JOHN 15 SUNDAY MORNING STUDY -
Part 1
Who Is the Author of the Gospel of John?
Traditionally, the Gospel of John is
attributed to John the Apostle, the son of Zebedee and brother of James. As one
of Jesus’ twelve disciples and part of His inner circle alongside Peter and
James, John had a front-row seat to Jesus’ ministry.
The
Gospel of John is distinct from the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—in both content and style. Here's a
breakdown of how it differs, as well as its historical and cultural
context
and the original
language
in which it was written.
How is the Gospel of John Different?
1.
Structure and Content
·
No Parables: John does not
contain parables like the Synoptic Gospels. Instead, it features long discourses and symbolic language (e.g., “I am
the Bread of Life”).
·
Fewer Miracles, Called “Signs”: John focuses
on seven
signs
that point to Jesus' divine identity, rather than a wide variety of miracles.
·
Focus on Jesus’ Identity: John
emphasises Jesus as the eternal Word (Logos) and the Son of God. It’s more theological and less
narrative-driven.
Historical and
Cultural Context
1.
Date and Location
·
Likely
written around AD
90–100,
later than the Synoptic Gospels.
·
Traditionally
attributed to John
the Apostle.
·
Possibly
written in Ephesus (modern-day
Turkey).
2.
Audience
·
Aimed
at a mixed
audience
of Jews and Gentiles, possibly Jewish Christians who had been expelled from
synagogues
(see John 9:22).
3.
Cultural Setting
·
Written
in a Greco-Roman world influenced by Hellenistic philosophy, especially Logos theology (the
idea of the “Word” as divine reason or principle).
·
Reflects
tension between early
Christians and Jewish authorities, visible in phrases like “the Jews”
(which needs careful contextual reading—it often refers to specific opponents,
not all Jewish people).
Original Language
·
The
Gospel of John was originally written in Koine Greek, the common
dialect of the Eastern Mediterranean in the first century.
·
Although
written in Greek, John uses Semitic thought patterns, indicating the
writer’s Jewish
background.
·
The
use of the term "Logos"
(Word)
in John 1:1 is a profound bridge between Jewish theology (God speaks the world
into being)
and Greek
philosophy (Logos as the rational principle of the universe).
John’s
Gospel is designed not just to tell the story of Jesus, but to invite faith in Him as the Son of God who gives eternal life (John 20:31).
What Makes John's Gospel So Special?
John’s Gospel diverges from the
Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) in both content and style. Here’s
what makes it stand out:
1. Symbolic and Poetic Language
- Rich in metaphor: light vs.
darkness, bread of life, living water, vine and branches.
- Simple Greek yet layered with
profound spiritual meaning.
- Frequent use of repetition and
contrast to drive home key themes.
2. Deep Theological Emphasis
- Often called the “spiritual
Gospel.”
- Presents Jesus as the Logos (Word)
made flesh (John 1:1, 14), the Son of God, and one with the Father.
- Clear purpose: “That you may
believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you
may have life in His name” (John 20:31).
3. Selective and Interpretive
Storytelling
- Includes unique episodes: the
raising of Lazarus, Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, and the foot washing at
the Last Supper.
- Omits familiar elements like
parables and casting out demons.
- Structured around seven signs and
seven “I AM” statements, each revealing aspects of Jesus’ identity.
4. Use of Dualism
- Sharp contrasts: life vs. death,
light vs. darkness, truth vs. falsehood, belief vs. unbelief.
- These dualities highlight the decisive choice each person must make about Jesus.
5. Eyewitness Testimony
- The Gospel reads like a personal
account from someone who walked closely with Jesus.
- Emphasises firsthand experience: 'We have seen His glory' (John 1:14); 'The one who saw it has testified' (John 19:35).
Ways John Uses the Number 7
John
masterfully uses the number 7 throughout his Gospel to convey completeness, divine perfection, and the fullness of Jesus’
identity and mission. In Jewish thought, the number 7 often symbolizes wholeness—rooted in the 7 days of creation (Genesis 1–2).
John, steeped in this worldview, weaves this symbolism deeply into his Gospel
to reveal Jesus
as the new creation and the fulfilment of God’s redemptive plan.
