Study 6
September 9th, 2009
“I am the Son of God”
The focus Scripture reading for this study is:
When you do this reading take note of specific references that point to the relationship between Jesus and his Father. (We will come back to this later in the study).
The Biblical portrait
The portrait of Jesus that we are going to study this time is again found in John 10. In fact the conversation in which Jesus introduces himself as the Son of God is a natural continuation from the shepherd passage. This means that we will revisit some of the verses that were studied in the previous study again.
Son of God
In John 10:36 Jesus says “I am the Son of God.” This is not the first time he says this. It is also not the first time that John underlines this truth in his gospel.
Read the following passages and decide who calls Jesus the son of God and at what occasion.
1. John 1:33-34
2. John 1:47-49
3. John 3:16-18
5. Why could the person in John 1:33-34 be so certain about his facts? (The answer can be found in Matthew 3:16-17).
Father and Son
During the reading of John 10:17-42, you were asked to look for specific references talking about the relationship between Jesus and his Father. Let’s study some of the characteristics of this relationship.
Use John 10 as your source and then answer the following questions:
1. What is the attitude of the Father towards the Son? (vs. 17)
2. What is the reason for this attitude? (vs. 17)
3. In verse 30, Jesus says: “I and the Father are one.” What do you think he means by this? John 5:18-20 might be helpful to read.
4. What do we learn about the unity/oneness between the Father and the Son in John 10:38b?
5. How did Jesus respond to the Jews’ accusation of blasphemy? (vss.34-36)
The Son’s commission
The relationship between the Father and the sons becomes even more evident when we look at what Jesus came to do on earth (his commission).
1. What is the command that Jesus received from his Father? (John 10:18)
2. According to John 10:25 the miracles (acts) that Jesus performed in the name of the Father show that he is the son of God. Name at least three examples of these Godly acts, which Jesus performed while he was on earth.
3. On whose authority did Jesus perform these acts? (vs. 32).
4. What conclusion should we be able to reach concerning the relationship between Jesus and the Father, when we see that Jesus “does what the Father does?” (vss. 37-38).
The heart of the matter
With all the information you have gather you should be able to answer the following. Decide whether the question is true or false and give a reason for your answer.
When Jesus calls himself the Son of God he means that –
1. He pretends to be the Son of God
2. He is God
3. He is also the Father
4. He and the Father are one
5. He is almost God
People’s reaction
People reacted differently when they heard Jesus calling himself the Son of God. John tells us about two possible reactions.
1. How did the Jews react when Jesus said, “I and the Father are one?” (vs. 30)
2. Why did they react this way? (vs. 33)
3. Others had a different reaction. What was this reaction? (vs. 42)
4. Why do you think they reacted in this way? (vss. 37-42)
Think it through
In what way is Jesus’ relationship with God (his Father) significant for your relationship with God? Name at least two things. If you find it difficult to answer this look at John 10:18 & 28 again and ask yourself how many of these things could have happened if Jesus was not the son of God.
Take some time to reflect on Jesus as the Son of God. Now take time in prayer to thank him for all the good gifts he gives so freely.