Observe the Word

In John 21, the epilogue of the Gospel, John directs our attention to the journey of faith, highlighting the restoration of Peter and the commission Jesus gives every believer, “Follow me.”

In John 20, the responses of believers to the empty tomb and news of Jesus raised from the dead suggest principles of faith in line with the two great themes of John’s Gospel.

In John 19:17-42, Jesus reverses the shame of the cross to magnify the glory of his name, providing for us not only forgiveness but also a new status of honor free from guilt and shame.

In John 18:28-19:16, the trial of Jesus turns into an honor/shame struggle between the Roman governor and Jewish officials who both misunderstand who is truly in control of events.

In John 18:1-27, we begin the story of Jesus’ final hour with John’s depiction of his arrest and first trial. Adding to the witness of the other Gospels, John reminds us that Jesus may go to the cross meekly, but he is absolutely not weak. Jesus maintains control throughout.

In John 17:20-26, Jesus prays for us, for all who will believe because of the apostles’ witness, and as he prays, Jesus describes his vision for unity and witness in Christian communities based on the truth of God’s name and reality of abiding in him.

In John 17:6-19, Jesus makes three prayer requests for his disciples as he commissions them to go into the world and not be of the world. If Jesus were to pray for you, what would he ask for?

In John 17:1-5, Jesus begins his prayer of sanctification for New Testament believers with a prayer for his own glory. How does God’s desire for his own glory relate to his pursuit of a people called by his name?

In John 16:16-33, in the midst of the disciples’ confusion, we are compelled to address the nature of prayer as Jesus promises for the fourth time, “If you shall ask the Father for anything, he will give it to you in My name.”

In John 15:18-16:15, we consider the disciple’s relationship to the world as both separate from the world and also committed to engagement with the world in the power of the Holy Spirit.

In John 15:12-17, we recognize the fundamentals of discipleship as abiding and loving while also addressing what Jesus meant when he said, “you will do greater works.”

In John 15 Jesus provides for us the simple and deep discipleship image of the vine and the branches. We will consider the heart of abiding in Christ, the acts of abiding in Christ and the fruit of abiding in Christ.

In John 14:16-31 and John 16:5-15 Jesus we consider the promise of Jesus to send the Holy Spirit, who is the promised Holy Spirit and what roles does the Holy Spirit fulfill in the lives of believers.

In John 14 while comforting his disciples Jesus further develops the nature of discipleship, emphasizing the message of the disciple and the submission of the disciple.

In John 13:21-38 Jesus issues a new commandment for his disciples to love one another even as he has loved them. The command comes in a somber atmosphere as Jesus announces his plan to leave the disciples and foretells of his betrayal and denial.