John 8:30-31 provides us with lots of optimism as lots of
people seem to become Christians; we might respond, “Wow, lots of influential people are believing in Jesus, let’s put
something in the paper, on social media, God is moving in revival power…”
But Jesus knows their
hearts (2:23-24; 5:42) and the course of events will show that their belief is
not true faith. As Jesus begins to teach them, they will reveal
hard-heartedness, they will accuse Him of being ‘demon possessed’, by the end
of the section many of the ‘believers’ will be looking to stone Him!
When someone becomes a
Christian, it’s essential that they be taught from the bible about who God is,
who they are, and what pleases and displeases God etc. We call this
discipleship; Jesus’ last words to His disciples on earth were,
Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”
Jesus begins that
process here in chapter 8:31 and the immediate question we must ask ourselves
is how do we respond to Jesus’ word, will we ‘hold (Abide in) to His teaching’?
The word ‘hold’ (NIV)
can translated ‘Abide (ESV) or to ‘dwell’. It speaks of someone who loves
Jesus’ teachings over the course of their life.
This love for Jesus
and His word is a sign of new birth. Christians have a Spirit–fuelled passion
for God and His truth in the bible, an appetite that can be neglected or fed;
let’s become those whose appetite for Jesus’ grows throughout our lives. Let's listen to Jesus and learn to,
Make a home in Jesus' word.
You can listen to this message at,
Going deeper
– Personal daily study notes on 8:30-31
Monday: read John
8:30-31
As Jesus began to
disciple these ‘believers’, He immediately gets resistance, they don’t want to
be taught! Someone once said, ‘How can
you tell the difference between a sheep and a ram? A ram buts!’ Their reluctance to be taught reveals
these ‘believers’ not to be Jesus’ sheep.
What must accompany ‘believing’ in order for us to be Jesus’
‘disciples’? (See 8:47)
It is impossible for someone to be a Christian and yet not ‘hold to
Jesus teaching’.
How do or will you abide in Jesus word?
What
practices do you currently use or have you found helpful in the past?
How
are you doing at or how can you include the following vital aspects in your
life?
- · Reading- Simply reading the bible; do you follow any plan?
- · Studying- Reading and using other sources to understand a text, book, person, topic in more detail.
- · Listening- Hearing the bible taught (expounded) each week in church.
- · Memorising- committing texts to memory.
- · Meditation- Reading (usually a shorter text) slowly, repeatedly and prayerfully.
- · Praying the bible- very much linked to meditation – it’s praying the words and promises of scripture.
Tuesday: read John
8:31and Psalm 1.
Psalm 1 is an example of a person who abides in Jesus’ word. Let this
promise wet your appetite for getting into scripture.
Spend some time meditating on verses 2-3 and asking God to make you such
a person.
Wednesday: read John
8:31and Psalm 119:9&11
Purity means to be unmixed; pure water, for example, is water plus
nothing. To be pure is to live for God and no one else, to love your wife and
no one else etc.
How is purity developed and maintained through the bible and what will
happen to our purity if we are lazy in regard to truth?
To ‘hide your word in my heart’ is to memorise and seek to apply truth.
Make it a habit to memorise scripture, I
have included a list below that you can use.
Thursday: read John 8:31 and
Psalm 119:129-132.
Why does David obey scripture?
What does the truth of the bible give to those who read it prayerfully?
How would you summarise David’s attitude toward the bible?
Pray through these words for yourself.
Friday: read John 8:31
and Joshua 1:8
What will be the outcome for those who will have a whole-hearted
approach to the bible? Today I’d like you to write out this verse of scripture
and to read it prayerfully every hour, maybe set a reminder on your phone to
help you.
Saturday: read John 8:31, Proverbs 2:1 and Ephesians 6:4
As parents it is vital that we teach our children to know and love
scripture. Our children will learn what is valuable as they see us reading and
studying the bible, and as we give family time to reading and explaining
scripture. Personal circumstances may not always permit, but if at all possible
try to have at least one half-hour session per week in family devotions; you
could use these John studies or revisit the material they covered in the
children’s work etc.
Some bible memory verses (based upon the Navigators topical system) you
may like to use. Memorise the topic with the verse reference at the beginning
and the end.
1.
Christ the centre 2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore, if
anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Cor. 5:17
2.
Christ the centre Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified
with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the
body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
3.
Obedience to Christ Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge
you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living
sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do
not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's
will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2
4.
Obedience to Christ John 14:21 Whoever has my commands
and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my
Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:2
5.
God’s Word 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is God-breathed
and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,
so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2
Timothy 3:16
6.
God’s Word Joshua 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law
depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be
careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and
successful. Joshua 1:8
7.
Prayer John 15:7 If you remain in me and my words
remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. John 15:7
8.
Prayer Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about
anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present
your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
9.
Fellowship Matthew 18:20 For where two or three come
together in my name, there am I with them." Matthew 18:20
10. Fellowship
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards
love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see
the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25
11. Witnessing
Matthew 4:19 "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will
make you fishers of men." Matthew 4:19
12. Witnessing
Romans 1:16 I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for
the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the
Gentile. Romans 1:16
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