John 8:12 Jesus, the Light of the World, Has Come Summary: It is finally Christmas season! This month, let's start by thinking about some of the reasons why Jesus came to us. In John 8:12, Jesus tells us that our world is dark and full of sin, but He is the light of the world. Let's think about it: Outline: 1. The darkness 2. The light 3. The call 4. The promise Verse: John 8:12 “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Jesus describes life without him as

John 7:53-8:11 Where Justice and Mercy Meet Summary: Sometimes people can do terrible things. There is real evil in the world, and I am sad to say that you'll have to face it in life at some point. In our passage today from John 8, Jesus encounters people who made a plan to try to trick Jesus so they could do away with him. That is terrible on its own, but they decided to use a defenseless woman who they accused of great sin in the process. But Jesus is the master of mercy and justice! Let's see how he saved this woman and dealt with the evil that was before him: Outline: 1. A great evil confronted 2. A holy response 3. Where justice and mercy meet Verse:

Isaiah 6:1-7 NRSV

John 7:40-52 The Great Divide Summary: There is truly no one like Jesus! Today in our passage in John, we'll see people who have wildly different thoughts about him. Some think he is the Savior, and others want to arrest him. Some of the soldiers are amazed by Jesus' words, saying,

John 7:27-39 Living Water, Part 4 Summary: Are you thirsty? In John 7 Jesus asked this question to a crowd of people. He said

John 7:24-36 Can This Be the Christ? Summary: In the Bible, Jesus was called many names. Here in John 7, he is called the

John 7:14-24 Divine Authority Summary: Why do people reject Jesus? That is the question we'll talk about today. We've already seen i John's Gospel that people do not come to Jesus unless God draws them by the Holy Spirit. But how does that rejection show itself? Let's listen to Jesus explain it today as he speaks with people who were blinded by sin: Outline: Why do people reject Jesus? 1. They do not accept his authority 2. They do not judge righteously Verse: “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.

John 7:1-13 A Sovereign Timetable If you have ever had a sibling not treat you well, you know that can be really hard. Jesus knew what this felt like too. John 7 tells us that not even his own brothers believed He was the Savior. But Jesus never failed in His plan to save us, even though so many were against Him. Let's think about it: 1. Brotherly betrayal 2. Perfect timing 3. Popular opinion Verse: John 7:5 For not even his brothers believed in him. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Consider for a moment the pain Jesus probably experienced at the unbelief of his brothers. How does this experience of Jesus help us appreciate the scope of his suffering for you? How might this help you in your own hurts and losses? 2. Why did Jesus not go up to the feast at his brothers' urging? Why do you think He went secretly later? Is there a contradiction here? How does this show us Jesus' sovereign timetable for our salvation? 3. What were the popular opinions about Jesus in vv. 11-13? How might they reflect people's views about Jesus today?

Last week we heard Jesus say hard things. He said that believing in him is like eating his flesh and drinking his blood (in other words, taking Jesus into the deepest part of our hearts). But some were offended when Jesus said this, and they left him. Why do some walk away from him, and others stay? Let's think about it today: Outline: 1. Why are some people offended by Jesus? 2. Why do some stay with Jesus? 3. Where else can we go? Verse: John 6:68 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life...

Last week we heard Jesus say hard things. He said that believing in him is like eating his flesh and drinking his blood (in other words, taking Jesus into the deepest part of our hearts). But some were offended when Jesus said this, and they left him. Why do some walk away from him, and others stay? Let's think about it today: Outline: 1. Why are some people offended by Jesus? 2. Why do some stay with Jesus? 3. Where else can we go? Verse: John 6:68 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life...

Last week we heard Jesus say hard things. He said that believing in him is like eating his flesh and drinking his blood (in other words, taking Jesus into the deepest part of our hearts). But some were offended when Jesus said this, and they left him. Why do some walk away from him, and others stay? Let's think about it today: Outline: 1. Why are some people offended by Jesus? 2. Why do some stay with Jesus? 3. Where else can we go? Verse: John 6:68 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life...

Last week we heard Jesus say hard things. He said that believing in him is like eating his flesh and drinking his blood (in other words, taking Jesus into the deepest part of our hearts). But some were offended when Jesus said this, and they left him. Why do some walk away from him, and others stay? Let's think about it today: Outline: 1. Why are some people offended by Jesus? 2. Why do some stay with Jesus? 3. Where else can we go? Verse: John 6:68 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life...

There are twelve books in the Bible that are called the Minor Prophets. Can you find these names?

Exodus 12:1-13 NRSV

John 6:48-59 True Food and Drink Summary: Sometimes Jesus said things that were hard to understand. Today we'll look at one of those moments. When talking about how he is the source of eternal life, he tells us that we must

Celebration and Glorification Psalm 47:1-9 Outline: 1. Celebrating God – the King of all the Earth 2. Experiencing the Glory of our Exalted King 3. Expecting the Glory of our Exalted King Memory Verse: Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! (Psalm 47:1)

John 6:41-47 Drawn by the Father Summary: Jesus made a bold, amazing claim: he claimed to have come down to us from heaven itself! Many of the people around Jesus knew his parents, and even had seen him grow up. This made it hard for them to accept that he came down from heaven, because they did not understand that God sent him as a baby to be born of Mary. Do you struggle to believe that Jesus was God's own Son sent from heaven to save us? Today let's listen and think about this struggle, and ask God for faith to believe in His Son: Outline: 1. The struggle to believe 2. The power to believe 3. The invitation to believe Verse: John 6:47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why did the people grumble about Jesus' claims? Do you have struggles to believe the things that Jesus says, especially in this passage? 2. Why does Jesus emphasize again that we cannot believe and come to him without the Father drawing us? Why is this so important for understanding how God saves us? 3. Jesus speaks of eternal life, the reality of heaven, and being

John 6:35-40 All That the Father Gives Me Will Come Summary: Today we'll continue to listen to Jesus in John 6 as he spoke to crowds of people. He had told them he is the

John 6:22-35 The Bread of Life Why does Jesus want us to have a relationship with him? Jesus answers that very question for us today in John 6. After He miraculously fed a huge crowd of people, they searched for Him again, but only because they wanted more bread. But Jesus is not just the giver of bread; He is the bread of life! Let's think about what that means: 1. Reasons for seeking Jesus 2. The desire for a sign 3. Receiving the bread from heaven John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why was the crowd seeking Jesus after the miracle feeding that Jesus performed? What might be the various lower motivations you might have in pursuing a relationship with Christ? 2. Why did the people seek a sign from Jesus, in order that they might believe? Considering the magnitude of the miracle they had already experienced, what does this show us about the human heart? 3. Why does Jesus call himself the Bread of Life? What does this reveal about Him and why He came from heaven to us? How do the patterns in your life reveal your hunger for this Bread?

John 6:22-35 The Bread of Life Why does Jesus want us to have a relationship with him? Jesus answers that very question for us today in John 6. After He miraculously fed a huge crowd of people, they searched for Him again, but only because they wanted more bread. But Jesus is not just the giver of bread; He is the bread of life! Let's think about what that means: 1. Reasons for seeking Jesus 2. The desire for a sign 3. Receiving the bread from heaven John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. Questions for devotions and family worship: 1. Why was the crowd seeking Jesus after the miracle feeding that Jesus performed? What might be the various lower motivations you might have in pursuing a relationship with Christ? 2. Why did the people seek a sign from Jesus, in order that they might believe? Considering the magnitude of the miracle they had already experienced, what does this show us about the human heart? 3. Why does Jesus call himself the Bread of Life? What does this reveal about Him and why He came from heaven to us? How do the patterns in your life reveal your hunger for this Bread?