John 5: 1-16

 Hi all!

 This week we are trying a simple bible study that you can use anytime. We will try it for the first
part of John chapter 5. The High School Team uses this for high school bible studies and it is a great way to study the bible on your own. You read the text and ask 6 basic questions:

-1-What do I learn about God (Jesus, Holy Spirit, God the Father)?
-2-What do I learn about people (what are all these other characters doing? Are they good examples?
Bad examples? A little bit of both? Am I like them?)?
-3-Are there any Promises in this text?
-4-Are there any commands?
-5-What do I find most interesting (what “grabs” me or what do I have questions about)?
-6-How do I apply this to my life (are there ways I can live differently? Am I challenged to take action or
to think differently?)?

-Below are some of my thoughts and answers to these questions for John 5. Do this on your own first. It will be much more helpful that way.

John 5:1-16
G.O.P.C.I.A

God (what do you learn about God/Jesus in this passage? Where do you see Him? What’s He doing? Why is he choosing to do what he’s doing?
     -While going to a festival Jesus chose to go to a lot of broken people. He chose a mess.
     -He asks what sounds like a bit of a dumb question.
     -His word has the power to physically heal someone.
     -He is comfortable around six people and wants to help.
     -He claimst to be equal with God or in some way to be God’s son.
     -He sees sinning as worse than being physically crippled.
     -He works on the Sabbath because his father does as well.

Others (What are the other people doing in this story? What do you learn about them? What are they like? )
     -This man by the pool is seen as in-valid.
     -He keeps going to the same place over and over again for healing but doesn’t get it.
     -He doesn’t have help.
     -He can’t get there on his own when he tries.
     -He has excuses for why he can’t get healed.
     -The man believes Jesus. He gets up and starts walking.
     -He becomes controversial for having faith. Listening to Jesus makes him a witness and it gets him in trouble.
     -Some people hate that Jesus healed on the Sabbath.
     -Some people weren’t happy that he was walking.
     -People can focus on the little bad things but entirely miss the huge good thing.

Promises (Are there any promises in this passage?)     -Sin leads to bad things.
     -God is always working.

Commands (Are there any commands? What are they? What do they mean?)
     -Take up your bed and walk.
     -Stop sinning less something else happen to you.

Interesting (What “grabs” you in this story. What did you find most interesting? Why?)     -Who/what heals this man? The Word of God? The man’s faith? Both?
     -Water shows up again. Here this physical water is supposed to have healing power but Jesus is the real deal (we need to be born of water and the spirit. Water turned into wine. Jesus is the real well of living water. Jesus is the real healing water. Water is everywhere!)
     -Jesus is the WORD – The Word from John is speaking power into people lives.

Actionplication (Ok so if this is the Word of God, how does it impact you today? Are you being called to act differently or think differently after reading this passage? How?)
     -Who do I see as in-valid or less than valid? Are there people that I don’t like or shy away from. I need to remember that God values them every bit as much as he values me.
     -Am I uncomfortable around sick people? How do I cultivate a better love for all people?
     -Where is God calling me to get up and walk?
     -Where do I need healing/help and do I ask God for that help? Or do I listen and obey the help he has already given me?
     -Where am I supposed to walk to? Where are things a mess and God has gifted me to help? Where can I be like Jesus?