========================
John 15:1-17
========================
1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.
2He 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.
3You are already clean
because of the word I have spoken to you.
4Remain in me, as I also
remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.
Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5“I am the vine; you are the
branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart
from me you can do nothing.
6If you do not remain in me,
you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked
up, thrown into the fire and burned.
7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it
will be done for you.
8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves
to be my disciples.
9“As the Father
has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
10If you keep my commands,
you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s
commands and remain in his love.
11I have told you this so
that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
12My command is this: Love
each other as I have loved you.
13Greater love has no one
than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
14You are my friends if you
do what I command.
15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s
business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned
from my Father I have made known to you.
16You did not choose me, but
I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that
will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father
will give you.
17This is my command: Love
each other.
----------------------------------------
1)
What are we going
to do?
o We are going to integrate what Jesus said about
§
Being chosen by Jesus.
§
Believing in
Jesus.
§
Loving Jesus.
§
Obeying Jesus’ commands.
§
Eating Jesus’
flesh and drinking his blood.
§
Remaining in
Jesus.
§
And bearing fruit.
o Into a causal chain.
o For that we need to put on a thinking hat.
o Then we are going to investigate how the causal chain
relates to our spiritual wellbeing.
2)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 1 what did he say he and his Father are?
o I am the true vine.
o And my Father is the gardener.
3)
What is the
current count of the ‘I am’ declarations Jesus had made in the current gospel
account?
o This is the seventh declaration.
4)
Why did Jesus
qualify the vine as the true vine?
o It is not certain.
5)
Who cultivates the
vine as the gardener?
o The Father does.
6)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 2 how does the Father cultivate the vine as the gardener?
o The Father cuts off every branch in Jesus the true
vine that bears no fruit.
o While
o Every branch that does bear fruit he prunes.
o So that
o It will be even more fruitful.
7)
What is the
specific kind of fruitfulness that is expected from pruning a vine?
o It is for the maximum yield of high-quality grapes.
8)
Why does
cultivation of the vine make it more fruitful?
o Cultivation of the vine removes parts of it
§
That are
unproductive.
§
And that consume
nutrients.
o More nutrients are then available to make already-productive
branches more productive.
9)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 5 who is a branch of the vine?
o A disciple is a branch.
10)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 2 who determines for the purpose of cutting and
pruning whether a disciple is bearing fruit or not?
o The Father as the gardener does.
11)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 2 what is the basis for a branch in the vine to be
cut off?
o Every branch in the vine that bears no fruit is cut
off.
12)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 2 what is the basis for a branch in the vine to be
pruned?
o Every branch in the vine that bears fruit is pruned.
13)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 2 what is the condition of a disciple before the
Father’s pruning?
o The disciple already bears fruit.
14)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 2 what is the outcome for a branch in the vine that
is pruned?
o Every branch that is pruned will be even more fruitful.
15)
What does the Father’s pruning a branch represent in the life of a disciple?
o It represents trials.
o That
o The Father puts a disciple through.
16)
What is the
purpose for the trials the Father puts a disciple
through?
o So that the disciple will be even more fruitful.
17)
What is the cost
for greater fruitfulness of a disciple?
o The cost for greater fruitfulness of a disciple is the
pains of the trials.
o That
o The disciple has to go
through.
18)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 2 is it true that a disciple always bears fruit and
why?
o Yes, because a branch
that does not bear fruit is
§
Cut off.
§
And therefore no long a branch.
o Branches that remain
§
Always bear fruit.
§
And are the disciples.
19)
Is any disciple
exempted from the trials for greater fruitfulness and why?
o No, because every
branch that does bear fruit
§
Is a disciple.
§
And is pruned
without exception.
o So that
o It will be even more fruitful.
20)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verses 2 and 3 what did he mean by ‘clean’?
o Jesus meant being pruned clean.
21)
What did Jesus
mean for what he said in verse 3, given John 6:48-69 and John 13:21-30?
o Per John 6:48-69 many disciples
§
Turned back.
§
And no longer
followed Jesus.
o Because
o They could not accept his hard teaching.
o Per John 13:21-30 Judas
§
Went out to have Jesus
betrayed upon hearing his prompting word.
§
And fell away.
o All these disciples who fell away upon hearing Jesus’ word
were branches that were cut off.
o The disciples who
§
Heard Jesus’ hard
teachings.
§
And continued to believe
in him per John 6:69.
o Were branches that were
§
Fruitful.
§
And pruned clean.
o It is Jesus’ word that did the
§
Cutting.
§
And pruning.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 6:48-69 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
48I am the bread of life.
49Your ancestors ate the
manna in the wilderness, yet they died.
50But here is the bread that
comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.
51I am the living bread that
came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is
my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
52Then the Jews began to
argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
53Jesus said to them, “Very
truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his
blood, you have no life in you.
54Whoever eats my flesh and
drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
55For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink.
56Whoever eats my flesh and
drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.
57Just as the living Father
sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one
who feeds on me will live because of me.
58This is the bread that came
down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this
bread will live forever.”
59He said this while teaching
in the synagogue in
60On hearing it, many of his
disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
…
66From this time many of his
disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67“You do not want to leave
too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68Simon Peter answered him,
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69We have come to believe and
to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 13:21-30 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
21After he had said this,
Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, “Very truly I tell you, one of you
is going to betray me.”
…
25Leaning back against Jesus,
he asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
26Jesus answered, “It is the
one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.”
Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon
Iscariot.
27As soon as Judas took the
bread, Satan entered into him. So
Jesus told him, “What you are about to do, do quickly.”
...
30As soon as Judas had taken
the bread, he went out. And it was night.
