How long had the man been blind?
Who asked Jesus the question about who had sinned in the blind man’s life?
What was Jesus’ answer?
When must Jesus work the works of Him who sent Him? What happens at night?
As long as Jesus is in the world, what is the result?
What steps did Jesus take to heal the man?
Where was the man sent to wash? What happened?
What did the neighbors ask? What was the disagreement? How was this solved?
What question did they ask him? What was the answer?
Who did they bring the formerly blind man to?
What day was the man healed on?
What did the Pharisees ask him?
What argument did the Pharisees have for thinking that the healer was not from God?
What was the other side of the argument?
What did the Pharisees ask the man then? What was his answer?
What else did the Pharisees do to try to prove that the man had actually been healed?
What question did they ask his parents? What was their response?
Why did the man’s parents respond this way?
What did the Pharisees say when they called the formerly blind man in again?
What was his response?
How many times so far have people asked the man how he was healed?
What was the man’s response to their repeated question this time?
Whose disciples did the Pharisees say they were?
Who did they say spoke to Moses?
What was the problem they had with Jesus?
What was the formerly blind man’s reasoning about Jesus?
What was the Pharisees’ response?
Who found the man?
What question did He ask him?
What question did the man have for Jesus?
What was Jesus’ response?
Did the man believe Jesus?
Why did Jesus say He came into the world?
What did the Pharisees say to Jesus?
What was His answer?

Thought Questions

Why do you think people suffer: because of their sin, their parents’ or ancestors’ sins, none of the above, or a mixture of the above?
Was Jesus really answering the disciples’ question in verse 3? (In the Greek, the conjunction translated “that” often expresses a result, not only a cause, so it could be read either way.) See also John 11:4.
Do you believe God causes evil in order to reveal His goodness? What are some other options?
How can you put this principle to work in your life when you experience suffering?
Look at verse 4. What did Jesus mean by “day?” How about “night?” How should we feel this type of urgency when thinking about the work we should be doing for God in our lives?
Why do you think Jesus made mud for the man’s eyes and sent him to wash them, when at other times He healed people simply with His word? Read also 2 Kings 5:1-14.
What is the significance of the Sabbath in this particular story?
There are several instances in Jesus’ ministry where He healed and did good on the Sabbath, but the Jews thought that it was not legal. What is your concept of the Sabbath? How do you keep the Sabbath? How do you think God wants us to keep the Sabbath? Did Jesus ever give any indication that the Sabbath was no longer binding at all? (Read also the discussion in Matt. 12:1-14)
What would you say about Jesus if you were questioned by important leaders who were against Him?
What do you think of the formerly blind man’s words to the Pharisees? Would you have that much courage?
Why did the man ask who the Son of God was in verse 35? Had he ever seen Jesus’ face before that? What made him believe Jesus?
How do you explain verse 39 in the context of the previous discussion of John 5:22 and 8:15? Does the second half of the verse help you understand it? Are there different types of judgment? Is our personal choice involved–that is, can we judge ourselves on this earth in the light of Jesus? Read verses 40 and 41.

My prayer is:
that I would understand more of the character of God through an understanding of the suffering in this world;
that I would work while it is still day;
that Christ would purify me from sin, so my spiritual “eyes” might be opened to seeing Him more clearly.

Who was Jesus speaking to then?
What is the condition for being Jesus’ disciples?
What, then, will we know? What will be the result?
Whose descendants did they say they were? Who did they think they had been slaves to?
Who does Jesus say is a slave of sin?
What is the difference between a slave and a son?
Who will make us truly free?
What were the people trying to do? Why?
What does Jesus speak? What do the people do?
If the people were really children of Abraham, what would they do? What were they doing instead?
Now, who do the people claim is their one Father?
What would the people do if God were really their Father? Why?
Why can’t they understand?
Who does Jesus come out and say the people’s father is?
How does Jesus describe the devil? (2 things)
When the devil speaks a lie, where does the lie come from?
Why don’t the people believe Jesus?
Verse 49: What are the two things the Jews accused Jesus of?
What did He deny? How does He describe His work?
What will happen to those who keep His word?
What made these people think Jesus had a demon?
Who honors Jesus?
Who knows God? Why?
What did Abraham see?
Why did this confuse the Jews?
What statement did Jesus make that finally prompted the Jews to try to stone Him?
What happened then?

