Restoring an object like an old car is difficult, yet it can be accomplished because it can’t run or hide. Restoring a person who has failed to live out their faith in Christ, on the other hand, is much more challenging, because most (of us) will run and hide. Yet Christ desires to restore us if/when we fail.  This Explore the Bible Study: Do You Love Me? focuses on the final chapter of the gospel of John and Simon Peter's  need to be restored.

Jesus used a post-resurrection appearance at the Sea of Galilee to restore the disciple Peter following his denials. The passage of study includes John 21:3-23 where we find Simon Peter on a fishing trip, and we find Jesus intentionally seeking him out in order to begin the restoration process.

As you examine the passage, consider your own possible need to repent and be restored. Then consider how God invites you to be a part of helping others who are in need of restoration.

Jesus seeks out those who need to be restored—John 21:3-7a

Previously, in John 20, Jesus had seen the disciples the night of His resurrection, and then eight days later when he had his conversation with Thomas. Those appearances all occurred in Jerusalem.  We are not sure how much time has passed, but as per instructions given the disciples by Jesus (See Matthew 28:10) they left Jerusalem and headed to the Sea of Galilee. At some point, Peter and six other disciples decided to go fishing on the Sea of Galilee as they waited for Jesus to meet them again.

The Bible does not describe the reason for them going fishing so anything we assume might be speculation. However, we do know that Simon Peter is the instigator of this fishing trip. 

These men had fished all night, during what would have been the peak time to catch fish, but had caught nothing! Then Jesus showed up, unrecognized by the disciples, yelled out to them to cast their net on the right side of the boat. Amazingly they caught more fish than they could haul in! It is at this point that John (“the one Jesus loved”) pointed out to Peter that it was Jesus—“It is the Lord”—on the shore.

When you have done something that hurt your relationship with someone, how do you respond to them the next time you see them?

Read Luke 22:31-34 and Luke 22:60-62. If you were carrying the guilt of denying Christ and He was standing on shore, how would you have responded if you were Peter? Would you feel as if you had failed to the point that you could no longer have a relationship with Jesus or ever be considered worthy of service by Him?

When you know you have violated your commitment to Christ, in what ways might you “go fishing” in order to avoid an encounter with Christ?

This event mirrored one of Peter’s initial experiences with Jesus prior to accepting His call as described in Luke 5:5-11. On that previous fishing trip, Jesus had called Peter to follow Him and stated that Peter would become a "fisher of men.” But now, surely Peter had doubts as to whether he was able or even worthy to fulfill what Jesus said he would become because he had denied Jesus three times. 

Yet Jesus did seek out Peter specifically and personally so that He could be restored, but that restoration would require a response from Peter as it does from all those who desire to be restored.

Restoration is personal but requires a response—John 21:7b-14

How would you describe the actions of Jesus at this point? What caused Peter to respond as he did to Jesus? What other responses might Peter have chosen? What can you learn from Peter’s response at this point as you consider how he had failed Jesus in the past?

Realizing this was Jesus, Peter swam to shore while the others brought along the boat and fish. Jesus already had a fire going and invited them to join Him for breakfast. What a picture of Jesus’ love for his disciples and Simon Peter's hunger, not for fish, but to spend time with the resurrected Christ, even though he had failed Christ so many times. Simon Peter did not give up when he failed. He continued to pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ. 

We can learn from Simon’s response. While we may feel guilty and might even try to “go fishing,” when Christ reveals Himself to us, our hunger for a healthy relationship with Him will result in a response like Peter’s: to get to Jesus and follow His instructions as quickly as we can.

After Jesus and the disciples ate breakfast together, the focus of the story moves to a one-on-one conversation between Jesus and Peter that challenges Peter to examine his love for Christ.

Restoration requires us to examine if we truly love Christ—John 21:15-17

John used varying verbs and vocabulary in His conversation with Peter. While some might try to draw distinctions between the questions, what we need to remember is the number of times Jesus asked Peter a question – three. 

Jesus’ restoration of Peter meant that Peter would not be put on the shelf. God had a plan for him. Peter was to pursue the purpose and plan God had for him. Jesus also gave Peter the opportunity to express his love for Him and reaffirmed His love for Peter and His desire to use Peter in His ongoing mission. 

Suppose you had failed Jesus and He stood before you and asked you, “Do you love me?” How would you respond? What would Jesus say next to you about the purpose you have as a believer? How would He expect you to express your love for Him?

