THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

The gospel according to John appears as the fourth gospel in the New Testament. The exact date
of writing the gospel is not clear although most scholars hold that it was written between 75-
100AD.
The author of the gospel is believed to have been John.
The sources used by the author to collect the data include; oral source/kerygma, words of Mark,
Mathew, and Luke and any other source known by the author.

THE AUTHOR OF THE GOSPEL

Who is the author of the fourth gospel?
 According to the church traditions the writer of the gospel is john the apostle one of the most
respected elders of Jerusalem church.
 It was testified by justing the matter that the fourth gospel was written by John when he was
in Ephesus.
 John the writer of the gospel was the son of Zebedee and he was a fisherman.
 The author was John whose brother was James the fisherman.
 The writer was John whose mother was Sharon sister of Mary mother of Jesus.
 The author of the gospel was John who was formally the disciple of the John the Baptist.
 The author was called to follow Jesus when he was about 25 years old.
 The author is John the apostle, the last apostle to die.
 The author is John who learn against Jesus during the last supper.
 The author is John who sat on Jesus at the time when Jesus predicted his betrayal by one of
his disciples.
 The author is John who was introduced to Mary as a son and name him a mother by Jesus.
 The author is John the disciple who witnessed the piercing of Jesus’ body and saw water and
blood coming out from Jesus.
 The author is John one the apostles to whom Mary Magdalene went to report about the empty
tomb of Jesus.
 The author is John the apostle who identified Jesus as the Lord after his resurrection.
 The author is john one the three top leaders of Jerusalem.

PURPOSE/AIMS OF WRITING THE GOSPEL

1. Account for the writing of the forth gospel.
2. Why was the fourth gospel written?
 John wanted to confirm the messiahship of Jesus Christ because by 100AD some people still
doubted the messiahship of Jesus.
 The author wanted to awaken the faith of the early Christians.
 He wrote the gospel for the purpose of evangelism. That is to say, spread of the good news
about Jesus Christ.
 He aimed at presenting the universality of the gospel.
 He aimed at correcting the mentality that John the Baptist was greater than Jesus.
 He wanted to stress the humanity of Jesus.
 The gospel was written to meet needs of the educated.
 The gospel was aimed at providing a written record concerned with the life and work of Jesus
Christ.
 It was written to show the salvation and eternal life through faith in Christ.
 It was written to show that Jesus’ work was a continuation of God’s creation work.
 It was written to show that Jesus is unique and a son of God.
 He wanted to show the role and importance of the Holy Spirit in guiding the church.
 He wanted to teach about the resurrection to help those who are still doubting.
 The gospel was written to confirm the pre-existence of Jesus.
 He wanted to show that Jesus had human power to transform human lives.
 He wanted to strength the faith of suffering Christians especially the new converts who were
given hard time by relatives.
 He wanted to defend the early church community against distortion and heresies such as
claiming that God didn’t create the world.
 He wanted to show Jesus as a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies.
 He aimed at making a theological and spiritual interpretation of the work and life ofJesus.

CHARACTERISTICS OF JOHN’S GOSPEL

 The gospel is characterized by having only 7 signs.
 In the gospel judgment is instant . That is to say, here and now.
 The gospel is characterized by seven “I AM” saying or metaphoric sayings.
 The gospel has unique presentation of the gospel message.
 The gospel presents the teaching of Jesus in form of discourses . That is to say, lengthy
conversations.
 The gospel is characterized by the prologue in which all main themes are summarized.
 The gospel presents the messiahship of Jesus in a straight forward way and without hiding
right from the start.
 The gospel of John had a central aim of presenting Jesus as a messiah and son of God.
 The gospel is characterized by the central theme “God’s son became flesh and sent by the
father to the world”.
 The gospel has words which give double expressions or meanings for example temple
referring to the building as well as the body.
 The gospel presents the humanity of Jesus in a very vivid way.
 The gospel also manifests the divinity of Jesus in a unique way like “Jesus is in the father and
the father is in him”.
 The gospel is characterized by the strong Jewish background.
 The gospel has two parts one part concentrates on signs and other part concentrates on
passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
 The gospel uses the term eternal life to refer to kingdom of God.
 The gospel is characterized by the hostility of Jesus’ opponents against him.
 The gospel recognizes the Gentiles meaning that it is universal.
 The gospel is characterized by mixed reactions where some people believe in Jesus and
others do not believe in him.
 In john’s gospel Jesus refers to himself as God’s son (120 times)
 The gospel uses the term Jews to mean Jesus’ opponents (70 times)

COMPARISON BETWEEN GOSPEL OF MARK AND JOHN

Similarities
 Both gospels aim at presenting the good news about Jesus Christ.
 In both gospels, the content of the kerygma can be well traced.
 Both gospels present the ministry of john the Baptist as the one who came to prepare way for
the messiah.
 In both gospels Jesus calls disciples and teaches them.
 In both gospels Jesus is presented as a healer and prophet.
 Both gospels present the divinity of Jesus in vivid terms.
 Both gospels present the full humanity of Jesus.
 Both gospels have a similar sequences of some events (John 6, Mark 6:30-42)
 In both gospelJesus suffers beginning with his entry into Jerusalem and ending with his
death.
 In both gospels Jesus spent three days in the grave and resurrected.
 Both gospels record the disciples’ lack of understanding.
 Both gospels present a number of events in common.

Differences
 Mark hides messiahship of Jesus while John displays it from the start.
 Mark terms the supernatural acts of Jesus as miracles while john calls them signs.
 In John Jesus’ activities are centered in Jerusalem while in Mark his activities are centered in
Galilee.
 The order of details in John is different from that of Mark. In Mark, Jesus uses parables
while in John Jesus uses discourses.
 In John there are more indicators of time while in Mark, time indicators are few.
 In Mark, Jesus called and chose all his disciples by himself while in john, some disciples of
Jesus were handed over to him by John the Baptist.
 The beginning of the gospel of John differs from the beginning of gospel of Mark. While
John begins referring to creation times, mark begins referring to prophet Isaiah’s time.
 In Mark, Jesus began his ministry when john the Baptist was imprisoned while in john, the
ministry of john the Baptist and Jesus overlapped.
 In Mark judgment is futuristic while in John, judgment is here now and instant.
 In Mark Jesus drew people to the kingdom of God while in John Jesus drew people towards
eternal life.
 In Mark, the cleansing of the temple came at the end of Jesus’ mission while in John, it came
at the beginning to show Jesus’ messiahship.
 In Mark, the Passover meal and the last supper took place at the same time while in John the
last supper is not clearly indicated.
 In Mark Jesus uses simple and direct language while in john uses symbolic/figurative
language.
 Mark omits mentioning certain people like Nicodemus, Lazarus and Samaritan woman while
John includes them in his gospel.
 In Mark, Simon of Cyrene assisted Jesus in carrying the cross while in John, Jesus carries his
cross up to Golgotha.
 While Mark remains silent about Jesus’ side being pierced and blood flowing out with water,
John mentions solution about that.
 Mark reports miracles of exorcism while John leaves them out.
 In mark, Jesus’ words before dying were “Eloi, Eloi” meaning my Lord my lord
“Lamasabacthan” meaning why have you forsaken me. While in john he says “it is
finished”.
 Mark gives an account of Jesus’ baptism while John omits it.
 Marks shows how Jesus transfigured himself on Mt. Tabul while John omits the
transfiguration of Jesus.
 Mark gives an account on how Jesus was tried before the Sanhedrin while John leaves it out.
 Mark reports the institution of Lord’s supper/Eucharist while john talks about washing the
feet of disciples.
 In Mark during the anointing of Jesus at Bethany, the woman ……the perfume on Jesus’
head while in John it was poured on Jesus’ feet.

THE PROLOGUE OF JOHN’S GOSPEL (John 1:1-18)

The introductory part has an idea that word had already existed, the word was with God and the
word was God.
 It shows that Jesus is the light that enables mankind to receive God’s salvation.
 It shows that the word became a human being full of grace and truth and lived among human
beings.
 It shows that Jesus was rejected and wasn’t recognized by the world. (John 1:10-11)
 The word “word” in the prologue refers to the created world and the enslavement of mankind
by sin.
 The prologue also shows that some people welcomed the word of God.
 The prologue shows that baptism is important (John 1:15)
 It also points to the love God has for mankind.
 It also points that through Jesus, believers come to know the glory of God.
 The prologue shows that Jesus is the truth (John 1:17)
 It also shows that salvation is by God’s grace but not by the law (John 1;17)
 The prologue points at the divinity of Jesus by referring to him as the only son of God.

JOHN’S PRESENTATION OF JESUS’ MESSIAHSHIP

 John presents the messiahship of Jesus by referring t him as a fulfillment of the Old
Testament prophecies. (John 1;45)
 John confirms the messiahship of Jesus by referring to his act of cleansing the temple (John
2:13ff)
 John proves the messiahship of Jesus by referring to people who gave Jesus titles of prophets
and messiah (John 7:42-43)
 Jesus’ act of healing the blind and the lame is a proof for messiahship.
 John presents Jesus as the light of the world showing Jesus’ messiahship.
 He presents Jesus as the foundation of the living water showing that he was a messiah (John
7:37-38)
 John also presents Jesus as the word meaning the word of God that became flesh.
 John presents the seven signs to testify that Jesus was the messiah.
 John also uses Jesus as the only resurrected to prove messiahship of Jesus.
 In the gospel of john, Jesus constantly referred to God as his father a proof of his
messiahship.
 The seven “I AM” sayings reported/recorded by john also prove Jesus messiahship.
 The wisdom that Jesus portrayed also showed that Jesus is the messiah.
 John the Baptist testified Jesus’ messiahship by proclaiming him as the Lamb of God who
takes away the sins of the world. (John 1:29)
 Andrew witnessed Jesus as a messiah by telling his brother Simon Peter that they had found
the messiah (John 1:41)
 Philip also witnessed Jesus as a messiah when he told Nathanael that he had found the one
whom Moseshad written about (John 1:45)
 Nicodemus also testified that they knew that Jesus was the teacher sent by God meaning that
he was real messiah (John 3:2)
 The Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob believed and testified that Jesus was a messiah
(John 4:19)
 Martha also confessed that Jesus was a messiah (John 11:27)
 The roman official confessed that indeed Jesus was a son of man.
 Jesus’ appearance to his disciples on a number of occasions after his……..also testified his
messiahship.
 Jesus himself publically claimed that he was a messiah (John 4:26)
 Jesus claimed that he was before Abraham and this proves his messiahship.
 The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem proved his messiahship.
 Jesus being anointed by a woman called Mary at Bethany showed that he was a messiah.
 Jesus’ life which was full of justice showed that he was a messiah.
 The falling down of those who came to arrest him proves that he was a messiah.
THE DIVINITY OF JESUS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL
 Jesus’ pre-existence before the world was created shows his divine nature.
 The cleansing of the temple of Jerusalem where he referred to the temple as the house of his
father proved his divine nature.
 The triumphant entry into Jerusalem also proved his divinity.
 The falling down of soldiers who came to arrest Jesus showed that he was divine.
 The resurrection after his death and burial proves he was divine.
 The healing of an official’s son shows his divinity.
 His divinity is also proved in the act of changing of water into wine during the wedding at
Cana.
 The healing of the paralyzed man at the pool proved his divinity.
 Feeding of 5,000 people with only 5 loaves and 2 fish proved Jesus’ divinity.
 The act of walking on water also proved his divinity.
 The healing of a blind man was a proof of Jesus’ divinity.
 Jesus referred to himself as the bread of life showing that he was divine.
 He referred to himself as “I am who I am” meaning that he was divine.
 At his death a lot of blood and water came out of his body.
 Jesus himself told Pilate that he is a messiah meaning he was divine.
 He also said that he should go back to his father showing his divine relationship with God.
 He slipped away when his opponents tried to arrest him (John 10:39)
 John the Baptist referred to him as a messiah the one sent by God.

