Ok, this thread will host the weekly goals for bible reading for those interested in reading through a book together. Its just meant to be light and informal, and supplement your existing bible reading/study, but its also meant to be a way we can encourage each other to be consistant in reading our bibles, ie you’re meant to actually do it :)

The idea is simply that we pick a book, divvy it up, and work thru it over several weeks, and post back to let everyone know where we’re up to at the end of the week. Its no fun playing alone, so those that indicate their interest are expected to contribute back to the thread so everyone stays encouraged to keep going :) Its a bit of an experiement, so we’ll see how it goes.

Current active participants are:

Craig
Dani
Ian [OS]
Jason
Luke

This fortnight’s goal:

John chapters 1-12:23

Next fortnight’s goal:

John chapters 12:23-21

This fortnight’s goal ends on Sunday 7/12.

Good luck!!

Oh no! I just found this thread. Better get busy reading!!!!!!

Hey guys -

Can I suggest John 12:23 as a good turning point?  That’s where all the “The time/hour has not yet come"s along the way change to “the time/hour has come”.  And it very quickly changes from Jesus’ public ministry to the upper room discourse where he’s speaking just to the apostles. 

SJK. 
(I might be a random participant...hope nobody minds...)

Welcome Sophie! ;-)

This is my last post [I think] for a while...I’m off overseas [BTW: thanks for your prayers regarding my friend and this trip].

I shall be reading John [I read my study Bible’s Introduction to John and Chapter 1 last night], and I shall try and post from his place if I get the time.  I may even convince him to join us: you wouldn’t mind a Nestorian here would you? ;-)

God bless; and thanks again to Luke for getting this ball rolling!
Ian.

I didn’t know what a Nestorian was!

In which sense (both offered by dictionary.com!)

1. Of or relating to the theological doctrine, declared heretical in 431, that within Jesus are two distinct persons, divine and human, rather than a single divine person.

2. Of or relating to an Eastern church. Not in scholarly use.

Will be praying for your safe return, Ian.

Hello from San José!

I assume by the lack of responses I am not the only one to not have reached Chapter 11!!! ;-)

[quote author="Matthew Williams"]I didn’t know what a Nestorian was!

In which sense (both offered by dictionary.com!)

1. Of or relating to the theological doctrine, declared heretical in 431, that within Jesus are two distinct persons, divine and human, rather than a single divine person.

2. Of or relating to an Eastern church. Not in scholarly use.

2.  I think the good Nestorius was a bit misunderstood. ;-)

God bless,
Ian.

lol, incriminated by my own silence. I really wanted to have read those 11 chapters, but didn’t, grr! I read the first 5 or 6 chapters today (while listening to Jane’s Addiction no less :) which is a start, and I think I’ll make these fortnightly goals, unless you’re all champing at the bit for more… but goals are set to be met, and I’m going to meet them!!

How’d the rest of you go? Carn, fess up :)

Anyway Ian thanks for the reminder and for popping in, hope you enjoy the rest of the trip!

luke… just becaauussee

edit: In the original post I’ve changed the break in John as per Sophie’s suggestion & added Craig to the list (as per the other thread, hope that’s ok Craig!).

1 to 11 done.

[And interestingly enough, at my friend’s Bible study, we looked at 5:1-9!]

WOW!  Thanks be to God for dropping the scales from my eyes: John’s account has literally blown me away,

I am fascinated by the “signs” and “Jesus’ hour” - and moreso, the - to me - wondrous imagery employed in Jesus’ sayings: “water”; the ascending and descending [3:13]; the Bread of Life [6:22vv]; rivers of water [7:37-39]; light [8:12...]; the Good Shepherd [10].  For some reason, these images and sayings have shone clearly to me.

The Bread of Life and Jesus the Good Shepherd stand out to me.  As does the Samaritan Women - in terms of the fact of her and her townspeople’s belief: in contrast to the Jews’ disbelief. 

Hope you’re enjoying your super-dooper commentary Luke! ;-)

God bless,
Ian.

