Today’s passage: John 8:39-47
Helpful thoughts:
- At the end of verse 38, Jesus referred to the people’s “father.” The people were being like their “father” in their sinful disobedience (Like father, like son). This, as we would expect, sparked controversy.
- No one will ever be right with God because of their physical heritage. Even if the very blood of Abraham is in you (Or seven generations of Christians) you are born in sin and must be born again “from above” to be a child of God (John 3:3).
- We hear and respond to what our nature demands. Our character and conduct are inherited and also willfully chosen. But, when we become “of God” we can hear and respond according to our new nature (Ephesians 2:8-10, 2 Corinthians 5:17).
Questions to consider:
- What did the people say to counter Jesus when He acknowledged their sinful behavior? Did they debate the accuracy of His observation or did they seek to demean and humiliate Him? Why did they believe He didn’t have any room to talk?
- Why does Satan lie (Verse 44)? Where does that come from? Why do we sin? How does humbly acknowledging our condition lead to freedom and victory (1 John 1:8-9)?
- How can this passage help us to understand the bigger picture of what happens when a person is saved? What will happen in the life of a Christian after their conversion? Will they stay the same? How have you changed and how are you continuing to grow?