If Jesus were here, what questions might you desire to ask him? The Explore the Bible Study: He Sent Me will examine some of the questions asked of Jesus in John 7. You will discover that many times, the answer Jesus gives aren’t what people want to hear.

Google and other search engines are sometimes helpful and sometimes they reveal some of the craziest questions people might ask. A 2018 article from the UK website, Metro, listed the top 25 weirdest questions Google was asked. Here are a few of the funniest: How many toes does a rhinoceros have? Why is your face on your head? Why does cucumber taste like shampoo? What is the length of spaghetti?  How do I get my husband a brain transplant? Who let the dogs out? Where are my keys? How does a giraffe clean its ears? Why don’t duck feet stick to ice?

John 7:14-29 focuses on several questions people were asking about Jesus and the response of Jesus to those questions. The first question relates to the validity of Jesus’ teaching.

Is Jesus’ teaching valid? – John 7:14-18

When the people heard Jesus teach, it was obvious that He had not been trained in the rabbinical schools. The listeners were amazed, implying bewilderment. The people could not understand how He had become so learned. Unlike other teachers, He did not parrot well-known rabbis, and His mastery of Scripture surpassed anything they had heard. A major feature of the divine will was for Jesus to teach the Jews the truth about the Scriptures, freeing them from the bondage of centuries of human traditions that had hedged in and smothered the true Word

Jesus declared God the Father had sent Him on his redemptive mission, and He spoke with God’s authority. There was something very different about His teachings. Perhaps they recognized as others did at other times recorded in Scripture, that He taught as one having authority (see Matthew 7:28-29).

If Jesus were teaching today and we didn’t know what we know today as believers, what credentials would He need before people would listen to Him? 

What does this say then, about how we should validate truth today since we are living in such a celebrity driven culture? 

How would you explain to someone how you know that Jesus’ teachings are valid?

Was Jesus crazy? – John 7:19-24

What makes seeing our own hypocrisy difficult? (PSG, p. 87) How does knowing Jesus was not a hypocrite help us avoid hypocrisy in our lives?

 As believers, we must examine our own lives for such hypocrisy. Modern Christians do not face culture wars over circumcision, but we do encounter other issues just as controversial. 

Jesus was not crazy! He revealed the way one should live perfectly in a world that was imperfect. This leads us to a final question from this passage, “Is Jesus really the Messiah?”

Is Jesus really the Messiah? – John 7:25-29 

By this time, it’s apparent that Jesus was not paranoid and there really were some who were trying to kill Him.  These verses focus on one question: Was Jesus the Messiah or not? Because He had been “speaking publicly” without rebuke, many wondered if the leaders’ silence meant Jesus really was the Messiah. 

Others believed He wasn’t the Messiah because they knew He was from Galilee. Many Jews believed that the Messiah’s identity would remain a mystery until he set them free from the Romans. Neither side really understood Jesus. As a result, neither side could really accept Him and find life in Him.

Their irrational thinking led them to dismiss Him as the Messiah altogether, because it didn’t fit into their theological framework they had created as to what they expected from a Messiah.

Who do people think Jesus is today? How does that affect their ability to embrace Him as Savior?

Answering the Question

Believing in Jesus means we have to look beyond the physical and the present. We have to look to the spiritual and through eyes of faith. This crowd was still thinking in the confines of what they could see. Jesus knew that seeing was not going to be enough.

Knowing that the teachings of Jesus originated with the Father, how much time would you say you spend with the Lord in the Word per week?

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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. 

Hangry (yes, it is really a word!) is defined as, “bad-tempered or irritable as a result of hunger.” Food is not the only thing that might cause one to be “hangry.” The human soul is always hungry and thirsty. Broken humanity relentlessly pursues anything that might quench that hunger and thirst, constantly pursuing but never finding. The Explore the Bible Study: I Am The Bread, reminds us that we don't have to be "hangry" all the time.