Genuine love for Jesus results in obedience to His commands, and chief among those commands is to love God and love others. The example of Peter gives hope to all Christians who have failed in a moment of weakness or failed to stand up for Jesus out of fear. Peter’s restoration was complete when he repented and reaffirmed his love for Jesus. We demonstrate that our love for the Lord Jesus is genuine when we repent of our sin and return to following Jesus and serving Him.

Following Peter’s three affirmations of his love for Jesus, the Lord predicted his future arrest and martyrdom. Peter did not question his future; rather he turned his attention to another disciple and wanted to know what would happen to that follower. This should remind us that restoration is personal, and we should not compare how Jesus might restore us versus another person.

Restoration is personal, so don’t compare—John 21:18-23

Have you ever wondered why certain individuals have maybe a “better” purpose or a different purpose or calling than you? 

Does it bother you that someone who might have experienced vast failure in his/her Christian walk has a seemingly more successful restoration experience as compared to you? 

What does Jesus’ response to Peter teach you about how you should respond when someone else is restored?

We can sometimes lose focus on God’s will for our lives by comparing God’s plan for us with His plan for others. The humble disciple trusts God’s wisdom and plan for his or her life. Even when we do not understand the purpose, we know our God is in control and that we can trust Him with our lives.

Your Restoration

Think back on a past failure to obey Christ. What did you want to do after that failure?

Think of someone you know who has failed Christ. What can you do to help this person understand Jesus will offer forgiveness and restoration?

Are you willing to discuss your failures with Jesus, or do you “go fishing”?

Satan likes nothing better than to further discourage faltering believers from serving the Lord. The Lord Jesus, on the other hand, desires to restore any of His followers who falter. Seek His restoration today. Pray and encourage those you know who have failed to seek restoration.

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study, along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. 

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These teaching helps are intended to be used as a supplement to your study of Lifeway's Explore the Bible curriculum resources. Portions of this material are taken directly from content copyrighted to Lifeway Christian Resources Explore the Bible and is used with permission.  This material has not been reviewed by Lifeway Christian Resources. 

I believe it because . . . How would people complete this statement today? Why is it easy to believe in what you don’t fully understand? What happens when mankind chooses to believe something based on personal opinions, preferences, or convenience over what is actually true? The Explore the Bible Study: Reach Out Your Hand will help you answer those questions.

Everything—theory, fact, personal preferences, philosophy, or some other “truth”—requires an element of faith to truly believe it. While putting faith in something or someone is viewed many times in the context of religion, it is something that drives one’s actions in every area of life. The question is what does one believe and put one’s faith in? Sadly, we see people putting their faith in everything except Christ and they use the excuse that it is because they can’t “see Jesus” or “no one can prove that He is who He says He is.”

We are living in a time when people demand evidence of Christ’s existence yet willingly believe other things without any basis other than personal opinion, conjecture, preference, hearsay, theory, or because they read it on the internet!

But perhaps things aren’t so different today than it was after Jesus’s resurrection. Believing in Jesus was challenging and required faith that many struggled to enact.  Let’s examine today how belief in Jesus is something that must be based on faith – not seeing yet believing. Ironically, John helps us, in John 20:19-23, to understand this through the lens of those who believed because they DID see Jesus after the resurrection. However, their belief was challenged by their circumstances. 

This brings us to ask three questions about believing in Jesus. The first being, “Do you believe in Jesus when you are afraid?"

Do you believe in Jesus when you are afraid? – John 20:19-23

This took place on “that first day of the week.” Several women had already visited Jesus’s tomb and found it empty. Based upon that report, Peter and John had raced to the tomb only to find it empty. Finally, Mary Magdalene saw Jesus outside the tomb and rushed to share this wonderful news. Yet, even after all this, where do we find the disciples, minus Thomas who was absent, that evening? They were hiding behind locked doors! They were still afraid.

How can fear challenge our belief in Jesus?

The followers of Christ gathered behind those locked doors are no different than how we respond at times. Fear is something we all face and can challenge our belief in Jesus. What we see though in this passage is that Jesus will step in for those who believe in Him and will calm those fears.

Jesus calmed their fears by first simply speaking to them the words, “Peace be with you.” Imagine you are these disciples, and you hear Jesus speak peace into your life.

