Key Thought: John now transfers from signs and testimonies to the farewell sermon and the significance of washing the disciple’s feet. The glory of Christ is brought forth as the way, the truth, and the life.
December 7, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read John 13:11-20.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What happened here and why is it so important? What lessons did Jesus seek to teach?
3. Personal Application: Have you ever not wanted to participate with someone in foot-washing because you were upset with them or didn’t want to have anything to do with them at that time?”
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What’s so important about foot-washing? No other churches do it that I know of. We can humble ourselves without the inconvenience of washing someone’s feet. We don’t wear sandals and walk in the dirt anymore, so it’s not practical.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read John John 14:1-6.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What does the Cross teach us about the second coming?
3. Personal Application: How can we share with other religions about Jesus when they don’t understand they can’t get to heaven or have eternal life without accepting and following Jesus? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why did Thomas ask where Jesus was going? Didn’t Jesus tell him before? How did Jesus respond? Why did Jesus tell Philip if he saw Jesus, he saw the Father? What does that mean?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read John 1:14,17. John 8:32, 15:26.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. Jesus said He was the life. Does anyone or anything have life without Jesus?
3. Personal Application: How can science be true without including God? How can anything be true if God is not included? How far can science go without an appreciation, acknowledgement, and inclusion of God in that science? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “There are many kinds of truth. There is scientific truth, religious truth, social truth, mathematical truth, and biological truth. So when Jesus said He was the truth, He was referring only to religious truth.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read John 5:38-40.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is Jesus saying here about the Scriptures? Why did Jesus point to the word to show the importance and significance of His ministry?
3. Personal Application: How important is it when discussing truth that we use Scripture rather than men’s reasoning to make our position on the subject? Share your thoughts.
4. 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).

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/10-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life-teaching-plan/

Daily Lesson for Monday 2nd of December 2024

At the end of John 13:1-38, Jesus says that He is going away (John 13:33). This elicits from Peter a query about where He is going (John 13:36). The disciples do not understand that Jesus is talking about His death, resurrection, and ascension. Peter says he is ready to lay down his life for Him (John 13:37). This is when Jesus predicts Peter’s denial (John 13:38).

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It is in this context that Jesus tells His disciples not to let their hearts be troubled (John 14:1). The verb troubled is translated in Greek as tarassō, which means to stir up, disturb, unsettle, throw into confusion. It is not surprising that the disciples would be thrown into confusion at Jesus’ words.

But, countering their fears, He talks about His Father’s house, where there are many rooms (not mansions but rooms as in an inn). He is going there to prepare a place for them. His words look beyond the coming storm of the cross to the time when He will return to redeem His people. He is looking to the time when this whole tragedy with sin is finished once and for all (see Daniel 7:27).

Jesus says, “ ‘If I go . . . , I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also’ ” (John 14:3, NKJV). It is clearly a promise of His second coming.

What is the basis for confidence in that promise? Many would say the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, and that is certainly true. But in John 14:3, the basis is stated differently. In this verse, I will come is actually in the present tense in Greek (I am coming). This is a use of the present tense in Greek called the futuristic present. It is a future event spoken of with such certainty that it is described as though already happening. Thus, it is fair to translate the phrase as, I will certainly come again.

The basis of our hope in the return of our Lord is not simply the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. It is also, and more certainly, based on our confidence in the Man who made the promise. He said He will certainly return for His people. We can place our confidence in that promise because of Who made it.

<–Sunday Tuesday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-10-i-will-certainly-come-again/

Daily Lesson for Sunday 1st of December 2024

The farewell discourse (John 13:1-38; John 14:1-31; John 15:1-27; John 16:1-33; John 17:1-26) provides instruction for Jesus’ disciples concerning the future. Its literary pattern is similar to Moses’ farewell in Deuteronomy or Jacob’s blessing his children (Genesis 47:1-31; Genesis 48:1-22; Genesis 49:1-33) or David’s instructing Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:1-21; 1 Chronicles 29:1-30). Jesus consoles His disciples regarding His departure. He promises a surrogate to represent Him (the Holy Spirit; John 14:1-31; John 15:1-27; John 16:1-33). He predicts grief to come (John 15:1-27; John 16:1-33), and He exhorts the disciples to stay faithful (John 15:1-27).

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In that part of the world in Jesus’ day, people wore sandals or went barefoot. The feet would become dusty and dirty. It was a custom for a servant or slave to wash the feet of those coming to a meal. But no servant was present for this function on the night Jesus ate His last meal with His disciples before His arrest.

To everyone’s surprise, Jesus Himself arose from the supper and washed all of their feet. John 13:4-5 tells Jesus’ actions step by step. It is told in such detail to emphasize the Master’s doing this unbelievable act of humility.

By telling about Peter’s response, John 13:8-11 deepens the sense of dismay and incomprehension of the disciples at Jesus’ actions. How could Jesus, the Master, the Messiah, be doing such a lowly task? Peter refused to allow Jesus to wash his feet, only to be told by Jesus that if he did not cooperate, he would have no part with Jesus. Then Peter asked for more, expressing his desire to be connected with Jesus all the way.

The significance of Jesus’ action is tied to who He is. He states in John 13:13 that He is the Teacher and the Lord. That is what they called Him, and He indicates that it is so. These titles express authority and power.

Yet, Jesus teaches that power and authority are to be used for service, not for self-aggrandizement. The Adventist Church has embraced this sense of Jesus’ example, taking what is rightly called the Ordinance of Humility as a preparatory service for the Lord’s Supper.

<–Sabbath Monday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-10-i-have-given-you-an-example/

Join the Hit the Mark panel as they discuss Sabbath School Lesson 9 – The Source of Life. It’s the fastest hour of the week!

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/the-source-of-life-hit-the-mark-sabbath-school/

Daily Lesson for Sabbath 30th of November 2024

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Read for This Week’s Study: John 13:1-20; John 14:1-3; Daniel 7:27; John 14:5-11; John 1:14; Colossians 1:16-17; John 5:38-40.

Memory Text:

“No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18, NKJV).

The Gospel of John is divided into four main sections: The Prologue (John 1:1-18), the Book of Signs (John 1:19-51; John 2:1-25; John 3:1-36; John 4:1-54; John 5:1-47; John 6:1-71; John 7:1-53; John 8:1-59; John 9:1-41; John 10:1-42; John 11:1-57; John 12:1-50), the Book of Glory (John 13:1-38; John 14:1-31; John 15:1-27; John 16:1-33; John 17:1-26; John 18:1-40; John 19:1-42; John 20:1-31), and the Epilogue (John 21:1-25). Our study so far has focused mainly on the Prologue and the Book of Signs, laying out who Jesus is via His miracles (signs), dialogues, and teachings. The lessons now shift particularly to the third section of John, the Book of Glory.

Interestingly, the famous seven “I AM” statements form a bridge across the Book of Signs and the Book of Glory. These are “the bread of life” (John 6:35,41,48,51), “the light of the world” (John 8:12, John 9:5), “the door” (John 10:7,9), “the good shepherd” (John 10:11,14), “the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25), “the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6), and “the true vine” (John 15:1,5).

This week’s lesson will begin with the purpose of the farewell discourse and its introduction with the significant episode of Jesus’ washing His disciples’ feet. Then it will turn to the “I AM” statement in chapter 14 (“I am the way, the truth, and the life”).

*Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, December 7.

Sunday–>

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Source: https://ssnet.org/blog/24d-10-the-way-the-truth-and-the-life/