Christianity: Religion or Relationship?

John 7:1-24

Christianity: Religion or Relationship?

Christianity is NOT about traditions, rules or some moral code; it is about a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Jesus’s younger brothers challenge Him to embrace fame. (1-9)

Jesus debates with the Jewish establishment about His authority and their legalism. (14-24)

Self-Assessment: Do you treat your Christian faith more as a religion or a relationship?

True or False – I tend to “one-up” others.

True or False – I am overly concerned with tradition, rules and a moral code.

True or False – I struggle to accept correction.

True or False – I judge people by their appearance.

1. Read verses 25-31. Based on verses 25-27, what do you think the people wanted from their leadership? Why do you think they were confused? What point was Jesus making in verses 28-29? Why do you think that Jesus was not arrested according to verse 30? How did people respond to Jesus in verse 31? How have you seen God’s protection in your life? What prompted you to first put your faith in Jesus?

2. Read verses 32-36. How would you summarize the interaction between Jesus and the crowd in these verses? According to Acts 1:9-11, Colossians 3:1 and Hebrews 12:2, where was Jesus going that they could not come? Where is Jesus now? What can we count on about Jesus in the future? Why does any of this matter in everyday life?

3. Read verses 37-39. What did Jesus teach on the last day of the feast? Why do you think Jesus taught this? What does the metaphor “rivers of living water” teach us about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives? Why does this matter?

4. Read verses 40-52. Who did people think Jesus was? How were these people mistaken about Jesus’ origin (see also Isaiah 11:1; Micah 5:2; Luke 1:26-27, 2:1-7)? How would you summarize the interaction between the guards and the Pharisees? What did Nicodemus have to say? Why is this response from Nicodemus not surprising (see John 3:1-21, 19:39)?

5. So what? Take some time to list the different opinions/responses to Jesus in this passage. Do people today have similar responses and opinions about Jesus? How does our understanding about how people see Jesus help us to know how to reach out to them with the Good News of Jesus Christ? Who are you actively praying for to become a Christ-follower? Take a few minutes to pray and ask God to use you to reach others for Christ. Pray for people by name to receive Christ.