+++++++++++++++++++++
22)
How is it that that
the cutting and pruning of the disciples with Jesus’ word was actually done by the Father, given John 14:24?
o Every word Jesus said belongs to the Father.
o So upon hearing Jesus’ word
§
Some disciples
were cut off.
§
And some were pruned
clean.
o By the Father.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 14:24 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
24Anyone who does not love me
will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to
the Father who sent me.
+++++++++++++++++++++
23)
What is a better
translation for ‘Remain in me, as I also remain in you’ in verse 4 such as the NASB and why?
o Remain in Me, and I in you.
o In the NASB translation Jesus commands the disciples to
remain in him.
o So that
o He will remain in the disciples.
o In the NIV translation Jesus commands the disciples to
remain in him.
o Because
o He remains in the
disciples.
o The NASB translation is more compatible with the original
text.
24)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 4 what did he command the disciples to do and what would be
the consequence when they obeyed?
o Jesus commanded them to remain in him.
o And he would remain in them.
o When
o They obeyed.
25)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 4 what is the causal relationship between the disciples
remaining in him and he remaining in the disciples?
o The disciples remaining in Jesus is the cause of Jesus
remaining in the disciples.
26)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 4 who is the deciding factor for the oneness of Jesus
and the disciples and why?
o The disciples are.
o Because
o Jesus will remain in the disciples.
o When
o The disciples choose to remain in him.
o Jesus and the disciples are then one.
27)
What is the
status of the oneness of the Father, Jesus and the disciples
and why, given that Jesus and the disciples are one?
o The Father, Jesus and the disciples are one.
o Because
o The Father and Jesus are one.
28)
Who is the
deciding factor for the oneness of the Father, Jesus and
the disciples?
o The disciples are.
29)
How did the disciples
choose to remain and not to remain in Jesus, given John 6:60-69?
o They chose not to remain in Jesus by ceasing believing
in him.
o And they chose to remain in Jesus by continuing to believe
in him.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 6:60-69 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
60On hearing it, many of his
disciples said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”
…
66From this time many of his
disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67“You do not want to leave
too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve.
68Simon Peter answered him,
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69We have come to believe and
to know that you are the Holy One of God.”
+++++++++++++++++++++
30)
Is there other
evidence in the bible that believing in Jesus is the cause of remaining in him?
o Yes, we are going to investigate that.
31)
What is the causal
relationship between believing in God and obeying God’s commands, given Hebrews
11:8 and Hebrews 11:31?
o Believing in God is the cause of obeying God’s commands.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Hebrews 11:8 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
8By faith Abraham, when
called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Hebrews 11:31 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
31By faith the prostitute
Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.
+++++++++++++++++++++
32)
How do we
rephrase the statement ‘Believing in God is the cause of obeying God’s commands’,
given that Jesus is God and Jesus’ commands are God’s commands?
o Believing in Jesus is the cause of obeying Jesus’ commands.
33)
What is the
causal relationship between obeying Jesus’ commands and remaining in him, given
verses John 14:15 and John 14:20 in John 14:15-20?
o Obeying Jesus’ commands is the cause of remaining in
Jesus.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 14:15-20 (NASB) that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
15If you love Me, you will
keep My commandments.
16I will ask the Father, and
He will give you another Helper, so that He may be with you forever;
17the Helper is the Spirit of
truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him;
but you know Him because He remains with you and will be in you.
18“I will not leave you as
orphans; I am coming to you.
19After a little while, the
world no longer is going to see Me, but you are going to see Me; because I
live, you also will live.
20On that day you will know
that I am in My Father, and you are in Me, and I in you.
+++++++++++++++++++++
34)
Does 1 John 3:24
confirm or deny the causal relationship that obeying Jesus’ commands is the
cause of remaining in him?
o It confirms the causal relationship.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud 1 John 3:24 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
24The one who keeps God’s
commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in
us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
+++++++++++++++++++++
35)
What is the
causal relationship between believing in Jesus and remaining in him, given [a]
Believing in Jesus is the cause of obeying Jesus’ commands and [b] Obeying
Jesus’ commands is the cause of remaining in Jesus?
o Believing in Jesus is the cause of remaining in Jesus.
o This is another piece of evidence for the causal
relationship.
36)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 4 how does the disciples’ bearing fruit depend on remaining
in Jesus?
o The disciples cannot bear fruit.
o Unless
o They remain in Jesus.
37)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 5 what is the symbolic relationship between him and the disciples?
o Jesus is the vine.
o The disciples are the branches..
38)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 5 what is the situation of fruit-bearing for the disciples?
o They will bear much fruit.
o If
o They remain in Jesus and Jesus in them.
o Apart from him they can do nothing.
39)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 5 what is the cause of the disciples’ bearing
fruit?
o The disciples’ remaining in Jesus and Jesus in the disciples is the cause of their bearing fruit.
40)
How can the cause
of the disciples’ bearing fruit in verse 5 be simplified, given that in
accordance with what Jesus said in verse 4 their remaining in him is the cause
of his remaining in them?
o Remaining in Jesus is the cause of bearing fruit.
41)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 6 what is the consequence for the disciples if they
do not remain in him?
o They are like a branch that
§
Is thrown away.
§
And withers.
o Such branches are
§
Picked up.
§
Thrown into the
fire.
§
And burned.
42)
What does burning in the fire mean literally?
o It means burning in the fire of hell.
43)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 7 what is the consequence for the disciples if
they remain in him and his words remain in them?
o Ask whatever they wish.
o And it will be done for them.
44)
How can what
Jesus said in verse 7 be rephrased, given that believing in Jesus is the cause
of remaining in Jesus as discussed earlier?
o If you believe my word and my words remain in you, ask
whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
45)
How does Jesus’ rephrased
promise in verse 7 compare to that in John 14:12-14?
o They are the same promise.
