John 8:31-59 | Bible Study Questions

Read John 8:31-59.
What characters are mentioned in our text and who are they?
Do you notice any repeated words or ideas? (even from previous sections of John)
What does Jesus say is "true" in this passage? (v. 13, 14, 15, 18, 26)
How many "fathers" are mentioned?

How are the Jews described in verse 31?
1. What kind of belief do you think this is?
2. How does their opinion of Jesus change by verse 59?
What does it mean to "abide" in verse 31?
1. Jesus says that whoever abides in his word will know the truth, "and the truth will set you free." What will they be set free from?
2. How do you think this "truth" will set them free?
What do we learn about Jesus from this passage?
What might Jesus mean by saying that "Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day"?
1. Do you think Jesus is referring to a specific event or something else?
  1. What events might Jesus be referring to? (Gen. 12:1-3; 18:16-33; etc.)
2. Check out Romans 4:13-21. Does this help you understand what Jesus might be talking about?
What do you think he means in verse 58 when he calls himself "I Am"?
1. Read Exodus 3:1-6, 13-17.
  1. What connections can you make between these verses and John 8:31-59?
2. Who is Jesus claiming to be?
3. How does the response of the Jews show the seriousness of what Jesus was claiming?

When we hear about freedom in the world today, it usually means being able to do whatever you want. How is freedom in Jesus different?
1. Have you experienced the reality that knowing Jesus and obeying his teaching is what delivers true freedom?
2. How have you experienced that freedom?
If "the truth" sets us free, what does that mean for the relativistic concept that everyone's truth is equally valid?
1. How can you grow in knowing "the truth"?
2. How can you grow in obeying and abiding in "the truth"?
Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
Sing Hallelujah For the Cross to God and to one another.

Read John 8:31-59.
What characters are mentioned in our text and who are they?
Do you notice any repeated words or ideas? (even from previous sections of John)
What does Jesus say is "true" in this passage? (v. 13, 14, 15, 18, 26)
How many "fathers" are mentioned?

How are the Jews described in verse 31?
1. What kind of belief do you think this is?
2. How does their opinion of Jesus change by verse 59?
What does it mean to "abide" in verse 31?
1. Jesus says that whoever abides in his word will know the truth, "and the truth will set you free." What will they be set free from?
2. How do you think this "truth" will set them free?
What do we learn about Jesus from this passage?
What might Jesus mean by saying that "Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day"?
1. Do you think Jesus is referring to a specific event or something else?
  1. What events might Jesus be referring to? (Gen. 12:1-3; 18:16-33; etc.)
2. Check out Romans 4:13-21. Does this help you understand what Jesus might be talking about?
What do you think he means in verse 58 when he calls himself "I Am"?
1. Read Exodus 3:1-6, 13-17.
  1. What connections can you make between these verses and John 8:31-59?
2. Who is Jesus claiming to be?
3. How does the response of the Jews show the seriousness of what Jesus was claiming?

When we hear about freedom in the world today, it usually means being able to do whatever you want. How is freedom in Jesus different?
1. Have you experienced the reality that knowing Jesus and obeying his teaching is what delivers true freedom?
2. How have you experienced that freedom?
If "the truth" sets us free, what does that mean for the relativistic concept that everyone's truth is equally valid?
1. How can you grow in knowing "the truth"?
2. How can you grow in obeying and abiding in "the truth"?
Pray in light of this passage and about any applications you have made
Sing Hallelujah For the Cross to God and to one another.