THE HUMANITY OF JESUS IN JOHN

 Jesus was a human being by the fact that he had friends . For example Lazarus, Mary and
Martha.
 Jesus could also feel thirsty like any other human being . For example he asked water from a
Samaritan woman to drink.
 He could get tired . For example he got tired by the journey and sat down by the well of
Jacob.
 He also felt pity and human at suffering people for example at Lazarus.
 Jesus was overcome with sorrow like any other human being . For example he wept at the
death of Lazarus.
 He could take time to be alone and pray like any other human being . For example he prayed
alone at the grave tomb of Jerusalem.
 He could spare time and attend social gatherings like a wedding at Cana.
 Jesus was full of mercy, love and concern for others which are all qualities of human beings.
 Jesus had a mother, father and brothers.
 Jesus had blood like any other human being.
 He could feel agony/pain . For example he felt agonized after learning that Judas Escariot
was going to betray him.
 He also observed the customs at his people like attending Passover ceremonies.
 He physically died.
 Like a human being, he got greatly troubled when he thought of death in his mind.

LESSONS CHRISTIANS DRAW FROM THE PROLOGUE OF JOHN

 Christians should accept the word of God that became flesh in Jesus Christ.
 Since the prologue pointed to Jesus as a son of God Christians should believe in Jesus.
 Christians should overcome the evil forces since Jesus came to overcome them.
 Christians should obey him since he is a son of God.
 Christians should accept and honour Jesus as a messiah.
 Just as Jesus came to fulfill Old Testament prophecies Christians should fulfill their own
promises.
 Jesus as Jesus is the light of the world.
 Christians should show love to others since Jesus showed love to his followers.
 Since Jesus came to save the world, Christians should save others especially the needy.
 Christians should be good messengers of God and Jesus.
 Christians should have faith so as to be counted as children of God.

DISCIPLES’ LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF JESUS

Although reading the gospel reveals that Jesus was a messiah and his divinity is made very clear.
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However his own disciples took long to understand him as a messiah. Below are some of the
ways in which disciples of Jesus showed lack of understanding of his nature;
 His disciples were surprised to find Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman in a private place
(John 4;27)
 The disciples failed to understand the other food Jesus used to eat (John 4;34)
 The disciples misunderstood Jesus when he commended that Lazarus was sleeping yet he
was dead (John 11:11-15)
 Judas Escariot failed to understand the anointing of Jesus at Bethany by Mary and he termed
the use of perfume as wastage.
 Peter did not understand Jesus’intention of washing the feet of his disciples that even tried to
prevent him from washing his feet.
 Judas’ betrayal of Jesus to his enemies also showed lack of understanding 9John 4;1-4)
 Nathanael wondered how Jesus knew where he came from.
 Nathanael doubted whether a messiah would come from Nazareth where Andrew, Philip and
Simon told him that they had found the messiah Jesus from Nazareth.
 Philip failed to understand Jesus as the way to the father when he asked Jesus to show them
the way to the father (John 14:8)
 Peter’s use of violence against Jesus’ enemies showed his lack of understanding that Jesus as
a messiah had to suffer (John 18:10-11)
 Peter’s denial of Jesus at a critical moment also showed lack of understanding.
 Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus. This showed lack of understanding (John 20:19-
25)

MIRACLES AS SIGNS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL

 Unlike Mark who dedicates almost half of his gospel to miracles of Jesus (200/425 verses).
John selects and presents only seven miracles.
 Unlike Mark and other gospel John omits the miracle of exorcism.
 John doesn’t also present miracle of lepers . That is to say, people suffering from leprosy.

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 In John, Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine in Cana is totally new and unique with
other gospels.
 Three of is miracle namely curing of the official’s son, multiplying waves and walking on
water share the same tradition and format with other gospels.
 The miracles in John aren’t marvelous and they are not exciting as the one in synoptic
gospels.
 John presents the double reaction of the audience to signs performed by jesus. On one hand
there is faith and belief and the other hand there is hostility.
 John lays emphasis on the theological and symbolic aspects of miracle performed.
 John refers to Jesus’miracles as words (18 times and as signs)

THE SEVEN SIGNS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL

1. The sign of changing water into wine (John 2:1-12)
2. The sign of healing the official’s son (John 4;46-51)
3. The sign of healing the paralyzed man (John 5:1-18)
4. The sign of feeding 5000 men (John 6;1-15)
5. The sign of walking on water (John 6:16-21)
6. The sign of healing a blind man (John 9:1-12)
7. The sign of raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11:1-54)

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SIGNS

 They proved that Jesus was a messiah prophecies by the old testament prophets.
 The signs showed the active presence of Jesus in the world, that is showing Jesus’
participation in the continuation of the creation.
 The signs helped to build the faith of the disciples of Jesus giving them all the confidence
and courage.
 The signs revealed God’s grace and love towards mankind through healing the glory of God
the father and God the son.
 The signs pointed at the divinity of Jesus that shows that Jesus was a son of God.
 The signs helped in quick spreading of the good news.

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 The signs pointed at future resurrection of Jesus and of all believers.
 The sign proved that Jesus is the source of life like in the case of raising Lazarus from death.
 The signs manifested the future heavenly joy, like in the feeding of the 5000 men.
 The signs revealed Jesus’ power to save like the gospel because he performed some of the
sign to Gentiles and some on gentile territories.
 The signs manifested Jesus as the light of the world like in giving sight to the blind.
 The signs pointed at Jesus’ humanity like changing of water into wine at wedding in Cana.
 The signs provided a useful background to the discourses.
 The signs raised the time of hostility against Jesus because he performed some of the signs
on the Sabbath day.

CHANGING WATER INTO WINE

 The sign took place at Cana and was during a wedding feast. It happened that Jesus and his
mother had been invited to attend a wedding feast at Cana.
 In the middle of the feast, wine got finished for the organizers.
 This made the organizers to get stuck because they did not know what was next.
 The mother of Jesus told him to help the couple out of the embarrassing situation. Mary told
Jesus that “they have no wine left…….”
 In reply Jesus told his mother that his time had not come to reveal his father’s glory.
 But all the same the mother insisted and told the organizers to obey whatever Jesus would tell
them.
 Then Jesus told the servants to fill 6 jars with water later Jesus told them to draw water out of
jars and taste it.
 T their surprise the water had turned to wine and it was the first sign record by john.

Significance of the Sign

 It was to prove Jesus’ divinity because the act was beyond human knowledge.
 It strengthened the faith and belief of his disciples.
 The sign separated the faithful and unfaithful.

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 It showed love and concern Jesus had for mankind by saving the bride and groom from
public embarrassment.
 The sign showed that Jesus supports monogamous marriage since he took place on the
wedding.
 It symbolized the joy and glory in heavenly kingdom.
 It also pointed that Jesus’ humanity b honouring the invitation and attending the feast.
 The wine symbolized good news while water symbolized Judaism.
 The wine also symbolized the Eucharist which Jesus was to inoculate.
 The sign signified Mary’s faith and recognition of his son’s divine powers by requesting him
do something.
 It also showed that women were good and active disciples of Jesus. These were shown by
Mary’s move towards Jesus.
 Intimacy was proved between Jesus and his mother.
 The 6 jars signified the imperfection of Judaism because the figure 6 presented imperfection
among the Jews.
 The 6 jars in number also signified the disciples’ lack of understanding of Jesus.
 The sign in general symbolized the New Testament.

Relevance to Modern Christians

 Christians should acknowledge Jesus’Sonship to God the father.
 Christians should acknowledge God’s glory in whatever they do.
 Modern Christians should exercise love and concern for one another.
 Modern Christians should uphold monogamous marriages.
 Modern Christians should strive for the joy and glory in God’s kingdom.
 Modern Christians should participate in social functions.
 Modern Christians should seek good news of Jesus in their lives.
 Modern Christians should participate in receiving the body and blood of Jesus in Eucharist.
 Modern Christians should participate actively in the ministry of Jesus via spreading the good
news.
 Modern Christians should have good relationship between God the father and son.
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 HEALING THE OFFICIAL’S SON (John 4:43-54)
 It happened that a certain government official met Jesus and he was a Gentile.
 The official had a son who was almost about to die.
 He approached Jesus and begged him to go with him to Capernaum.
 Jesus challenged the official’s faith but found that he was totally faithful.
 Seeing the faithfulness of the official, Jesus assured him that his son was going to live and
not to die.
 On his way back, he met some of his servants who were looking for him.
 The servants told him that the fever had left his son.
 He asked the time at which that had happened and was told the exact time when Jesus had
given him assurance that boy was going to live.
 The official and his entire family believed in Jesus from that time onwards.
Significance of the Sign
 It showed the importance of faith because the official presented himself with faith and his
prayers were answered.
 It signified Jesus as a real messiah as he was prophesized by prophet Isaiah.
 It pointed at universality of Jesus and gospel for both the Jews and the Gentile because the
official was a Gentile.
 It showed the divinity of Jesus which enabled him to heal the sick.
 It showed that Jesus had power over Satan

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THIRD SIGN OF JESUS HEALING A MAN CRIPPLED

FOR 38 YEARS AT THE POOL OF BETHZARTHA (5:1-28)
1. Examine the significance of healing a man crippled for 38 years at the pool of
Bethzartha.
2. Comment on the meaning of the third sign that Jesus Christ performed in the fourth
gospel.
 Water in the pool of Bethzartha symbolized the idea of healing power.
 38 years the man had been crippled symbolized the time the Israelites spent into the desert.
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 The 5 porches/ entrances to the pool symbolized the five books in the Old Testament. That is
to say, Torah or Pentateuch.
 The third sign signified that Jesus Christ was the lord of the Sabbath. That is to say, had
power to determine what the Sabbath was to be used for.
 Healing a crippled man signified that Jesus Christ was the son of God. That is to say, he
referred to God as his father.
 The third sign nullified the Jewish belief about suffering as a result of one’s sins or the
parents’ sins.
 It signified that Jesus offers both spiritual and physical healing to mankind. That is to say,
this man was healed from his physical lameness as well as his sins.
 Signified the divinity of Jesus Christ. That is to say, he ordered the man to pick up his mat
and go home receiving healing.
 The third sign signified the fulfillment of Old Testament scriptures of Isaiah 35:5-6.
 It signified the humanity of Jesus Christ. That is to say, he sympathized with the man and so
healed him.
 Jesus’ healing a man at the pool signified that the command of Jesus’ word, healing of an
individual is effected instantly.
 The third sign gave back the Sabbath day a new teaching/meaning. That is to say, it was holy
that was to be used for a holy purpose to save mankind.
 The third sign also signified that Jesus takes the initiative as the logos . That is to say, he
asked this man whether he wanted to be healed and so healed him out of his will.
 The third sign signified the love of God for mankind revealed through Jesus Christ.
 It increased the hostility towards Jesus Christ from the Pharisees simply because this sign
was done on the Sabbath day.

DISCUSS THE RELEVANCE OF THE HEALING OF THE CRIPPLED MAN FOR

38 YEARS TO MODERN CHRISTIANS
 Christians should go to Jesus for both physical and spiritual problems.
 Healing the crippled man shows the need for faith in Jesus so Christians should have faith in
Jesus so as to be healed.
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 Jesus is a messiah so Christians should respect and honour him.
 Christians are called upon to stand firm during period of suffering as the cripple went
through.
 Jesus is the Lord of the Sabbath, so Christians are called upon to use the Sabbath for
improving and caring for people’s lives.
 Christians today should respond readily to Jesus so as to receive healing like the man
responded instantly.
 Jesus sympathized with the crippled man when he saw him lying on one of the porches, so
Christians are called upon to have concern for those who are sick.
 Jesus is the son of God so modern Christians should accept him.
 The third sign signified the fulfillment of old testament scriptures, so modern Christians are
called upon to believe in Old Testament scriptures.
 It shows that with God everything is possible so modern Christians should trust in God.
 Christians learn to believe in Jesus Christ as their savior.
 Christians should continue to live holy lives instead of sinning since Jesus destroyed a grip of
sin and evil in man’s suffering.
 Jesus is the messiah so modern Christians should respect and honour him.