·
The facilitator
asks a specific participant to read out loud John 14:12-14 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
12Very truly I tell you,
whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do
even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13And I will do whatever you
ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14You may ask me for anything
in my name, and I will do it.
+++++++++++++++++++++
46)
What is the
causal relationship between believing in Jesus and answered prayer in Jesus’
promise?
o Believing in Jesus is the cause of answered prayer.
47)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 8 what is considered fruit?
o Anything that the disciples contribute to their being
shown to be Jesus’ disciples is fruit.
48)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 8 what level of fruitfulness is required for the disciples
to show themselves to be his disciples?
o It takes much fruit-bearing.
49)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 8 what is the immediate purpose of the Father’s
pruning of the disciples as branches such that they bear much fruit?
o It is for helping them show themselves to be Jesus’ disciples.
50)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 8 what is the ultimate purpose of the Father’s
pruning of the disciples such that they bear much fruit, showing themselves to
be Jesus’ disciples?
o It is ultimately for the Father’s
glory.
51)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 9 whom does he emulate in his loving the disciples?
o Jesus emulates the Father’s loving him.
52)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 9 what is the level of perfection of Jesus’ emulating
the Father in loving the disciples?
o It is perfect.
53)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 10 how does he remain in his Father’s love?
o Jesus remains in his Father’s love by obeying his Father’s
commands.
54)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verses 9 and 10 what has been the pattern of
interaction between the Father and him?
o The Father has loved Jesus.
o And Jesus has obeyed the Father’s commands.
o Then Jesus remains in the Father’s love.
55)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 9 what did he command the disciples to do?
o Jesus commanded the disciples to remain in his love.
56)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 10 how can the disciples remain his love?
o They will remain in Jesus’ love.
o If
o They obey his commands.
57)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verses 9 and 10 how are he and the disciples to emulate
the pattern of interaction between the Father and him?
o Jesus has loved the disciples.
o They are to obey his commands.
o They will remain in Jesus’ love.
o If
o They do.
58)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 10 what is the causal relationship between obeying
his commands and remaining in his love?
o Obeying Jesus’ commands is the cause of remaining in
Jesus’ love.
59)
What is the causal
relationship between loving Jesus and obeying his commands, given John 14:15?
o Loving Jesus is the cause of obeying Jesus’ commands.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 14:15 (NASB) that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
15If you love Me, you will
keep My commandments.
+++++++++++++++++++++
60)
What is the causal
relationship of loving Jesus, obeying his commands and
remaining in his love that has been identified?
o Loving Jesus is the cause of obeying Jesus’ commands.
o Obeying Jesus’ commands is the cause of remaining in
Jesus’ love.
61)
What would be a
good short-hand reference to the causal relationship of loving Jesus, obeying his
commands and remaining in his love?
o It can be called the causal chain of loving Jesus.
62)
What might appear on the surface to be the nature of Jesus’ love for
the disciples when they actually observe his commands legalistically, given
that obeying Jesus’ commands is the cause of remaining in his love?
o Jesus’ love for the disciples might appear to be
driven by their observing his commands legalistically.
o If
o He loves them for it.
63)
How does the causal
chain of loving Jesus along with John 2:23-25 debunk the mistaken notion that Jesus’
love for the disciples can be driven by their observing his commands legalistically?
o In accordance with the causal chain of loving Jesus the
disciples’ obeying Jesus’ commands is driven by their love for him.
o Jesus would know it.
o When
o They actually observe his commands
legalistically.
o Because
o He knows what is in each person.
o Then he would not render the outcome of their remaining
in his love.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 2:23-25 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
23Now while he was in
24But Jesus would not entrust
himself to them, for he knew all people.
25He did not need any
testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
+++++++++++++++++++++
64)
What is the causal
relationship between loving Jesus and remaining in his love that can be derived
from the causal chain of loving Jesus?
o Loving Jesus is the cause of remaining in Jesus’ love.
65)
Does John 14:21
confirm or deny the causal relationship that loving
Jesus is the cause of remaining in his love?
o It confirms the causal relationship.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 14:21 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
21Whoever has my commands and
keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
+++++++++++++++++++++
66)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 10 what is the basis that the disciples will
remain in his love if they obey his commands?
o It is patterned after the interaction between Jesus and
his Father.
o That
o He remains in his Father’s love.
o Because
o He has obeyed his Father’s commands.
67)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verses 10 and 11 what is the joy that he has?
o Jesus has the joy of remaining in the Father’s love.
68)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verses 10 and 11 what is the joy that the disciples had?
o The disciples had the joy of remaining in Jesus’ love.
69)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verses 10 and 11 what is the basis for the joy that the
disciples had?
o The disciples had the joy of remaining in Jesus’ love.
o Just as
o Jesus has the joy of remaining in the Father’s love.
70)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 11 whose joy is it that the disciples had from remaining in
his love?
o They had Jesus’ joy.
71)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 11 what makes the disciples’ joy complete?
o Jesus’ joy being in the disciples makes their joy complete.
72)
What change did Jesus
intend to accomplish in the disciples with what he had told them, given verse 11
and given that they were troubled that he was leaving them behind?
o Jesus intended to replace in them
§
The trouble of his
leaving them behind.
§
With
§
The joy of their remaining
in his love.
73)
What is a better
translation for verse 12 such as the NASB and why?
o 12This is My commandment, that you love one another,
just as I have loved you.
o The NIV translation is inappropriate for the Greek
subjunctive mood of the action represented by the verb ‘love’ that the
disciples take.
o Even though
o Jesus said it is a command.
o The subjunctive mood indicates possibility and
potentiality.
o That
o The action described may or may not occur.
o In other words the disciples
can choose to love one another or not.
o The imperative
mood of the NIV translation that indicates demand is not compatible with that.
o While
o The NASB translation is compatible.
