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Greetings all,

I will continue to try something on TheNET. I would like to see if we can engage in a Bible study using the forums. I hope to simulate a small group setting, but realize that there will be lag time. Here are the parameters that we will work with ... and this is open to everyone.

1) We are attempting to work our way through the gospel of John.

2) We will not tolerate negative comments made about a person or persons.

3) We are using the S.O.A.P. approach which = Scripture - Observation - Application - Prayer.

... 3a) Scripture text from the Gospel of John using KJV (no copyright attached)

... 3b)Observations about the particular text. What is being said, what is going on, who is involved and what might be the points being made?

... 3c) Application of the text/teaching to our lives today.

... 3d) Prayer pertaining to that which we have sought to discern.

4) It is appropriate to ask questions along the way.

5) I operating as the facilitator and teacher of this online group/class, but want the open participation of others.

6) At the end of each week (Friday's) I will close the current one and start a new one.

This Week's Scripture to discuss:

Joh 1:19-51 KJV And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? (20) And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. (21) And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. (22) Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest thou of thyself? (23) He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. (24) And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. (25) And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor Elias, neither that prophet? (26) John answered them, saying, I baptize with water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; (27) He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (28) These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan, where John was baptizing. (29) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (30) This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. (31) And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water. (32) And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him. (33) And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (34) And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God. (35) Again the next day after John stood, and two of his disciples; (36) And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! (37) And the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. (38) Then Jesus turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them, What seek ye? They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted, Master,) where dwellest thou? (39) He saith unto them, Come and see. They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it was about the tenth hour. (40) One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. (41) He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. (42) And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone. (43) The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me. (44) Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. (45) Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. (46) And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. (47) Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! (48) Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig tree, I saw thee. (49) Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the King of Israel. (50) Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. (51) And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.

Scripture -  John 1:19-51

Observation

Application

Prayer

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In verse 30-31, John is credited as saying "he was before me. (31) And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water."

John was born before Jesus, and, yet, says Jesus was before him. What does John mean in verse 31 "And I knew him not" -- does he mean he didn't know him in this life until that very day but he did know One was coming to be made manifest to Israel, the Messiah?

Hi Amanda, God bless!

I looked at several translations on the Gateway. John didn't know Jesus was the Christ, but John knew Jesus as a person. Their mothers Elizabeth and Mary were related. Later on when John died, Jesus finds out and wants to be alone or away from the crowds. Jesus had feelings and friends.   :-) 

Love,

Mary

Some have described John as being a recluse, a hermit, but I see indications that he was a public figure and was well known. However, it seems almost as if Jesus wasn't well known until after He began His public ministry. I wonder if John began as a young child, proclaiming the One who was to come, or if he was a recluse, up until the time came for his own ministry to begin? I find verse 33 interesting, too. It seems to be a reference to the Father.

Hi Amanda, God bless!

Sorry, I was at work and had to go. Sometimes I get on AAG during lunch and relax and read. It's a nice lunchtime. My idea of a good lunchtime is talking to all of you on the forum or reading what you have to say. :-)

Luke 1:15 talks about John having holy spirit even from his mother's womb. IMO, he saw the holy spirit come upon Jesus and then he realized Jesus is the Christ.  I don't know why John would have holy spirit from his mother's womb, but the holy spirit descends from heaven like a dove and lights on Jesus.

Did I call John the bridegroom? I was thinking he was the best man. I found this beautiful Bible study about the rapture and the jewish wedding. It talks about the groom telling his bride I go to prepare a place for you and I will come again. Jesus said that.  :-)

Love,

Mary

That's a very kind thing to say, Mary, and I have enjoyed the discussions and reading what others have to say, too. It is important to remain teachable and humble, and I've learned from many on this site, and hope to continue growing in the knowledge of our Lord.

I've read that John's ministry may have lasted only a year, but I wonder what his life was like before then and, since he had the Spirit in the womb, I wonder if he knew as a child what he had been sent to do, or if he just received the word one day from God, as Luke 3 mentions, and then went forth, preparing the way for Jesus? I'm just thinking out loud. People today are called like that, too, all of a sudden.

2 "during (E)the high priesthood of Annas and (F)Caiaphas, (G)the word of God came to (H)John the son of Zechariah in (I)the wilderness" Luke 3, ESV.

Hi Amanda, God bless!

I don't know how long John's ministry was, but it couldn't have been very long. John confronted Herodias and Herod Antipas and was arrested. Herodias was very mad at him. I visualize Herodias as a vicious, nasty person. I think someday our Lord will have something to say to her. He's coming back.   :-)  I think that a lot. I'll see something happen like an injustice or crime and think you know Jesus is coming back.

Love,

Mary

There are two kinds of knowing (for our purpose we will keep it at two). There is a cognitive knowing and a intimate knowing. One is based on the senses and the other on something deeper. In this context we can believe, as family, John and Jesus knew each other (or at least about each other). He knew Jesus, but did not yet know the Son of God. He knew of the Son of God, but did not know Him as He had not yet been revealed. Many today cognitively believe that there is a God (even other religions), but do not know God. To know there is a God is not the same as saying I know God. Because the Christian experience is relational with Jesus it is not enough to say I believe there is a God and I believe His name is Jesus (maybe one can be saved ... I will not attempt to judge), but if this is one's whole experience with God it is either false or at best shallow. A deeper life experience comes when we meet the living Savior and grower deeper in love with Him and walk with Him in relationship. Too may, I fear, walk in religion and miss the Savior Himself.

Tozer used to like to say that if a person could talk you into being a Christian then someone else can talk you out of it. I add, that if we could be talked out of being a Christian were we really ever born again to begin with.

I will add this (and note that my comments are straying from responding to you specifically and am speaking at large) which I commented on in S.O.A.P. #3. If we read Scripture and miss Jesus there is something amiss. The primary goal of Scripture is not to educate us about facts, or history, or even to give us a set of rules (though all be true). The goal of Scripture is to introduce us to Jesus and from there guide us into a vibrant essential relationship with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

Lord Bless,

LT

It might as well be directed at me, too. I think it's something everyone does at times.

Great idea LT.

Extreme summary update of God's work in my life:

1. I am going to be a daddy again! The baby is due in October :) Though we had no plans for another baby, God did,so we are very blessed.

2. I have been working two jobs since December 2013. My morning job as an accountant and my second job as a teaching parent at a ranch that is home to teenagers that have been release to the Ranch's staff custody, to help them get ready to reenter society and their home life, after serving time at a juvenile facility. 

3. Love and miss you all. :) Church life is great.

LT - Can you please keep the discussion open just a couple of days more, so I can share a bit.

Good to hear from you, you are missed, and CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Yes, I would be happy to leave it open a few more days :-)

That's good news, David, for both you and Deserey! My granddaughter was born on Oct. 1. She'll be two this year. We spent this past weekend visiting her and her parents in West VA. Children are a gift from God, as is often said. I look forward to hearing what you will share in the Bible Study. I echo the words, you are missed!

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