Survey of the Book of John

John varies from the pattern of the synoptic Gospels. Although he also wrote about the life of Jesus, his style and direction are different from that of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In modern-day psychological terminology, John's book is written more to the right side of the readers' brains, conveying impressions of Jesus the Son of God. In fact, the recurring them of the book of John is the "Son of God" in contrast to Luke's "Son of Man." John emphasizes the diety and godliness of Jesus the Son of God.

The author of this book is one of the "sons of Thunder" or Boagernes, James and John. Their father was Zebedee, and their mother, Salome, served Jesus in Galilee and was present at His crucifixion (Mark 15: 40, 41).

It is believed that the book of John was written after the last of the synoptic gospels had been written, around A.D. 66-68. The range is from 60 to 90 with the other 3 letters of John and the Revelation being written at or before A. D. 96. John by this time would have been one of the last surviving eye witnesses of Jesus while He was on the earth.

I. The incarnation of the Son of God (John 1: 1-18)

A. It was this Jesus who made all things (1: 3), and it is by faith that we believe that the things that exist were made from things that do not now appear (Hebrews 11: 3)

B. In a way, this gospel does not spend any time with the origin of Jesus, that is, his earthly birth; but in other ways, this Gospel goes back further than the others do. (1: 1)

II. The presentation of the Son of God (John 1: 19 - 4: 54)

A. The first miracle: turning the water to wine (2: 1-10)

B. The first cleansing of the temple (2: 13 - 25)

C. Christ teaches Nicodemus (chapter 3). This is a classic presentation of John's very spiritual writing.

III. The opposition to the Son of God (5: 1 - 12: 50)

A. Jesus heals on the Sabbath (chapter 5)

B. Equality with God in Nature (5: 17-18)

C. Equality with God in Power (5: 19-21)

D. Equality with God in Authority (5: 22-30)

E. The witness of John the Baptizer (5: 31-35)

F. The witness of the works themselves (5: 36)

G. The witness of the Father (5: 36-38)

H. The witness of the scriptures (5: 39- 47)

I. Christ walks on the water (6: 15 - 21)

J. Rejection by many of His followers (6: 60 - 69)

K. The superior wisdom and judgement of Christ, as shown by his handling of the woman caught in adultery (John 8: 1- 11)

IV. The preparation of the disciples by the Son of God (13: 1 - 17: 26)

A. He washes the disciples' feet (John 13: 1-20)

B. He comforts His disciples (John 14: 1-21)

C. The Intercessory Prayer (John chapter 17). The emphasis, and the obvious concern, "that they might be one."

V. The Crucifixion and Resurrection of the Son of God (18: 1 - 21: 55)

A. The rejection of Christ (John chapter 18)

B. The crucifixion and burial of Christ (chapter 19)

C. The resurrection of Christ (20: 1-10)

D. The appearances of Christ (20: 11 - 21: 25)

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