74)
What command did Jesus
reiterate in verse 12 during the Passover supper?
o Jesus reiterated his command that the disciples love
one other.
o As
o He had loved them.
75)
What freedom has
Jesus given the disciples concerning his command for them to love one other?
o They can choose whether to obey it or not.
76)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 12 what is the basis for the disciples’ loving one another?
o Just as Jesus has loved the disciples, they also love
one another.
o This means that now that Jesus has loved the
disciples, they need to choose whether they love one another or not.
77)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verse 12 whom are we taking after when we as his disciples
love another?
o We are taking after Jesus as his disciples.
78)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 13 what is the greatest love?
o To lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
79)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 14 who are his friends?
o Disciples who do
what Jesus commands are his friends.
80)
In accordance
with what Jesus said in verses 13 and 14 how had he demonstrated the greatest
love, given 1 Corinthians 15:3?
o Jesus died for the disciples who
§
Do what he commands.
§
And are therefore
his friends.
o In so doing he had demonstrated the greatest love.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud 1 Corinthians 15:3 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
3For what I received I passed
on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to
the Scriptures,
+++++++++++++++++++++
81)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 15 what is the change in the disciples’ status in relation
to him?
o Jesus no longer called them servants.
o Instead he had called them friends.
82)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 15 how did he make the disciples his friends and how did they
remain his friends?
o Jesus made them his friends by making known to them everything.
o That
o He learned from his Father.
o They remained his friends by obeying what he had made
known to them.
83)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 15 what is the basis for the change in the disciples’ status?
o A servant does not know his master’s business.
o But Jesus had made known to the disciples everything.
o That
o He learned from his Father.
o They were therefore
§
No longer
servants.
§
But friends.
84)
Why did Jesus
elevate his master-servant relationship with the disciples to that of friendship,
given verses 13 to 15?
o Jesus was going to love the disciples with the
greatest love, laying down his life for them as their friend soon.
85)
Why did Jesus
need to elevate his master-servant relationship with the disciples to that of friendship
before laying down his life for them?
o Masters would not die for servants.
o But friends would die for friends.
86)
According to what
Jesus said in verses 14 and 15 how should the disciples respond to his having
made known to them everything he learned from his Father in
order for them to be his friends?
o They should obey his commands in
order to be his friends.
87)
What is a better
translation for ‘whatever you ask in my name the Father
will give you’ in verse 16 such as the
NASB and why?
o Whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give
to you.
o The NIV translation is inappropriate for the Greek
subjunctive mood of the action represented by the verb ‘give’ that the Father takes.
o The subjunctive mood indicates possibility and
potentiality.
o That
o The action described may or may not occur.
o In other words the Father may or may not give the
disciples what they ask him in Jesus’ name.
o The indicative
mood of the NIV translation that indicates a statement of fact is not
compatible with that.
o Because
o Such a translation makes the Father giving the disciples
what they ask him in Jesus’ name a certainty.
o While
o The NASB translation is compatible.
88)
What causal
relationship between bearing fruit and answered prayer would be erroneously drawn
if the NIV translation is adopted?
o The causal relationship that bearing fruit is the cause
of answered prayer would be erroneously drawn.
89)
What is the
causal relationship between believing in Jesus and obeying Jesus’ commands that
we have investigated earlier?
o Believing in Jesus is the cause of obeying Jesus’
commands.
90)
What is the
causal relationship between obeying Jesus’ commands and remaining in Jesus that
we have investigated earlier?
o Obeying Jesus’ commands is the cause of remaining in
Jesus.
91)
What is the
causal relationship between remaining in Jesus and bearing fruit that we have
investigated earlier?
o Remaining in Jesus is the cause of bearing fruit.
92)
How do we
assemble the causal chain of believing in Jesus, given [a] Believing in Jesus is
the cause of obeying Jesus’ commands; [b] Obeying Jesus’ commands is the cause
of remaining in Jesus and [c] Remaining in Jesus is the cause of bearing fruit?
o Believing in Jesus is the cause of obeying Jesus’ commands.
o Obeying Jesus’ commands is the cause of remaining in
Jesus.
o Remaining in Jesus is the cause of bearing fruit.
93)
What is the causal
relationship between eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood on the one hand
and remaining in Jesus on the other, given John 6:56?
o Eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood is the cause
of remaining in Jesus.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 6:56 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
56Whoever eats my flesh and
drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them.
+++++++++++++++++++++
94)
Where on the
causal chain of believing in Jesus should the causal relationship that eating
Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood is the cause of remaining in Jesus be
placed and why?
o It should be placed as follows:
§
Believing in
Jesus is the cause of obeying Jesus’ commands.
§
Obeying Jesus’
commands is the cause of eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood.
§
Eating Jesus’
flesh and drinking his blood is the cause of remaining in Jesus.
§
Remaining in
Jesus is the cause of bearing fruit.
o Because
o Those who obey Jesus’ commands would obey his teaching
to eat his flesh and drink his blood.
95)
What is the causal
relationship between loving Jesus and obeying his commands that we have
investigated earlier?
o Loving Jesus is the cause of obeying Jesus’ commands.
96)
Where on the causal
chain of believing in Jesus should the causal relationship that loving Jesus is
the cause of obeying Jesus’ commands be placed and why?
o It should be placed as follows:
§
Believing in
Jesus is the cause of loving Jesus.
§
Loving Jesus is the
cause of obeying Jesus’ commands.
§
Obeying Jesus’ commands
is the cause of eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood.
§
Eating Jesus’
flesh and drinking his blood is the cause of remaining in Jesus.
§
Remaining in
Jesus is the cause of bearing fruit.
o Because
o Loving Jesus begins with
§
Believing in
Jesus.