• Perhaps they were reminded of what took place when their boat was about to sink during that raging storm on the Sea of Galilee as described in Matthew 8:24-26, “24 Suddenly, a violent storm arose on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves—but Jesus kept sleeping. 25 So the disciples came and woke him up, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to die!” 26 He said to them, “Why are you afraid, you of little faith?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.” They were afraid then and Jesus calmed the seas and took away their fears."
• Perhaps they reminded of His previous words to them as recorded by John, “Peace I leave with you” (John 14:27), and “In Me you may have peace” (John 16:33).

Jesus not only spoke to them, but He also “showed them his hands and his side.” Then Jesus repeated the words, “Peace be with you.” But, this time, it was with a different purpose.

Jesus knew His disciples had many questions, but He moved the conversation toward a more important matter: they were to act upon what they believed. Living in His peace, the disciples could act on Jesus’s behalf. In the same way that the Father had sent Him, Jesus would also send them. They weren’t called to simply believe and be happy. They were chosen to reach the world and were given divine power to do so through the Holy Spirit.

When your fears challenge your belief do you expect Jesus to only calm your fears so you can go on living a fear-free and care-free life or do you consider how belief should lead to the action to sharing the gospel with others?

Next, we see how Thomas struggled with doubt when he heard about their encounter with the resurrected Christ which leads us to ask ourselves another question.

Do you believe when you have doubts? – John 20:24-25

Put yourself in Thomas’s place. These disciples report to him the joyous news: “We’ve seen the Lord!” The verb tense suggests they kept on telling him. Thomas likely felt overwhelmed, not only by their stories, but by their enthusiasm. But, instead of joining in their excitement, Thomas was skeptical. He demanded evidence and even said, “I will never believe until I “see the mark of the nails in his hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side.”

How do you feel about Thomas’s struggle with belief? Have doubts ever caused you to struggle with belief in Jesus?

Many believers will go through a period of doubt that will challenge their belief in Jesus. There might even be times when that doubt is expressed as bluntly as Thomas expressed his doubt. Obviously, we also know that unbelievers will most certainly express doubt and demand evidence.

What actions can believers take when doubt challenges their belief in Jesus? How can we help lost people deal with doubt?

Finally, Jesus helps Thomas “see” and thus, “believe.” This brings us to a final question:

Can you believe without seeing? – John 20:26-29

Notice that, although the disciples had seen the living Christ, they still made sure the doors were locked. This should help us understand how they viewed their situation. Again, Jesus did not enter through the normal manner. He simply appeared and stood among them. Jesus also greeted them again by saying: “Peace be with you.” Jesus continued to offer peace as they followed Him. 

Then Jesus gave His complete attention to Thomas and to his doubts. Jesus invited Thomas to touch His nail scarred hands, and put his hand in His pierced side. Finally, Thomas knew Jesus was alive! Yet, Jesus used this opportunity to teach something very important to His disciples – “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.”

Does this research cause you to wonder why people who don’t believe in the resurrection still claim to be Christians? Why would anyone who doesn’t believe Jesus is the resurrected Son of God claim to be a follower of Christ?

Jesus stated that those who believe without seeing are blessed or happy. Perhaps this is why so many who claim to be Christians don’t feel blessed or happy. Perhaps they haven’t truly believed.

Just as the disciples’ belief about Jesus’s resurrection held pivotal consequences, the same is true for those who say they believe today. Belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is not only vital but absolutely necessary for those who claim to be followers of Christ. At times we may struggle believing in the power of the resurrected Christ because we are (1) afraid, or (2) because we may have doubts. But, for those who believe and continue to believe without seeing, we are blessed.

John MacArthur once said this concerning Jesus’s resurrection: 

“If Jesus doesn’t rise, He isn’t the prophet, He isn’t the priest, He isn’t the King promised. If He didn’t rise, He’s just Jesus Christ superstar and His death is just the death of an ordinary man with no saving value.” – John MacArthur

Consider your view of the resurrection this week. How pivotal is it in helping you overcome doubts and fears? Consider if you are one who has believed without seeing. If not, consider reaching out to someone or looking further into your relationship with Christ to see if it’s a relationship that will take you into eternity with Him.

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study, along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. 