Thought Questions

Why do you think the Jews said they have never been in bondage to anyone? Obviously the Jewish nation had been in bondage several, if not many, times in their history–Egypt, Babylon, as well as their surrounding nations for briefer periods, and they were currently under the rule of the Romans. Were they also speaking spiritually? What did they have in mind?
Why did the people say they thought Jesus had a demon (vs. 48)? See John 7:20. At that point, was it common knowledge that there were people who were intent on killing Jesus? How did Jesus know this? If there ever comes a point in our experience where there are people who want to kill us for our beliefs, will we know ahead of time? How will we respond?
What does “Jesus’ word” refer to? Only His words that He spoke on earth then, or also the Scriptures which He inspired beforehand, which pointed to Him? How would this make a difference to the Jews? To you?
How can a person study the Scriptures carefully, and be exposed to God’s Word, yet “do the deeds of your father” the devil? What does that make you want to take care of in your life?
Who is your father–God or the devil? Whose works do you do (vs. 41)? Whose desires do you have (vs. 44)?
What did Jesus mean when He said that anyone who keeps His word will not taste death? Are there different kinds of death? (Hint: Rev. 20:6 & 14) What does the Bible say about the first death? (1 Thess. 4:14, 1 Cor. 15:51)

My prayer is:
that Jesus would release me from my slavery to sin;
that God would be my Father, and not the devil, because I would do the works of my Father;
and that I would truly hear God’s words because I am of God.

Who was Jesus speaking to again?
What does Jesus say He is?
What will happen to those who follow Him?
What did the Pharisees have to say about Jesus’ witness?
Why does Jesus say His witness is true? What does He know about Himself that the Pharisees don’t know?
How do the Pharisees judge? Does Jesus judge?
Why would Jesus’ judgement be true?
Who sent Jesus?
According to the law, how many witnesses are required for a testimony to be true?
Who are the two witnesses that Jesus refers to?
What did the Pharisees ask Him? What was His answer?
Where was He speaking? Why didn’t anyone lay hands on Him?
Would the Pharisees be able to go where Jesus was going? What would happen to them?
What did they think He meant that He was going to do?
Where are the Pharisees from? Where is Jesus from?
What was Jesus’ answer to the question, “Who are you?”
Who did Jesus speak for? Did they understand that?
What will happen that will make people understand that Jesus says and does nothing of Himself, just what his Father taught Him?
Is Jesus alone? Why?
What was the result of the words that Jesus had spoken then?

Thought Questions

Do you believe Jesus’ witness is true? Why or why not? Do you believe Him when He said He spoke from the Father, God Himself?
Why didn’t the Pharisees believe? What caused the difference in perspective between the Pharisees and the disciples?
Go back and read John 5:22. How do you understand John 8:15 in light of this? Read the context of both passages. The Pharisees had just “judged” the woman caught in adultery. Are there different types of “judgment?” How does God’s judgment compare to human judgment? Are there any other answers to this question?
When we are tempted to judge another person, what should our thoughts be? Do we truly understand the background situation of the person we are judging? Does God? Is there a difference between being judgmental and helping a person find salvation? How can you do the latter without doing the former? How does the conduct of the Pharisees give us a clue? Were they interested in others’ salvation?
How do we get to know the Father? Why were the Pharisees so in the dark about knowing the Father? Why do they keep asking Jesus the same questions over and over? In verse 27 they still don’t get it.
How would you describe the unity of Jesus and His Father, based on the passages you have read in John? Are their any applications you can make to your life, or to your relationships with others? Your personal relationship with God?
In verse 30, it says many believed on Him because of these words. What did he say that helped them believe Him? What has He said that helped you believe Him?

My prayer is:
that God would help me choose to remove the barriers that keep me from understanding who Christ is and what His relationship to the Father is;
that I would never use human judgment to condemn a fellow human, but allow Christ and His Father to be the judges, while prayerfully guiding others to Him.

