BIBL 110_New Testament Bible Study Assignment., Exams of Theology

Download BIBL 110_New Testament Bible Study Assignment. and more Exams Theology in PDF only on Docsity!

Running head: NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY 1 New Testament Bible Study Assignment Larry O’Neal Liberty University

Introduction and Thesis Statement In this Bible Study paper, we will be looking at John 5:1-17, where Christ heals a man who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda. In this paper we will observe this text and look at what John was trying to communicate. We will discuss how this passage correlates with the Bible as a whole. The Gospel according to John, John attaches the Torah to the person of Christ and reminds us that Christ was promised in the Old Testament Scriptures and expected (van der Merwe, 2014. p.4). We also discuss how it reflects other truths found in Scripture, along with the person and work of Christ. This healing is only mentioned in John, and John uses this healing to challenge his Gentile readers to understand Jesus is not just a healer, but someone who gives eternal life (Thompson, 2017. p.65). Lastly. we will discuss how to take the truths in this text and apply it to ourselves. In verse 6 of this text, Christ asks the man will he be made whole and Jesus showed the man that He was able to make Him whole. Reading this account in the Gospel according to John, you can see that Christ is able to make you whole as well. Will you be made whole? II. Observation A. I have read the passage in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB) and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will find a copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.

3. Story structure: The story is structured as a dialog between Jesus and a certain man, as well as using questions to move this dialog along. This story also includes a dialog between the certain man and the Jews as they question him about why he carries his bed and who told him this. We can also say that the story structure is a chiasm because John orders things to make his point. We see Jesus speak, then the certain man, then Jesus commands and the man obeys. We can see this order through out this text. John also focuses on Christ as the healer, showing that Jesus is the promised messiah.
4. Question(s) asked in narrative: Jesus asked the man if he would be made whole. The Jews ask the man who was it that told him to take up his bed and walk.

C. List basic observations about this passage using the “Key Questions” for observation. Remember to consult the list of items from the observation section in studying the Gospels in Chapter 36. This will help you be more detailed in your answers to “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how.” This is also an excellent place to consult scholarly sources to provide detailed answers regarding context.

1. Who: In this passage, we see Jesus, a certain man with an infirmity for 38 years, the Jews, and perhaps there were Gentiles present as well gathered among the multitude of sick who were laying on the five porches. Many people traveled far in search of healing at this pool and they would gather among the Jewish people; by this, John is most likely writing to both Jews and Gentiles (Thompson, 2017.p. 79).

5. Why: In this text, John is writing to show that Jesus is the healing Messiah promised and is more than just a man. He states in John 20:31, that he writes these things so that the reader might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; by believing, you might have life through His name.
6. How: John shows how Christ healed the man by speaking, commanding the man to take up his bed and walk. Showing that Christ holds the power to heal and how He is the promised Messiah who is equal to the Father.

III. Interpretation A. Determine the author’s main point. In 1-2 paragraphs (100-400 words) explain what you think the author is trying to communicate in this passage. Remember to take into consideration that this passage includes a conversation that Jesus is having. Thus, this passage is both showing and telling us something. Again, John writes in John 20:31, that he writes these things so that the reader may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. John is showing us that Christ came in the name of the Father and is the one promised by God. He is a healer, and John records in chapter 5 verse 6 Jesus asking the man if he would be made whole, followed by Jesus commanding the man to take up his bed and walk in verse 8. We see that Christ is the Messiah that God sent in the flesh and this shows that the Father bears witness to His Son (Shannon, 2019. p.345), John shows us

allows us to focus on Christ as more than a man, but as the Son of God who is able to make people whole. C. Based on your answers above, narrow down one principle from this passage. You should be able to express this principle in 1-3 sentences. The one principle from this passage is that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God who holds the power to heal. He is the promised Messiah that was promised by the prophets who comes in the name of the Father. IV. Correlation

A. How does this passage fit within the metanarrative of the Bible? State what type of story you believe this to be (creation, fall, redemption, or new creation) and explain why you believe this to be so. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length. Christ was promised in the Old Testament as the one who stand in the place as the atonement for sin. He is spoke of in Deuteronomy 18:15-22 as the prophet like Moses God promised would be sent; He is more than a man, more than a Jew, more than Moses and more than death (van der Merwe, 2014. p.5). The type of story I believe this to be is that of ‘new creation’. The man has suffered from an infirmity for 38 years, and Christ asks the man if he would be made whole. After the man tells Christ he has no one to help him, Christ, in John 5:8, instructs the man to take up his bed and walk. Immediately the man was made whole and took up his bed and walked. The man, who had an infirmity for 38 years, is now made whole, he can now walk and has been made a new creation by Christ. In John 5:14. Jesus tells the man that he has been made whole, that he should sin no more or else a worse thing will come upon him. The man now believes that Jesus is the Christ, and as it is written, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” ( Corinthians 5:17. NKJV).

C. How does this passage reflect the person and work of Jesus Christ? State and explain at least one way that the principle of this passage identifies something of the person and work of Jesus Christ. Your explanation should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length. In this passage, John shows us who Jesus is and the power He has by sharing the healing work of Christ. To reiterate, John tells us in John 20:31, that he is writing all these things so that the reader may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus is not just any man or any prophet, He is the Messiah that was prophesied would come. Christ tells us in John 5:17, after the Jews persecuted Him and wanted to slay Him for healing on the Sabbath, that His Father is still working, and He is working also.

V. Application What points of application can be made using the Four Questions for Application? State and explain 1 point of application for your life for each of these four questions. Your explanation for each of these points should be 1 paragraph (100-200 words) in length. A. The question of duty: This passage teaches that I should trust Christ and obey Him. I should also share what Christ has done for us like the man who suffered from an infirmity did in John 5:15, when he told the Jews that it was Jesus who made him whole. It should be my duty to witness to others about Christ and what He has done in my life. I should also trust that Christ is able to speak into any situation I may face. I should not be ashamed of my Lord because He came after me when I was in darkness and shown His light into my life. I should share that light with the world so they too may believe the Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

step of the way. My main goal, however, should be to obey the command of Christ that tells me to go and share the Gospel with the world. D. The question of discernment: In this passage, we see the Jews wanting to slay Jesus for healing on the Sabbath. But instead, John lets us see from the viewpoint of Christ, that we do not have to bound by laws, but that we have freedom in Him. We must view things from the perspective of God, and we should have the mind of Christ as Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 2: that the believer in Christ has. I should not be entangled in my own interest or caught up in my own viewpoint but concern myself with the interest and viewpoint of Christ and I should serve others as He served others.

VI. Conclusion In conclusion, we see that John is writing of this healing so that we, the reader, will believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God who was prophesied would come. He is more than a man, but He is equal with the Father and He holds the power to heal, to make whole, to redeem and to set free those who are held captive. Let us not be ashamed to share what Christ has done in our lives. We should trust and obey Christ because of who He is and look at things from His point of view no matter what or who is around us. We should make decisions based on Scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to work in us and conform us to the image of God’s Son. This passage shows us that Christ is indeed the one promised by God and He holds the power to make those who seek Him whole. Christ asks, “Will you be made whole?”, because He is able to make whole all who seek Him and trust in Him.