§
And not the other
way around.
o That is why in evangelism we ask people
§
If they want to believe
in Jesus.
§
Not if they want
to love Jesus.
97)
According to what
Jesus said in verse 16 who chose whom?
o The disciples did not choose Jesus.
o But Jesus chose the disciples.
98)
When were the disciples
chosen by Jesus, given Ephesians 1:4-5?
o It was done before the creation of the world.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Ephesians 1:4-5 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
4For he chose us in him
before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love
5he predestined us for
adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and
will.
+++++++++++++++++++++
99)
What is the logical
relationship between being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world and
being justified, given Romans 8:33?
o Being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world
is the sufficient condition for being justified.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Romans 8:33 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
33Who will bring any charge
against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.
+++++++++++++++++++++
100) What is the causal relationship between believing in
Jesus and being justified, given Galatians 2:15-16?
o Believing in Jesus is the only cause of being
justified.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Galatians 2:15-16 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
15“We who are Jews by birth
and not sinful Gentiles
16know that a person is not
justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too,
have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ
and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be
justified.
+++++++++++++++++++++
101) How can the causal relationship between believing in
Jesus and being justified be rephrased in the context of a sufficient and
necessary condition?
o Believing in Jesus is the sufficient and necessary
condition that chronologically precedes being justified.
102) What is believing in Jesus the necessary condition for,
given that believing in Jesus is the sufficient and necessary condition that chronologically
precedes being justified?
o Believing in Jesus is the necessary condition for being
justified.
103) How do we rephrase the logical relationship that believing
in Jesus is the necessary condition for being justified in terms of a sufficient
condition?
o Being justified is the sufficient condition for believing
in Jesus.
104) What is the logical relationship between being chosen
by Jesus before the creation of the world and believing in Jesus, given [a]
Being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world is the sufficient
condition for being justified and [b] Being justified is the sufficient
condition for believing in Jesus?
o Being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world
is the sufficient condition for believing in Jesus.
105) What is the logical relationship between believing in
Jesus and being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world and why, given
1 Thessalonians 1:4-8?
o The Thessalonian disciples’ deep conviction about the gospel
in 1 Thessalonians 1:5 and their faith in Jesus in 1 Thessalonians 1:8 serve as
the indication.
o That
o God had chosen them in 1 Thessalonians 1:4.
o Hence believing in Jesus is the sufficient condition
for being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud 1 Thessalonians 1:4-8 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
4For we know, brothers and
sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,
5because our gospel came to
you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep
conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake.
6You became imitators of us
and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering
with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.
7And so you became a model to
all the believers in
8The Lord’s message rang out
from you not only in
+++++++++++++++++++++
106) How do we rephrase the logical relationship that believing
in Jesus is the sufficient condition for being chosen by Jesus before the
creation of the world in terms of a necessary condition?
o Being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world
is the necessary condition for believing in Jesus.
107) What is the chronological relationship between being chosen
by Jesus before the creation of the world and believing in Jesus and why?
o Being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world
chronologically precedes believing in Jesus.
o Because
o A person can believe in Jesus.
o Only after
o The person has been born into the world.
108) How can the following relationships be combined into a
single relationship expressed as the sufficient and necessary condition with chronology:
[a] Being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world is the sufficient
condition for believing in Jesus; [b] Being chosen by Jesus before the creation
of the world is the necessary condition for believing in Jesus and [c] Being chosen
by Jesus before the creation of the world chronologically precedes believing in
Jesus?
o Being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world
is the sufficient and necessary condition that chronologically precedes believing
in Jesus.
109) What is the causal relationship between being chosen
by Jesus before the creation of the world and believing in Jesus, given that being
chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world is the sufficient and
necessary condition that chronologically precedes believing in Jesus?
o Being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world
is the only cause of believing in Jesus.
110) What does the causal relationship that being chosen by
Jesus before the creation of the world is the only cause of believing in Jesus
mean, given that being chosen by Jesus before the creation of the world chronologically
precedes any human-initiated activities?
o It means
§
That being chosen
by Jesus before the creation of the world is the first cause of believing in
Jesus.
§
And that Human
free will that operates after the world has been created cannot be the first cause.
o In other words God predestines human beings before the
creation of the world for
§
Believing in Jesus.
§
And receiving
salvation.
o No human beings can
§
Believe in Jesus.
§
And receive
salvation.
o Without God’s predestination as the first cause before
the creation of the world.
o On the other hand God can provision for those whom he
predestines an
§
Intermediate.
§
And
chronologically-subsequent.
o Cause of human free will that leads to the effect of believing
in Jesus.
o In fact God has done that by uniquely endowing each
person with
§
Human faculties.
§
Circumstance.
§
And experience.
o Regardless, God’s predestination remains the first cause
of believing in Jesus.
o Human free will must operate within the boundary of
God’s sovereignty.
111) How do we interpret Jesus’ words in verse 16 that the disciples
did not choose him but that he chose them to bear fruit?
o They did not choose Jesus entirely on their own.
o Because
o It is Jesus who chose the disciples before the
creation of the world.
o Though
o They did decide to choose him as a result of his having
predestined them to do so.
o Meaning that
o Jesus choosing them before the creation of the world is
the first cause of their choosing Jesus in due time.
112) What is the biblical basis for saying that human free
will must operate within the boundary of God’s sovereignty?
o Romans 9:19-21 makes that clear.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Romans 9:19-21 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
19One of you will say to me:
“Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?”
20But who are you, a human
being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it,
‘Why did you make me like this?’”
21Does not the potter have
the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special
purposes and some for common use?