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LifeWay Explore The Bible Resources

These teaching helps are intended to be used as a supplement to your study of Lifeway's Explore the Bible curriculum resources. Portions of this material are taken directly from content copyrighted to Lifeway Christian Resources Explore the Bible and is used with permission.  This material has not been reviewed by Lifeway Christian Resources. 

Do you work from a “to-do” list? Do you ever finish your “to-do” list? If so, how does it feel when you finally complete it?  Jesus had a “to-do” list that resulted from a plan God had in place when Adam and Eve sinned in Genesis 1-2. The Explore the Bible Study: It Is Finished, examines the final things that needed to be “checked-off” of Jesus’ “to-do” list so that man might have the opportunity, once again, to have a restored relationship with Holy God. 

Previously, Jesus had stood before Jewish high priests, Pilate, and then Herod. He had been betrayed, denied, accused, mocked, and beaten. After this, John 19:16 simply tells us, “They took Jesus away.”  That simple statement envelops the scene of a bloodied man as He carried His cross toward Golgotha, the Place of the Skull. Yet none of this was by accident. 

As we look at Jesus’ “to-do” list, remember that, since before time, Jesus had His list prepared. He emphatically, simply and systematically, yet painfully worked through it to bring the hope of salvation to a lost world. The first of the final items on this “to-do” list was to bear the pain of the cross.

Bear the Cross—John 19:17-24

Jesus went out from the place where He had been sentenced and tortured. Unlike the Synoptic Gospels, John did not describe how the soldiers forced Simon of Cyrene to take up Jesus’ cross. Eventually, Jesus arrived at the Place of the Skull. Named Golgotha in the Aramaic language, this hill stood outside Jerusalem. Three short words, “They crucified him,” cannot convey the cruelty of this horrific form of execution.

Read Isaiah 53:1-9 and Psalm 22 and identify the prophetic plans that were fulfilled as Jesus bore the cross for you.

When you consider all that was involved in Jesus bearing a cross that was meant for you, how should you respond? What are one or two words that describe how you feel regarding what Jesus did?

Bearing the cross was a part of God’s redemptive plan. This was no afterthought. Although Roman soldiers conducted the execution at the request of Jewish authorities, God had a plan that had to be executed because of our sins. Jesus bore the cross for your sins and mine. Yet, behind it all, God was working out His plan for His glory (Acts 2:23). The next thing on Jesus’ “to-do” list was to take care of His family.

Take Care of Your Family—John 19:25-27

No one can imagine the pain and suffering Mary was experiencing as she watched her firstborn hanging on that cross. Perhaps she did recall the prophecy of Simeon shortly after Jesus’ birth. This elderly man named Simeon told Mary that a sword would pierce her heart (Luke 2:35). This was fulfilled as Jesus’ mother and her companions were standing by the cross. 

Jesus, in pain and near death, did not stop caring for others. He saw His mother standing there and knew she would need someone after He died. From the cross, His agony did not diminish His concern for her. Although He knew He would rise in three days, Jesus wanted to provide for Mary for the long term. He had several half-siblings who could have taken care of their mother, but they had not come with Mary. In addition, at this point, they did not believe He was the Messiah (John 7:5). So, He made another arrangement. Jesus left no loose ends as He provided for His mother.

How does Jesus’ love for His mother help us understand more fully the following verses: Luke 14:26-27, Mark 7:9-13, and 1 Timothy 5:8? How does one honor his father and mother while following Christ?

John did not attempt to record all that occurred during the crucifixion, but he does tell us that Jesus finished the work given Him. He completed the sacrificial atonement necessary for our salvation. Jesus finished everything the Father had set out for Him to do. He omitted nothing and fulfilled every Scripture. From the messianic prophecies of Psalm 22 to Isaiah’s words about the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53), the Scriptures about Jesus’ death were completed. His “to-do” list was completed for this part of God’s plan.

Another "To-Do" List

Now Jesus focused on another “to-do” list. That list included:

• His resurrection and his ongoing intercession before the Father – “Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us.” (Romans 8:34)
• Sending the Holy Spirit – “It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send him to you.” (John 16:7)
• His return! – “If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.” (Luke 14:3)

Jesus is constantly at work, moving to accomplish God’s plans. We, as believers, are to join Him in that work. What are some actions God expects us to have on our “to-do” lists as followers of Christ? How are you doing at accomplishing the list of “to-do’s” God has given you?

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study, along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. 

