The New Testament tells the story of Jesus, the promised Christ, and the beginning of His church. In it, we find the good news of the Kingdom of God, our King’s teaching, the revelation of God’s nature and character, and what it means to follow Christ. We hope that our study of the New Testament books helps you understand the love of God more fully and to love Him and others with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.
The opening lines of the Gospel of John are some of the deepest, most profound lines ever written. They introduce us to the divinity of the Son of God, His involvement in Creation, and His relation to the Father. In this lesson we begin our journey through this gospel, the favorite of many, and touch
Introduction to the Gospel of John (John 1:1-18) View Lesson
Introduction to the Gospel of John (John 1:1-18) View Lesson
As we continue in the first chapter of John, we continue our deep dive into the identity of Christ, his divinity, and his appearances in the Old Testament. We are also introduced to John the Baptist, an important character in the beginning of all four Gospels. John was asked three questions: are you the Christ,
More on the Divinity of Christ; 3 Questions for John the Baptist (John 1:19-28, Pt. A) View Lesson
More on the Divinity of Christ; 3 Questions for John the Baptist (John 1:19-28, Pt. A) View Lesson
John the Baptist was asked three questions: "Are you the Christ?", "Are you Elijah?" and "Are you the Prophet?" John said he was not Elijah (whose return was prophesied in Malachi), but Jesus said that John was the Elijah to come. How do we resolve this apparent contradiction? Also, what is this reference to "the
John the Baptist identifies Jesus as "the Lamb of God." Why a lamb, and not some other animal? Does this simply mean that Jesus was meek and harmless, or is there more to it? How would John's hearers have understood this expression? In this lesson we look at what this would have meant to John’s
In this lesson we discuss the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, which is mentioned in all four gospels. Why was Jesus' baptism necessary? Jesus then encounters his first disciples, and renames Simon as Peter. What was the significance of that? We explore this question, the source of great controversy related to claims made
In John 2 we read two stories: Jesus performing his first miracle at a wedding in Cana and Jesus clearing out the temple. Jesus would go on to perform many miracles; why did He begin with turning water into wine? We also look at whether Christians should drink alcohol, and how we should relate to
First Miracle at Cana and Clearing the Temple (John 2) View Lesson
First Miracle at Cana and Clearing the Temple (John 2) View Lesson
In John 3, Nicodemus encounters Jesus at night and is told that to enter the Kingdom of God, a person must be born of water and spirit. Nicodemus, a good-hearted teacher of Israel who will later stick his neck out for Jesus, is confused about what it means to be born again. Such is the
This passage of Scripture contains perhaps the most famous verse in the Bible: John 3:16. We look at this verse in its context, which not only shows how badly the verse is twisted and misunderstood by so many today but also reveals a message and means of salvation that will be hated by the world.
In John 4 Jesus encounters a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well and has a noteworthy discussion with her. This passage has often been used to depict Jesus as a great liberator of women, or as some would say, "the first feminist." But, is this really what this passage teaches us? We will dig into the
Encounter with a Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:1-45) View Lesson
Encounter with a Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:1-45) View Lesson
In John 4 and 5, and throughout the New Testament, we read about Jesus, the apostles and others performing miracles, healings, and signs. These can easily be passed over and dismissed. Yet, why did Jesus (and others) perform miracles and signs? What are we to learn from these miracles? If someone were to work signs