Jesus used the miraculous feeding of 5000 to help us understand that the hunger (and thirst) of the soul can be satisfied. Jesus’ travels and teachings led to a great crowd following Him throughout the region of Galilee. As Jesus sat on a mountain with His disciples, this crowd, that had grown to over 5000, began to gather around them. They were not only hungry for what Jesus was teaching; they were also growing hungry physically, and the Passover celebration was about to begin, so they needed to eat.

You can read John 6:1-14 to learn more about how John describes the miracle that took place.

Following this event, Jesus retreats to the mountain and His disciples get on a boat and start sailing to Capernaum. His disciples experience another miracle when Jesus walks on the water during a storm and safely guides their boat to shore, arriving in Capernaum. Meanwhile, the crowd realized that Jesus had left for Capernaum, so they too boarded boats and arrived on the other side. Then Jesus begins to share the gospel with the persistent crowd.

Even though this crowd had been fed, they were still hungry. Their hunger led them to demand from Jesus more of what they thought they needed in order to never be hungry (physically) again. Jesus uses this situation to help them understand that He and He alone is the only true source of spiritual food that always satisfies.

Why are you really looking for Jesus? – John 6:26-29

Jesus immediately confronts the motives of this crowd. They had just experienced this amazing miracle, but it wasn’t enough for them. They had failed to consider the deeper meaning of the miracle. They could have glorified God, gone and told others about the miracle Jesus’ performed, or they could have sought out Jesus to know more about why He did this. Instead, they just wanted more free food!

This crowd missed the purpose altogether. But Jesus used this opportunity to share the gospel. He deliberately redirected their focus to their ultimate need: spiritual bread. Jesus encouraged them to turn their attention to the more important issue of eternal life. 

What does John 6:28 reveal about the sin nature of man? Why do people look for Jesus today? How can you avoid the trap of looking to Jesus only to fulfill your temporary needs or to give you something you want?

Verse 28 reveals much about man’s sin nature and His perverted quest to fulfill his hunger on his own terms. This crowd revealed that they coveted the ability to do the works OF God, not just works FOR God. They had totally ignored Jesus. This revealed their selfish sin nature. They wanted immediate satisfaction and something they could produce on their own when they desired it. They didn’t want “the food that lasts for eternal life” that could only come from Jesus, God’s Son.

Then, in verse 29, Jesus said “This is the work of God — that you believe in the one he has sent.” This crowd asked, “What can we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus emphatically states that belief in Him is the only work they can perform, and even that is a work of God. It is only possible because God has made it possible.

It’s apparent by the next verses that Jesus’ answer didn’t satisfy their hunger. They only wanted more!

More will never be enough – John 6:30-34

Imagine this taking place. Jesus had just provided plenty of food from some loaves and fishes. It was enough to feed 5000, and there were leftovers! Now, they insult Jesus by asking for more! What they had eaten and what they had witnessed wasn’t enough. 

To add to the insult, they became prescriptive about what they wanted. In addition, they evoked Scripture to try and manipulate Jesus into providing what they wanted. They had a specific miracle in mind: the manna God provided to their ancestors while they were in the wilderness.

Someone read Deuteronomy 8:3. Why did they ignore the reason God provided the manna? 

How can we avoid the trap of asking for more of the wrong things in our lives?

Mankind will do almost anything to fulfill his hunger for more. If his own personal efforts don’t work out, then he turns to others to get more or shows favor to someone powerful with hopes of them providing something for him. If that doesn’t work, then they try to manipulate God. When they try to manipulate God, they might cherry pick Bible passages that will justify their case while ignoring the real meaning behind Scripture. These people in Capernaum should have known the complete story about the manna provided by God (not Moses) while they were wandering in the wilderness. They should have known what Deuteronomy 8:3-6 said about the purpose of the manna – “He humbled you by letting you go hungry; then he gave you manna to eat, which you and your ancestors had not known, so that you might learn that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”

Jesus reminds this crowd that only God, not man, can satisfy their hunger. Jesus revealed that He was the source for fulfilling their hunger, not because He was a prophet, but because He was the Son of God. The source of true bread was standing right before them, yet they hungered for something more. Jesus reveals more about what this means that He is the only one who can satisfy their hunger in John 6:35-40.