WHY ARE SUCH HEALINGS NOT COMMON/ RARE AMONG CHRISTIANS IN

UGANDA TODAY?
 Initially these healings were ritually ministered and centralized at Jerusalem but people today
look for modern ways o getting healed.
 Today Uganda has got trained doctors who use scientific medicine to heal such diseases.
 Today various religious sects profess and practice different things as far as healing is
concerned.
 Today there is a lot of disbelief in Ugandans for such healings as it was before.
 Today Ugandans look for signs before they believe.
 Today the two offices of life are separated. That is to say, religion and secular way of life.
 Today we have ways of controlling diseases like immunization of children against polio.
 Ugandans who try to heal sometimes are fake and this discourages other people.
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 Many diseases except venereal diseases are no longer seen as a product of sin.
 Some church leaders lack divine powers from God to heal such diseases.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FOURTH SIGN OF JESUS FEEDING FIVE THOUSAND

PEOPLE (6:1-15)
Explain the meaning of the miracle of feeding the multitude in John’s gospel.
 The feeding of five thousand people pointed to the idea of Lord’s Supper that Christ Jesus
was about to institute to his followers.
 Feeding of the 5000 people signified that Jesus cares for both physical and spiritual needs of
people.
 Feeding the multitude signified that Jesus was the source of bread . That is to say, the
provider of food to mankind.
 The 5 loaves of bread symbolized the Pentateuch.
 The twelve baskets of leftovers represented the twelve tribes of Israel.
 Feeding 5000 people foreshadowed the heavenly banquet that Jesus’ followers were to enjoy.
 The fourth sign signified the importance of prayer . That is to say, Jesus gave thanks to God
when he broke the bread.
 The fourth sign also signified the fulfillment of old testament scriptures . That is to say, it
reflected the manna and quail that God gave to the Israelites in the desert, besides, prophet
Elijah also performed similar miracles of feeding people on bread.
 It signified the divinity of Jesus Christ . That is to say, he was able to multiply the 5 loaves of
bread and two fish to feed the 5000 people.
 Signified the humanity of Jesus Christ sympathized with the hungry people so he gave them
what to eat.
 It signified that Jesus was a son of God.
 Feeding 5000 people signified that Jesus takes the initiative as the logos . That is to say, he
asked the disciples where to buy enough food to feed such a crowd.
 The fourth sign also signified that with God everything is possible.
 The miracle of feeding the multitude revealed the glory of God to mankind.

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 RELEVANCE OF THE MIRACLE OF FEEDING THE 5000 PEOPLE TO THE
MODERN CHRISTIANS
Discuss the relevance of the sign of feeding 5000 people to the Christian community
today.
 Christians learn to attend both physical and spiritual needs of other people.
 Jesus is a messiah so Christians should respect and honour him.
 Christians ought to work for heavenly feast.
 Christians learn to always pray to God like Jesus did.
 Christians should always depend on God’s power as Jesus did by giving thanks to God.
 Jesus was a servant of mankind, so Christians should also be servants of others.
 Christians ought to seek for the truth by following the crown of Jesus the way the crowd did.
 Christians should expect the second coming of Jesus Christ any time.
 The sign shows the fulfillment of Old Testament scriptures so modern Christians are called
upon to believe in them.
 It shows that with God everything is possible so modern Christians are called upon to trust in
him.
 Christians ought to work and have concern to the needy and hungry Christians.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE FIFTH SIGN OF JESUS WALKING ON WATER

(6:16-21)
Examine the importance/ relevance/meaning of Jesus walking on water in John’s
gospel.
 Jesus’ walking on water in John’s gospel signified his divinity. He was able to walk on water
without drowning and this even surprised his disciples.
 The humanity of Jesus was indicated when he walked on water. He was concerned about his
disciples who had been attacked by strong wind and he came to help them.
 Jesus’ walking on water in John’s gospel showed his messiahship. Jesus was able to
overcome all the evil forces on earth.

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 The sign signified the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures it reflected the time when
Moses led the Israelites to cross the water of the Red sea during the Exodus experience/
period.
 The sign of Jesus walking on water revealed the lack of faith of Jesus’ disciples. They were
terrified at seeing him walking on water.
 The sign signified the love of God for mankind revealed through Jesus Christ. Out of God’s
love Jesus saved the disciples from drowning.
 The miracle helped to increase the faith of the disciples of Jesus because they witnessed this
sign and wondered.
 By Jesus walking on water, it showed his power over nature. He is termed as the Lord of
nature and the creations.
 The strong wind that stirred up the water symbolized the evil forces that ere at war with God
and so the coming of Jesus meant that God used Jesus his son to defeat the evil forces.
 What happened to the disciples before being saved by Jesus pointed to the risks and
challenges that the disciples would face in future while preaching the word of God.
 The sign showed Jesus as a servant of mankind who came on earth just to serve but not to be
served.
 The sign of Jesus walking on water was in other words a training to the disciples for their
future roles after the ascension of Jesus to heaven.
 The sign was to pint/ reflect on the great “I am” sayings of Jesus wher3e he said “I am the
bread of life.”

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SIGN TO MODERN CHRISTIANS?

 It teaches Christians that Jesus is divine, therefore Christians should call upon Jesus in all
their situations of life.
 The sign teaches Christians to have faith in Jesus just like the disciples believed in his saving
power.
 The miracle enables Christians to trust in Jesus therefore they should understand that Jesus
has powers over all created things.
 The sign teaches Christians to guard evil forces of nature in life.

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 The sign shows Christians that Jesus is all loving, therefore Christians should also extend
love to one another.
 It teaches Christians to have courage in Jesus like the disciples had courage in Christ.
 The miracle shows that Christ comforted his disciples therefore Christians should also
comfort those in trouble and hardships.
 The sign of walking on water by Jesus helps Christians to prepare for any kind of hardships
in life unlike the disciples who were not prepared.
 The sign shows that Jesus is the messiah, so Christians should respect and honour him.
 By walking on water, Jesus teaches modern Christians that he is the son of God therefore
Christians should accept him.
 The sign indicates Jesus as a servant of mankind, so Christians should be servants o others
too.
 The sign showed that with God everything is possible, therefore modern Christians should
trust Jesus Christ as a son of God.
 The sign shows the disciples’ lack of understanding Jesus so the modern Christians should
made effort to understand Jesus in all circumstances.
 The sign teaches modern Christians that with God everything is possible.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SIXTH SIGN OF JESUS HEALING A MAN BORN BLIND

(9:1-12)
Analyse the circumstances under which the man born blind was healed in the gospel of
John.
 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been born blind.
 His disciples asked him whose sins caused the man’s blindness wondering whether it was his
parents’ sins or his own sins hence showing their lack of understanding.
 The man had been born blind which looked as a curse of sin hence reflecting the Old
Testament scriptures in the book of Deuteronomy about retribution.
 But the interpretation of Jesus was different from that of his disciples showing that he is
superior to them.
 Jesus said that the man’s blindness had nothing to do with his sins or his parents’ sins.
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 He said that the man was born blind so that God’s power might be manifested in him.
 The glory of God would be seen through Jesus as his son through healing him.
 Jesus being obedient to the will of God . That is to say, he was to work so as to fulfill what
God had told him to do.
 So Jesus spat on the ground hence showing his humanity.
 He made some mud with the spittle and rubbed the mud on the eyes of the man showing his
concern for the man.
 This gave the man the psychological cure of his blindness.
 The saliva of Jesus had a healing effect showing he is divine.
 Jesus ordered the man to go and wash his face in the pool of Siloam showing the faith of the
man in Jesus.
 Symbolically Siloam meant being “sent”.
 So the man went, washed his face in the pool and he started seeing.
 Jesus had love and sympathy for the man who had been born blind.
 Jesus is divine.
 Jesus is the messiah.
 Jesus is a servant of man.

TO WHAT EXTENT ARE CHRISTIANS IN UGANDA BLIND ABOUT JESUS

TODAY?
To a smaller extent, Christians in Uganda are blind about Jesus Christ in the following ways;
 Some Christian murder fellow human beings.
 Some Christians practice human sacrifices to solve their problems.
 Some Christians have ended up following religious cult like that of Kibwetere and Bushara.
 Some religious leaders have continued to live animal life like defiling people’s girls.
 Some Christians have ended up joining different churches in search for marriage partners.
 Some Christians have continued to consult witch doctors for witchcraft.
 Some Christians still worship idols and God at the same time.
 Some practice sexual immorality like prostitution, adultery and defilement.
 Some church leaders have commercialized church services.
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To a bigger extent, Christians are not blind about Jesus . That is to say, they understand
him in the following ways;
 Many Christians are loyal to Jesus Christ in their faith.
 Many Christians do carry out charitable work.
 Many Christians practice love for one another.
 Many people have composed Christian songs and hymns.
 Many pastors are performing miracles in Jesus’ name.
 Many baptize new converts in Jesus’ name.
 Many Christians preach the good news about Jesus.
 There is forgiving of people’s sins.
 Many Christians pray through the name of Jesus as well as praying for one another.
 The writing of Christian literature and the translation of the bible into local languages has
been done by Christians.
 Many carry out the Lord’s Supper in remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
 The celebration of big/ holy Christian days like Christmas, good Friday, Easter Sunday etc.

SIGNIFICANCE OF HEALING THE MAN BORN BLIND

Discuss the significance of the sign of healing the man born blind in the fourth gospel
 Signify that Jesus was the promised messiah who was to make the blind see.
 It fulfilled the Old Testament scriptures in Isaiah 35:5-6 . That is to say, the blind people
would see.
 It signified the humanity of Jesus that he sympathized with this man who had been born
blind.
 Signified the love of God for mankind through Jesus.
 Signified the lack of understanding of the disciples . That is to say, the disciples of Jesus
asked Jesus who had caused the man’s blindness.
 It increased hostility towards Jesus from the Pharisees because he performed this sign on a
Sabbath.
 Signified a new teaching to the Sabbath as a day to bring healing to sick.
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 Signified the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees, they were blind to see that Jesus was the
messiah as a messiah as well as the Lord of the Sabbath.
 Signified the importance of faith in Jesus . That is to say, the blind man obeyed his
instructions to go to the pool of Siloam and wash his eyes without hesitation.
 Water in the pool of Siloam the idea of healing power.
 It revealed the power and glory of God on earth.
 It showed that Jesus takes the initiative as the logos in saving people from their sickness.
 Signified that Jesus came from both physical and spiritual needs of mankind.
 It increased the faith of his disciples.
 Signified that Jesus is the source of light to the world.
 Signify that Jesus was a prophet as the blind man had confessed.
 Showed Jesus as a servant of mankind.

COMMENT ON THE RESPONSE OF PEOPLE TOWARDS THIS SIGN OF

HEALING A MAN BLIND IN JOHN’S GOSPEL.
 The disciple asked Jesus whose sin had caused the blindness to the man.
 After being healed the neighbours failed to recognize him, so they wondered whether he was
man who used to beg.
 Some people recognized him while others said that he looked like a man who used to beg.
 When the man confessed that he was the one, they asked him for where about of Jesus.
 Some people took this man and reported him to the Pharisees.
 The Pharisees asked him about what who had healed him on Sabbath.
 So the Pharisees claimed the man who had healed him was not from God.
 But this claim divided the Pharisees as others saw Jesus a man of God.
 So the Pharisees sent for the parents of the man who had actually given sight to him.
 But the parents exposed ignorance of how their son had received his sight but requested them
to ask the man because he was old enough to answer for himself.
 The parents feared to mention that it was Jesus who had healed their son of blindness because
the Pharisees would expel them from synagogue.