How’d the rest of you go? Carn, fess up :)

I think my silence speaks for itself ;)

I take it I am not the only one who has deviated slightly..quite a bit...ok, massively! ;-)...from the schedule!

Last night I read John 13-17 with a view to getting the overall picture of that night.  I plan to read a chapter or so a day from today at a deeper level.

John’s account provides a great amount of detail the others’ did not provide...and I thank God for inspiring John to write down those things.  Chapter 14:1-14 spoke to me as Jesus explains that those who have seen/known Jesus have seen/known the Father - I am sure I have read this before, but it struck me last night.  How often have I tended to wonder, well, I know of Jesus - how can I know about the Father?  I know they are distinct “persons”, but they are one in the Trinity: I found Jesus’ words in John 16:9 very heartening.

(A question for someone who has a super-dooper commentary, Luke? ;-) My Study Bible has no detail.  In John 14:31 Jesus says, “Arise, let us go from here.” [NKJV] Is that when they leave the Upper Room and move to the Garden?)

I look forward to re-reading the discussions on the work of the Holy Spirit [John 16:5-15] and sayings on Jesus’ death and resurrection [the rest of 16]: plenty there.

Finally, John 17 with Jesus’ three prayers blew me away: wonderful!

BTW: does anyone start singing choruses when they come across verses such as John 13:34-35 ???, or is it just me???]

God bless,
Ian.

John 14:12

I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

This for me is one of the greatest encouraging scriptures I know to pray for the sick, to pray for those in need of a miracle and at the same time to believe God will provide a miracle for me whenever the need arises, especially when I ask others to pray for me.

craig

Ian, you’re an inspiration! I’ve been hopeless reading John (tho I’ve been hopeless reading anything), I’ll get stuck back in soon and fix up the schedule at the start of Jan.

I checked my commentary and its the letters of John, not the gospel of John, which I really should have checked earlier, lol, how pathetic.

I’ve found John’s style interesting - subtle it isn’t :) The unbelief of just about everyone is frustrating, but it contrasts well with those who do believe. Must pick it up again soon…

Aus 6/532 ;)

[quote author="Luke Stevens"]Ian, you’re an inspiration! I’ve been hopeless reading John (tho I’ve been hopeless reading anything), I’ll get stuck back in soon and fix up the schedule at the start of Jan.

Ta, but you’ll puff me up… ;-) As I said, I was very lazy around Christmas - I thought I’d give us all a nudge. ;-)

[quote author="Luke Stevens"]
I checked my commentary and its the letters of John, not the gospel of John, which I really should have checked earlier, lol, how pathetic.

I’m sorry, but I laughed for ages after reading that… ‘Tis funny! ;-)

[quote author="Luke Stevens"]
I’ve found John’s style interesting - subtle it isn’t :) The unbelief of just about everyone is frustrating, but it contrasts well with those who do believe. Must pick it up again soon…

Indeed.  I love the contrasts between the “believers” and “unbelivers”: it is very striking.  I fear I’d be in that latter category, though.  Add to that the sheer depth of teaching and John is a book I am going to have to take extremely slowly…

[quote author="Luke Stevens"]
Aus 6/532 ;)

;-) : God bless,
Ian.

* Weeps * - I spent 1/2 hr typing, only to close this IE Window by mistake!!! :(

Oh well...start again… ;-)

I have re-read John 13 and John 14, trying to ponder each in more detail while still trying to see the overall picture.  Here are my thoughts:

Washing of Feet

Humility.  Pure and simple.  And Peter’s comment, “not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” [John 13:9].  ‘Tis easy to see why he was appointed “the Rock”, despite occasional lapses.  A new favourite verse of mine.

The servant/master verses from John 13:13 also struck me: how much of a servant am I?  Or am I more wanting to be served?  I think the answer is clear, unfortunately.  A good challenge.

Betrayal Prediction

[quote author="John 13:30-31"]
30 As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.
31 When he was gone, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.

The betrayer goes outside to set in motion the events which will lead to Jesus’ death, and Jesus says, “Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.” Huh!?!?  He’s about to be arrested and killed!

