3 Reasons to Study John
There is always something new to learn.
By J. Keener, BSF Video Producer
How well do you know the book of John?
For many of us, this Gospel account feels familiar. We may remember John as “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” his account of the woman at the well, or the moment when Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water to meet Jesus.
Wait, that account of Peter is not actually in John. What about the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’s birth story, or the parable of the prodigal son?
This is embarrassing. How could I get this wrong? I have read John before many times.
If you are like me, the Gospel accounts often run together. As many times as I read them, my fading memory is just not enough to keep my Bible facts straight.
But what if this reveals a deeper issue? Have I become complacent in my study of God’s Word?
God has something new to tell us every time we open Scripture, even the chapters we know intimately. When we substitute a cheap paraphrase from memory, we miss the life-giving truth of Christ.
If you think you have exhausted John’s Gospel, here are three truths that can offer a new perspective.
God has something new to tell us every time we open Scripture—even the chapters we know intimately.
1. What we return to reveals our hearts.
I remember a quote from my college days: “If you would tell me the heart of a man, tell me not what he reads, but what he rereads.”
Whether a favorite novel, movie, or TV series, we return to what we like. What we spend time reading, pondering, discussing, and hearing influences our preferences, opinions, and behavior. Unconsciously, the things we return to over and over shape our hearts.
The author of Psalm 119 says of God, “I seek You with all my heart… I have hidden Your word in my heart.”
To be a people shaped by God, we must return to His Word again and again. And this year, we can return to the Gospel of John. Through our study, we will read, ponder, discuss, and listen. We will soak in the words of Jesus, hiding them in our hearts and allowing them to shape our lives. Together, we can join in the discipline of reading and rereading His Word.
To be a people shaped by God, we must return to His Word again and again.
2. We have changed since we last read John.
I first read John when I was enrolled in the BSF Children’s Program sometime in the ’90s. Over time, my perspective changed.
I reread John in my twenties, shortly after getting married. When John the Baptist compared himself to the friend rejoicing with the Bridegroom, it impacted me in a new way. And after planning a wedding, I had a greater appreciation for Jesus’s involvement with wedding logistics in John 2.
I returned to John in my thirties after my father passed away. I cannot express how powerful it was to read Jesus’s reaction to Lazarus’s death with the two words, “Jesus wept.” I knew this story well. I had read it before, discussed it, and listened to many lectures and sermons about it. What struck me so intensely, as if it was new information, was the empathy and humanity of Christ. Jesus grieved and I was comforted. During that season, I desperately needed to read the promise in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”
Miraculously, God’s Word relates to every experience life has to offer.
God never changes, but we do. Miraculously, God’s Word relates to every experience life has to offer. Scripture is deeply personal and only becomes more personal each time we return to it.
This year, I am a first-time father. I know God will reveal something new as I study John yet again.
So take a moment to reflect, how have you changed in the past month, year, or decade? What will the Gospel of John reveal to you?
3. We will gain a deeper knowledge of truth.
Do you ever feel bombarded by half-truths, misinformation, or downright propaganda?
In our current age many strive to sculpt their own “truth” from the vantage point of their individual circumstances or emotions. It is hard to cut through the noise. We are left with a daunting question.
Echoing the words of Pontius Pilate in John 18:38, we ask, “What is truth?”
From John 14:6, Jesus’s answer is simple, profound, and life-altering.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
If Jesus is the truth, then our response is clear. We should desire to learn all we can, examining His words and studying His life. Because once we know the truth, Jesus promised, “the truth will set [us] free” (John 8:32).
I have read John before, and I am reading John again. Not to get more head knowledge or to impress my Sunday school teacher. My hope is simple, to grow closer to God and learn even more about His love for those around me.
Whether you have just finished reading John, read it in the past, or never read it before, God has something new to tell you through this amazing book.
To experience the truth of John’s Gospel, go to https://join.bsfinternational.org/ to join a group.