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 But the Pharisees insisted but the man who healed him was a sinner and wanted a man who
had healed him was to confess before them.
 The Pharisees started healing this healing.

CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED TO RAISING LAZARUS TO LIFE

Discuss the circumstances that surrounded the raising of Lazarus in the fourth gospel.
 Lazarus had fallen sick and later died in Bethany.
 Mary and Martha had sent a massage to Jesus informing him about the illness of Lazarus
showing he was a family friend.
 Jesus said the final result of Lazarus’ illness would not be his death but would be to bring the
glory of God on earth.
 Jesus requested his disciples to go back to Judah but they reminded him about how people
there hence showing their cowardice.
 Jesus told them that Lazarus had fallen asleep but he assured them that he would go and
wake him up showing his concern for mankind.
 But the disciples told Jesus that if Lazarus was asleep then he would get well but Jesus
assured them that Lazarus had died hence showing their lack of understanding towards him.
 When Jesus arrived in Bethane, he found that Lazarus had been buried four days back which
were almost corresponding to the days he would spend in the grave.
 Martha met Jesus and told him that if he had been present during the illness of Lazarus he
would not have died showing she had lost hope about Lazarus coming back to life.
 Jesus comforted Martha that Lazarus would rise to life showing his concern for the bereaved
family.
 But Martha understood it to mean that Lazarus would rise to life on the last day showing her
lack of faith in Jesus.
 Jesus assured her that he was the resurrection and life, whoever believes him would live even
though he dies showing that he is the source of life.
 Jesus later asked Martha whether she now believed in him and she confessed that Jesus was
the messiah the son of God hence showing open revelation that Jesus was the messiah.

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 Many also came to Jesus and told him that if he had been around during Lazarus’ illness, he
would not have died showing the trust she had in Jesus.
 Jesus saw Mary and the mourners deeply weeping and his heart was touched, so he also wept
showing hiss humanity and his being a family friend.
 Jesus asked the mourners where they had buried Lazarus and they took him to the grave.
 Jesus ordered them to take away the stone at the entrance but Martha complained about the
bad smell that would come but of it hence showing she had completely lost hope about
Lazarus coming back to life.
 But Jesus reminded her that she would see God’s glory if she had believed showing the
importance of faith.
 Jesus looked up and gave thanks to God hence showing the effect of prayer and that he
derived his powers from God.
 Jesus called Lazarus to come out of the grave in a loud voice and Lazarus came out of the
grave alive showing the divinity Jesus.
 Jesus told the people around t unite him and therefore to let him go showing that Lazarus had
really resurrected.
 God’s love for mankind was revealed through Jesus. Even the people realized how much
Jesus loved the bereaved family.
 Jesus is the promised messiah as confessed by Martha.
 Jesus is divine since he raised Lazarus to life.
 Jesus is a servant of mankind.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SEVENTH SIGN (RAISING LAZARUS TO LIFE (11:1-53)

1. Comment on the significance of Jesus’ raising Lazarus to life in the fourth gospel.
2. Examine the meaning of Jesus conversation with Martha and Mary about Lazarus in
John 11:1-53.
 Seventh sign signified that Martha had completely lost hope about Lazarus coming back to
life . That is to say, the bad smell.
 Raising Lazarus signified the humanity of Jesus . That is to say, he wept when Lazarus had
died.

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 Seventh sign signified the divinity of Jesus . That is to say, he was able to raise Lazarus to
life who had died four days back.
 It signified the importance of prayer . That is to say, he prayed at the tomb of Lazarus before
raising him to life.
 Raising Lazarus signified the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures like prophet Elijah
who raised the widow’s son, Ezekiel’s valley of the dry bones which were brought to life
again.
 The seventh sign signified the love of God for mankind revealed through Jesus.
 It revealed the glory of God on earth.
 Raising Lazarus signified that Jesus Is the source of life and resurrection, so those who
believe in him would resurrect.
 The seventh sign signified that there is life after death . That is to say, it pointed to
resurrection of believers.
 Raising Lazarus signified the lack of faith in Mary . That is to say, when Jesus said Lazarus
would rise to life on the last day.
 It pointed to the resurrection of Jesus.
 It increased the faith of the disciples of Jesus . That is to say, the death of Lazarus was to
bring deeper belief to his disciples about real life.
 Raising Lazarus was a fulfillment of what Jesus had said previously that the dead would
come out of their graves in order to live.
 It showed that death was still seen as the final destroyer of man’s life and that is why Mary
wept in front of Jesus.
 It signified that Jesus has power over death.
 The seventh sign increase hostility towards Jesus from the Pharisees and this eventually led
to his death.
 Jesus is a servant of mankind.

DISCUSS THE LESSONS MODERN CHRISTIANS CAN LEARN FROM THIS SIGN
OF RAISING LAZARUS TO LIFE

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 The sign of raising Lazarus to life shows how Martha and Mary had much trust in Jesus
therefore modern Christians should have complete trust in Jesus.
 Raising Lazarus to life teaches modern Christians to have hope that there is life after death,
since Lazarus was also raised.
 The sign of arising Lazarus to life teaches modern Christians to always turn to Jesus who
heals people’s sorrows and brings joy and happiness.
 The sign helps modern Christians to extend love for one another copying Jesus’ example who
loved Mary and Martha’s family.
 It teaches modern Christians about the divinity of God, therefore they should accept the fact
that Jesus has power to defeat the power of death.
 The sign shows Jesus relating the position of woman, therefore Christians today should treat
al people equally.
 The sign of raising Lazarus to life teaches about the importance of prayer, therefore modern
Christians should always pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
 The sign indicates sympathy of Jesus, so modern Christians should have sympathy for those
who loose their beloved ones.
 It teaches Christians about service so modern Christians should be servants of other.
 The sign teaches about humbleness of Jesus therefore Christians should emulate the
humbleness of Jesus Christ.
 It teaches modern Christians to be prepared for any kind of opposition from the good things
they do.
 The sign helps Christians to develop a spirit of enduring any kind of suffering or opposition
even when they have done well to others.

THE REACTION/ ATTITUDE/ RESPONSE OF PEOPLE TOWARDS THE SIGN OF

RAISING LAZARUS TO LIFE
1. What was the reaction of the audience towards the raising of Lazarus to life by Jesus in
John’s gospel?
2. Comment on the response of Jesus’ contemporaries towards the raising of Lazarus to
life in John’s gospel.

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 The immediate result of raising Lazarus to life was that many people believed in Jesus Christ.
 The sign made the Sanhedrin to decide that Jesus should be killed as soon as possible. This
was because of the uncontrollable influence Jesus was having amongst the ordinary people .
That is to say, he was becoming more popular than the Jewish leaders.
 Martha and Mary believe that Jesus Christ was the messiah the son of God.
 The faith of the disciples in Jesus Christ increased as a result of this sign.
 It increased hostility towards Jesus from the religious leaders.
 The religious leaders became more hostile to Lazarus because he had been raised to life.
 It reflected the lack of understanding of the disciples of Jesus Christ.
 It caused envy and jealousy to Jesus Christ from the religious leaders.
 Some people had doubted the ability of Jesus to raise Lazarus to life saying he had managed
to heal a man born blind could he not raise Lazarus to life.
 Some people who had witnessed this sign went and reported the news to the Pharisees and
the chief priest.
 It caused fear among religious leaders because the Romans would destroy their temple if they
had not stopped Jesus from performing miracles.
 Calaphas suggested that Jesus Christ should be killed instead of having the whole Jewish
nation destroyed by the Romans.
 The chief priest gave orders to the people to inform them about the where abouts of Jesus so
that they could arrest him.
 People therefore started looking for Jesus Christ and they were expecting him to attend the
ritual of purification in Jerusalem.

THE NATURE OF JESUS IN THE EVENT OF RAISING LAZARUS TO LIFE

Comment on the portrait of Jesus as reflected in the event of raising Lazarus to life.
 Jesus is presented as a prophet . That is to say, he predicted that Lazarus would rise to life.
 Jesus is pictured as a son of God . That is to say, Mary confessed that Jesus was the son of
God.

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 Jesus is a loving and caring person . That is to say, the people realized how much he had
loved Lazarus and the bereaved family.
 Jesus is friendly to people . That is to say, he had personal friends like Mary and Martha.
 Jesus is courageous . That is to say, his disciples tried to bar him from going back to Judea
because the people there had wanted to stone him but he insisted and went back.
 Jesus is seen as a teacher . That is to say, his disciples and Mary referred to him as a teacher.
 Jesus is pictured as Lord . That is to say, his disciples, Mary and Martha referred to him as
the Lord.
 Jesus is pictured as being human . That is to say, he wept when Lazarus had died.
 Jesus is pictured as being divine . That is to say, he was able to raise Lazarus to life.
 Jesus is the resurrection and life which implied that he is the source of life.
 Jesus is seen as the messiah . That is to say, Mary confessed that Jesus was the messiah.
 Jesus also prays to God . That is to say, he prayed to God before raising Lazarus back to life.
 Jesus is suffering messiah . That is to say, faced hostility because of having raised Lazarus to
life.
 Jesus is the one who brings glory to God.
 Jesus is comforter . That is to say, he comforted Mary that Lazarus would live again.

THE MODERN CHURCH TEACHINGS ABOUT RESURRECTION OF BELIEVERS

Explain the church teaching about resurrection of believers.
 The church teaches that there is eternal life.
 The raising of Christians will be part of the general event world wide.
 Resurrection will come at the end of time/ parausia.
 The dead bodies will be raised to life.
 The sinners will go to eternal fire.
 The righteous will see God face to face.
 The righteous people will o to heaven.
 Jesus will come back to carry his own people.
 Paul tells the Corinthians that those who will be still alive will be changed instantly.
 The resurrected bodies will be different from the earthly bodies.
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 The day will come as a thief.
 Those who will be still alive will be transformed.
 There will be peace and joy instead of pain.
 Heavenly life is better than earthly life.
 Paul says Jesus will resurrect first and believers will follow.
 Believers will live like angels in heaven and there will be no marrying.
 Believers will be united as one family with God as their father.
 There will be glory in heaven.

THE SEVEN I AM STATEMENTS/ SAYINGS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

John’s gospel presents seven great I am sayings which refer to Who Jesus was namely;
 “I am the bread of life, whoever comes to me will never be hungry and whoever believes in
me will never be thirsty again” (6:3-)
 “I am the light of the world, whoever follows me will have the light of life and will never
walk in darkness”. (8:12)
 “before Abraham was born I am” (8:58)
 “I am the good shepherd who is willing to die for many sheep” (10:11)
 “I am the resurrection and life whoever believes in me will live even though he dies” (11:25)
 “I am the way, the truth and life, no one goes to the father except through me” (14:6)
 “I am the true vine and you are the branches, whoever remains in me and I in him will bear
much fruits” (15:5)

THE GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE/ IMPORTANCE/ MEANING OF THE I AM

STATEMENTS IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
1. Comment on the significance of the use of the phrase “I am” by jesus in the gospel of
John.
2. Examine the meaning of the great I ams in John’s gospel.
3. Discuss the importance of the I am metaphors in the fourth gospel.

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 The phrase I am signifies the divine origin of Jesus Christ . That is to say, his origin was
from god as his father.
 Jesus Christ used the metaphor to refer to himself as who he was and his true personality.
 They showed the messiahship of Jesus Christ.
 I am sayings signified that Jesus Christ was the son of God.
 I am metaphors signified that Jesus was God himself.
 I am sayings signified that Jesus Christ was equal to God and that he cares for all people.
 They signified the importance of faith in Jesus in order to have eternal life.
 The I am sayings signified the divinity and authority of Jesus on earth.
 They signified that Jesus is universal savior like “I am the light of the world”
 Signified that Jesus was the source of bread like” I am the bread of life”.
 This in particular was pointing to the Eucharist that Jesus was about to institute.
 Signified that Jesus was far greater than Abraham one the ancestors of the Jews.
 The I am sayings signified that Christ Jesus existed before the creation of the world like
“Before Abraham was born I am”.
 Signified that Jesus is the source of life and so showed his life with his followers like “I am
the resurrection and life”.
 The I am saying signified that there is life after death like “ I am the resurrection and life”.

