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 create a safe place to share by making sure that what is said in your group stays in your group
- Respect – allow for differing opinions and experiences
- Collaboration – give everyone an opportunity to share
- Prayer – pray for each other throughout the week
Personal Study
- The more you put into this study the more you will get out of it.
- Challenge yourself each week to complete as much of the Personal Study section as you can.
- Bring your questions and insights to your small group to discuss. We can’t wait to hear what God is teaching you!
SCHEDULE
Week 1
Introduction
Mike Hipsley
Week 2
I AM the Bread of Life
Dennis Perez | John 6
Week 3
I AM the Light of the World
Jolita Peterson | John 8/9
Week 4
I AM the Good Shepherd
Karrie Barbour | John 10
Week 5
I AM the Resurrection and the Life
Mike Hipsley | John 11
Week 6
I AM the Way, the Truth, and the Life
Anne Blanchette | John 14
Week 7
I AM the Vine
Sarah Butler | John 15
Week 8
I AM He
Jeremy Watts | John 18
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 Resurrection and the Life
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...
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...