John Chapters 7-8

1) What do you think about those in your immediate family?  Do you see them for their full potential?  Do you really believe in them?  How did Jesus’ family respond to Him (7:3-5)?

2) Who is Jesus?  What did He say about Himself?  What do you believe about Him?

3) How would you describe yourself?  What would you say to others about who you are?

Dealing with family is often more challenging than dealing with those outside of your immediate family.  We tend to clearly see all the faults in those the closest to us.  But what would it be like if believed the best about the ones we know the most?

8:25 makes it clear that Jesus did not come with a hidden agenda.  He was transparent about Who He was and what He came for.  He lived before the people, taught before the people and worked before the people.  The people didn’t always believe Him, but it wasn’t because they didn’t know Who He said He was.

In Exodus 3:14-15, God used an unusual name when referring to Himself – “I am.”  Jesus used this same name in John 8:58.  The people knew that He was equating Himself with God as evidenced by what they did next (see 8:59).  The name “I Am” refers to Jesus’ self-sufficient, eternal nature.