+++++++++++++++++++++
113) But how do we answer the challenge that it is not fair
and just when people end up burning in the fire of hell because God has not
predestined them to believe in Jesus?
o We need to have faith that God is fair and just.
o When
o Everything has been made known in eternity.
o Even Jesus needed to commit himself into God’s hands per
Luke 23:46 in the midst of doubt per Mark
15:34 while hanging on the cross.
o He needed to be patient.
o Until
o God raised him from the dead.
o And so do we.
o Let’s not run ahead of God.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Luke 23:46 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
46Jesus called out with a
loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said
this, he breathed his last.
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Mark 15:34 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
34And at three in the
afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema
sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have
you forsaken me?”).
+++++++++++++++++++++
114) What are the characteristics of the current argument
on the role of God’s predestination and human free will in believing in Jesus?
o The argument employs the simplest kind of logics learned
in the most basic logics class taught in high schools in some parts of the
world.
o It is an impassionate, objective and simple argument
based on evidence in the bible that lets God’s word speak for itself.
o Such an argument encourages the widest participation possible
in the discussion of the doctrine of salvation.
115) In accordance with what Jesus said in verse 16 what is
the causal relationship between being chosen by Jesus and bearing fruit?
o Being chosen by Jesus is the cause of bearing fruit.
116) According to what Jesus said in verse 16 what is the nature
of the fruit the disciples chosen by him bear?
o The fruit will last.
117) Where on the causal chain of believing in Jesus should
the causal relationship that being chosen by Jesus is the cause of bearing
fruit be placed and why?
o It should be placed as follows:
§
Being chosen by Jesus
is the cause of believing in Jesus.
§
Believing in
Jesus is the cause of loving Jesus.
§
Loving Jesus is the
cause of obeying Jesus’ commands.
§
Obeying Jesus’ commands
is the cause of eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood.
§
Eating Jesus’
flesh and drinking his blood is the cause of remaining in Jesus.
§
Remaining in
Jesus is the cause of bearing fruit.
o Because
o Being chosen by Jesus took place before the creation
of the world.
118) What does the resultant causal chain of being chosen
by Jesus look like?
o It is as follows:
§
Being chosen by Jesus
is the cause of believing in Jesus.
§
Believing in
Jesus is the cause of loving Jesus.
§
Loving Jesus is the
cause of obeying Jesus’ commands.
§
Obeying Jesus’ commands
is the cause of eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood.
§
Eating Jesus’
flesh and drinking his blood is the cause of remaining in Jesus.
§
Remaining in
Jesus is the cause of bearing fruit.
119) Where on the causal chain of being chosen by Jesus should
the causal relationship that believing in Jesus is the cause of answered prayer
be placed and why, given that there is no causal relationship between bearing
fruit and answered prayer?
o The requirement for a causal chain is that all
entities on the causal chain must have a causal relationship with one another.
o The causal relationship cannot be placed on the causal
chain.
o Because
o Bearing fruit is on the causal chain.
o And there is no causal relationship between
§
Bearing fruit.
§
And answered
prayer.
120) What is the causal relationship between obeying Jesus’
commands and answered prayer, given 1 John 3:21-22?
o Obeying Jesus’ commands is the cause of answered
prayer.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud 1 John 3:21-22 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
21Dear friends, if our hearts
do not condemn us, we have confidence before God
22and receive from him
anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him.
+++++++++++++++++++++
121) How do we interpret the following scenario: [a]
Believing in Jesus is the cause of answered prayer and [b] Obeying Jesus’
commands is the cause of answered prayer and [c] Answered prayer cannot be put on
the causal chain of being chosen by Jesus?
o There is a separate and second causal chain of being chosen
by Jesus that
§
Shares the same
entities with the first causal chain up to obeying Jesus’ commands.
§
And then diverges.
122) What does the second causal chain of being chosen by Jesus
look like?
o The second causal chain of being chosen by Jesus is as
follows:
§
Being chosen by Jesus
is the cause of believing in Jesus.
§
Believing in
Jesus is the cause of loving Jesus.
§
Loving Jesus is the
cause of obeying Jesus’ commands.
§
Obeying Jesus’ commands
is the cause of answered prayer.
123) How can we use the second causal chain of being chosen
by Jesus to account for the fact that no one who believes in Jesus ever has
whatever they ask in his name done for them regardless of the fact that it is
biblically possible?
o It is because we don’t fully believe in Jesus.
o And that is reflected in
§
Our
less-than-perfect obedience to Jesus’ word.
§
And our less-than-perfect
realization of answered prayer.
o Jesus has perfect obedience to the Father.
o And that is reflected in
§
His death on the
cross.
§
And his perfect realization
of answered prayer per John 11:41-44.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 11:41-44 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
41So they took away the
stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard
me.
42I knew that you always hear
me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may
believe that you sent me.”
43When he had said this,
Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
44The dead man came out, his
hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus
said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”
+++++++++++++++++++++
124) Did God answer Jesus’ prayer in Mark 15:34 and why,
given 1 Corinthians 15:3-4?
o God answered Jesus’ prayer in Mark 15:34
§
Not by words immediately.
§
But by raising
him on the third day per 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Mark 15:34 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
34And at three in the
afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema
sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have
you forsaken me?”).
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
3For what I received I passed
on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to
the Scriptures,
4that he was buried, that he
was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
+++++++++++++++++++++
125) What could we do to have more of what we ask in Jesus’
name become reality?
o We need to
§
More fully believe
in Jesus.
§
And more fully obey
his word.
126) How does being chosen by Jesus differ from other
entities on the causal chain of being chosen by Jesus?
o Being chosen by Jesus is the first cause of all other entities
on the causal chain.
o It is the only entity on the causal chain that does not
have any human contribution.
