Research and discussion
1.
(a) Outline the way in which John's
gospel shows the increasing hostility to Jesus from the religious leaders and
show the reasons for it.
(b)
What may a modern Christian learn from
this aspect of the gospel?
2. Give examples from the incidents and teaching
connected with Jesus' visit to Jerusalem for the Feast of Shelters, which show
the Old Testament background in this section of the gospel.
3.(a) Show how John's gospel uses the ideas of
'sight' and 'blindness' to convey the teaching of Jesus.
(b)
Give two examples of what a
Christian might describe as spiritual sight and spiritual blindness in life
today.
4.
(a) Show from the Bible how the idea
of 'shepherd' and 'sheep' is used to illustrate the relationship between God
and his people.
(b)
What contemporary comparison might be
used in a modem sermon to illustrate this relationship, for people in a
different culture who do not keep sheep?
5.(a)
Explain the significance of the
raising of Lazarus.
(b)
Comment on (i) a modem attitude, not
necessarily Christian, and (ii) a traditional African attitude, to death.
6. Comment on John's distinctive emphases in
what he says in his gospel about (i) the anointing at Bethany, (ii) the
Messianic entry into Jerusalem, and (iii) Jesus' understanding of his death.
7.
(a) Explain what John's gospel
teaches about God's Judgement. (b) Comment on (i) an Old Testament
understanding of judgement, and (ii) an understanding of judgement on evil
according to African traditional teaching.
8. Show how (i) water, (ii) bread, and (iii)
light, are used to convey spiritual truth in John's gospel.
9. Discuss how John's gospel emphasizes that the events of Jesus' ministry took place 'in God's time' and in total accordance with God's will.