THE MEANING OF THE DISCOURSE “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE” (6:22-39)

Analyse the implication of Jesus referring to himself as “I am bread of life” in the gospel of
John.
 Jesus said “I am the bread of life and whoever comes to me will never be hungry but will
have eternal life”
 It meant that he was the source of eternal life so whoever would believe in him would get it.
 It signified the messiahship of Jesus.
 It signified the divinity of Jesus . That is to say, he came from above.
 Bread is compared to manna that God gave to the children of Israel in the wilderness.
 It pointed to the heavenly banquet that the Christians would enjoy.

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 The “I am the bread of life” signified that Jesus was the son of God . That is to say, Jesus
referred to God as his father.
 “I am the bread of life” reflected the I am saying in the book of Exodus 3 like “I am who I
am”.
 It increased hostility towards Jesus from the crowd . That is to say, they misunderstood him
when he had advised them to at his flesh and drink his blood.
 “I am the bread of life” signified the humanity of Jesus . That is to say, is referred to as the
son of Joseph and Mary.
 It also signified that Jesus was greater than the Jewish ancestors like Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob.
 “I am the bread of life” signified the obedience of Jesus towards God . That is to say, he
came from heaven so as to do the will of God who has sent him.
 Jesus used this I am saying to refer to himself as who he was as the bread of life.
“ I am telling you the truth, you are looking for me because you ate the bread and had all
you wanted not because you understood my teaching” (John 6:26)
Examine the weakness of these people referred to in the above statement by Jesus in john’s
gospel.
 The crowd that Jesus had fed was just interested in the bread but not in Jesus’ miraculous
power.
 The crowd did not have genuine faith in Jesus.
 They were not satisfied with the miracle that Jesus had performed for them.
 They greatly believed in their fathers like Moses and so forgot God as the sole provider.
 Because the crowd looked at Jesus in terms of worldly and material things.
 They failed to understand the terminology that Jesus had used before them like the idea of the
flesh.
 The people were just spiritually blind towards Jesus.
 The idea of Eucharistic healing was far from their understanding.
 They did not know that Jesus had come from heaven.
 The people were hypocrites in nature.
 It seems the crowd was testing the authority of Jesus.
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 Because they saw life on earth as something that was going to end here.
 The people were just hard to teach.
 The people thought that Jesus was blaspheming the name of God.

What evidence is there to show that some people in Uganda have become Christians for
reasons other than the cause of Jesus?
 Some Christians when faced with persecution and martyrdom they run away from God.
 Some Christians aim at seeking for jobs only.
 Some Christians have become Christians for money gains.
 Some have become Christians as a way of seeking for scholarships.
 Some have been Christians as a way of seeking for marriage partners.
 Some have become Christians as a way of seeking company from others.
 Some outcasts/ needy people join Christianity to be loved and taken care of by Christians.
 Some join to get healing from any physical disease.
 Some join to show off their material wealth for pride.
 Some people join because of family influence.
 Some join because of peer group influence.
 Some join because of the need to get contacts with rich countries in America and Europe.

THE TEACHING ON EUCHARIST IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Examine the teaching on Eucharist in the gospel of John.
 In John’s gospel, Jesus does not directly inaugurate the institution of Eucharist as it is in
mark’s gospel.
 At Cana the new wine symbolized the Eucharistic blood of Jesus.
 The new wine would satisfy all the needs of people.
 The feeding of the 5000 people has an element of Eucharist.
 Before the bread was distributed, Jesus took it and gave thanks to God which implied
Eucharist.
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 He feed them on five loaves of bread and two fish which represented his body.
 As people ate the Eucharistic bread and fish it symbolized the taking of life of the spirit .
That is to say, eternal life.
 Jesus said that they would feed on his flesh of the Eucharist.
 Jesus is the bread of life which gives spiritual nourishment to his followers.
 Eating his flesh and drinking his blood are the source of eternal life.
 Whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood lives in Jesus and likewise Jesus lives in him.
 This implied believing in Jesus who satisfies all hunger and thirst.
 And Jesus live in him by the power of the spiritual meal.
 His body is the divine bread that came down from heaven.
 It is different from the bread that the Jewish ancestors ate but later died.
 This new Eucharist bread of Jesus brings eternal life.
 Thus Jesus is the bread of life in Eucharist.
 It was superior to the manna of the exodus event which the Israelites were fed on.
 When Jesus appeared to the disciples at lakeTiberias, the meal they had of bread and fish was
a sign of Eucharist.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SYMBOLS OF BREAD AND WINE TO

CHRISTIANS TODAY?
Bread and wine are symbols taken during Holy Communion.
 They symbolize the love of Jesus who died for the sins of man.
 They are symbols of salvation.
 They point out the of the salvation of mankind that Jesus paid through his death.
 Bread symbolizes the body of Jesus which was crucified on the cross.
 Wine symbolized the blood of Jesus that he shed on the cross.
 They call upon Christians to have reverence for Jesus as the son of God.
 They symbolize the death of Jesus.
 They give Christians the hope for resurrection.
 Bread and wine are symbols of unity and equality among Christians.
 They strengthen the faith of Christians in Jesus.
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 They call upon the Christians to live holy lives.
 They call upon Christians to repent of their sins before taking part in the Lord’s Supper.

“THERE IS A LOT OF SYMBOLISM ATTACHED TO BAPTISM AND EUCHARIST

IN JOHN’S GOSPEL” JUSTIFY.
Yes, there is a lot of symbolism attached to the baptism in the following ways;
 John the Baptist was baptizing people preparing them for the Holy spirit.
 The disciples of Jesus were baptizing concurrently with John the Baptist.
 The Samaritan woman is told of water giving everlasting life . That is to say, baptism through
Jesus.
 During the washing of the disciples’ feet, water in the basin symbolized baptism.
 While on the cross water came out of Jesus which was a symbol of baptism.
 Water in the well of Jacob symbolized the idea of baptism.
 Nicodemus was told by Jesus that no one enter the kingdom of God unless is born of water
and the spirit which implied baptism.

There is symbolism attached to Eucharist in the following ways;

 The wedding at Cana, the water turned into wine which symbolized the idea of Eucharist.
 The feeding of the 5000 people, Jesus said that the bread of life implying the idea of
Eucharist.
 The blood that Jesus shed while at the cross after being pierced by the soldier was
symbolizing the idea of Eucharist.
 In the epilogue of John’s gospel, Jesus ordered his disciples to eat the fish and bread
symbolizing the idea of Eucharist.
 Jesus as the good shepherd, he feeds the followers on the spiritual food.

THE MEANING OF THE DISCOURSE “I AM THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD” (8:12-

20)
1. What did Jesus mean by the phrase I am the light of the world in John’s gospel.

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2. Examine the significance of Jesus’ referring to himself as the light of the world in john’s
gospel.

 The term light signifies the true wisdom and spiritual understanding of God.
 “I am the light of the world” signified the divinity of Jesus because he was from above and
God was with him.
 Jesus used this I am to refer to himself as who was as the light of the world.
 Jesus as the light would give sight to those who are spiritually and physically blind.
 Jesus was the light to enlighten people about the law of the Jewish rituals.
 Jesus as the light brings joy and happiness to the world because those who believe in him
will never walk in darkness.
 Jesus as the light will lead believers to heavenly glory.
 “I am the light of the world signified that light is opposed to darkness.
 It reflected the Old Testament scriptures in Exodus 33:22 . That is to say, the pillar of fire
that guided the Jews under Moses at Mountain Sinai.
 It signified the purity/ holiness of Jesus because he is the light of the world.
 Showed that Jesus and the father are one.
 Jesus used this I am saying to refer to himself as who he was as the light of the world.

ANALYSE THE CHALLENGES MODERN CHRISTIANS FACE IN TRYING TO LIVE

AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
Discuss the obstacles Christians face in being the light of the world today.
 The influence of western culture on Christians.
 The influence of traditional African culture.
 The balance between work and religious affairs, so having no time for God.
 Financial problems faced by Christians . That is to say, poverty.
 Some religious leaders live immoral lives hence discouraging Christians.
 Commercialization of church services.
 Changing work pattern like working in brewery factory.
 Influence of science and technology.
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 Influence of education.
 The unemployment problem.
 The greed for money causing corruption.
 Lack of exemplary behaviours from parents towards their children.
 High degree of moral degeneration in society.
 Hostility from other religious movements like Islam.
 The need for political power.
 The presence of false preachers.
 Tribalism and nepotism.

TO WHAT EXTENT ARE CHRISTIANS LIVING AS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD IN

UGANDA?
To a larger extent, Christians are living as the light of the world in the following ways;
 They preach the gospel about Jesus.
 They baptize new converts into Christianity.
 Carryout miracles in Jesus’ name.
 Laying hands on Christians.
 Live exemplary lives.
 Pray to God and pray for one another.
 Cary out crusades.
 Establishing new churches.
 Carry out missionary journeys.
 Carry out works of charity.
 Compose Christian songs and hymns.
 Carry out Lord’s supper.
 Carry out religious conferences and seminars.
 Sharing of material property.

However to a smaller extent, some Christians have failed to live as the light of the world in
the following ways;
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 Some practice sexual immorality like prostitution, incest and adultery.
 Some religious leaders live immoral lives.
 Some Christians are corrupt in nature.
 Some Christians are selfish in nature.
 Some practice discrimination.
 Some Christians practice murder of people.
 Some Christians are hypocrites.
 Some Christians are too work oriented.
 Some practice witchcraft.
 Some religious leaders have commercialized church services.

THE THIRD I AM STATEMENT, “BEFORE ABRAHAM I AM” (8:21-59)

Discuss the significance of Jesus’ saying “Before Abraham I am” in the gospel of John”.
 The statement signified the humanity of Jesus Christ. This showed that Jesus had existed as
a human being just like Abraham was a human being.
 It signified the divinity of Jesus. Jesus said that he came from above.
 By Jesus saying that “Before Abraham, I am” it implied that he was a son of God.
 The I am statement signified the messiahship of Jesus he said that he had no demon by they
dishonoured him.
 It showed that Jesus paid great respect to the father Jesus said if he was to honour himself,
that honour would be nothing, the one who honours him is his father God.
 The statement also indicated that Jesus respected Abraham although he was greater then him.
 The statement before Abraham I am also showed the relationship between Jesus and God.
 It showed the importance of faith in the ministry of Jesus.
 The “ I am” statement revealed the love of God to mankind through Jesus Christ.
 Jesus’ statement that before Abraham I am also signified that he was the source of eternal
life.
 It indicated the fulfillment of the old testament scriptures.
 It was a way of spreading the word of God/ kingdom of God.

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HOW SIGNIFICANT IS THE I AM STATEMENT ABOVE TO MODERN
CHRISTIANS?
 The statement teaches Christians to respect others as Jesus did in his ministry.
 It teaches Christians to believe in Jesus since he is divine.
 Christians learn to love one another even those in need just as God loved mankind through
Jesus Christ.
 The statement teaches Christians to accept Jesus since he is the messiah.
 The “I am” statement show the importance of the old testament scriptures, so modern
Christians learn to believe also in the old testament scriptures.
 It teaches modern Christians to obey God’s command, so they should avoid sinning.
 It teaches modern Christians to have respect to those in authority, just as Jesus said they
should honour his father.
 Guides modern Christians to seek eternal life from Jesus since he is the source of life.
 Calls upon modern Christians to have good relationship with God just as Jesus had it with the
father.
 Teaches modern Christians to love one another since Jesus was sent to us love.
 Modern Christians learn that Jesus was greater than Abraham therefore they should give him
respect and honour.

