Week 12: Summary and Conclusion

As we draw this study of John to a close, we begin by summing up the big picture of John’s Gospel as a whole. We will then review some questions for reflection in light of John’s entire account, with a final identification of Gospel Glimpses, Whole-Bible Connections, and Theological Soundings, all with a view to seeing the Gospel of John in its entirety.

Over the course of this study we have seen that John’s Gospel falls roughly into two sections.

The first section of John (1:1–12:50) spotlights Jesus’ messianic identity by identifying the many “signs” he performed, climaxing with the raising of Lazarus from the dead. This section also features the teaching of Jesus, as Jesus reveals his identity as the messianic Son of God. Conflict with the Jewish leaders escalates. Along the way, John highlights that Jesus was “sent” by God to rescue a dark world.

The second section of John (13:1–21:25) narrates the intensifying conflict between Jesus and the Jewish leaders and also Jesus’ Farewell Discourse. The book then culminates in Jesus’ betrayal, crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and resurrection appearances. Jesus then sends his disciples to be light in a dark world.

Putting both sections together, the Gospel of John shows us that Jesus is “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). John shows us that in Jesus, God has provided redemption for his people. Jesus came as the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises of a coming king and shepherd. He was not the king or shepherd they expected (a king of political triumph); he was the shepherd they most desperately needed—“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” (John 10:11). Through faith in Jesus and his work on our behalf, we are granted “new birth,” reconciled to God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and brought into God’s kingdom. John’s Gospel speaks of our missionary God, who sent Jesus to us, and of our missionary calling as Jesus now sends us into the world.

Read through the following three sections on Gospel Glimpses, Whole-Bible Connections, and Theological Soundings. Then take time to reflect on the Personal Implications these sections may have for your walk with the Lord.

Throughout John’s Gospel we have seen the grace of God in the gospel. Jesus has extended grace to sinners of all stripes. He has melted with compassion over the sight of human sin and suffering. He has challenged the emptiness of the arid religion of the scribes and Pharisees, earning their opposition as a result. Repeatedly Jesus has flipped inside out our natural understanding of how to relate to God. We don’t have to build a ladder to heaven to know God, for in Jesus God has extended a ladder down to us. Living under the glad favor of God isn’t a result of effort, hard work, or morality. It is the sheer miracle of grace—receiving new birth through the finished work of Jesus Christ. The message of John’s Gospel is summed up in Jesus’ bold words from the cross, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

Has your understanding of the gospel changed, expanded, or deepened in any particular way during the course of this study? Explain.

What are a few particular passages in John that have brought the gospel home to you in a new way? Why have these texts helped you better grasp the gospel of God’s grace?

John presents Jesus as God in the flesh (1:14), the revealer of the Father (14:9), and the messianic King (1:41, 49; 4:25; 6:15), answering many Old Testament hopes. Repeatedly John shows how Jesus fulfills the prophecies, promises, and longings of the Old Testament, especially its promises of everlasting salvation. Jesus brings the entire Old Testament to decisive fulfillment, as John the Baptist declares at the very beginning of the Gospel: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (1:29).

How has your understanding of how John’s Gospel fits within the entire Bible been deepened through your study of John?

What are some connections in John to the Old Testament that you hadn’t noticed before?

Has your understanding of the unity of the Bible been clarified through studying John? How so?

What development has there been in your view of who Jesus is and how he fulfills the Old Testament?

John contributes much to Christian theology. Doctrines that are reinforced and clarified in John include the preexistence of Christ, the deity of Christ, human sin, the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, the atonement, resurrection, heaven and hell, divine sovereignty, the kingdom of God, and the missionary nature of God’s people.

Where has your theology been tweaked, corrected, or enhanced as you have studied John?

How would our understanding of God be diminished if we did not have John’s Gospel?

How does John’s Gospel uniquely contribute to our understanding of Jesus?

What are a few specific ways in which John helps us understand the human condition?

As you consider the Gospel of John as a whole, what implications do you see for your own life? Consider especially the issue of life in Christ. This is an important emphasis throughout John, particularly Jesus’ emphasis that, just as the Father sent him into the world, so Jesus sends his disciples into the world as they abide in him. What are the ramifications for your own life of Jesus’ teaching on discipleship in John?

As you reflect on John as a whole, what other implications for your own life have arisen?

We rejoice with you as you finish studying the book of John! May this study become part of your Christian walk of faith, day by day and week by week throughout all your life. Now we would greatly encourage you to continue to study the Word of God on a week-by-week basis. To continue your study of the Bible, we would encourage you to consider other books in the Knowing the Bible series, and to visit www.knowingthebibleseries.org.

Lastly, take a moment again to look back through this study of John, which you have undertaken during these recent weeks. Review again the notes that you have written, and the things that you have highlighted or underlined. Reflect again on the key themes that the Lord has been teaching you about himself and about his Word. May these things become a treasure for you throughout your life—which we pray will be true for you, in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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