127) What information does the first causal chain of being chosen
by Jesus provide in the context of the sufficient and necessary condition?
o Being chosen by Jesus is the sufficient and necessary
condition for believing in Jesus and vice versa.
o Believing in Jesus is the sufficient and necessary
condition for loving Jesus and vice versa.
o Loving Jesus is the sufficient and necessary condition
for obeying Jesus’ commands and vice versa.
o Obeying Jesus’ commands is the sufficient and
necessary condition for eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood and vice versa.
o Eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood is the sufficient
and necessary condition for remaining in Jesus and vice
versa.
o Remaining in Jesus is the sufficient and necessary
condition for bearing fruit and vice versa.
128) What is a succinct summary of the information the causal
chain of being chosen by Jesus provides in the context of the sufficient and
necessary condition?
o Every entity on the causal chain of being chosen by Jesus
is the sufficient and necessary condition for every other entity on the causal
chain.
129) What does the succinct summary tell us about the role every
entity on the causal chain of being chosen by Jesus plays in the context of an indicator?
o Every entity on the causal chain of being chosen by Jesus
is the sufficient and necessary indicator for every other entity on the causal
chain.
o You can randomly pick any two entities on the causal
chain.
o And they would be the sufficient and necessary indicator
for one another.
130) Is it true that obeying Jesus’ commands is the
sufficient and necessary indicator for loving Jesus and therefore the only indicator
for loving Jesus by virtue of the definition of the sufficient and necessary condition?
o Yes.
131) Is it true that bearing fruit is the sufficient and
necessary indicator for loving Jesus and therefore the only indicator for loving
Jesus by virtue of the definition of the sufficient and necessary condition?
o Yes.
132) How do we reconcile the fact that both obeying Jesus’ commands
and bearing fruit are the only indicator for loving Jesus?
o We would bear fruit.
o When
o We obey Jesus’ commands.
o Because
o Obeying Jesus’ commands is the sufficient and
necessary indicator for bearing fruit.
o And we would obey Jesus’ commands.
o When
o We bear fruit.
o Because
o Bearing fruit is the sufficient and necessary indicator
for obeying Jesus’ commands.
o So both must be
§
Either
true at the same time to confirm the
reality of loving Jesus.
§
Or
false at the same time to deny the
reality of loving Jesus.
o This is due to both being on the same causal chain.
133) Is bearing fruit a good indicator of every other
entity on the first causal chain of being chosen by Jesus from the human
perspective and why?
o It is a good indicator.
o Because
o It can be objectively observed.
134) How does obeying Jesus’ commands compare with bearing
fruit in the context of an objective indicator from the human perspective?
o Observing Jesus’ commands can be done legalistically.
o Observing Jesus’ commands legalistically is not really
obeying Jesus’ commands.
o And it is difficult from the human perspective to
discern whether a person is observing Jesus’ commands legalistically or not.
o Therefore bearing fruit is a more objective indicator from
the human perspective.
135) But didn’t Jesus use obeying his commands in John 8:31
as an indicator?
o Jesus as God could tell whether a person is observing
his commands legalistically or not as discussed earlier.
o But humans could not.
o Therefore obeying Jesus’ commands is not an entirely
objective indicator from the human perspective.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 8:31 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
31To the Jews who had
believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my
disciples.
+++++++++++++++++++++
136) Is eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood an objective
indicator from the human perspective and why?
o Eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood is intended
by Jesus to be more than the act of participating in communion.
o Otherwise it could not possibly be the cause of
§
Remaining in
Jesus.
§
And bearing fruit.
o Given that a non-believer can choose to participate in
communion.
o That being the case, it is not certain how to directly
observe the part of
§
Eating Jesus’
flesh.
§
And drinking his
blood.
o That is beyond the act of participating in communion.
o So eating Jesus’ flesh and drinking his blood is not
an objective indicator from the human perspective.
137) Why is loving Jesus not an objective indicator from
the human perspective?
o From the human perspective loving Jesus is
§
An abstract
concept.
§
And therefore not
an objective indicator itself.
o Its existence can only be confirmed by other
relatively more objective indicators on the causal chain of being chosen by Jesus
such as obeying Jesus’ commands per John 14:21.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 14:21 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
21Whoever has my commands and
keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my
Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
+++++++++++++++++++++
138) What does believing in Jesus mean in the context of
the bible?
o Believing in Jesus is actually quite a complex subject
as can be seen in John 2:18-25, John 8:30-32
and James 2:19 as a few examples among many.
o The matter should have been dealt with in the
formulation of the doctrine of salvation.
o But unfortunately the proper formulation of the
doctrine of salvation has remained undone.
o Even after
o Jesus has risen from the dead almost two thousand
years ago.
o The current bible study is not the proper occasion for
a discussion of the subject.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 2:18-25 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
18The Jews then responded to
him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?”
19Jesus answered them,
“Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.”
20They replied, “It has taken
forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three
days?”
21But the temple he had
spoken of was his body.
22After he was raised from
the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had
spoken.
23Now while he was in
24But Jesus would not entrust
himself to them, for he knew all people.
25He did not need any
testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 8:30-32 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
30Even as he spoke, many
believed in him.
31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching,
you are really my disciples.
32Then you will know the
truth, and the truth will set you free.”
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud James 2:19 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
19You believe that there is
one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and
shudder.
+++++++++++++++++++++
139) But didn’t Jesus use believing in him in John 14:12-14
as an indicator?
o Jesus as God can use believing in him as an indicator for
granting prayer.
o But it is not an entirely objective indicator from the
human perspective.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 14:12-14 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
12Very truly I tell you,
whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do
even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
13And I will do whatever you
ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
14You may ask me for anything
in my name, and I will do it.
+++++++++++++++++++++
140) Why is bearing fruit a good measure of our spiritual
wellbeing from the human perspective, given that it is an objective indicator of
every other entity on the first causal chain of being chosen by Jesus?
o It is because the first causal chain of being chosen
by Jesus depicts facets of our spirituality.
