Book of John

#15 John 5:16-23

May 9, 2021 /

Leader:  Have your Student write down the Passage and the Questions then, give them a week to prepare.

Passage: John 5:16-23

Questions: 

  • 1) What is the Jew’s reaction to the healing?
  • 2) What does Jesus explain in verses 19-23?
  • 2) What questions do you have?

Then, this week the Student will:  

  • Read the Passage every day!
  • Handwrite the Passage
  • Answer the questions 

When you do meet again, you will go over this… 

John 5:16-23

16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17 In his defense Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” 18 For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

19 Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, and he will show him even greater works than these, so that you will be amazed. 21 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. 22 Moreover, the Father judges no one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, 23 that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father, who sent him.

Notes for Leader:

Open your time together with prayer. Be sure to ask the Holy Spirit to lead the conversation and teach what needs to be learned and heard during your discussion. He will give you the words that you need! May you grow closer together and closer to Jesus.

Briefly review what you learned last week. Now, let’s see what else we can discover about who Jesus is…

Here is what we noticed.

1) What is the Jew’s reaction to the healing?

V.16 the Jews persecute Jesus because he is violating the Sabbath rules.

v.18 the Jews want to kill Jesus because he is calling God his Father = blasphemy (See Lev.24:13-16)

2) What does Jesus explain in verses 19-23?

  • v.19 the Son can do nothing by himself
  • v. 19 Jesus does what he sees the Father doing
  • v.20 Father shows the Son everything he does
  • v.21 Father and Son can give life and resurrect life
  • v.22 Son oversees judgment
  • v.23 Father and Son equal in honor

All of these details place the Son and the Father on equal footing.  Why?  They are one.  Therefore, Jesus is claiming equality with God; Jesus is claiming that he is God!  If someone claims to believe in God, but does not honor Jesus… that person does not actually believe in the one true God!

3) What questions do you have?

Don’t be nervous about this one… the Holy Spirit will help you answer.  If you are discipling a young child (and most others!), remember that they are not expecting a doctoral dissertation when you answer, so keep it simple and true. And, it is ok to say, “I am not sure, let’s look into that together.”  And then add that question to your study for next week. 

Allow the Spirit to lead a great conversation!

Here is the passage and questions for next week’s study. Give your student the week to write out the passage and prepare for your discussion.

Passage: John 5:24-30

Questions: 

  • 1) Explain verse 24.
  • 2) What is Jesus talking about in regards to death, life and judging?
  • 3) What questions do you have?