THE FOURTH I AM SAYING (10:1-21) “I AM THE GATE FOR THE SHEEP AND A
GOOD SHEPHERD”
1. What did Jesus imply by referring to himself the good shepherd in john’s gospel?
2. “I am the good shepherd who is willing to die for my sheep” (10:11). Examine the
meaning of this allegory by Jesus in the gospel of John.

 The term sheep referred to disciples whereas shepherd referred to Jesus.

 The terms thieves and robbers who come to take away the sheep mean the Jewish leaders
who are the false preachers that misled the people of God.

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 The discourse of I am the good shepherd also signified that Jesus is the way to the kingdom
of God because he said that he is the gate for the sheep where they must pass and he opens
the gate for them. 910:2-3)
 He saying of Jesus that he is the good shepherd also implied the love of God for mankind
revealed through Jesus Christ who said he was ready to die for his sheep as a chief shepherd.
10:11)
 The saying indicated that Jesus is the good shepherd because he knows those who belong to
him and can separate the sheep from other animals and they even know him. 910:15)
 The discourse points to the death of Jesus he was willing to lay his life for the sheep as he
said “I am the good shepherd who is wiling to die for the sheep…”
 When Jesus said he was the gate to the sheep and a good shepherd he was pointing to his
resurrection . That is to say, he was willing to give up his life in order to receive it back.
 The discourse indicate the divinity of Jesus. His leadership was ordained by God because he
says/ claims that his father knew him. (10:14-15)
 When Christ said he was a good shepherd it indicates that he had come as a good shepherd to
gather all God’s people into one flock in order to bring about unity.
 The statement I am the good shepherd said by Jesus signified his intimate relationship with
his followers because he knew them by name and they too knew him by his name. (10:15)
 The discourse signified that Jesus had come to look for sinners so as to bring them back to
God.
 It showed that Jesus leads his people/ followers to righteousness and peace because he was a
good shepherd even ready to die for his sheep.
 The discourse also implied that Jesus as the good shepherd feeds the flock because he is the
provider for the sheep just as he did through celebrating the sacrament of Eucharist.
 The saying of Jesus implies that Jesus as a good shepherd would treat all sheep equally
because he does not segregate.
 The discourse showed Jesus as a good shepherd wiling to offer fair judgment to all people by
separating the sheep from the wolves (10:11-12)
 The discourse also signifies that through Jesus the sheep can find green pasture . That is to
say, eternal life (10:9)

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 It also implies that Jesus is the source of life who came to give life in its fullness.
 The saying also reflected the old testament I am saying in exodus 3 when God called Moses
and said I am who I m when Moses wanted to know God’s name.
 It signified that Jesus was a son of God. He referred to god as his father. (10:15)

WHAT LESSONS CAN THE CHURCH LEARN FROM THE ABOVE DISCOURSE?
 The church learns to have truth/ trust in Jesus Christ who can lead them in the right way to
the kingdom of God.
 The discourse teaches the church leaders to care for the people they lead and give them the
right pasture which is the word of God.
 The discourse teaches the church to obey and listen to the commands of Jesus as a path to
enter the kingdom of God.
 By Jesus he was a good shepherd willing to die for his sheep. This enables modern
Christians to accept Jesus as the messiah who can lead them to eternal life.
 The discourse teaches Christian leaders to have intimate relationships with their followers
just as Christ said he knew his sheep and they also know him.
 The saying of I am the good shepherd by Jesus calls all Christians to always follow Jesus and
his instructions because he is the good shepherd who can lead us into God’s kingdom.
 The discourse or saying teaches the church leaders and followers to be in position of
separating or distinguishing false preachers from true preachers of word of God. Therefore
modern Christians should pray for God’s wisdom to enable them distinguish the false from
the true preachers.
 The saying reflects the element of repentance. Therefore modern Christians should be
careful or go for repentance as a way of preparing for God’s judgment.
 The discourse teaches about Jesus as the gate to the sheep therefore the church today should
have faith in Jesus because he is the gate way to the kingdom of God.
 The discourse shows that Jesus is ready to defend and protect his sheep therefore this calls
upon church leaders also to be ready to defend and protect other Christians from getting lost.

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 The discourse showed that Jesus came in order that people may have life in its fullness;
therefore both Christians and church leaders should on guard against the thieved who come
only to steal, kill and destroy.
 The church learns from the discourse that there is life after death; therefore modern
Christians should prepare for life after death as Jesus said that he is willing to give out his life
but he would receive it back again. (10:15)
 The I am the good shepherd discourse teaches about equality of all people; therefore the
believers today to promote equality of all persons because we are all equal before God.
 It teaches the church to believe in Jesus because he is wiling to give up his life for the sake of
the lost sheep.

ACCOUNT FOR THE FAILURE OF CHURCH LEADERS TO LIVE AS GOOD

SHEPHERDS TODAY
Many church leaders today have failed to live as good shepherds because of the following
reasons;
 Some church leaders involve in conflicts and for this reason they have failed to live as good
shepherds . For example pastor Serwadda and Bujingo.
 Some church leaders have failed to live as good shepherds because they involve in immoral
acts . For example it is alleged that pastor Yiga raped a woman in 2016, Fr. Musala and Pr.
Kayanja are homosexuals etc.
 Because some church leaders are corrupt . That is to say, they misuse church funds for
personal benefits.
 Because some church funds for personal benefits in their service to God and the people.
 Because some church leaders are false preachers and others even use demonic powers and
electric gadgets to perform miracles in Jesus’ name.
 Some of them misinterpret the gospel to suit their selfish interests.
 Some misrule the flock of God instead of guiding it with tender care.
 Because some of them live a luxurious life when their sheep are suffering with high poverty.
 Because they don’t show love to the flock as Christ did.
 Because some of them have divorced their marriage partners and married others which is
ungodly . For example pastor Kiganda divorced his wife.
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 Because some of them have mixed Christianity with politics whereas it is known that politics
is a dirty game.
 Because some of them fear to die for the flock.
 Because some of them have been victims of sexual immorality.
 Because some have commercialized church services . That is to say, they are greedy for
material wealth.
 Its because some lack genuine faith in God.

TO WHAT EXTENT CAN CHURCH LEADERS TODAY IN UGANDA BE

CONSIDERED AS GOOD SHEPHERDS?
Asses the role of the church leaders as good shepherds in Uganda today.
To a bigger/ larger extent, modern church leaders are considered to be good shepherds in Uganda
basing on the following facts;
 Many church leaders have put in more efforts to preach the gospel about Jesus in many parts
of the country and in some outside countries . For example Pastor Kayanja.
 Many church leaders have continued to show love to the Christians by giving them needs like
school fees and clothes . For example PR. Bugembe, Kayanja and Catholics.
 Many church leaders have continued to perform miracles in Jesus’ name of healing the sick .
For example father Magembe of Bukalango Christian centre.
 Some church leaders are considered good shepherds because they have formed organizations
helping the needy in the society . For exampleKulika Charity Organizations which offers
school fees for the bright and needy children under the Catholic Church.
 Many church leaders organize crusades to carryout massive preaching and this resulted into
the growth of Christian community in Uganda.
 They carry out missionary journeys to different parts of the country thus spreading the good
news and converting many to Christianity.
 Some church leaders have organized the composition of christen songs and hymns which
praise the Lord for example Fr. FX. Mbazira, Pr. Bugembe.

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 Many church leaders can be considered good shepherds because they have continued to live
exemplary lives to the flock, archi-Bishop Cyprian Kizito Lwanga of Rubaga Cathedral and
Stanley Ntagali of Namirembe.
 Many church leaders can be credited good shepherds in Uganda because they live a celibate
life so as to dedicate their life to the work of God . For example Pr. Bugembe etc.
 Many church leaders are considered good shepherds because they spare time and pray for the
sick in Jesus’ name.
 They call upon Christians to live a moral life as good shepherds.
 Many church leaders are considered good shepherds today because they continue to baptize
new converts in the name of Jesus.

However, to a smaller extent some church leaders have failed to live as good shepherds
because of the following evils they commit;
 Some church leaders promote divisionism in the church.
 Some are corrupt.
 Some are hypocrites in their work.
 Some are false preachers.
 Misinterpret the gospel for selfish interests.
 Some use demonic powers to perform miracles.
 Some live luxurious life at the expense of the poor.
 Some misrule the flock of God.
 Some have divorced their partners.
 Some have been victims of sexual immorality.

THE DISCOURSE OF “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND LIFE” (11:17-27)

1. Examine the meaning/ significance or relevance of jesus saying I am the resurrection in
John’s gospel.
2. Comment on the meaning of the discourse “I am the resurrection and life in the fourth
gospel.

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 I am the resurrection and life accompanied the sign of raising Lazarus to life and it raised
hostility towards Jesus from the Pharisees.
 The statement said by Jesus was an assurance to Martha that Lazarus would live again
because Jesus was the resurrection and life to all people.
 The statement reflected the I am statement in the Old Testament book of Exodus when God
said to Moses “I am” when Moses wanted to know God’s name.
 The discourse signified the divinity and generally divine authority of Jesus because he
claimed to have power to bring back people’s life after their death.
 The statement meant that Jesus is a source of life he gives to the dead as he did to Lazarus.
 When Jesus said this statement, it signified the importance of faith in him. Those who
believe in Jesus though they die physically they would still live eternally.
 The saying of Jesus “I am the resurrection and life” also pointed to the resurrection of Jesus
that would happen after his death.
 It also signified that Jesus was going to die shortly like the way Lazarus had died but he
would resurrect from death because he was the controller of his life.
 This I am saying pointed to the resurrection of believers who would believe in Jesus.
 The statement indicated that death is necessary. Jesus told Martha that even if one died he
would rise to life again.
 The discourse indicated that Jesus is the gate way to heaven. Those who die in his name are
capable of entering the kingdom of God.
 The statement clearly reveals who Jesus was that is the promised messiah.
 The statement and what happened after to Martha and those around like Jesus’ disciples
increased their faith in Christ.
 It also showed that Jesus is the son of God because he had the power over life and
resurrection and even Martha said he was the son god. 11:27)
 They saying and the miracle that Jesus performed thereafter signified that the ministry of
Jesus was universal.

HOW DO CHRISTIANS TODAY SHOW THAT THEY WILL RESURRECT AFTER

DEATH?
What do Christians do to prepare for resurrection/ judgment day?
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 Christians today have tried to prepare for resurrection or judgment day by going for baptism,
baptizing their children and also encouraging others to be baptized in Jesus’ name.
 Many Christians take up names of the saints who died long ago hoping they would give them
blessings in life to reach the judgment when they are also holy.
 Christians show that they will resurrect after death by carrying out continuous prayers for
themselves and their families and some pass these prayers through the names of the saints or
Uganda martyrs.
 Christians carryout memorial services to pray for those dead ones in their families and also
prepare their own way after death.
 The present Christians believe in the judgment day through celebrating the lord’s supper in
remembrance of Jesus’ death and resurrection.
 Many Christians today regularly go for repentance of sins to ask God for forgiveness and
prepare for judgment day.
 Christians show they will resurrect after death by also putting hope and belief in the parausia.
This they do through their preaching and their behaviours.
 Many Christians show that they will resurrect or believe in the resurrection by annually going
to holy places like Namugongo martyrs shrine every 3rd June each year. They do this to
remember the Uganda martyrs who died for the sake of Christianity.
 Many Christians believe they will resurrect and so honour the rent period and prepare to
celebrate the good Friday and Easter Sunday on which our Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins
but later resurrected.
 The Christians praise and worship the Lord on Saturdays and Sundays as a preparation for
life after death.
 The religious leaders have continued preaching the message about Jesus’ resurrection. This
shows that they are preparing themselves and the followers for resurrection after death.
 May Christians endure persecution and suffering with the hope that they will be rewarded
that is with resurrection after death.
 Christians show they will resurrect after death by living holy lives/ exemplary lives full of
praying and helping the needy.

