John 6 Lesson

MIRACLES AND JESUS

The following seven miracles were performed by Jesus and recorded in John’s Gospel:

1. Water to wine –John 2:1-10,
2. Healing the nobleman’s son – John 4:46-54,
3. Healing the paralytic –John 5:1-16,
4. Feeding the multitude – John 6:1-14,
5. Walking on water – John 6:15-21,
6. Restoring sight to the blind man –John 9:1-7,
7. Raising Lazarus from the dead. –John 11:1-44.

Jesus performed each of these miracles with a purpose in mind. When news of a miracle began to spread, crowds of people would follow Jesus.

And when Jesus was presented with an opportunity to be in front of a large gathering, He would teach them.

That was one of the primary ways that Jesus shared the Gospel:

1. Jesus performed a miracle,
2. Crowds gathered,
3. Jesus taught them.

In the same way, each of us needs to think about what techniques will be most effective for us in sharing the Gospel.

None of us are exempt from the words of the Great Commission spoken by Jesus, Himself:

• “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” - Mathew 28:19-20.

This command was given by Jesus, and it applies to all of us.

So how are we going to do our part to baptize people and teach them about Jesus?

A great place to start is by getting involved in our local communities!

GETTING INVOLVED IN OUR COMMUNITIES

Have you ever heard the expression, “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care?”  

Jesus showed us how much He cares for us by dying on the cross at Calvary. He also demonstrated His love and compassion throughout His life on earth.

His love and compassion make us want to follow Him.

Can the same thing be said about us?

Does our love and compassion demonstrate a commitment to Jesus that others will want to learn about and follow?

If the answer is no, we need to think about how we can get involved in our local community and show others the same love that Jesus showed us.

A LESSON ABOUT COMMUNITY SERVICE

There once was a Christian conference where the speaker was giving a lesson on the importance of being active in our communities.  

He taught that serving others was a fantastic way to share the Gospel.

He also pointed out that the early disciples were frequently out in their communities interacting with one another and that they were engaged in each other’s lives.

It was the speakers’ experience that the time that was spent being active in their communities opened future doors to talk about Jesus.

What the speaker learned was that others noticed his hard work and genuine care for the well-being of others.

This brings glory to God as Jesus taught us in His Sermon on the Mount:

• “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” -Mathew 5:16.

As the speaker went about doing good deeds and serving others, the people in his community began to be curious about him. Sometimes, they would inquire about why he was doing the things that he does.

And here is the key!

He always responded with scripture and gave thanks to God.

That is how he evangelized!

He worked hard in his community and showed a genuine interest in the people that he met.

Sounds easy, right?

In today’s high-tech world, it takes effort to form relationships. But that is what we are called to do. And that is a terrific way to share the good news of Jesus with others.

ENCOURAGING OTHERS

Another great way to evangelize is to simply be an encouragement to the people around us.

Everybody is going through something; therefore, everyone could use a little encouragement.

Taking a few moments to listen to someone and show them that they are not in it alone is a wonderful way to open the door to future conversations about Jesus.

BIBLE VERSES ABOUT ENCOURAGING OTHERS

Encouraging others is an important part of what we are to do as Christians.

The Bible talks about encouragement frequently.

For today’s lesson, we have highlighted the following five scriptures about encouragement:

1. “Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11,
2. “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” - Ephesians 4:29,
3. “But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called ‘Today,’ so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” - Hebrews 3:13,
4. “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.  Therefore, comfort one another with these words.” - 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18,
5. “Let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:24-25.

CONCLUSION

The Great Commission charges all of us with the important task of sharing the Gospel.

There are many ways that we can do this. Some of the most effective are:

1. Being involved in our local communities,
2. Encouraging others,
3. Showing others the love and compassion that Jesus showed us.

We will conclude today’s study with the following scripture. It reminds us of the importance of turning our faith into actions that glorify God:

• “What use is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?   If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? In the same way, faith also, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself.”– James 2:14-17.