That was my first reaction.  But pondering it - indeed ‘tis true [as you’d expect from God’s Word!] - Jesus’ “time” has finally arrived, no more, “It is not my time”.  This is what He was sent here to do - it is truly the time where He is glorified: to those in the know at least ["evil men” no doubt believed they had ended His life permanently].

Comfort

[quote author="John 14:2b-4"]
2 ... I am going there to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.
4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

* weeps * - truly, I did.  And do as I am typing.  Comfort indeed, and comfort beyond all measure. 

(I am sure most of you are now thinking I am some kind of emotional looney! ;-) ;-) Perhaps I am...but I tend to think I have never truly read these verses before - I saw them, but did not read.  I may resort to exclamations of “WOW!” as I continue...bear with my lack of English skills, please ;-) - ‘tis amazing stuff! ;-))

Promise of the Holy Spirit

I tend to think, in terms of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit gets a bad rap: He(It?) is either ignored or frowned upon as it leads certain people to ecstasies and such.

Apart from confirming my belief that Pope Leo was a naughty successor of Peter to add the Filioque [16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-- 17 the Spirit of truth.] ;-), I hope this helps me to realise that the Trinity is called “the Trinity” for a reason - there is a Third Person!  While worshipping at my friend’s “Church of The East” church, I was struck by how central the Trinity is there, and it confirmed my belief that we in the West generally move from the Three to the One [often neglecting the Third, as I wrote above], while Eastern Christians generally move from the One to the Three - I think we need both, and am happy we have both.

A Question for You

I was wondering if someone might be able to explain a few things to me.

[quote author="John 13:27-28"]
27 As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
28 “What you are about to do, do quickly,” Jesus told him, but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.

First, “Satan entered into him.” Was not Satan in Judas before [as I assume he had plotted to hand over Jesus, or at least sussed out the possibility of handing Jesus over to the authorities]?  Or was this “the instant” it happened?  Or have I the wrong view completely and am misreading?

Secondly, I am not saying I would have known, but the disciples seem to have been particularly blunt on that night.  In John 13:21 Jesus says, “[O]ne of you is going to betray me.” Jesus then says it will be the one to whom he gives the bread.  Jesus gives the bread to Judas - hence, he is the betrayer.  What *did* the disciples think, he meant?  Can we know?

Thanks for any help.

And thanks be to Luke [and God!] for getting this started.  I have (I believe) learnt a great deal: I pray I may put it into practice and also remember it so it may increase my love and knowledge of God, and not just read it for mere knowledge and self-satisfaction.

God bless,
Ian.

bible study group

Hi everyone. I think that the idea of everyone working through a book together is a great idea. We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit working through each one of us to guide us into the truth ( as well as commentaries etc. ). I used to have a pastor who took this passage literally and did’nt believe in commentaries or seeking the opinion of other Holy Spirit inspired teachers. As a result there was more eisogesis than exergesis.
Anyway, where are we up to? Whats the program? Regards Kevin.

Re: bible study group

Hi Kevin:

Welcome!  And Happy New Year!

Pop along to this thread and tell us a bit about yourself: if you like!

[quote author="kevin casey"]Hi everyone. I think that the idea of everyone working through a book together is a great idea. We need the guidance of the Holy Spirit working through each one of us to guide us into the truth ( as well as commentaries etc. ). I used to have a pastor who took this passage literally and did’nt believe in commentaries or seeking the opinion of other Holy Spirit inspired teachers. As a result there was more eisogesis than exergesis.
Anyway, where are we up to? Whats the program? Regards Kevin.

Thanks for giving me my new word for the day - eisegesis!

As you may be able to guess, good intentions and promises seem to have quickly given way to lazy human actions! ;) Luke will chastise me if I am wrong, but feel free to jump in with any comments you have on The Gospel of John: dive right in!  I’m up to Chapter 15 and I’ll post a few more rambling thoughts over the weekend.

I think we may move to 1 John next [as I am sure Luke wants to dust off the commentary still! ;-)].

Welcome again; God bless,
Ian.