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 Christians show that they will resurrect after death by construction of monuments for the
dead. These are commonly constructed around major worshipping places (churches) like at
the cathedral.

“I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE” (14:1-14)

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE I AM SAYING
 The saying signified that Jesus was the way to heaven when he said no one goes to the father
except by me.
 The I am saying signified that Jesus was the source of life.
 “I am the way, the truth and life” signified that Jesus was the son of God because he referred
to god as his father. (14:6)
 The statement signified that Jesus and God are the same. (14:10)
 The statement signified the spiritual blindness of Jesus’ apostles . That is to say, Philip asked
Jesus to show them his father, also Thomas said to Jesus that they did not know where Jesus
was going.
 The statement showed the messiahship of Jesus when he said t his disciples that there are
many rooms in his house, and he was going to spare a place for them which meant heaven.
 The statement signified that there is life after death. (14:2)
 The I am saying signified that Jesus Christ encouraged his followers to believers in him in
order for them to do greater things.
 It showed that Jesus was the provider when he said to his disciples that he will do whatever
they asked in his name. (14:13)
 The I am saying signified that Jesus was the servant of mankind. This is shown when he said
to his disciple that if they asked him for something in his name he will do it. (14:14)
 The statement said by Jesus also showed that Jesus was caring when he told his disciples that
they should not be worried and upset. (14:1)
 The statement signified the humanity of Jesus where he also had friends who were the
disciples like Philip.
 It signified the divinity of Jesus when he said that those who believe in me will do what he
did.

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LESSONS MODERN CHRISTIANS LEARN FROM THE ABOVE I AM SAYING
 I am saying teaches modern Christians to believe in Jesus since he is the source of life.
 Modern Christians learn to trust in Jesus since he is the source of life.
 Modern Christians learn to have faith in Jesus because he is the way to heaven.
 It signified that Jesus was the son of God, so modern Christians learn to obey him.
 The I am saying teaches modern Christians to anxiously wait for the second coming of Jesus
since he said he will come back and take his people so that they be where he will be. (14:3)
 The I am saying helps Christians to be obedient to Jesus.
 Learn to be servants of other people since Jesus also was a servant of mankind.
 The I am saying teaches modern Christians the importance of praying through Jesus Christ
because he is the only way to God.
 The I am saying helps modern Christians to ask anything they want from god through Jesus
Christ.
 Modern Christian also learn to be caring since also Jesus advised his disciples not to be
worried and upset.
 Modern Christians learn to respect God since he is divine.

THE IMPLICATION OF THE DISCOURSE “I AM THE TRUE VINE AND YOU ARE
THE BRANCHES” (15:1-16)
1. What was the implication of the discourse ‘I am the true vine” in the gospel of John?
2. “I am the true vine and my father in the gardener…..and you are the branches” (John
15:1,5). Explain the meaning of this statement
 Jesus referred to the metaphor vine to symbolize the idea of Israel as a nation.
 The term branches signified the followers of Jesus Christ.
 It means that Jesus is the true Israel of God planted by him.
 Essentially this refers to the idea of Eucharist/ Lord’s supper.
 It means that believers are supposed to bear good fruits so as to bring glory to God.
 It implied that Jesus Christ was the son of God.
 The statement signified the intimate relationship between Jesus with his disciples.
 So he called for love for one another just as he had loved them.
 The statement fulfilled the I am sayings of the Old Testament scriptures in Exodus 3.
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 It means that those who bear spiritual fruits will be rewarded.
 The statement means that Jesus Christ lays the foundation for the new community of
believers as the church.
 The I am saying signified that Jesus’ followers derive their life from him since he is the true
vine and they are the branches.
 It means that believers must continue to have life provided they remained united to Jesus and
abide by him.
 The statement implied the need to endure persecution because persecution would help the
church to grow.
 It means that it is through Jesus Christ that people bear good fruits.

TO WHAT EXTENT HAS THE CHURCH LIVED UP TO THE EXPECTATIONS OF

THE ABOVE DISCOURSE?
How far have modern Christians lived to the aspiration of this discourse?
To a larger extent, the church has lived to the expectation of the above discourse in the following
ways;
 Many Christians are faithful to God and abide by him.
 Many Christians do practice the love for one another.
 Many do take part in the Lord’s supper as a way of remembering his death and resurrection.
 Some Christians have lost their lives for the sake of the gospel like bishop Jonathan Luwumu
during the reign of the late president Idi Amin.
 Many Christians do carryout works of charity.
 Many Christians are devoted to prayer.
 Some Christians have decided to live a celibate life with the view of devoting their life to the
work of God.
 Some have continued to endure suffering and persecution for the sake of gospel.
 Many Christians do live exemplary lives.
 Many Christians do repent of their sins.
 Many Christians are preaching the gospel about Jesus.
 Many Christians are carrying out many missionary journeys.
 Many have performed miracles in Jesus’ name.
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 The unity among the Christians is a proof that they live to the expectation of the above.

However to a smaller extent, there are times when Christians have failed to live to the
expectations of the above discourse in the following ways;
 Some Christians are hypocrites . That is to say, they practice double standards.
 Some Christians live sexually immoral life yet they bear Christians names.
 Some Christians blasphemy the name of Jesus Christ.
 Some Christians are envious of people’s achievement.
 Some lack genuine faith in Jesus Christ.
 Some do consult witchdoctors.
 Some fail to take part in church sacraments like baptism and the lord’s supper.
 Some are too proud of themselves.
 Some misinterpret the bible for selfish motives.

GENERAL POINTS OF SIGNIFICANCE OF “I AM DISCOURSES”

D – directly referred to the personality of Jesus . That is to say, as who he was . For example
Jesus was the bread of life.
D – Divinity of Jesus/ divine authority/divine origin of Jesus . That is to say, Jesus was from
above.
H – Humanity of Jesus . That is to say, Jesus having a conversation with people referred to
himself as the son of man.
M – messiahship of Jesus.
F – Faith in Jesus .That is to say, importance of faith in Jesus.
E – Eternal life .That is to say, Jesus as the source of eternal life.
e. equal to God and Jesus as the same as god . That is to say, Jesus is equal to god and the same
as god.
L – Love of God for mankind revealed through Jesus.
O – Old testament scriptures fulfilled . That is to say, “I am who I am” in the book of Exodus
3:14)
O – Obedience of Jesus towards the will of God.
S – Son of God.
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I – initiative as the logos . That is to say, Jesus took the initiative as the logos in doing things.

THE USE OF THE PHRASE “I AM TELLING YOU THE TRUTH” IN THE GOSPEL
OF JOHN
1. The gospel of John commonly uses the phrase “I am telling you the truth….” Justify the
above statement.
2. Summarize the reference to the phrase “I am telling you the truth” as used in the gospel
of john.

Jesus commonly used the phrase “I am telling the truth” in the following ways;
 Jesus told Nathanael that “I am telling you the truth, you will see heaven open and God’s
angels going up and coming down on the son of man.
 Jesus told Nicodemus that “I am telling you the truth no one can see the kingdom of God
unless he is born again of water and the spirit.
 Jesus also told Nicodemus “I am telling you the truth we speak of what we know and report
what we have seen yet none of you is wiling to accept our message.
 Jesus said that “ I am telling you the truth, the son can do nothing on his own he does only
what he sees his father doing.
 Jesus said that “I a telling you the truth, whoever hears my words and believes in him who
sent me has eternal life.
 Jesus also taught that “I am telling you the truth he who believes has eternal life”.
 Jesus told his disciples “I am telling you the truth, one of you is going to betray me”.
 Jesus assured the people that “ I am telling the truth, before Abraham was born I am”
 Jesus assured Peter that “ I am telling you the truth, it is better for you that I go away because
if I don’t go, the helper will not come to you.
 Jesus comforted his disciples that “ I am telling you the truth, the father will give you what
you ask for in my name”.
 Jesus said that “I am telling you the truth, whoever obeys my teaching will never die”.
 Jesus comforted his disciples that “I am telling you the truth, you will cry, weep but the
world will be glad, you will be sad but your sadness will turn into gladness”.

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 Jesus told the crowd that “I am telling you the truth, whoever believes in me will even do
greater things because am going back to the father.
 Jesus assured Peter that “I am telling you the truth, before the cock crows you will say three
times that you do not know me”.
 Jesus also told Peter that “I am telling you the truth, when you were young, you used to get
ready and go anywhere you wanted to but when you are old you will stretch out your hands.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE USE OF THE PHRASE “I AM TELLING YOU THE

TRUTH”
1. Explain the significance of Jesus’ use of the phrase “I am telling you the truth”.
2. Comment on the meaning of Jesus’ use of the phrase “I am telling you the truth” in the
gospel of john.
 The phrase was referring to who Jesus was and his divine origin.
 The phrase implied God’s open relation that Jesus was the promised messiah.
 The phrase signified that Jesus was the source of eternal life.
 It signified the importance of faith . That is to say, believing in Jesus as a means of getting
eternal life.
 The phrase signified that Jesus was the son of God . That is to say, he referred to God as his
father.
 The phrase showed Jesus is greater than Abraham.
 Jesus is the gateway to the kingdom of God . That is to say, he is the gateway for the sheep.
 Jesus is a servant of mankind . That is to say, no slave is greater than his master.
 It helped to reveal his betrayer to his fellow disciple.
 The phrase signified that the Holy Spirit would come after the departure of Jesus from the
physical world.
 It showed the importance of prayer . That is to say, whoever asks from God, he would answer
his prayer.
 The phrase signified the importance of the Eucharist . That is to say, one had had to eat the
flesh of Jesus and drink his blood.
 It signified that Jesus existed before the creation of the world . That is to say, he existed
before Abraham.
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 The phrase shows Jesus as a prophet . That is to say, he prophesied the betrayal of Judas and
the denial of Peter which came to reality.

THE IDEA OF WITNESS TO JESUS AS THE SON OF GOD IN JOHN’S GOSPEL (5:30-
47)
1. Examine the various witnesses to Jesus Christ in the gospel of John.
2. Discuss the theme of witness to Jesus in the fourth gospel.

The theme of witness is common in john’s gospel, which means that what Jesus Christ said and
did is true and was a proof that he was the son of God.

There are seven witnesses to Jesus Christ as the son of God in John’s gospel namely;
1. John the Baptist
2. Jesus Christ himself
3. God the father
4. The Old Testament scriptures especially those of Moses.
5. The deeds of Jesus Christ/signs.
6. The disciples of Jesus
7. The holy spirit

1. John the Baptist testified that Jesus was the son of God as well as the lamb of God who takes
away the sins of the world and that Jesus was far greater than him because he existed before
he was born.
2. Jesus also testified on his behalf that he was the son of God and that is why he normally
referred to god father lie during the discourse of “I am good shepherd and the washing of the
disciples’ feet.
3. God the father bore witness to Jesus as his son like during the baptism of Jesus, he sent the
Holy Spirit in form of a dove to identify him as his son before John the Baptist.
4. The old testament scriptures especially those of Moses bore witness to Jesus as the son of
God like in the book of Deuteronomy (18:15)
5. The deeds of Jesus including the seven signs testified that Jesus was the son of God namely;
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  The feeding of the 5000 people on two fish and five loaves of bread.
 The turning water into wine at the wedding at Cana.
 The walking on water towards his disciples.
 The healing of the cripple at the pool of bathzertha on the Sabbath.
 The healing of a man who had been born blind on the Sabbath.
 The raising of Lazarus to life.
 The healing of the Roman official’s son.
 The cleansing of the temple was a proof that he was the son of God.
 The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem was a public act that he was the messiah,
the son of God.
 The resurrection of Jesus from death.