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LifeWay Explore The Bible Resources

These teaching helps are intended to be used as a supplement to your study of Lifeway's Explore the Bible curriculum resources. Portions of this material are taken directly from content copyrighted to Lifeway Christian Resources Explore the Bible and is used with permission.  This material has not been reviewed by Lifeway Christian Resources. 

The accusation and conviction of innocent people isn’t anything new. While our justice system is designed to convict the guilty and protect the innocent, it isn’t perfect. However, courts and justice systems in other countries and throughout history are sometimes designed for other motives. Determining guilt or innocence is not the goal, but the goal is to protect cultural or personal agendas or to elevate one’s own personal reputation or standing in society. This was the case for Jesus as you will discover in the Explore the Bible Study: I Find No Fault. 

Jesus was brought to trial on that dreadful day leading up to His crucifixion. By torchlight, an armed mob seized and bound Jesus and brought Him  to Annas, a former high priest, who retained a significant amount of power. Jesus was falsely accused, cruelly treated, and the sent to Caiaphas for more interrogation. The subsequent hearings violated lawful procedures, but justice and truth were not the goal. There was an agenda in play intended to destroy Jesus and protect the powers of religious and political leaders. 

Because the Jewish leadership could only go so far with their hearings, they knew they had to move Jesus to another venue so their agenda could be complete. The Jewish leaders took Jesus to the Roman governor, Pilate, who refused initially to hear the case. Finally, Pilate agreed to question Jesus. It’s at this point that we will examine in John 18:28-40 the events surrounding the ongoing trial of Jesus. As we examine this, we will see how people will reveal their hypocrisy when accusing Jesus. We will see the dilemma Jesus’ innocence presents to those who try to seek the truth. And we will see the callous response from people who choose to reject Jesus. Perhaps, through Jesus’ experience, we can learn something about how people might view us as we strive to live for Christ.

People will reveal their hypocrisy when accusing Jesus – John 18:28-32

We all know that wicked people often find someone else to do their dirty work. This was certainly the case with those who brought Jesus to Pilate. These were religious leaders and followers, yet their own actions revealed an empty and hypocritical heart. Not only had they previously mocked and mistreated Jesus which violated all that was moral about Judaism,  but now they wanted someone else to do what they wanted to do but couldn’t—kill Jesus.

This crowd of soldiers, temple guards, and religious officials marched Jesus through the streets of Jerusalem in the early morning hours, most likely just after dawn. Even though they had murder in their hearts their hypocrisy is revealed:

1. They wouldn’t enter the main building because they would be defiled, yet they had already defiled themselves in the way that they treated an innocent man. The leaders’ hypocrisy was exposed, as they cared more about contact with a Gentile than about falsely accusing Jesus and demanding His death.
2. They didn’t give an honest answer to Pilate about the charges against Jesus because they had none that were legitimate. They misled Pilate by leading him to assume Jesus was guilty of crimes against the Roman government or they wouldn’t have brought Him before Pilate.
3. Finally, they wanted Pilate to do their dirty work of killing Jesus. They had already conspired in their hearts to kill Jesus but apparently, they didn’t view this as a sin. 

John reminds us in verse 32 that, “They said this so that Jesus’ words might be fulfilled indicating what kind of death he was going to die.” While we see the hypocrisy of the crowd and the seemingly hopelessness of Jesus’ situation, God was still in control. Jesus was on mission to fulfill God’s plan and His words regarding His death were going to play out exactly as He had foretold, revealing that Jesus truly is who He says He is. The fulfillment of Jesus’ words when He would die on a cross would reveal that God was in perfect control, even in the death of His Son.

Today our culture uses words such as tolerance, love, choice, and even truth. What are some examples of ways in which Christians might be accused falsely that reveal the hypocrisy of culture as it relates to these words?

When we honor Christ by lovingly living our faith in a hostile world that continues to try to destroy Jesus, we will be accused and people will seek to silence us. It is during those times that we can’t forget that God is still in control! When this takes place in our lives, we might encounter what Jesus encountered when He came before Pilate. It is the dilemma Jesus’ innocence presented to those who try to seek the truth.

The dilemma Jesus’ innocence presents to those seeking truth – John 18:33-38a

What do you think was the dilemma for Pilate in this situation? What can we learn from how Jesus presented the truth without compromising or denying who He was?

