7: Blessed Are Those Who Believe – Teaching Plan

Key Thought: Jesus is the greatest witness to His own Divinity and mission, but also we have the witness of Mary, Pilate, and Thomas as well.
November 16, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read John 12:1-8.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
What was the significance of Mary’s actions here? How was this a witness as to who Jesus was?
Personal Application: Knowing that Jesus knows what’s in your heart, what should this tell us about the need of Christ as our righteousness? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of you relatives states, “Mary did a great sacrificial thing, and yet Judas had a negative response with different objects to her actions. But Jesus seemed to know each person’s motives. Why does it seem that the social outcasts are treated much worse than the rich and powerful?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John 18:38, John 19:4-22

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
How is Pilate’s verdict connected to the theme of John’s gospel?
Personal Application: How can we learn from Pilate’s example about allowing people to keep us from doing what we believe is right? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your friends states, “Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” How do we define truth and what does the Bible present as truth?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 20:19-31.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What can we learn from Thomas about faith and doubt? What mistake did Thomas make?
Personal Application: How do you keep faith in challenging times? Do you need physical proof in order to be sure of your faith? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “Why are you a Christian; why do you believe Jesus is God and is the only way of salvation?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read John Matthew 24:2, 6-8, 14.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
What do we have today that those living in Jesus’ time didn’t have that should help us believe?
Personal Application: Does the fulfillment of prophecy in Daniel help us have a stronger and more tangible belief in the Bible and in Jesus? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).