Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
CLASS TEN: Jesus: Light of the World
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen to John 8:1-59
a. What are your initial impressions or Notable translation differences?
III. An Adulteress Forgiven (7:53-8:11)
a. The most ancient Greek manuscripts do not include Jn. 7:53–8:11. In the ones that do include this section it is found in various places: most place it after John 7:52 but others after 7:36; 7:44; 21:25; or even Luke 21:38. Though most likely not part of John’s original gospel, it is beyond a doubt an authentic fragment of apostolic tradition. It is most likely historical oral tradition that circulated in parts of the Western Church through early church fathers like Jerome, Ambrose, and Augustine around the mid 300’s to 400 A.D.
b. This passage gives us a four-fold picture of Jesus:
i. (7:53-8:2) His Humility
ii. (vv. 3-8) His Wisdom (Lev. 20:10; Deut. 22:22; Jeremiah 17:13; Psalm 90:8)
iii. (vs. 9a) His Indictment
iv. (vv. 9b-11) His Forgiveness
IV. Jesus: The Light of the World (vv. 12-20)
a. Read John 7:52 and then 8:12.
Jesus would still be focused on the Feast of Tabernacle observances. He was teaching in the temple treasury, which was located in the Court of Women. This is the same place Jesus would later observe a poor widow offering her 2 small copper coins (Mark 12:41-44; Luke 21:1-4). It was a busy place and ideal for His teaching.
The Sanhedrin met in a nearby hall within earshot of Jesus’ voice. In the festival observance, the daily pouring of water from the pool of Siloam had its nightly counterpart in the lamp-lighting ceremony. In the Court of Women, four large candelabra were lit, pushing light up into the night sky like a bright search light (Exodus 13:21-22). It’s in this setting that Jesus proclaims, “I am the Light of the World.”
b. (vs. 12) By making this statement Jesus was clearly claiming to be God and Messiah. (Ps. 27:1; Isa. 42:6; 49:6; 60:1-3, 19-20; Mal. 4:2; 1 John 1:5)
c. (vs. 13) The Pharisees are thinking of Num. 35:30 and Deut. 17:6.
d. (vv. 14-19) What 4 ways does Jesus offer credibility to His claim?
e. (vs. 20) Another variance of “My time has not yet come.”
V. Jesus Predicts His Departure (vv. 21-29)
a. Verse 24 is probably the most important verse in this section.
b. What else stands out to you in Jesus’ words here?
VI. The Truth Will Set You Free (vv. 30-36)
a. If these Jews believed Jesus why do you think they debate Him here? What part of their defense is not true?
b. What does enslave people and how is Jesus the remedy?
VII. Who is Your Father? (vv. 37-47)
a. There was pride in being children of Abraham (Ps. 105:6; Isa. 41:8-9).
b. Physical descent from Abraham is not enough to establish one’s spiritual lineage. (Jeremiah 9:25-26; Romans 2:28-29; 9:6-8; Gal. 3:6-14)
c. Children of God are born through faith, not flesh. (John 1:12-13; 3:3-8)
d. (vv. 43-47) What are the two main character flaws of the Devil? What evidence does Jesus mention that proves these Jews are not from God?
VIII. Jesus and Abraham (vv. 48-59)
a. (vv. 48-53) When they don’t agree with Jesus that claim He is demon-possessed, or worse, a Samaritan.
b. (vv. 54-56) What are the ramifications of Jesus’ words here? John will also later claim that Isaiah knew His glory (John 12:41).
c. (vv. 57-59) John includes statements where Jesus refers to himself as “I am” (6:20; 8:24, 28, 58; 18:5), a clear allusion to God’s identification as “I am” in Exodus 3:14.
IX. Application
a. Reflecting on this chapter, there are only two responses to Jesus’ claims: 1) Accept them as truth and gain eternal life, or 2) Reject them and suffer eternal damnation. (John 3:17-21; 8:24; Rev. 20:15)
b. Jesus is forgiving – He is not soft on sin. He told those forgiven to go and sin no more. He paid for our sin with His blood on the cross. (Romans 6:1-2; 1st Corinthians 15:56-57)
Final Comments, Questions. Close in Prayer
December 25th & January 1st * NO CLASS – CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S BREAK *
On January 8, 2025: The 6th Sign: Opening Blind Eyes
- Read John 9:1-41 to prepare.