As you imagine this dialogue continuing with the crowd, think about the words Jesus says next. How would you explain what Jesus is saying?

Only Jesus can satisfy your hunger – John 6:35-40

In verse 36 Jesus said, “you’ve seen me, and yet you do not believe.” This crowd was only wanting more physical food so they could have an endless buffet that would never run out. They really didn’t have a desire to believe. 

What words or phrases describe the compassion and love Jesus has for those who come to Him?

When you consider Jesus’ expression of His love in this passage, how does that change your perspective on those things, other than Jesus, for which you hunger and thirst?

Jesus’ compassion and love is expressed in so many of the phrases used in this passage – “I will never cast out,” "I should lose none of those He has given me,” “raise them up on the last day,” “everyone . . . who believes in him will have eternal life,” and “I will raise him up on the last day.” These phrases and everything else this passage describes regarding the love of the Father and the Son should calm the hunger and thirsting desires of any unfulfilled soul.

A Society of "Hangry" People

The crowd that followed Him to Capernaum witnessed the amazing multiplication of loaves and fish. People who made up the congregation of this synagogue had observed His miracles and His manner of life. Jesus plainly declared Himself to be the bread of life sent from the Father.  As the bread of life, He promised eternal satisfaction. Yet they did not believe. Jesus was not surprised. 

Read the story of the manna from heaven in Exodus 16:4-30. Notice how the provision of food never satisfied the Israelites. Based on this passage and what we observe in the Scriptures and in this world, can anyone ever be satisfied by what they physically receive or experience?

Do you think that, if Jesus were here today and miraculously fed 5000+, people would be satisfied by the miracle itself?

Since we know most people would not be satisfied, what can we learn from Jesus’ response that might help us share and show the gospel to others? 

We are a society of “hangry” people today, and it’s not just the absence of food that is causing this. We have probably been tempted to express “hanger” when our hungers, expectations, desires aren’t being met. We have certainly observed “hanger” from others when their desires, hungers, expectations weren’t met. Yet, in Christ, we don’t have to be “hangry.” 

We should remember the words of Jesus to another crowd, on another day, on another hill when He said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6)

Consider what actions you need to take to hunger and thirst for righteousness and not for the things that make you “hangry.”

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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. 

According to an ESPN article, “The media world was stunned Monday night (January 9, 2023) when Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field, suffering a cardiac arrest in one of the most terrifying scenes in modern sports history.” This young man's injury drove millions to prayer for recovery. The Explore the Bible Study: Pick Up Your Mat, tells the story of a much different response to a man's need.

There was a man described in John 5 that had experienced a physical tragedy at some point in his life. He was a man who had lost hope, and in whom most had lost hope for recovery from his disability. We don’t know if his disability was caused by a debilitating injury, an illness, or if he had been disabled since birth. No matter the circumstances, this man had been unable to walk for 38 years. 

However, every day he had been taken to a pool called Bethesda, “house of mercy,” that was located on the eastern part of Jerusalem just north of the temple mount. Bethesda consisted of a pool surrounded by four colonnades with a fifth colonnade dissecting the pool. The pool had developed a reputation as a place noted for healing. The waters of the pool frequently bubbled up. The people, for whatever reason, superstitiously believed the stirring of the waters was an angel and the first person to enter the pool would be healed. Thus, the sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed would gather or would be deposited on the five porches, hoping to be healed.

