Discussion Questions
-
Describe, in your own words, ways in which John’s gospel is different from the Synoptic Gospels. Why are these differences important? How would our view of the Christ’s life and work be different without the gospel of John?
-
6 Replies
-
John’s gospel records Jewish celebration which signifies the span of time of Jesus’ ministry. He also wrote stories about Jesus that the Synoptic Gospels did not cover. The differences are important because it gave a wider and more accurate perspective of the time Jesus spent on earth. We would not have a deeper understanding of Jesus’ identity without the gospel of John.
-
John is much more of a reflective writer and chronologer of Jesus than the writer of the Synoptics. John gives multiple proofs of the deity of Jesus, important to counter the heresy of the day that continues into our time as well. But he also gives us glimpses of how people felt and interacted with Jesus, a beautiful picture of His humanity. This gives us a more complete picture of Jesus. Facts are fine, emotion is inviting. The 4 gospels will draw a seeker into the life of Jesus and then through the work of the Holy Spirit may become a child of God.
-
It locates much of Jesus’s ministry in Judaea, and the synoptic gospels are based on the birth story of Jesus, and also John’s also faces on Christ as the eternal word which becomes flesh. Because they tell two different stories that tell about Jesus’s life Which can be used to encourage people to minister or just learn about what Jesus’s life was. It may not be so easy to understand because everything has place and it fits perfectly.
-
It covers different time span than the others, it tells much of Jesus’ ministry in Judea, and it portrays Jesus discouraging on theological matters. John adds interpretive comments of his own to clarify Jesus’ motives. The Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all tell the story of Jesus but from different view points. John makes his easier for everyone to understand. It may be not as easier to understand some of the stories.
-
John wants us to fully understand that Jesus is more than the Messiah that the Jews were looking for as a conqueror over the Roman oppression. He wants us to see Jesus as fully deity and God Himself thereby allowing us to understand the greatest gift ever offered a fallen humanity, salvation and eternal life.
-
What does Jesus say about wealth in the parables of the rich fool (Luke 12:13-21) and the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)? How can you apply this teaching to your life?
-
5 Replies
-
Jesus stressed about those who have no thought for God or those who does not repent. I need to recognize the true value of earthly riches compared to storing riches in Heaven.
-
Wealth is powerful and to have it comes with great responsibility. To properly use it in the kingdom of God, you must decide it you own wealth or wealth owns you. If you are owned by wealth, you will fall into sins of greed, pride, arrogance, selfishness. To do so is to show contempt and disregard for the teaching of Jesus and the Kingdom of God, and that will result in serious, eternal consequences. If you own wealth, your commitment to the teachings of Jesus and the Kingdom of God will propel you to use it wisely to meet the needs of those with whom you may come in contact, to be an instrument in the hand of God to bless, which in turn will have lasting consequences as well, favorable in the kingdom. Salvation is not by works, but the calling of believers is to continue the work of Christ on earth during our lifetime.
-
Don’t let money go to your head it can never give u as much joy then having a good relationship with God. Also don’t abuse it either because God gave you that He can quickly take it away. To be wise with what gives me and appreciate it.
-
Wealth can be a distraction to following Jesus and it can become a god that might provide temporal security but it will not provide eternal salvation. Money is not evil in itself but how I deal with it as a commodity and whether I put my trust in it or God is the essential lesson I must learn and live by.
-
Many place their value on possessions not on supporting others, the rich man without possessions should still show kindness but won’t even after being told by someone living that he was wrong. Many who are rich may mask themselves as Christians, but without possessions may not serve God.