1.
7 Signs (Miracles)
These
are selected acts of power that reveal Jesus' identity and lead to faith (John
20:30–31).
1. Water into Wine
2. Healing the
Official’s Son
3. Healing the Lame
Man
4. Feeding the
5,000
5. Walking on Water
6. Healing the
Blind Man
7. Raising Lazarus
Culminates in resurrection power and points
toward the eighth
sign—Jesus'
own
resurrection,
ushering in a new
creation week.
2.
7 "I Am" Statements
Jesus
declares His divine identity with 7 metaphoric “I AM” statements (echoing God's name in Exodus
3:14).
|
Statement
|
Reference
|
|
1. I am the Bread of Life
|
John 6:35
|
|
2. I am the Light of the World
|
John 8:12
|
|
3. I am the Door
|
John 10:9
|
|
4. I am the Good Shepherd
|
John 10:11
|
|
5. I am the Resurrection and the
Life
|
John 11:25
|
|
6. I am the Way, the Truth, and the
Life
|
John 14:6
|
|
7. I am the True Vine
|
John 15:1
|
These reveal how Jesus meets every human need—sustenance,
guidance, protection, resurrection, truth, and abiding life.
3.
7 Witnesses to Jesus’
Identity
John
includes 7 key individuals (or groups) who testify to who Jesus is:
1. John the Baptist – “Behold, the
Lamb of God” (John 1:29)
2. Nathanael – “You are the
Son of God” (John 1:49)
3. Peter – “You are the
Holy One of God” (John 6:69)
4. Martha – “You are the
Christ, the Son of God” (John 11:27)
5. Thomas – “My Lord and
my God!” (John 20:28)
6. Jesus Himself – “I who speak
to you am He” (John 4:26)
7. The Writer (John) – “These are
written so that you may believe...” (John 20:31)
These testimonies build a cumulative legal and theological
case
for belief.
4.
7 Titles for Jesus in Chapter
1
In
just the first chapter, John layers 7 titles for Jesus, creating a composite
identity:
1. The Word
2. The Lamb of God
3. Rabbi
4. Messiah
5. Son of God
6. King of Israel
7. Son of Man
Each
title connects to Old Testament hopes and messianic expectations, fulfilled
in Christ.
5.
7 Feasts or Festivals
Referenced
John
structures much of Jesus’ ministry around Jewish feasts—all of which
find their true
meaning in Him:
1. Sabbath (John 5)
2. Passover (John
2, 6, 13)
3. Feast of
Unleavened Bread
4. Feast of
Tabernacles (John 7)
5. Feast of
Dedication (Hanukkah, John 10)
6. Another Sabbath
healing (John 9)
7. Final Passover →
Crucifixion and Resurrection (John 18–20)
Jesus
fulfills and reinterprets these symbols
as the
true center of worship.
Here are Bible study discussion questions based on John
15:1–3 (NIV):
“I am the true vine, and my
Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit,
while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more
fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.”
Bible
Study Discussion Questions
Understanding
the Passage
1. What does
Jesus mean when He says, “I am the true vine”?
o
How does this metaphor connect to Israel in
the Old Testament?
2. Who is
the gardener, and what is His role in this passage?
o
What does this reveal about God's active involvement
in our spiritual growth?
3. What is
the difference between “cutting off” and “pruning” as used in verse 2?
o
How can pruning be both painful and
necessary?
4. In verse
3, Jesus says the disciples are already clean because of the word He has
spoken. What does that imply about the power of His word?
Personal
Reflection
5. Can you
identify areas in your life where God might be “pruning” you right now?
o
What fruit might He be cultivating through
it?
6. Have
there been times when you felt “cut off” from God? Looking back, do you think
it was pruning or something else?
7. How do
you respond when God begins to prune areas of comfort, success, or control in
your life?
Application
8. What
practical steps can we take to remain connected to the “true vine”?
9. What are
some examples of “fruit” that God desires to see in our lives?
o
How can we discern what kind of fruit we are
bearing?
10.
How can the Word of God continue to “clean”
us today?
- In what ways do you allow Scripture to shape your thoughts, habits,
and relationships?
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