J. Keener
BSF Video Producer
J Keener serves BSF’s Creative Team as Video Producer. He has been involved with BSF since childhood and is a third generation BSFer. He has seen God use BSF to do amazing things in his life and the lives of his friends and family.
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The Word of the Lord is alive!
Psalms 1:1-4 reads delighting in the law, meditating on it, being planted by the streams of water, living, growing, being fruitful, being lush and refreshing tree. Where can one go for life except the Bible. It has become more powerful to my life than drinking water. I become unhealthy and wither without regularly reading the Bible I recapture the words, God’s words, in my heart. My goal this year in BSF is to master memorization of a chapter in John. Thank you for a few reminders of why we read the book of John again.
Greatly appreciate your introduction on Johns Gospel. Looking forward to learning more about God’s love and growing closer to Him.
Thank you for your insightful reasons of why we should study John. To be honest, I started in BSF with the study of John and reading your blog confirms for me that I truly need a refresher”s
course.
Wonderful reasons to read/re-read Gospel of John. Thank you for reminding me about the treasures John offers us – a must read book… over and over again.
A very. Genuine article to let us & encourage to study it !
Wow! Thank you so much for your inspiring, heartfelt and insightful words.
You inspire us to be aware, watchful and reflective on God’s Word and not sleepwalk.
Much appreciated.
Thankyou. I am encouraged
I hope to offer an explanatory video, or descriptive video of our BSF weekly study – from Lesson to Lecture to Repeat; which I would like to provide to potential class members. Ultimately, I am establishing a SDG , and I want to offer to them a short video for their review and then come and join the SDG at my church. Do we as an organization have such a video already in our data base? If yes, can you point me to it?
Dear Stephen – that’s wonderful! Have you considered the video on the BSF homepage? https://www.bsfinternational.org/
I attended the Old Testament class last year by Zoom with a class in Columbus, Ohio. As I live in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, a suburb of Nashville, I requested that I be transferred to a Zoom class in this area at the completion of last year’s study. To date I have not heard anything and as August is already half over, I am wondering if that was accomplished and what further action I need to take.
Thank you.
Dear Judy, we are so excited to study with you this year! To check on your enrollment you can go to mybsf.org/ and click the button at the bottom right of your screen that says “Need Technical Help?” Our Member Support team can look into your registration and get you connected with your group!
Thank you SO much for your inspiring and challenging introduction to BSF study of St John’s Gospel- really appreciated
How do I join this year ?
Hi Ruth! Please visit https://join.bsfinternational.org/ to find a group.
Go to BSF.org and there is a spot to join a group
How do I order manual for John
HI Bobbie! Which manual are you looking for? If you are an online member, you can find your resources at bsfonline.org and if you are a local member you can find resources at mybsf.org. Thanks!
I cannot get into my account. My password doesn’t work this year and when I try forgot your password I lose the the email account I was working on. Then when I open it again it want to give me another verify number??
I think I’m using my correct password!?!?
Barbara – if you go to mybsf.org you will see a blue box in the bottom right corner that says “need technical help? Talk with Us!” You can click that box and open a help ticket with our member support team. They can help reset your password!
I got my BSF on book on John. Looking forward to study this year.
I’ve already gotten my BSF on John.
Would like to be-a part of BSF Kennesaw and purchase the study of John guide.
Dear Roberta – go to https://join.bsfinternational.org/ and you can find that group to join! Go to ‘local’ to join an in-person group. Click ‘international’ to join an online group
I’m going to go to the Orland Park, Il group!
How can I order the book of John for the upcoming BSF study this year?
Hi Debra! Registered BSF members can order the book from mybsf.org (for local classes) or bsfonline.org (for online classes).
I would like to join an online group to study John.
Glenna – go to https://www.bsfonline.org/
Will look forward to reading John again. I am sure that I will get more and more because of studying His word again.
I will be studying the book of John for the third time through BSF. Thank you Keener for outlining the three reasons why we need to study it again and again. I look forward to gaining a deeper Knowledge of truth. I will be more keen to study His life so that I can become more like Him.
Can’t figure out the time zone, want let put it in.
