JOHN 5:31-47
ON TRIAL
Application Guide
READ THE TEXT
JOHN 5:31-47
31 “If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. 32 There is another who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony he gives about me is true. 33 You sent messengers to John, and he testified to the truth. 34 I don’t receive human testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 John was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36 “But I have a greater testimony than John’s because of the works that the Father has given me to accomplish. These very works I am doing testify about me that the Father has sent me. 37 The Father who sent me has himself testified about me. You have not heard his voice at any time, and you haven’t seen his form. 38 You don’t have his word residing in you, because you don’t believe the one he sent. 39 You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, and yet they testify about me. 40 But you are not willing to come to me so that you may have life.
41 “I do not accept glory from people, 42 but I know you—that you have no love for God within you. 43 I have come in my Father’s name, and yet you don’t accept me. If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe, since you accept glory from one another but don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me, because he wrote about me. 47 But if you don’t believe what he wrote, how will you believe my words?”
APPLICATION QUESTIONS
In general, was there anything that stood out to you from the sermon or the reading of the text? Was there anything you were encouraged or confused by?
Spend time reflecting on how Jesus is different than the witnesses that point to Him.
The religious leaders were bothered by Jesus because they couldn’t manipulate Him to fit their agenda. What are ways that we try to fit Jesus into our ideas of how the world should work?
The sermon mentioned four things that we might be tempted to place our hope in instead of Jesus - celebrity religious leaders, the gifts or signs of Jesus, the study of theology, and moralism (the law). Which of these is your greatest temptation, and how is it empty in comparison to the saving work of Jesus?
How does community play a role in continually reminding each other of the truth that Jesus alone can save us?
How was the gospel and the work of Jesus magnified through the text or sermon?
Is there anything the Spirit is calling you to obey as an individual or as a group?