Imagine Pilate looking at this man called Jesus. He has been beaten, mistreated, accused, and now this shell of a man stands before Pilate for more interrogation. Pilate directly asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Commentators note an emphasis on the word you. Given Jesus’ condition at the hands of the Jewish leaders, Pilate found it incredible that this man could claim to be royalty. 

Notice how Jesus responds. His questions to Pilate were meant to challenge Pilate’s thinking about the nature of the charges against Him. Pilate had a dilemma on his hands. He wanted to get to the truth about Jesus because the Roman authorities had little concern for the internal grievances and petty squabbles among the Jews. The governor needed to find the truth so that he could rule. Jesus’ response revealed to Pilate that He and his followers were not a threat to the Roman government because His “kingdom was not of this world.” If it was, then His followers would fight for Him.  The fact that He was standing in bonds before Pilate testified to the truth that He was not an earthly king. 

Jesus acknowledged He was born to reign as a king. He went further to reiterate the kind of king He came to be. He came to testify to the truth. Obviously, Jesus’ ultimate purpose was the salvation of human beings, but that involved revealing the truth about sinful people, a righteous God, the necessity of repentance, the primacy of faith, and salvation through His sacrificial atonement.

Do you struggle with knowing what is truth and what isn’t? Is it getting harder or easier to discern truth from fiction in our world?

Pilate asked, “What is truth?” This is a question that is asked daily all around this world. Life is a search for truth. In Pilate’s case, his experience with the political and religious intrigues in Rome and in Jerusalem had hardened him to assertions of truth. He may have considered philosophical aspects of the question, but more likely his question expressed cynical bewilderment. 

How can we reveal the Truth in a world that is asking, “What is truth?” 

You will discover next that, when people are determined to define their own truth that excludes the Truth of Jesus and the Scriptures, their hearts will become so hardened that they will do unimaginable things in order to have their own way with their "own truth."

Those who reject Jesus have callous hearts – John 18:38b-40

Pilate had heard enough. He found no grounds for charging Jesus. He concluded that Jesus’ kingdom was no threat to Caesar politically or militarily. In truth, Pilate found no basis even to charge Jesus, much less convict Him, but this wasn’t the outcome the Jews desired. Their hearts were so calloused toward Jesus and the Truth of the Scriptures that they chose a murderous rebel over Jesus.

What do people today say they want instead of Jesus? How would our culture complete this phrase today? —“Don’t give us Jesus; give us _________________________.”

 We are guilty but declared innocent

Jesus was innocent, yet he was found guilty, not by Pilate but by those who callously chose their own agendas, desires, and preferences over those presented by Jesus Christ. They chose a murderer so that they might murder the Savior. This situation can lead us to feel as if life wasn’t fair for Jesus, yet we know that Jesus went through all this so that those who receive Christ could be proclaimed innocent before another judge, God Himself. Romans 8:1 reminds believers of their innocence: “Therefore, no condemnation now exists for those in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

How should knowing that you, if you are a believer, are proclaimed innocent impact the way you live for Christ daily?

How can knowing this help you when you observe the hypocrisy of those who falsely accuse followers of Christ?

How can knowing this help you when someone seeks the truth from you about Christ?

How can knowing this help you as you observe the callousness of those who openly and defiantly reject Christ and His followers?

The downloadable teaching helps provide more details for this study, along with some tools you can use in guiding a group Bible study. 

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LifeWay Explore The Bible Resources

These teaching helps are intended to be used as a supplement to your study of Lifeway's Explore the Bible curriculum resources. Portions of this material are taken directly from content copyrighted to Lifeway Christian Resources Explore the Bible and is used with permission.  This material has not been reviewed by Lifeway Christian Resources. 

If someone asked you to identify yourself, what would you use to convince them you were who you said you were? The Explore the Bible Study: I Am He, will reveal from John 18 a man, the Son of God, who did not deny who He was. In both words and deeds, it was obvious that He was Jesus, the Messiah. As we examine the way Jesus identified Himself, we should consider whether our words and deeds identify us as true followers of Jesus.

Jesus’ Habits Reveal Who He Is—John 18:1-3

Jesus has just spent time with His disciples during the Passover feast. He had instituted the Lord’s Supper and given His farewell discourse including the prayer for His disciples. This lasted into the evening and now, after saying “these things,” it was time to travel across the Kidron Valley to the garden of Gethsemane.