141) What is the ultimate reason that bearing fruit is a good
measure of our spiritual wellbeing from the human perspective, given that humans
have difficulties discerning what is inside of a person?
o The inside of a person oozes out.
o When
o The person bears fruit.
o Bearing fruit opens a window to the person’s soul.
142) How does Matthew 7:17-20 confirm bearing fruit as a good
measure of our spiritual wellbeing?
o A good tree can only bear good fruit.
o And a bad tree can only bear bad fruit.
o We can tell a good tree by its good fruit.
o And we can tell a bad tree by its bad fruit.
o It cannot be mistaken.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Matthew 7:17-20 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
17Likewise, every good tree
bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18A good tree cannot bear bad
fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
19Every tree that does not
bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
20Thus, by their fruit you
will recognize them.
+++++++++++++++++++++
143) What is a tangible thing we could do to get to the
point of much fruit-bearing in the context of the first causal chain of being
chosen by Jesus?
o Obeying Jesus’ commands out of our love for him.
144) What is a better translation for verse 17 such as the
NASB and why?
o 17This I command you, that you love one another.
o The NIV translation is inappropriate for the Greek
subjunctive mood of the action represented by the verb ‘love’ that the
disciples take.
o Even though
o Jesus said it is a command.
o The subjunctive mood indicates possibility and
potentiality.
o That
o The action described may or may not occur.
o In other words the disciples can choose to love one
another or not.
o The imperative
mood of the NIV translation that indicates demand is not compatible with that.
o While
o The NASB translation is compatible.
145) What command did Jesus reiterate in verse 17?
o Jesus reiterated the command.
o That
o The disciples love one other.
146) What did Jesus reiterate his command for the disciples
to love one other for, given verse 8 and John 13:34-35?
o To make it clear to the disciples.
o That
o By their loving one another everyone will know that they
are Jesus’ disciples.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 13:34-35 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
34“A new command I give you:
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35By this everyone will know
that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
+++++++++++++++++++++
147) How many times did Jesus tell the disciples to love
one another in the current gospel account, given verses 12 and 17 and John 13:34-35
quoted above?
o Three times.
148) How many times did the apostle John repeat Jesus’ command
for the disciples to love one another in his epistles, given 1 John 3:11, 1 John
3:23, 1 John 4:7-8, 1 John 4:11-12 and 2 John
1:5?
o Five times.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud 1 John 3:11 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
11For this is the message you
heard from the beginning: We should love one another.
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud 1 John 3:23 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
23And this is his command: to
believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he
commanded us.
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud 1 John 4:7-8 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
7Dear friends, let us love
one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God
and knows God.
8Whoever does not love does
not know God, because God is love.
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud 1 John 4:11-12 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
11Dear friends, since God so
loved us, we also ought to love one another.
12No one has ever seen God;
but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in
us.
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud 2 John 1:5 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
5And now, dear lady, I am not
writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we
love one another.
+++++++++++++++++++++
149) How did the apostle John refer to himself in relation
to Jesus in the current gospel account, given John 13:23, John 20:1-2, John 20:7
and John 20:20-22?
o He referred to himself as the disciple whom Jesus
loved.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 13:23 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
23One of them, the disciple
whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 20:1-2 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
1Early on the first day of
the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that
the stone had been removed from the entrance.
2So she came running to Simon
Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken
the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 20:7 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
7Then the disciple whom Jesus
loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say,
“It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it
off) and jumped into the water.
+++++++++++++++++++++
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 20:20-22 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
20Peter turned and saw that
the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had
leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to
betray you?”)
21When Peter saw him, he
asked, “Lord, what about him?”
22Jesus answered, “If I want
him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”
+++++++++++++++++++++
150) Why did the apostle John start referring to himself as
the disciple whom Jesus loved during the Passover supper, given John 13:1-5?
o It is during that Passover supper that Jesus loved the
disciples to the end by washing their feet.
o Upon experiencing that act of love it finally sank
into John’s heart and mind.
o That
o Jesus loved them.
o And he recorded Jesus’ continuing discourse on love in
the remainder of his gospel account that does not exist in others.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud John 13:1-5 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
1It was just before the
Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this
world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he
loved them to the end.
2The evening meal was in
progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot,
to betray Jesus.
3Jesus knew that the Father
had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was
returning to God;
4so he got up from the meal,
took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
5After that, he poured water
into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel
that was wrapped around him.
+++++++++++++++++++++
151) Why did the apostle John focus on love in his writings,
given what he wrote in Revelation 2:1-7 and given that he was the only living apostle
at the time of the writing?
o The church in
o Yet it turned out to be unsustainable over the long
haul.
o Because
o The church there had forsaken the love they had at
first.
o At that juncture John realized that
§
Time was running
out.
§
And something
must be done soon and quickly.
o In order to sustain the church over the long haul.
o So he proceeded to set the last piece of DNA for the church,
which is love.
o As the only living apostle, John ensured that
§
What he spoke of.
§
And what he wrote.
o Had the theme of love etched in it, including
§
The gospel of John.
§
And the epistles
of John.
o Because
o It would be carefully heeded by all the disciples.
· The facilitator asks a specific participant to read
out loud Revelation 2:1-7 that says,
+++++++++++++++++++++
1To the angel of the church
in
2I know your deeds, your hard
work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that
you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them
false.
3You have persevered and have
endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.
4Yet I hold this against you:
You have forsaken the love you had at first.
5Consider how far you have
fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will
come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
6But you have this in your
favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
7Whoever has ears, let them
hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will
give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
+++++++++++++++++++++
========================
John 15:1-17
========================