John 5:1 tells us that, “Jesus went up to Jerusalem.” As intentionally as He went through Samaria to meet the woman at the well, He made a stop at the pool as He entered Jerusalem. John 5:3 describes the situation at the pool: “ Within these lay a large number of the disabled—blind, lame, and paralyzed.”  This man had been waiting his turn, but had never been given an opportunity to enter the pool for 38 years!

John 5:5-16 tells the rest of this man's story.

We must envision the scene John is painting. Even though there were many around the pool Jesus saw this particular man lying there. He went to this specific man who had hoped for healing for 38 years. Jesus asked a curious question to this man, “Do you want to get well?” The obvious answer to this question reveals his greater struggles and needs.

For 38 years this man hoped for healing. He played the blame game by telling Jesus that he depended on the stirring of the water to heal him, but no one would help him get into the water. He even said those who brought him to the pool each day didn’t stay to help him. His theology was confined to the belief that only the first person into the pool could be healed.

But his blame game also exposed the suffering he had experienced. The reality is that he didn’t have much hope. He was just discarded, possibly for days, to beg for food and attempt to get someone to help him into the pool. No one cared, until Jesus approached him.

One must note that Jesus didn’t help him get into the water but offered a different solution. Jesus came to help him see from where healing really comes, and the purpose for healing. Neither did Jesus debate the man’s condition or join in the man’s moaning about his lack of help from others. He simply commanded the man to “Get up.”

Sadly, people today might respond the same way. They fail to seek God’s help with their problems. They offer excuses and depend on other options to fix their infirmities.

What are some actions that might indicate someone is offering excuses or depending on other options to fix their spiritual disabilities? 

With Jesus’ command to “Get up” this man now had to make a choice. Not only did Jesus tell him to get up, but He said, “pick up your mat and walk.” Imagine the severe atrophy this man would have had in his leg muscles after being immobile for 38 years. But now, he gets up, walks, and picks up his mat to leave.

Imagine witnessing this. Imagine watching this man most everyone knew as the man who had been at the pool most days for the past 38 years. Imaging seeing him get up, pick up his mat, and walk through the crowd. Notice the response of the religious leaders.

One would think that those who supposedly represented God would be overjoyed by the healing of a man who had been sick for 38 years. Instead, Sabbath legalism was uppermost in the Jewish leaders’ minds. In essence, their legalism was a direct violation of the Sabbath. This man was not in another city, state, or country. He wasn’t even in another neighborhood across town. He had been under their noses for 38 years; yet they couldn’t rejoice in the fact that he could now walk!

What lessons can we learn from the Jewish leaders' response?

In John 5:14 Jesus found the man again in the temple and told him not to sin anymore. 

If you had been healed after 38 years and someone told you to stop sinning, how would you respond?

The Explore the Bible Leader Commentary provides this explanation: “Jesus warned him that he should not sin anymore. The word "anymore" does not indicate that his disability was the result of sin. While not all sin carries physical consequences, Jesus told him something worse than disability could happen if he didn’t live a life of obedience to God. Too often, people experience God’s grace, only to forget their changed circumstances and return to their old lifestyle. We should remember how God demonstrates His grace in our lives and reflect gratitude for His work going forward.”

Notice what happened after Jesus' instructions to the man in John 5:15-16, “The man went and reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. Therefore, the Jews began persecuting Jesus because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.”

Do you think the man was ratting out Jesus to the Jewish leaders?

This man could have avoided the religious leaders, instead he deliberately went to them to tell them it was Jesus who healed him. Although we don’t have any explanation as to why this man did this, he knew they would be angry with Jesus. In essence, He betrayed the man who helped him—the One to whom he owed everything, in order to gain the favor of those who never once demonstrated love to him. The result was escalated persecution of Jesus.

Have you ever extended compassion or invested in helping someone experience spiritual healing, only to see them turn on you? How did it make you feel? What can we learn from Jesus’ experience?