The valley ran north to south on the east side of Jerusalem. It lay between the temple and the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12).

Other passages in the Bible reveal more about the garden and about the habits of Jesus.

• First, based on this passage we see that this garden was a regular place for Jesus to spend time with His followers. This reveals Jesus’ habit of building relationships, teaching, and encouraging His followers. Judas knew this; thus, it also became a place for betrayal.
• Second, we know this as a place of prayer. Matthew 26:41 tells us that “Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’” At this specific time, Jesus’ prayer was agonizing as He sought strength from the Father to face what He knew would come as He left the garden.

The habits of Jesus revealed His identity because it was through these habits that we know how much He loved His followers and how much He passionately desired to follow God’s will. 

What habits might reveal to others that someone is a follower of Christ?

Matthew tells us that, after praying a third time regarding what was about to happen, Jesus says to His disciples, “See, the time is near. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.” (Matthew 26:45-46) Because Judas, the betrayer, knew the habits of Jesus, he was ready as Jesus left the garden. He arrived with a company of soldiers and some officials from the chief priests and the Pharisees.” They came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.  

The term company could refer to a number between 200-600 soldiers in the Roman army. Between the forces arrayed against Jesus and the religious leaders, one would think that a major battle was about to take place! This is certainly an overwhelming group compared to Him and eleven disciples. 

Which of the words Jesus spoke in this passage help you understand more fully the identity of Christ? What can believers learn from the way Jesus spoke to His accusers?

Not only did Jesus’ habits and His words reveal His identify, but His actions also reveal who He is.

Jesus' Actions Reveal Who He Is—John 18:10-11

What do the actions of Simon Peter reveal?

What do the actions of Jesus reveal? Why didn’t Jesus let Simon Peter defend Him?

Are believers today acting more like Simon Peter or like Jesus?

Examine more of the actions of Jesus by reading the accounts of this event from Matthew and Luke. This will help you understand more fully the actions of Jesus as the Son of God. Place your cursor over the following passages or look them up in your own Bible: Matthew 26:51-54; Luke 22:50-51.

Jesus stopped Peter’s attack and healed Malchus’ ear (Luke 22:51). If Jesus had not intervened, the soldiers probably would have responded with deadly force or at least by seizing Peter and the other disciples. Jesus did not come to start a war. He came to drink the cup of His Father to suffer and die for the world’s sins. Simon Peter thought he could take on an entire Roman company and the religious leaders. In so doing, he could have thwarted God’s salvation plan, and Jesus wasn’t going to let that happen.

Believers can obediently involve themselves in God’s redemptive plan. However, if we attempt to bring about God’s plans through our own means, we risk missing out on seeing God work in ways that only He could work.

Your Life -- A False Identify or a Real Identity?

In 2022 a man was arrested in Scotland but denied he was the one who committed the crimes. According to BBC.com the Scottish court has ruled that the man arrested is US fugitive Nicholas Rossi. The man had claimed to have been the victim of mistaken identity, and insisted his name was Arthur Knight. But Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that his tattoos and fingerprints matched those of Rossi. Authorities in the US are seeking Rossi's extradition over allegations of rape and sexual assault. It is alleged that he faked his own death and fled to Scotland to escape prosecution. He had spent the past year insisting that he was Arthur Knight, an orphan from Ireland who had never been to the US. (Source: BBC News, https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-63568949)

People who are fleeing prosecution for a crime often change their identity and go to great lengths to hide who they really are. However, when one is innocent, there is no need to hide your identity. Additionally, your identity will be verified by your actions. This certainly was the case for Jesus. He had committed no crime and had no reason to deny His identity on the day of His arrest. Yet, from our human perspective, it might have been tempting to deny He was who He said He was when the soldiers came to arrest Him.

Jesus’ identity as the Son of God was revealed by His: Habits, Words, and Actions.

What kind of habits would reveal you are a follower of Christ?

What kind of words would reveal you are a follower of Christ?

What kind of actions would reveal you are a follower of Christ?

Consider your own life. How would others verify your identity as a professing follower of Christ?

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These teaching helps are intended to be used as a supplement to your study of Lifeway's Explore the Bible curriculum resources. Portions of this material are taken directly from content copyrighted to Lifeway Christian Resources Explore the Bible and is used with permission.  This material has not been reviewed by Lifeway Christian Resources.