DECEMBER 28, 2025

UNIT 1: THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

LESSON: 4

Study Text: Exodus 3:13-14; John 8:31-59

Central Truth: All that Jesus claimed about himself is true.

KEY Verse-John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I AM!" (KJV).

Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born. I Am!" (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

We're continuing our study of John's Gospel by taking a closer look at the "I Am" statements of Jesus. It's important to remember that John had many years to reflect on all he had seen and herd as an eyewitness to Jesus' ministry. We can learn a great deal from noticing what themes and events he chose to include in his Gospel. By the time John wrote his Gospel around AD 70-90, those written by Matthew, Mark, and Luke were probably already in circulation. That means John was likely retelling the story of Jesus in a fresh way.

In doing so, he provides us with a striking portrait of Jesus, identifying Him as the great "I Am."

DISCUSSION STARTER-Tell Me the OLD, Old Story

There's a classic hymn that says, "Tell me the old, old story of Jesus and His love." How old is the story of Jesus to you? Is It one you've heard from your earliest memories? Or did you hear it relatively recently? AD 70-90, those written by Matthew, Mark, and Luke were probably already in circulation. That means John was likely retelling the Story of Jesus in  a fresh way. In doing so, he provides us with a striking portrait of Jesus, identifying Him as the great "I Am."

PART 1-FOLLOW JESUS FIRST

"The Truth Will Set You Free"              John 8:31-36

Discipleship is more than believing in Jesus, although that is where it begins.  Being Jesus' true disciples' commitment. That means remaining faithful to Jesus' teaching (John 8:31) or continuing in His word (KJV). The remainder of John 8 records how the conversation developed between Jesus and the Jewish people following Him. Experiencing freedom in Jesus requires both knowing the truth (verse 32) and acknowledging one's need to be set free (verse 33). This crowd needed Jesus to explain the freedom He was talking about, because they considered themselves already free as Abrahams's descendants. Jesus showed them their true need to be freed from the slavery of sin (verses 34--35). Only He could bring them kind of freedom--the kind that lasts beyond this early existence (verse 36).

? Some of the people in the crowd may have placed their faith in their heritage and religious rituals.  what are some things we might place our faith in besides Jesus' redeeming, freeing power?

CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM?            John 8:37-40

Jesus admitted the crowed had physically descended from Abraham, but their response to Him showed their lack of true faith (John 8:37). Abraham had sincere faith in God (Genesis 15:6), but some of his physical descendants were rejecting the Son of God. Their actions proved who their father truly was (John 8:38), just as Jesus' words and actions showed that God was His Father. Jesus pointed out in verse 37 that the root of their disconnection from God was the lack of room in their hearts for Jesus' message. Abraham was not perfect, but he took God at His word. This is the kind of lived-out faith that true discipleship requires. Only this kind of obedience leads us to find freedom in the truth (John 8:32).

? Do you think Jesus' critique of these people sounds too harsh? Why or why not?

PART 2-DEEP DECEPTION

Children of the Devil            John 8:41-47

When Jesus referred to the people's "real father" in John 8:41, they interpreted His statement as casting doubt on their lineage. They insisted they were not illegitimate children and shifted from claiming Abraham as their father to saying God himself was their Father (verse 41). They claimed to be God's children, but they were rejecting God's Son. They did not love or listen to Jesus, who had been sent from God and spoke God's words (John 8:42-43). Instead, as Jesus now made very clear, their father was the devil (verse 44). Jesus said the devil was "a murderer from the beginning" (verse 44). Just like Eve and Adam believed the devil instead of trusting God, the Jewish leaders failed to put their trust in God's Son (verse 46). Instead, they accused Him of sin (verse 46) and as the next section shows, they even blasphemed Him (verses 48, 52).

? What are some ways a believer can resist the devil's lies?

Dishonoring the Son of God            John 8:48-53

The people reacted to Jesus' words with insults and false accusations (John 8:48). They had gradually fallen for more and bigger lies, showing how deception progresses. The superficial belief in Jesus eventually gave way to outright blasphemy against Him. Jesus was not a Samaritan. Recall how the Samaritan woman at the well immediately recognized Him as a Jew (4:9). The charge that Jesus had a demon was even more absurd. The people may have been implying Jesus was working with demonic forces rather than being controlled by them (see Mark 3:22-30), but either way, it was a blasphemous accusation. Referring again to Abraham, they held him up with the prophets as the greatest symbols of their faith. In view of Jewish leaders' point of view, Jesus' claims, we each much decide for ourselves--as Watchman option open. In view of Jesus' claims, we each must decide for ourselves--as Watchman Nee, C.S. Lewis, and others have said--whether Jesus is liar, lunatic, or Lord.

? What are some ways to decide whether an argument calls for findings middle ground or staking a firm, immovable claim?

PART 3-TRUST THE "I AM"

KNOWING GOD           EXODUS 3:13-14

Scripture depicts the patriarchs using God's covenantal name, YHWH. But in Egypt, God's people received a fresh and expanded education about the saving character of the Person behind that time. when God called moses from the burning bush and told him to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt. Moses asked in whose name he was to undertake this task (Exodus 3:13). God responded by revealing himself as "I Am Who I Am". It is impossible to  overstate the significance of this revelation. The Israelites had been in Egypt for hundreds of years, surrounded by idolatrous pagan worship. But any confusion that might have arisen about the one true God's identity was wiped away in a single utterance. The name Yahweh promises deliverance of this promise as we return to John 8.

? As the New Living Translation footnote indicates, "I am" may also mean "I WILL BE." Why do you think that is significant?

KNOWING GOD'S SON              JOHN 8:54-59

If the crowd confronting Jesus  had been telling the truth about being God's children, they would have recognized Him as Giod's Son (John 8:54-55). His next claim confused them further---that Abraham saw Jesus' coming and rejoiced (verse 56). Their objection pointed out the obvious: Jesus' lifespan was not even close to the time when Abraham lived (versed 57). How could Abraham have seen Jesus' day? Jesus' response in verse 58 is powerful: Before Abraham was even born, I AM!" Unlike the other statements in John where Jesus "I am the bread" or "I am the door," this time He simply says, "I AM!" He was affirming His deity, His identity as Yahweh, the great "I AM" of Exodus 3. The power of His statement was not lost on His hearers. Believing him to be blaspheming God, they took up stones to kill the Son of God. Jesus had known murder was in their hearts verses 37, 40). But His time to die had not yet come. John ends the account with, "Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple" (verse 59).

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

God revealed His nature to abraham and moses and then gave us the ultimate revelation to himself in His Son. We need His help to lay down our pride and  make certain we have put our full faith in Jesus. As Peter would declare in Acts 4:12 (when confronting another hostile group who refused to believe Jesus), "There is salavation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved," May we be faithful to Jesus and ready to share the hope we've found in His name.

LIVING IT OUT

Every time you read the Bible this week, ask God to show you the truth and set you free.

DAILY BIBLE READINGS

          Monday: Abram Obey's God's Call.     Genesis 12:1-5

                    Tuesday: The Lord of Host Directs Joshua.  Joshua 5:13-1

Wednesday: The King of Glory.     Psalm 24:7-10

       Thursday: The Great Confession.   Matt. 16:13-17

Friday: Jesus Is the Only Way. John 14:1-6

               Saturday: Preeminence of Jesus. Colossians 2:9-18

RADIANT LIFE

Volume 107 Number 2 Dec. Jan. Feb 2025-26

Gospel Publishing House

1445 N. Boonville Ave.

Springfield, Missouri 65802