Where did Jesus go?
After that, early in the morning, where did He go? What was He doing there?
Who brought the woman in to Him? Where did they set her?
What was their accusation against her?
Where did the law of stoning adulterers originate?
What did they ask Jesus?
Why did they ask that?
What did Jesus do?
What did He say in response?
What did the Pharisees do then?
Who was left?
What did Jesus ask the woman?
How did she respond?
What did Jesus tell her to do?

Thought Questions

Take note of the connection between the end of chapter 7 and the beginning of chapter 8 (7:53-8:2). What time of day was Jesus at the Mount of Olives? What do you think He was doing there? What did He often do at the Mount of Olives? Luke 22:39.
How do you think the Pharisees were able to happen to catch the woman in the act of adultery? Was it likely that she happened to be caught in a public place, or was there planning involved? What does this say about the depths to which the Pharisees would go to try to trap Jesus?
What do you think Jesus was writing on the ground? Some random words, or something connected to the situation and the Pharisees’ own lives? What else has God ever written with His finger?
Was Jesus contradicting the law of Moses with His response?
Do you think this situation should serve as a model for every situation of justice?
After Jesus had finished writing, everyone left. What happened to “all the people” who came to the temple to listen to Jesus teach (verse 2)? If they were not involved in the accusation, why did they leave? Would you have left?
In reality, in the eyes of Christ, who was actually “on trial”–the woman, or the Pharisees?
Did the woman show any type of remorse for her sin, or ask for forgiveness?
Do you think Jesus judged the woman? What did He tell her to do? What does His attitude toward her tell you about how we ought to treat other people? What does it tell you about sin?

My prayer is:
that I would find wisdom for tricky situations from my connection with God through prayer;
that, in order to be like Christ, I should be forgiving and merciful of others’ sins;
and that, although forgiven, Christ tells me to “go and sin no more,” so I need His help in completely overcoming sin and not continuing in it.

After these things, where did Jesus walk (live, work)? Where didn’t He want to walk? Why?
What event was coming up?
Who wanted Jesus to go to Judea? Why?
What was their motive for saying that?
What was Jesus’ reason why He didn’t want to do that?
Why does the world hate Jesus?
Was Jesus going to go to the feast? At all, or at that time?
Where did He remain?
When did He go to the feast? How?
Who was looking for Jesus? What was said about Him?
When Jesus finally came, what did He do there?
Why were the people amazed?
What was Jesus’ response?
How can we know whether Jesus’ doctrine is from himself or from God?
The person who speaks from himself seeks glory from whom? What is the result of seeking the glory of God?
Did the people keep the law?
What was their response to Jesus’ words?
When are people allowed to circumcise? Why?
What was Jesus’ logic behind being able to heal a whole person on Sabbath?
How are we supposed to judge? How are we not supposed to judge?
According to the people, even though they were trying to kill Jesus, how were they responding to Him at that time? What reason did the people give for this?
What reason did the people give for their lack of faith in Jesus being the Christ?
When teaching at the temple, how did Jesus describe the One from whom He came?
Why couldn’t anyone lay a hand on Jesus?
Why did many people believe Him?
Where did Jesus say He would go?
Where did the Jews think that was?
On the last, great day of the Feast, what did Jesus start preaching about?
What will flow out of the heart of the one who believes in Christ?
What was He referring to?
Had the Holy Spirit been given yet? Why?
What did some of the people believe about Jesus? What else were they arguing about?
Who did the Pharisees send to get Jesus?
Did they bring Him to them? What reason did they give?
What was the Pharisees’ response to that?
What did they say the people did not know?
Who came to the Pharisees and suggested that they hear Jesus and find out what He is doing?
What was their argument against Jesus (same as verse 41)
Where did everyone go?

