For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.
Scripture for memory (Prov 22:17-18 -- see also 3:3; 7:3, on internalizing God's word)
- 1:14 -- From the prologue: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. NKJV. Importance: Concise statement of the incarnation.
- 2:17 -- Observation from the Twelve: His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.” NRSV (ditto following passages) Importance: Observation of quality of Jesus / the Father.
- 3:30 -- From John the Baptist: "He must increase, but I must decrease.” Importance: Concise explanation of the relationship between John the Baptizer and Jesus. Also a selfless prayer.
- 4:24 -- Jesus to the Samaritan woman: "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” Importance: Explains religion that God accepts, including the separation of worship from any spatial institution.
- 5:39-40 -- Jesus to the Pharisees: “You search the scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that testify on my behalf. Yet you refuse to come to me to have life." Importance: A warning not to become overconfident or over-comfortable with God's word. Discerning Christ is not an intellectual game.
- 6:35 -- Jesus to the remnants of the 5000: Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. Importance: The first "I am" saying. We thrive in Christ.
- 7:24 -- Jesus to the Jews (leaders): "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” Importance: Exhortation to use our minds as we discern truth and error.
- 8:12 -- Jesus to the people: Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Importance: The second "I am" saying. We see by the light of Christ.
- 9:25 -- The blind man to the Pharisees: He answered, “I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” Importance: Source of a powerful Christian hymn. We see in Christ.
- 10:7, 9 -- Jesus to the Pharisees: Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep...I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. Importance: The third "I am" saying. Christ is the way to pasture (see Ps 23).
- 10:11 -- Jesus to the Pharisees: "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." Importance: The fourth "I am" saying. Christ is the Shepherd (see Ezek 34).
- 11:25-26 -- Jesus to Martha: ...“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live [come back to life], even though they die;and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Importance: The fifth "I am" saying. Christ is the future (resurrection) life.
We'll do this again after John 21. Hopefully you're also looking forward to a fun quiz on John, once we reach the end of the series.