John 7:1-13

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

A Discussion Between the Lord and His Earthly Brothers

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. God has a plan for the believer’s life

  2. Common sense is part of God’s plan for the believer’s life

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. When you witness, you will be accused of deceiving people

  2. Family ties will not save you.

QUESTIONS

  1. What were the “things” of John 7:1?

  2. Which event was held by the Jews in the spring of the year? What did it commemorate?

  3. Who were the Lord’s earthly brothers? Did He also have sisters?

  4. For whom does God have a life plan?

  5. Is God’s plan in line with the world’s way of thinking? Discuss.

  6. Should you throw common sense to the wind when following God’s plan for your life?

ANSWERS

  1. The two miracles and the bread of life discourse

  2. The Feast of Tabernacles. How God led them through the wilderness and into the Promised Land.

  3. James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. Yes. See Mark 6:3.

  4. For believers. See John 7:6-8, where the Lord was saying that there was a pre-programmed plan for His life, but not for theirs because they were not in tune with God’s plan for their lives.

  5. No. As in the case of Jesus, the natural way would have been for Jesus to go up to Jerusalem and enter as a king.

  6. No. Follow the example of the Lord Jesus. He did not put Himself in a dangerous situation when his brothers argued that He should. Our missionaries keep this in mind when in hostile situations.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Do you believe that God has a plan for your life? If so, how can you discern it on a daily basis? See Proverbs 3:5-6.

  2. Are you ready to accept God’s plan, even though you will be hated by the world? (See 1 John 3:13 and John 15:18-19.

CHALLENGE

  1. Are you ready to be hated by the world?

KEY VERSES

  • “Even His brothers did not believe in Him.” John 7:5

  • “My time has not yet come…My time has not yet fully come.” John 7:6,8

  • “The world hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil.” John 7:7