John's Gospel: A Disciple Journey with Jesus

Provides a possible harmony of events of Resurrection Day, based on a reconstruction by George E. Ladd and Michael C. Perry.

Provides a harmony of passages in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John for the accounts of Jesus' passion and resurrection.

Explains the filoque controversy, whether the Spirit proceeds from the Father only (Eastern church), or from both the Father and Son (Western church).

Explains what parakletos or Paraclete means. Then outlines the Spirit as a replacement for Jesus, as a Person, and a teacher, reminder, and guide to truth, who convicts the world of sin.

Presents arguments for the observation that Jesus partook of the Last Supper on Thursday, Passover, despite some indications in John that he partook of the Last Supper on Wednesday.

John develops the idea of seeing God's glory in Jesus, especially in his death, resurrection, and ascension.

Discusses John's use of semeion, 'miraculous signs,' to describe how miracles point to who Jesus is.

Identifies the various religious and political leaders in Jesus' day.

John isn't antisemitic. Usually his term 'the Jews' refers to his enemies, the leaders in Jerusalem.

While Peter and other disciples are fishing, Jesus tells them to put ther nets on the other side, catching a great number of fish. Peter swims ashore. Jesus has breakfast fixed. Jesus restores Peter to ministry and prophesies his manner of death.

Jesus appears to his disciples in the upper room. He commissions them and sends them, breathes upon them to receive the Holy Spirit, and gives them the power to remit sins. Doubting Thomas finally meets the risen Christ and confesses him to be 'My Lord and my God.'

On Sunday morning Mary goes to the tomb, finds it empty, and tells Peter and John. They find the graveclothes folded carefully, not scattered. Later, Jesus appears to Mary in the garden near the tomb.

Jesus is crucified on Golgotha, the soldiers cast lots for his garments fulfilling scripture. In last words of Christ from the cross, he entrusts his mother to John's care, thirsts, drinks posca or vinegary wine, and says 'It is finished.' He is buried by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus in a new tomb.

Jesus is betrayed by Judas, arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, taken to the high priests Annas and Caiaphas. Peter denies him three times. Jesus is tried before Pilate, who finds him innocent. Jesus speaks to him of his heavenly kingdom, of truth, and of God's sovereignty. Peter, buckling to pressure from the Jewish leaders, gives the order to crucify Jesus.

Jesus' high priestly prayer discusses themes of glory, unity, sanctification through the word of truth. And a prayer for those who will believe in the future.

The Holy Spirit, Paraclete, Counselor, Comforter will guide the disciles into all truth, relaying what the Father is saying. Speaks of prayer to the Father in Jesus' name, and the peace in Jesus that overcomes the world.

Jesus teaches on persecution, and the coming of the Paraclete, Counselor, Comforter who will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment.

Jesus uses the metaphor of a vine and branches to teach his disciples the importance of pruning or discipline, as well as staying close, abiding in the vine. That we can do nothing by ourselves, but in him will bear much fruit.

Jesus ties love for him to obedience. Explains how the Holy Spirit will come as 'another' Paraclete. Prince of the world has no hold on Jesus.

Jesus comforts his disciples as part of the Farewell Discourses, teaches about heaven -- 'my Father's house,' and declares himself the only, exclusive way to the Father.

Breaking all social norms in an act of radical humility, Jesus washes his disciples' feet at the Last Supper and gives them a commandment to love one another -- a mark of discipleship.

Mary anoints Jesus at a dinner in Bethany, just before his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.

Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, and speaks to Mary and Martha about resurrection and life found in him.

Jesus draws four teachings from the life of a shepherd, including laying down his life for the sheep and aboslute protection of them from thieves and Satan.

After Jesus heals a man born blind on the Sabbath, the Pharisees attack the man and Jesus. Jesus gives a discourse on spiritual blindness.

Jesus' discourse touches the importance of keeping Jesus' teachings to be true disciples, that his truth can set one free.

Jesus' enemies bring a women taken in adultery to him in the temple. Jesus both convicts them of unrighteous testimony, as well as gently calling the woman to repentance.

Jesus visits Jerusalem for the Feast of Booths or Tabernacles, Sukkot, and delivers an important declaration on the indwelling Holy Spirit in the believer.

Jesus' discourse on the Bread of Life, as well as eating his flesh and drinking his blood.

John tells us intimate details of Jesus' feeding of the 5,000, and his walking on the water.

Discourse on Jesus' dependence upon and submission to his Father -- which is at the same time his source of authority to teach and to act.

In a show of pure grace, Jesus heals an undeserving crippled man at the Pool of Bethesda, and later confronts him about his sin.

Herod's official travels from Capernaum to Cana to find Jesus, pleading for him to heal his son back home. Jesus speaks the word and the son is healed remotely.

As the Samaritans stream out of Sychar to see the man the woman told them of, Jesus exhorts his disicples to open their eyes to see the spiritual harvest.

Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar. He speaks of living water that brings eternal life, speaks of the woman's history with men, and reveals himself as the Christ.

Shows John the Baptist's humility in willing to decrease in his following and not to resent Jesus who is increasing in influence and popularity.

Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus explores being born again, the new birth, water and spirit, as well as believing on Jesus to have eternal life.

Jesus first act as Messiah in Jerusalem is to cleanse the temple of the moneychangers and merchants. Discusses relationship to accounts in the Synoptic Gospels.

Studies Jesus' first 'sign' at a wedding in Cana.

Shows how the new disciples bring their friends and family members to meet Jesus -- and have their lives changed.

Focuses on John the Baptist's witness to Jesus at his baptism, and as the Lamb of God.

John introduces Jesus as the Word or Logos, as God, as Light, as the Only-Begotten God

Considers authorship, date, main themes, and distinctions of the Fourth Gospel.

A personal invitation to studying John's Gospel.