JOHN 7

The theme of this chapter is the controversy that continually went on over the question "Who is He?"

Read 7:1-52.

1. List the factors that contributed to the people's bafflement on this question, as indicated in the following verses: •John 7:14-15
• John 7:19-20
• John 7:25-27
• John 7:31
• John 7:40-44
• John 7:46-49
• John 7:52

2. To what extent did their confusion result from their preconceived notions about the Messiah? Where do you suppose these preconceptions originated?
Note: Ignorance of the Scriptures and/or failure to understand them (Luke 24:25-27); religious traditions (Mark 7:6-9).

3. Do you think people have similar misconceptions to deal with today before they can come to understand Jesus Christ? What are some of those misconceptions?

4. What clues do you find in this chapter that suggest Jesus was divine?


Note:
• John 7:15-16,46—His wisdom
• John 7:28-29—What He Himself claimed to be
• John 7:31—His signs
• John 7:33-34—His prediction of His resurrection
• John 7:37-39—His claims to give life to others
• John 7:41-42—The prophets

5. What impresses you about the offer Jesus makes in 7:37-39?
a. To whom did He make it?
b. What kind of thirst was He talking about? (See 4:13-14,6:35; Isaiah 55:1-3.)
c. Exactly what was He offering? (See John 14:25-26, Romans 8:9.)
d. How does one respond to this offer? (See Revelation 3:20.)

6. The guards were impressed with Christ's words. How did the authorities try to diminish this impression (John 7:48-49)?

7. What point was raised by Nicodemus, and how did the authorities react to it (7:50-52)?

8. What attitude would you say characterized the authorities? How does this attitude affect objective thinking? (See Psalm 10:4.)

9. What do you think about Nicodemus?