Hi Tricia! Are you looking for a group and having this issue? If you are on the “local” side and looking for an in-person group, the time zone is the same as where the class is located. If you are on https://www.bsfonline.org/ and looking for an online group, click “find an online group” and then you can choose your time zone at the top to show groups in that time zone. Thank you!
Would like to be apart of BSF First Baptist Conyers, Georgia and order study guide of John.
Beverly – you can contact that GA group here: https://join.bsfinternational.org/find-in-person-group
Excited for your heart to study God’s Word!
Yes , I will agree with the above message. After joining Bsf , this is third time, I am doing The gospel of John . But waiting so eagerly that , what new things God is going to reveal me this year. Each time , each book , whenever I repeat, definitely I will learn something new. My special thanks to all the Bsf staff, who are putting their efforts to spread Godly wisdom, through out the world.
I am trying to purchase the Gospel of John lesson book, but cannot find a link to do so. Please advise. Thank you.
Hi Brenda – log into mybsf.org or create an account. If you are registered in a class you will find the BSF Store link in the menu. If you are studying with BSF Online, log into your account at bsfonline.org, click lessons and you will see that store link!
Hello, I have done BSF classes in the past. My friend and I live in separate states but want to do BSF together in the same class by zoom. Is this possible? If so, do we just sign up for the same class?
Merrill – yes! You can both sign up for the same online group here: https://www.bsfonline.org/
Hello!!!
I need an Evening Group this Year!!
*Please let me know ALL of This Years NIGHT Group “Options*(?)
May GOD Bless You, Our Leaders 🙏🙌 For Your Gracious Leadership to Us!
Terri Anne! We are so excited to help you find a BSF group.
Find an in-person group here:https://join.bsfinternational.org/find-in-person-group
Find an online group here: https://www.bsfonline.org/
Keep up the good work
I’m searching for an online study group of mature women in BSF to study this year’s study on John. I live in an independent residential community of senior citizens, and no longer drive.
Dear Ann – we have a variety of online groups! You can search here: https://www.bsfonline.org/
Ann, did you locate a group?
Mr. Keener,
Thank you
Sincerely,
Samara Archibold
Love bsf studies. They probe deep👍🏽
I thank you very much for reaching out to me for the Book of John. I have always loved the Book of John and I am going to try to do BSF again. Please pray for me to be disciplined in this study again? It has been a while since I been a member of BSF. I thank you and God bless you and yours.
Will you please send me the information thank you?
Lena – we would love to have you study with us!
You can find an in-person group here:https://join.bsfinternational.org/find-in-person-group
An online group here: https://www.bsfonline.org/
I was is BSF for 7 years and loved it then my husband passed away, fast forward 15 years I’ve been happily married for 4 years but I live out in the country in Buffalo MN.
It’s too long a drive to do in person at night when I work all day?
Chris – have you considered a BSF Online group? https://www.bsfonline.org/
Hi, I would like to go back to BSF study, but to the different location. I used to be at Redwood City location. But I would like to transfer to the Mountain View one. What should I do?
YounHee – you can find the class you wish to join here: https://join.bsfinternational.org/find-in-person-group
I’m looking forward to studying John this Fall .
I’m older and been through the loss of my first grandchild but word of God carried me through it.
Maureen
BSF teaches the Scriptures deeply with simplicity. Rich knowledge acquired as each group member narratives their take home.. I have learnt a lot and I thank God for BSF
Hello,
How do I order the BSF spiral bound John study book for this year?
Thank you!
Dear Beth, if you are registered for a class you will find a link to the BSF Store on your https://www.mybsf.org account. Simply log in and click BSF Store.
my husband will be doing bsf again. in fact, we met in singles bsf 33 years ago. I have been in bsf for years but doing another study with my church this year. I would like to at least do the questions with Jim, can I get the questions so we can do them together? i think you need access to print them from your website?
Hi Joy! Since your husband is in a class, he will have access to digital and printed materials. Please visit mybsf.org to access lessons. Thank you!