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
Starter
When is it most common for you to struggle to believe in the authority of; God, others, and yourself? 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
- The religious leaders, who act like they carry authority, do not show up themselves as they did other times. They send other armed people to do their dirty work, at night, in a peaceful garden, to a prayer meeting, to arrest Jesus, who has never shown signs of using physical power to overthrow, and who has committed no other sin other than to question them and call them out.
- What does this approach expose about the views and use of authority of the religious leaders and those under them?
READ Exodus 3:13-14
- How does what God tells Moses in Exodus 3:13-14 to His people the same as what Jesus is doing here?
- Why did they step back and fall to the ground when Jesus quoted Exodus?
- How did God use Caiaphas’ authority and prophesy through him as high priest without him even realizing it?
READ Philippians 2:4-11
- How should Christ’s example encourage us when we may be called out wrongly by God ordained earthly relationships of authority?
- Jesus said, "I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34)
He was talking about spiritual division and the sword of the word of His mouth. (Revelation 1:16, 19:15)
- Jesus told His disciples, "'But now, if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one.'" (Luke 22:36) This was in the context of Him sending them out into the world to make Him known after He was gone.
- Jesus said to Peter, “Sheathe your sword! (John 18:11) He did not say Peter should not have had a sword?
- Romans 13 says, “Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist are instituted by God….For government is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, because it does not carry the sword for no reason.”