Thought questions

How would you summarize John chapter 7?
Make a list of all of the arguments against Jesus in this chapter. Which, if any, do you find the most compelling? Can you identify with what the Jews were thinking then? Can you think of any applications in our society, or even in your own life? How can we avoid this type of thinking? How did Jesus respond to these accusations?
Look at the words of Jesus (perhaps in red letters) as opposed to the words of the others in this chapter. How would you compare them? What is the basis of what Jesus is trying to say in this chapter?
Why would Jesus say that the world hates Him? Does the Bible say elsewhere that the world hates His followers, too? Why? Does the world hate you?
Think about verse 17. Do you know His doctrine (teachings)? Do you believe they came from God? Are you willing to do His will? Do you have any doubts or questions about the word of God or His commandments that might be cleared up if you let go of your own will?
What are your thoughts on the Sabbath day? Do you believe it is still holy, and there are certain things we should or shouldn’t do on that day? In verses 22-23, do you believe Jesus was pronouncing the Sabbath day no longer holy in its entirety? What day did the Jews worship as the Sabbath? Do you see Jesus questioning that day or its holiness? What reason do you have for worshiping on the day you worship on? What did Jesus think of the Sabbath of the Jews?
Can we know where Jesus came from? Why didn’t the Jews know? Or did they (verse 28)? What, according to Jesus’ words in that verse, did they not know? Do you know the One who Jesus came from?
After the Jews argued about where Jesus came from, they then started arguing about where He was going (verses 33-36). What is the relationship between where Jesus came from and where He is going, and again, how can we know?
Read verses 44-46 again. What kind of hearts do you think these officers had? What was the difference between them and the Jewish leaders who ultimately crucified Jesus?
What was the result of Nicodemus’ previous conversation with Jesus?
How did the rulers respond to Nicodemus? Did they have a good point? Read Isaiah 9:1, 2.

My prayer is:
that I would understand that conflict and criticism will inevitably arise from others, but that I would follow Jesus’ example in patiently pointing people toward God, not to myself;
that the Holy Spirit would help me to let go of my own will and only desire to do God’s will, which will help me to better understand the difference between Christ’s doctrine and the doctrine of others;
and that I would know Who Christ came from, so that I would understand where He came from and where He is going.

Why were the Jews complaining?
How do we come to God?
What will Jesus do for us if we do?
Who are we taught by?
Who has seen the Father?
What is the result of believing in Him?
What is the difference between the manna that the forefathers ate, and the living Bread Jesus offers?
What is the purpose of the Living Bread?
Now, what were the Jews complaining about?
What does Jesus say his flesh and blood are?
What are we supposed to do with His flesh and blood?
What is the result?
Where did Jesus say these things?
What was Jesus’ disciples response?
What was His response?
Who gives life?
What, here, is life-giving Spirit?
Did everyone believe?
Who can come unto Christ?
What happened among His disciples then?
Who did Jesus speak to specifically then? When it said “the disciples” in verses 60-66 was it referring to just the 12?
What did He ask the 12?
What did Peter answer?
What did they come to believe?
Which of them was a devil?

Thought Questions

Look at the verses in this passage where Jesus says that nobody comes to Him unless the Father draws them–37, 44, 65. Compare Matthew 11:28. How do you understand the difference? Does John 6:45 give you any help? What does it really mean to “come to Jesus” (or can there be more than one answer)? If we have not “heard and learned from the Father” (v. 45) can we fully come to Him? (Be sure to use what you have read in these passages as a basis for your answer.)
What happens when we eat food? Where does the food go? How is Jesus using this illustration to help us understand how He permeates our whole lives? Is there any part of our bodies where the food we eat does not ultimately touch? Is there any part of our lives where His teachings do not ultimately touch if we “eat” His words?
In verse 63, Jesus explains that the words He speaks are life. How does this help explain the previous teachings about His flesh and blood? What is the flesh and blood that He speaks of?
Read verses 64-66. From that passage, does it sound like Jesus made the decision of who would follow Him, or did He just know beforehand what the people would choose themselves?
In the beginning of this chapter, how many people followed Jesus around, listening to Him (6:2)? How many were left in the end (6:67)? Why?
What does Peter’s response in verses 68-69 tell you? In your mind, is there a better alternative than following Jesus?