Back to Damar Hamlin

We began by talking about the injury of Damar Hamlin. The response to Damar Hamlin’s need for physical healing was much different than what we just observed in this passage. His injury broke down the barriers in our country in regard to turning to God on behalf of others. People not only prayed but sought to support Damar’s charity work and offered help to the family in multiply ways. Damar was not “ignored at the pool but was being lifted up to God for healing” by those who knew God and those who didn’t. They were all joining together to help this athlete. As the Rev. Carter Conlon, outgoing senior pastor of Times Square Church in New York City, tweeted, “On Monday, ten million people unexpectedly found themselves in a prayer meeting. The focus was on one football player, whose life was in peril. For a moment, we saw a life as God does…of incredible value and worth giving up everything for. That’s what the cross is about. Pray.”

When we see people who, like the man at the pool, are in need of healing do we ignore them, try to get them help, or help them have an encounter with Christ? 

When we someone who we think never has a chance to be spiritually healed by the gospel, suddenly respond to Christ, how should we respond? 

The Explore the Bible QuickSource leaves us with this challenge: “No matter what we’ve been through and no matter what we’ve done in life, Jesus wants to heal us. Jesus does not just love the loveable. He doesn’t just love the rich, good looking, and accomplished people of the world. He loves us all. He wants everyone to come to Him for the spiritual healing that we need. 

Sometimes, He provides physical healing, but the greatest need for each of us is spiritual healing. We all come up short because we all sin (Romans 3:23). Jesus values everyone regardless of our past or present circumstances. We are important to him. What he asks of us is simply this: "Do you want to get well?”

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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. 

Showing and sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ with others--different races, backgrounds, and cultures--is well worth the risk because many will not only become “friends for life” but friends for eternity! Jesus took an intentional risk that was life-changing for a woman who came to well thirsty and in need of water. This is the focus of the Explore the Bible Study: But Whoever Drinks.

What are some of the risks one might take when trying to help someone in danger? Do you recall any stories about someone you know or heard about who took a risk to save someone else? It seems that the news was full of risk takers during the previous Christmas Eve blizzard that swept across the Northeastern part of the United States. 

Risking Life to Save Lives

One news story recounts the story of a 27-year-old took to at least 24 lives during the recent Christmas holiday blizzard (2022) that paralyzed cities like Buffalo, New York. According to a Buffalo news outlet, during the height of the blizzard, this young Kenmore mechanic named Jay Withey, broke into a school to find shelter for himself and others who were stranded in their vehicles because of the blizzard.

Jay Withey’s truck was stuck in the snow overnight during the blizzard. While trying to stay warm in his truck he took in a stranded child and an elderly woman but, eventually, his truck ran out of gas.  Whitley got out and trudged through the snow, knocking on the doors of 15 homes to find shelter, but the scared residents declined. He even offered them $500 from his wallet, but the scared residents declined.

He eventually broke a classroom window of the Pine Hill Primary Center school, climbed inside, and opened a door to the heated building. He went back to his truck and brought the child and elderly woman to the school and then went back out to rescue others. He risked his life to save at least 24 complete strangers. While recalling the incident, Withey said, “My muscles are cramping, my eyes are fogging up, and my vision's going black. It was super scary.” 

Crossing the barriers of race, backgrounds, traditions, and cultures to rescue a Samaritan woman

The continuing study of the gospel of John takes us to a time when Jesus took a huge risk to save someone. This risk required crossing the barriers of race, backgrounds, traditions, and cultures to rescue a Samaritan woman who was stranded in her sin, isolated from society, and desperately thirsty for something different in her life.

John 4:1-6 tells us that the Pharisees were beginning to feel threatened by Jesus’ ministry in the region prompting Jesus to leave Judea and return to the Galilee region.

Verse 4 indicates that Jesus “had to travel through Samaria.” This would be very unusual and an unlikely route for most Jews even though it was the shortest route between the region of Judea and Galilee because the Samaritans were not held in high esteem by most Jews because of their past.

