purpose. As in chapter 8, Jesus’ claim of unity with the Father outraged the Pharisees. They accused Him of blasphemy because He was equating Himself to God and tried to arrest Him. As a result, Jesus is forced to flee with His disciples across the Jordan and into the wilderness.

As we begin John 11, Jesus is still in the wilderness taking refuge from the rage of the Pharisees. In this chapter, Jesus will perform one of His greatest miracles and will continue to display that His purpose is to glorify the Father (John 11:4). He will make an incredibly bold claim about His power over death and life (John 11:25). We will also see Him engage difficult life circumstances with tremendous compassion and grieve with people that are close to Him, that He loves (John 11:28-36).

Observation

What does the text say?

This stage of learning involves reading repetitively to gain familiarity with the text and looking for detail. We look for any words or phrases that are repeated. We may need to use a dictionary to look up definitions of words we may not fully understand. We look for key transition words (if/then, therefore, but) and see how they connect the text. We write out any questions that arise because it is okay to have questions as you study.

Interpretation

What does the text mean?

This stage of learning involves inferring things from the text beyond what it says. While it is easy to read a blog or listen to a sermon and get the answer, we want to use our own minds in this process. We do our best to answer, allowing Scripture to interpret Scripture. We look up cross-references to better answer the question, “what does this mean?”

Application

How should this change me?

While we are now looking at how to apply the text to ourselves, this stage of learning is drawn from a God-centered perspective. We ask questions like- What does this teach me about God? Is there an example to follow? Is there a sin to avoid? Is there a promise to claim? While it is more natural for us to look at others and how the text would apply to them, we must apply the text to ourselves first and foremost. It is only after our own personal application that we are equipped to share how it works in the lives of others.

I AM HE

Study Guide Download Week 8 Throughout our study, we have looked at seven of Jesus’ “I AM” Statements in the Gospel of John: I AM the Bread of Life – John 6 I AM the Light of the World – John 8/9 I AM the Good Shepherd – John 10 I AM the Resurrection and the Life –...

The Vine

Study Guide Download Week 7 Last week we began looking at Jesus’ final words to His disciples in the Upper Room Discourse. In this section of John, Jesus gives His very last words to the disciples before going to the cross. He is preparing them for His death, but also...

The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Study Guide Download Week 6 Last week we studied Jesus’ claim, “I AM the resurrection and the life,” in John 11. John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and...

The Good Shepherd

Study Guide Download Week 4 Last week we examined John 8 in which Jesus proclaimed that He was the light of the world. John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Jesus made this proclamation...

Light of the World

Study Guide Download Week 3 Last week we examined John 6 in which Jesus proclaimed that He was the bread of life. John 6:35 “I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.” John 6:51 “I am the living bread...

The Bread of Life

Study Guide Download Week 2 Last week we were introduced to John’s Gospel and looked at an overview of Jesus’ “I AM” statements and their purpose. This week we’ll be looking at one particular “I AM” statement - Jesus’ claim that, “I AM the Bread of Life,” in John 6....

I AM Study Introduction

Study Guide Download Week 1 The “I AM” Statements in John are directly connected to his central purpose of establishing Jesus as the God who has come in the flesh to give us life. This gospel was written to establish Jesus’ credentials for the incredibly audacious...

How this study will work

Study Guide Download HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF THIS STUDY Small Group Time Your small group is a place to share what you have been learning and to build community. Small groups are most effective when members follow some simple guidelines: Confidentiality – help...