Session 5 JOHN
An Introduction to the Gospels with a View of Stewardship  as a Way of Faithful Living	Session 1 Intro Gospels	Session 2 Mark	Session 3 Matthew	Session 4 Luke	Session 5 John

READING ASSIGNMENT 1

• Read the Gospel of John.
  As you read, keep the issue of stewardship in mind.

GUIDE FOR READING 1

A few things to keep in mind as you are reading John.

• If someone knew nothing about Christianity at all, would John 1.1-18 make any sense to them?
• What titles are used of Jesus? How does Jesus as portrayed in the Gospel of John compare to the portrayal in the other Gospels?
• According to the Gospel of John, how do Christians regard the people of Israel and its history, traditions, and laws?
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READING ASSIGNMENT 2

• In The Gospels by Mark Allan Powell, read chapter 5, "The Gospel of John," pages 112-138.

GUIDE FOR READING 2

1. John’s Gospel in general and the hymnic prologue in particular have provided a foundation for what two Christian doctrines?
2. What are the two most prominent theories regarding the identity of the “beloved disciple” in John’s Gospel?
3. What purpose do the use of symbolism and the motif of misunderstanding serve in John’s Gospel?
4. How is the content and style of Jesus’ teaching in John different from the Synoptics?
5. What role do Jesus’ “signs” play in John?
6. How is the term “the Jews” used in John’s Gospel?
7. What is remarkable about the command to love in John compared to the Synoptics?
8. What is the relationship between the Gospel of John, the three Johannine letters, and Revelation?
9. What is “realized eschatology”? How is it expressed in John?
10. At least as one major theme in John, what problem is faced by humanity that Jesus addresses?

INTRODUCTION TO JOHN

This PRESENTATION / HANDOUT will provide an overview of John with an eye to stewardship. Be sure to click on the NOTES option at the bottom of the screen to understand the presentation. (Handout is a 580Kb download and requires Adobe Reader.)

GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In your reading of the Gospel of John, what were some surprises or things you did not expect?
2. If John were the only Gospel we had, what would you miss from the other Gospels?
3. What is your favorite gospel and why?
4. What is your least favorite gospel and why?
5. Read John 15.1-7. What insights about stewardship does this account offer?
6. Read John 2.1-12. What insights about stewardship does this account offer?
7. Read John 12.1-8. What insights about stewardship does this account offer?
    
8. So, how has this course gone for you? Since this resource is still a work in progress, your feedback on its effectiveness would be appreciated. (Contact: mhoffman@ltsg.edu ) Thanks! The Lord be with you as you live as a faithful steward of life!

ADDITIONAL JOHN RESOURCES

New Testament Gateway The Gospel of John - Start here. Especially note the link to Felix Just's site