My prayer is:
that I would want to “learn of the Father” so that He would draw me closer to Christ;
to receive the Bread of Life, His Word which gives eternal life;
and that I would say along with Peter, Lord, we have no one else to go to, for You have the words of eternal life.

Where did the disciples go in the evening? Where were they headed in the boat? Was Jesus with them?
What problem did they encounter while on the sea?
How far had they gone before they saw Jesus walking on the water? How did they feel?
What did Jesus say to clear things up?
What happened next?
The next day, what was the situation with the boats that confused the people so much?
How did the other people arrive at Capernaum to seek Jesus and His disciples?
What did the people ask Jesus? How did they address Him?
According to Jesus, why did the people seek Him?
What kind of “food” did Jesus say was most important to labor for?
Who can we get that “food” from? Why?
What did the people ask?
What is the work of God?
What did the people want next? Why?
What kind of sign were the people referencing?
Who gives the true bread from Heaven?
Who is the Bread of God? What does He give to the world?
Did the people say that they wanted this bread?
What would people have to do to receive this bread and water so they would never hunger or thirst?
Even though the people had seen Him, what was their problem?
What will happen with those the Father gives to Jesus?
For whose will did Jesus come down from Heaven? What was His will?

Thought Questions

Why did Jesus come to the disciples walking on the water, instead of just meeting them at the shore later?
Was walking on the water a “useful” miracle, like healing and raising the dead? Why did He do it?
Did the disciples witness more miracles than the other people around? Were some miracles that the disciples witnessed of a different nature than the others saw? Why did Jesus perform these type of miracles for them? Why did He not perform these type of miracles as much for the other people around?
Do you ever have a desire to do epic, amazing things for God, like healing and raising the dead in His name, or preaching to thousands of people? Are those who do such things more holy or successful in the eyes of God than you or me? Read verses 28-29 again. What “amazing work” does God really call us to perform?
What did the people really want from Jesus? Why?
What were the Jews’ views on miracles? What were their views regarding their forefathers, such as Abraham and Moses?
Why do you think that feeding 5,000 people with a few loaves of bread was not a good enough sign for the people? Why did they want more?
Is there a difference between a miracle and a sign?
What would you want to ask from Jesus? Why? Would it be to try to prove His worth as a Messiah, or some other reason?
Is there anything wrong with asking for a sign? Depending on the situation? Depending on your motives?
Is God more likely to give signs to those who already believe, or to those who are skeptical? Why?
Explain what you think Jesus meant by the “bread of Heaven,” and why He called Himself that.
Several times Jesus speaks about those who the Father has given Him (vs. 37). Who has God given Jesus, and why? Considering verses 29, 35, and 40, is this a result of a choice we can make, or is it simply whomever God chooses?
Have you ever felt “hunger” for the “Bread of life?” How does that translate to your personal experience?

My prayer is:
that my faith would precede signs and wonders, and that I would be content with a living relationship with Christ rather than demanding miraculous signs to prove Him;
and that I would choose the Bread of Heaven as my food, rather than worldly gain.

What is another name for the Sea of Galilee?
Who followed Him? Why?
Where did Jesus then go to sit? Who surrounded Him?
What event was happening soon?
Who did Jesus see coming to find Him?
Who did Jesus ask, “Where can we find bread to feed these people?”
Why did Jesus ask him that?
What did Philip answer?
What did Andrew answer?
What did Jesus tell all the people to do?
How many men were in the crowd? (There were probably many more, including women and children.)
What did Jesus do before He distributed the food?
What did Jesus ask the disciples to do when the people were full?
How many baskets of leftovers were there?
What did the people say in response to this miracle?
What did they want to do then?
What did Jesus do to escape?

Thought Questions

Why did a huge crowd follow Jesus all these places? Was their reason spiritual, out of love and devotion to Jesus? At that point, knowing what they knew, would they have had a reason to?
How many of the people in the crowd continued to follow Him to His cross and beyond?
Do you think it is acceptable, when beginning a Christian walk, to follow Jesus because others around them are, or because of the miracles they have heard of? Is it a good reason to continue following Him, or at some point should a deeper devotion take place?
What would you have answered if Jesus had asked you how to find food for a crowd?
Why do you think Jesus chose that young boy’s loaves and fishes? What if Andrew hadn’t pointed it out? What do you think Andrew had in mind when he pointed it out?
Why didn’t Jesus want the people to make Him king? What did they have in mind?

