Series Summary:

We live life in troubled times with troubled hearts. Who or what do we believe? The Greek word πιστεύω (pisteuo) is translated believe. It is not just an intellectual exercise. It is an entrusting of one’s self to a person or a cause. The gospel of John uses pisteuo 98 times! “These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." This fall may "your heart not be troubled. Believe!” πιστεύω #John #2025

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Starter

What is your favorite fruit and why?

Pray

Lord we live life in troubled times with troubled hearts. Who or what do we believe? You tell us clearly what to believe. You tell us, “These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." As we study the book of John, open our hearts and minds to believe. May we encourage one another to truly believe entrusting our lives to you and your will being done. May we strive to lead people to believe in you “the way, the truth, and the life.” Amen

Study Questions

Jesus in obedience to the law has come to Jerusalem with His disciples to celebrate the Passover feast commemorating their deliverance from slavery, covenant with God, and journey to the promise land. He knows that this will lead to His betrayal, abandonment, suffering, death, and resurrection in accordance with the law and the prophets. In John 2:4, 7:30, and 8:20, John wrote that Jesus’ “hour had not come”. Now Jesus says, “The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.”

READ: John 13:36-14:15

  1. When the disciples get concerned about Jesus going away and not knowing where He is going, what is Jesus’ response?
    1. How is Jesus’ response perfect for all the who, what, when, where, why, and how questions we as humans constantly ask one another and God?
    2. The disciples ask another question. They want to see God (The Father). How is Jesus’ response the perfect response even today when people say they want God to show up in some way or reveal Himself?
  2. Jesus says, “believe because of the works”. What are the works that has Jesus been doing for 33 1/3 years and what has been the fruit of those works?
    1. What are the works that He is getting ready to do and the fruit God is going to produce?
  3. In Luke 10, Jesus sends out the 70 disciples in pairs. He tells them “Whoever rejects you rejects Me. And whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.” The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in Your name.” Jesus responds, ***”*don’t rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
    1. How does this give us insight to “the works” and “greater works” Jesus is talking about in John 14:12?

READ: Ephesians 2:8-10, 5:8-11, Romans 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 11:13-15. Acts 1:7-8

  1. What do these verses show is are the true works and fruits of a relationship with Jesus?
  2. Think of the life of Jesus reveled in the scriptures. With what you know, what works and fruit did Jesus ask for? What didn’t he ask for?
  3. Why do our modern versions of Christianity tend to get the works and fruit wrong just like people did in Jesus day and many have for the last 2000 years?

In 14:13-15, Jesus says, “Whatever you ask in My name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” “If you love Me, you will keep My commands.” Many have been taught a name it claim it mentality of faith where as long as you ask in Jesus name He will do whatever you wish.

  1. What is the obvious and dangerous problem with the name it claim it mentality?
    1. What does John 14:13-15 say that can help expose the heart of our asking?

READ: Exodus 20:7, James 4:1-4

  1. How do these verses help to clarify what and how we should be asking in Jesus name?
    1. Why do we tend to not confront people, like Jesus did his disciples, when they ask wrongly in God’s name?