Primary Text: John 7:11-8:59
Memory Verse: Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:31-32
Introduction:
The Word of God is living and powerful. It is infused with the power of the Holy Spirit. It is energetic and active. It speaks to our personal needs and the needs of the world. This is because Its focus is the revelation of Christ. The Word of God draws Its power from that fact. The power of the Word is not an overwhelming force which coerces us into obedience. Indeed, it is an almighty power, but it is gentle, persuasive and always working.
The Word of God is also complete and absolute truth. It pricks our conscience. It has the power to reach into the darkest recesses of our hearts and lay bare our secret motives and our hidden longings. It has the power to discern our true character. It can expose our weaknesses and It can enable us to be victorious. There is not a single aspect of life that is not addressed and directed by God’s Word.
From the Word of God comes wisdom, knowledge, and protection. Through it we are given insight for our daily lives because God’s Word shows us how to live in righteousness. By it we are shielded from sin and protected from evil. With it we have victory to overcome the evil one and to receive the full blessings of God. It has the power to guide us, guard us, and give us wisdom.
The greatest aspect of the Word of God is to reveal to man the existence, nature, attributes, plan, and will of God. God wants to be known and understood by men. The Divine desires to have personal communion and relationship with us, and in fact, to be the most important factor in our lives. Yet, it is rare to find any man who places his relationship with God above everything else. How can we ever spend too much time studying God’s Word? Is it possible to spend too much time and effort in worship and prayer? Normally, our lives suffer from too little being invested in our relationship with the Lord.
In order for the Word of God to be a powerful influence in our lives, we need to seek it, memorize it, and store it up. We need to take it into our hearts, minds, and souls.
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- Why couldn’t the Jews understand that Jesus was the Messiah? John 7:28; Ezekiel 12:2; Ephesians 4:18; 2 Timothy 3:7.
- Why did Jesus promise the living water of the Holy Spirit? John 7:37-39; 14:26; 16:7-11; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; Acts 4:31-33.
- Historically, how had the Jewish leaders sinned against God? Exodus 17:2; Numbers 20:13; Deuteronomy 6:16; Psalm 95:8-9; 106:14.
- How did Jesus react to the adulteress? John 8:11a; Romans 8:1; Ephesians 2:8-9.
- What act of obedience does Jesus expect from those who have been forgiven? John 8:11b; Revelation 21:7-8; Galatians 5:1.
- What is the significance of Jesus being the “light of the world”? John 8:12; 12:46; 1 John 1:5-7; Ephesians 5:8.
- What power does the Word of God have? John 8:31-32, 51; Psalm 119:11; Jeremiah 23:28-29; Isaiah 55:10-11.
- What makes us free? John 8:32; Romans 8:2; 2 Corinthians 3:17.
- What responsibility do we have, as Christians, to this freedom? John 8:31; Galatians 5:1, 13; 1 Peter 2:16; Proverbs 2:1-5.