My prayer is:
to learn to follow Christ for reasons more than outward miracles;
and that I would have faith to believe that even if I have a little, Christ can multiply it.

What would happen if Jesus testified on His own behalf?
Who was one of the other (human) witnesses of Jesus?
Does Jesus need the testimony of humans? Why does He mention them?
How does Jesus describe John? Were the people excited about him?
Who is the greater witness than John? Why?
Has anyone personally seen God?
Why don’t the people have God’s word living in them either?
Where do the people think they can find eternal life?
But what really can be found in the Scriptures?
What were the people unwilling to do?
Who does Jesus not receive honor from?
What are the people lacking?
Whose name does Jesus come in?
Do they receive Him?
Who do they receive?
If you seek the honor of another besides God, what can you not do?
Will Jesus accuse us before the Father?
Who accuses the people? Why?
Who did Moses really write about?

Thought Questions

Name the witnesses Jesus speaks of for him in this section.
How is God the Father a witness of Jesus when we haven’t seen the Father or heard His voice? (Hint: verse 38). Do you study and have faith in the Old Testament, even books like Leviticus?
What can we learn from God about His Son through the writings of books like Leviticus, which Moses wrote? Or is it all outdated and irrelevant to us today? What does verse 46 tell us? Was Jesus only talking to the Jews here, or all of us as well?
Name some things that you have read in the writings of Moses that you think are speaking of Jesus–His government, justice, and character. Can you think of some things that even describe, in metaphor, His life and death on earth?
Which do you think is more reliable: the witness of God through all of the writings of the Old Testament, or the witness of one person speaking for himself (verse 43)?

My prayer is:
that I would be open to studying the Old Testament more, and believe the words of Moses and the other prophets;
and to read the Old Testament with the understanding that it speaks of Jesus as a testimony to Him.

How much can the Son do of Himself?
Who does He follow?
How much does the Father show Him?
Why will we marvel?
What do both the Father and the Son do for the dead?
Who does the Father judge?
Who judges? Why?
If you don’t honor the Son, who is connected with that?
What are the two prerequisites for receiving eternal life?
What are the results?
What time is coming?
What to those in the graves have to hear to live?
Who has life in Himself?
Who has He given that same life power to?
What other authority has the Father given to the Son? Why?
What time is coming? (Recap of verse 25)
Again, what will wake the dead?
Who will wake to the resurrection of life?
Who will wake to the resurrection of condemnation?
Again, what can Jesus do of Himself alone?
Why is Christ’s judgment just?

Thought Questions

What are the basic themes Jesus repeats several times in this section? How would you summarize it?
If Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, why does He repeat several times that He can do nothing of Himself?
Why is it so important to know that Jesus can do nothing by Himself? If Jesus can do nothing by Himself, what can we do by ourselves? What connection, like Jesus had, do we have to have?
Although Jesus can do nothing by Himself, there are a few important tasks that God gives Him to do. What are they? Why do you think Jesus is the one to do them? What does all this tell you about the unity between the Father and the Son?
Think about how Jesus says that the Father has life in Himself (verse 26). Do we have life in ourselves, or do we borrow it from God? Are we immortal, as we are? Can we really comprehend what “unborrowed” life is? See 1 Timothy 6:16.
Here, Jesus says that the Father has given this “unborrowed” life to Him as well. How does that help you understand the purpose of His sacrifice for our lives?
Think about the Resurrection (verses 28-29). Do you believe in resurrection? What is the scenario that you picture (based on what is written in the Bible) at the Resurrection Time? Do you believe that when you die, your soul goes straight to heaven or hell? How do you understand the Resurrection if your soul is already with God in Heaven?

My prayer is:
for understanding that I can do nothing without the Father;
that my connection with the Father would grow deeper, as was Christ’s;
that I would always be eager to hear His voice and to do good, and to anticipate the resurrection of life.