• The region the Samaritans occupied formerly belonged to the tribe of Ephraim and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
• While Nehemiah was engaged in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, the Samaritans vigorously attempted to halt the construction (Nehemiah 6:1-14).
• They built a temple for themselves on “Mount Gerizim,” which the Samaritans insisted was designated by Moses as the place where the nation should worship. This led them to the idolatrous worship they practiced.
• Samaritans willingly received and protected Jewish criminals, greatly increasing the hatred which existed between the two nations.
• They accepted the five books of Moses but rejected the writings of the prophets and all the Jewish traditions.

Because of this, the Samaritans were universally despised by the Jews and regarded as the worst of the human race (John 8:48). Despite this deep grained hatred Jesus knew He HAD to go through Samaria. This route took Jesus to a town called “Sychar near the property that Jacob had given his son Joseph” (John 4:5). We are told in John 4:6 that, “Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, worn out from his journey, sat down at the well. It was about noon.” This is where Jesus intentionally spoke to someone with whom He wouldn’t have normally had a conversation; He also guided the conversation toward the woman’s greatest need.

Sharing the Gospel Involves Risks

Take a moment to read the entire interaction between Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. It can be found in John 4:7-26 (Read it in your Bible or scroll over the reference for a pop-up of the passage.) Take note of how Jesus guided the conversation and how He interacted with someone who had preconceived ideas of how a Jewish person might treat her. Notice also how the woman responded to Jesus. Consider how you might respond to those you encounter.

Notice how Jesus moved the conversation toward a discussion of spiritual things. He used the need for water to introduce living water. He answered questions. He directed the conversation toward her need for Salvation but wasn't judgmental. He was patient. He clarified the message of salvation and who He was. And, He explained how salvation was also available to her.

Did Jesus avoid talking about sin? How would you have handled the situation if you knew the woman’s past and current situation? 

How would you summarize the woman’s initial response?

The Explore the Bible Leader Guide made this observation: “Like patients reacting to doctor’s probes, people with painful issues often shy away from dealing with uncomfortable problems. As Jesus engaged in conversation with the Samaritan woman about physical water, she shifted the focus by responding to Jesus’ comment about living water. Her previous response (see v. 9) may have contained a sense of scorn—or, at least, skepticism. In her past experiences, she had likely suffered the prejudice that Jews showed toward Samaritans. When Jesus offered her living water, though, her tone changed.”

Jesus earned the respect of this woman and the right to be heard by the way He treated her, but He did not gloss over her sin or spiritual needs. He used her current circumstances to reveal the need for something more than the water she came to get from the well. It’s obvious that she was listening because she addressed Him as Sir and asked additional questions based on her spiritual knowledge. This led to a life-changing encounter with Christ for her!

How observant are you when something is said or done that could lead you to have a gospel conversation with someone?

The Risks and the Rewards

John 4:28-30 reveals the transformation that took place in this woman’s life because of her encounter with Christ:  Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They left the town and made their way to Him.

Sadly, verse 27 indicates that the disciples didn’t get it, nor could they believe Jesus was even talking with this woman. They missed out on the joy that comes when someone has a life-changing encounter with Christ.

Here are four takeaways all believers should consider as they read about Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well:

1. We should take the unlikely and sometimes difficult path to share and show the Good News of Jesus to others.
2. We should look for ways to intentionally engage people in gospel conversations.
3. We should ask questions that will help others understand who Jesus is and what is required for salvation.
4. We should celebrate when anyone receives Christ!

Remember the opening story about the risk Jay Withey took to save so many lives during the winter blizzard? Remember he knocked on the doors of 15 homes, but no one offered to help even when he offered them money?

Perhaps you are like the Samaritan woman. Perhaps you are the one who is looking for something to “quench your thirst” but haven’t ever come to Jesus. Please talk with your pastor, someone in your church, a friend, or your Bible study group about your questions. Jesus WILL quench your spiritual thirst!

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

Download PDF Version              Download Word Version

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.