1. GOSPEL OF JOHN A BIBLE STUDY Quarter 1 Session 1

2. Session 1 Outline  Introduction  Course Outline  Assumptions  Basic Hermeneutics (How to Interpret Scripture)  Introduction to the Gospel of John

3. Course Outline Class/WeekStudy TopicStudy PassageAssignment 1Basic HermeneuticsRead Chapter 1 2OutliningChapter 1Outline Chapter 2 3DiscussionChapter 2Outline Chapter 3 4What’s the Point?Chapter 3Chap. 4: Outline and Themes 5DiscussionChapter 4Chap. 5: Outline and Themes 6Language and GrammarChapter 5Chapter 6: Prepare 7Difficult Passages & ContextJohn 6:1-59Chapter 7: Prepare 8DiscussionJohn 6:60 – 7:30Chapter 8: Prepare 9DiscussionJohn 7:30 – 8:11Review 10DiscussionJohn 8:12 – 8:59Review: Class Choice 11 (12)Deeper DiscussionJohn 1-8 Class Choice

4. Bible Study Assumptions  The Bible is the Word of God  Human authors (see Heb. 1:1)  Human language, Human context  God inspired (see 2 Tim. 3:16) – Verbal inspiration  Preservation of God’s Word  God is always Truthful and Trustworthy  Taken on faith  Based on experience  We have the ability to interpret the Bible ourselves  Don’t need special people to interpret  God is speaking to all of us, not just some (Deut. 29:29)  But… There is only one correct interpretation: God’s

5. Basic Hermeneutics  Four Basic Rules for Interpretation  In priority order  I. Interpret using the Literal meaning  In other words, “If the plain sense makes good sense, then seek no other sense.”  Take into account the type of writing it is  Don’t be too wooden in your literalness  II. Keep within the context  Don’t take verse or phrase out of context  Interpret from broader to narrower

6. Basic Hermeneutics  III. The Bible interprets the Bible  Similar to keeping in the context, but even broader  First reference  Later passages can explain older passages  Remember: there are no real contradictions  IV. The larger (external) context  Historical context  The author, the cultural context, etc.  Should only be supplemental

7. Introduction to Gospel of John  Author – John the Apostle  One of the first two disciples called  With Jesus at mount of transfiguration  John within his own gospel story  Probably youngest disciple  Only apostle not martyred  Date – around 85 AD

8. Introduction to Gospel of John  Relation to other Gospels  All cover the work of Christ  Others concentrate on His activities and teaching  John concentrates on proving His Deity, and on Salvation through belief in Him, and on His person  “Genealogies”  Things (and themes) to look for  Various proofs of who Jesus really is  Jesus’ “I am” and “Verily, verily” statements  Jesus’ discourses and personal explanations

9. Assignment for Next Week  Read John Chapter 1

10. Any Questions?

11. Contact  My email address:  John.Nozzi@WesternComputer.com  Use subject: Gospel of John