Does the Truth set you Free?

We left Jesus in the Temple, surrounded by believers, but still being tested by the authorities. So now the discussion continues and we're reading slowly 'cause there's a lot going on. Hope you're enjoying following along with us.

(57) Who Believes in Him?

As Jesus preached in the Women’s Court, “many believed in Him” (Read John 8:30), so now he has a crowd of believers gathered around him, and he speaks. Plus some officials who are less inclined to believe…

1.       Read John 8:31-32. What word/teaching did his hearers (people and officials) normally care about? What teaching matters most to us?

a.      How do we abide in/hold onto Jesus’ word?

b.      Is this different from reading the Bible (Old and New Testament)?

c.       How does that make us disciples?

2.       Pilate asked “What is truth?” (Read John 18:38) How does truth set us free?

3.       Read John 8:33 His listeners were subject to Rome. What did they mean by saying they were free?

a.       What nations today are proud of their “freedoms”? And how dangerous is that pride?

b.      Read John 8:34 What sort of freedom is Jesus talking about?

c.       Are we free? Slaves? Both?

4.       Read John 8:35-36 What do you know about how slavery worked in their society?

a.       How did slaves become free?

b.      How would being freed by the son of the house be special?

c.       What freedoms do you seek/value most?

Jesus takes up their “sons of Abraham” claim and continues to teach (verse 37). We probably don’t claim to be “sons of Abraham,” but what claims might we make that make it hard for us to hear God’s word?

1.       Read John 8:37-39a How might this make his listeners feel, remembering they are trying to believe in him?

a.       If this read “I know that you are Christians…” how would it make you feel?

2.       Read John 8:39b-41a What other “father” is he accusing them of having? (verse 44)

a.       Read John 8:41b What would it mean to have two fathers?

b.      Is having multiple fathers like having multiple idols?

3.       Read John 8:42-47 Is Jesus trying to turn them away, or challenging them to think? (Or despairing of them?)

a.       Verse 43 Do we struggle to understand? Should it be easy?

b.      Verse 44 Jewish tradition made the devil the father of lies because he lied to Eve, and the first murderer because death came into the world through him. How do we depict the devil? Is our depiction helpful?

c.       How do we react to lies? How important do we think they are?

d.      Verse 46 They don’t have enough evidence yet to convict. Jesus is still in the Temple. Since he’s speaking publicly and now legally too, perhaps the opposition has gathered around again—the ones who don’t believe in Him. How difficult is it to tell truth from lies when you’re invested in the result?

Read John 8:47-48 Samaritan might be the ultimate insult – even worse than Galilean! What does this tell you about the changing mood (or composition) of the crowd around Jesus? How quickly does our mood change? Do Jesus’ words challenge you to listen and learn, or to defend yourself?