The Eagle's Eye John's Gospel Class 1, Thames Valley churches of Christ.mp3

“The Eagle’s Eye”: Class 1

Background to John’s Gospel

Introduction

“John, oh John, 

Thou honourable bird, 

Sun-peering eagle. 

Taking a bird’s-eye view,

Even of Calvary and Resurrection.”

D H Laurance - “St John”

"In the other gospels, Jesus’ story takes place in the horizontal dimensions of the geography and history of Israel; John brings in the vertical – Jesus is above and beyond all that…...John’s Jesus is nothing less than God himself, coming down like an eagle from the heights of the world above to save the reader from darkness and evil, if only we allow ourselves in faith to be found by him.” “Four Gospels, One Jesus? A symbolic reading”, Richard Burridge

1. John’s gospel is biographic

“In each of my friends there is something that only some other friend can fully bring out. By myself I am not large enough to call the whole man into activity; I want other lights than my own to show all his facets…”  C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

2. John’s gospel is “Spiritual”

“…John, last of all, conscious that the outward facts had been set forth in the Gospels, was urged on by his disciples, and, divinely moved by the Spirit, composed a spiritual Gospel.” Clement of Alexandria (ca. 155-220 CE)

3. John’s gospel has different areas of focus

4. Jesus (John 1.1-14)

a. His Identity

“What can you see in the first 14 verses that tells us about the identity of Jesus the Christ?”

b. His Capacity

“What can you see in the first 14 verses that tells us about the capacities of Jesus the Christ? What he can do?”

Summary

“What has stood out to you from tonight?”

Read/skim the whole gospel between now and next Friday.

Discuss what you’re learning and your questions with your spouse/friends.

Ask God to reveal what aspect of Jesus he would like you to focus on through this series.

Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. 

Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.

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God bless, Malcolm

PS: If you would like some coaching in spiritual disciplines, look me up on www.coach.me. 

PPS: You might also be interested in my book: "An elephant's swimming pool", a devotional look at the Gospel of John

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