6. The disciples of Jesus also bore witness to Jesus as the son of God namely;
 Andrew found Peter his brother and told him that they had found the son of God/
messiah.
 Phillips found Nathanael and told him that they had found the one whom Moses quote
about in the law and whom the prophets wrote about.
 Nathanael confessed that Jesus was the son of God as well as the lion of Israel.
 Peter confessed that Jesus was the holy one from God who had words that give eternal
life.
 Thomas confessed that Jesus was the Lord and God.
 John the beloved disciple bore witness to Jesus as the messiah the son of God.
 The Samaritan woman bore witness to Jesus as a prophet as well as the messiah when she
called other Samaritans to come and see him.
 Martha confessed that Jesus was the messiah who was to come to this world.
 The man who had been healed from his blindness testified before the Pharisees that Jesus
a prophet also claimed that unless Jesus from God he would not be able to perform
miracles.

7. The Holy Spirit bore witness to Jesus as the son of God . That is to say, he was to reveal the
truth about God and speak with authority from God.
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HOW DO CHRISTIANS WITNESS FOR JESUS IN THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS IN
UGANDA TODAY?
Explain the various ways in which a Christian can bear witness to Jesus Christ today.
 A Christian can bear witness to Jesus Christ by baptizing new converts in Jesus’ name.
 By praying to God through Jesus’ name.
 By praying for one another like praying for the sick.
 By performing miracles in the name of Jesus.
 By taking part in the Lord’s supper to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus.
 By going for day and night fellowships.
 By living an exemplary life which can attract people to Jesus Christ.
 By visiting the sick in hospitals and prisoners.
 By carrying on missionary journeys.
 By continuing to preach the gospel about him.
 By carrying out charitable works.
 By endurance of suffering and persecution.
 By promoting the spirit of love to one another.
 Composing Christian songs and hymns.

THE DISCOURSES/ DIALOGUES IN THE FOURTH GOSPEL

JESUS AND NICODEMUS (3:1-21)
Man known as Nicodemus of Sanhedrin (Jewish rulers visited Jesus at night at a time when Jesus
was still in Jerusalem.

DISCUSS THE SIGNIFICANCE/ RELEVANCE/ IMPORTANCE OF THE DISCOURSE

BETWEEN JESUS AND NICODEMUS ABOUT BEING BORN IN THE FOURTH
GOSPEL.
 Nicodemus was a Pharisee and an influential man (teacher) implying that not all Pharisees
were against Jesus Christ.
 The conversation signified that salvation was for all kinds of people who come to Jesus.
Jesus was willing to accept anyone who came to him.
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 The discourse indicated that Jesus was the promised messiah. He said that god had sent him
to be a savior of the world and Nicodemus also referred to Jesus as a teacher sent by God.
 Nicodemus’ conversation with Jesus signified the importance of faith in Jesus Christ as a
means of getting eternal life. (3:15-16)
 The love of God for mankind was revealed through Jesus Christ by accepting to have a
dialogue with Nicodemus a Jewish ruler.
 Jesus telling Nicodemus to be born again implied the need for repentance as a way of
entering the kingdom of God.
 Similarly when Jesus told Nicodemus to be born again it implied that Nicodemus had to be
baptized by the power of the holy spirit and water instead of physical birth.
 In the conversation Jesus told Nicodemus that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he
is born again. This signified that baptism is a condition for entering the kingdom of God.
 The conversation gave a chance to Jesus to teach about the meaning and importance of
baptism to Nicodemus who seemed not to have been understanding it.
 The conversation taught about the humanity of Jesus Christ. He used the title son of man to
show that he was a human being too.
 The discourse pointed to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He said that the son of
man must be lifted up which meant his death and resurrection.
 In the discourse the divinity of Jesus was revealed. Nicodemus said he was a teacher sent by
God and the miracles he was performing were because God was with him.
 The discourse proved the spiritual immaturity of Nicodemus. He failed to understand the
meaning of being born again and asked Jesus how a grown up man could go back to his
mother’s womb and be born again.
 The discourse indicated that Jesus is a source of everlasting life and whoever believes in him
would have life.
 Nicodemus visited Jesus at night so the term darkness symbolized evil and ignorance he had
together with his fellow Jewish rulers.
 The conversation signified that the coming of Jesus to the world is judgment to the world. In
other words Jesus was teaching Nicodemus to be prepared for the judgment day.
 The discourse taught that becoming a Christian is by God’s grace because the wind blew
where it wills and knows where it comes from and where it goes.
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JUSTIFY NICODEMUS’ MEETING JESUS LATE IN THE NIGHT IN THE FOURTH
GOSPEL.
Account for the encounter of Nicodemus and Jesus late in the evening in john’s gospel.
There are various reasons assumed as to why Nicodemus had to meet Jesus late in the night;
 Nicodemus met Jesus at night because not all Pharisees were against Jesus so being one of
the few who followed Jesus’ teachings he decided to visit him at night to get the word of
God.
 It could have been a divine plan or call of God to Nicodemus to go late at night to meet
Jesus.
 Nicodemus being one of the great Jewish rulers he could have been very busy during the day
therefore he only spared time at night to visit Jesus.
 Nicodemus visited Jesus at night probably because Jesus could have been very busy during
day time to easily be accessed by Nicodemus.
 The gospel of Jesus Christ generally spread moving from one house to another. This could
also be a reason why Nicodemus planned to visit Jesus late at night because he was not
always moving with him.
 Nicodemus could have been attracted to Jesus by the supernatural powers that Christ used to
perform various signs.
 Nicodemus met Jesus late at night may be because he wanted a private discuss between him
and Jesus.
 Nicodemus decided to meet Jesus at night because he could have feared being publically
noticed by his fellow Pharisees who did not support the teachings of Jesus Christ.
 Nicodemus could have feared being interrogated by his fellow Pharisees if they had seen
him.
 Nicodemus moving late at night to meet Jesus was an element of symbolism . That is to say,
he wanted to move from darkness to light.
 Nicodemus met Jesus late at night may be because he was a secret follower of Jesus Christ
and he was not willing to reveal his identity to others.
 Nicodemus could have wanted to know what to do in order to enter the kingdom of God.

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 Nicodemus could have wanted to get a deeper meaning and explanation from Jesus Christ
about his ministry.
 Nicodemus met Jesus late at night may be that was the time God revealed his call to him and
was sent to meet Jesus.
 Meeting Jesus Christ at night could have been the convenient time for Nicodemus and Jesus
Christ himself to have a sharing.

LESSONS OF JESUS AND NICODEMUS’ DIALOGUE/ CONVERSATION TO

MODERN CHRISTIANS
 Christians learn to have faith in Jesus Christ like Nicodemus showed faith who went to Jesus
for construction because he showed faith in hm.
 The conversation teaches Christians to respond to God’s call positively unlike Nicodemus
who had doubts over how one could go back to his mother’s womb and be born again.
 The discourse teaches modern Christians to be ready to be born again so as to enter the
kingdom of God.
 The discourse teaches Christians especially the religious leaders to preach the massage of
baptism to all people as Jesus taught Nicodemus as a Jewish traditional ruler.
 The conversation calls upon Christians to repent their sins in order to enter the kingdom of
their God. When Jesus told Nicodemus to be born again he was calling upon him for
repentance.
 The conversation shows the message of hope, modern Christians should have hope for
eternal life.
 In the discourse Nicodemus is shown to have heard confidence when approaching Jesus;
therefore this shows that modern Christians should have confidence and trust in Jesus when
approaching him.
 The conversation teaches modern Christians to be ready to meet Jesus Christ at any time
whether they are sick or okay as Nicodemus decided to meet Jesus even at night.
 From the discourse Christians learn to live holy lives as they prepare for the judgment day.
 The conversation teaches Christians that Christ is the messiah. This is evidenced when
Nicodemus said that jesus is a teacher sent by god.

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 The discourse shows Christians that there was a spirit of love for one another between
Nicodemus and Jesus. Therefore modern Christians are called upon to extend their spirit of
love even to their enemies.
 The discourse indicates hope for life after death, so Christians should have hope for
resurrection which Christ was also teaching Nicodemus.
 From the discourse Christians can learn to honour and respect Jesus because he was the
exalted one in heaven.
 The discourse between Jesus and Nicodemus teaches Christians today to accept the light of
Jesus Christ in order to have reconciliation.
 Modern Christians learn to have desire for spiritual renewal as Nicodemus desired from Jesus
Christ.
 The conversation teaches modern Christians to seek for the kingdom of God as Nicodemus
also went to Jesus trying to know more about the kingdom of God.

WHAT DID JESUS MEAN BY SAYING “NO ONE CAN ENTER THE KINGDOM OF
GOD UNLESS HE IS BORN AGAIN”?
By Jesus saying so, it meant the following;
 Jesus meant that physical birth id not enough for one to enter the kingdom of God. Instead
one has to be born of the spirit and water in order to enter the kingdom of God.
 The statement meant that one has to be renewed by forsaking/ foregoing his sinful nature on
earth in order to enter the kingdom of God.
 The saying of Jesus meant that one has to put on a new creature of God as to see him to be
purified and to be holy.
 In other words the saying of Jesus no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born
again meant one to be ready to be crucified with Christ.
 The statement meant a call to surrender our lives to Jesus Christ so as for him to live in us.
 No one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born again meant to receive te power of
holy spirit from God.
 This saying of Jesus called upon spiritual regeneration for believers. In other words one had
to be spiritually renewed in order to enter the kingdom of God.

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 It meant one had to receive baptism as a sign of being born again in order to enter the
kingdom of God.
 In the statement Jesus meant that people should have complete faith in him in order to enter
the kingdom of God.
 Jesus said so which meant showing his messiahship that he could determine a person who
can enter the kingdom of God.
 It meant to Nicodemus and others to come out of the enslavement of the law so as to accept
Jesus Christ.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE DIALOGUE BETWEEN JOHN AND JESUS (3:22-36)

 Signified the spiritual blindness of Jesus’ disciples.
 Showed Jesus as a teacher/ rabbi.
 Signified Jesus/ God as a provider.
 Showed that john the Baptist was not the messiah he was just preparing way for him/messiah.
 Showed that Jesus was from heaven not on earth.
 The dialogue signified the importance of team work when john Baptist also had disciples.
(3:25)
 The bridegroom was Jesus and the friend of the bride was John the Baptist.
 It signified that Jesus had so many followers (3:26) and also believed in him.
 It signified that Jesus was a son of God and through him he got powers he used on earth.
 Jesus is seen as the source of life. (3:36)
 It signified the importance of baptism.

LESSONS CHRISTIANS TODAY LEARN FROM THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE

CONVERSATION BETWEEN JOHN AND JESUS
 The dialogue teaches modern Christians to have more trust in Jesus unlike the disciples who
shown signs of spiritual blindness by arguing with a Jew about the matter of ritual washing.
 The dialogue teaches modern Christians to give high respect to their religious leaders and
other elders in society as the disciples called Jesus rabbi meaning great teacher.
 Modern Christians learn to ask God to provide them with necessities whenever they are in
need.
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 Religious leaders today learn from John the Baptist to keep respect to Jesus who
acknowledged that he was not the messiah but had been sent ahead to prepare the way for the
coming of the messiah.
 The discourse shows that Christians should put much trust in Christ Jesus because he comes
from heaven and more linked with the father.
 John the Baptist having disciples in his ministry teaches modern religious leaders also to
choose some people to help them in carrying out the ministry of Jesus so as to reduce the
burden.
 The dialogue between Jesus and John teaches modern Christians to prepare some people in
their ministry who can be their fore runners in spreading the gospel to different parts of the
world as John did for Jesus.
 It teaches modern Christians to have trust and faith in Jesus all the time as that faith shown
by the people who went to him in big numbers for baptism.
 The discourse teaches modern Christians to seek for God’s providence and power by
believing in his son Jesus Christ who has the power to do all things.
 The baptism of John and Jesus in river Jordan teaches modern Christian leaders to encourage
followers to go for baptism, like the many people who went to Jesus.
 The discourse shows Jesus as a source of life, therefore modern Christians should put their
trust in Jesus as the source of eternal life.

THE DISCOURSE BETWEEN JESUS AND THE SAMARITAN WOMAN 4:1-42)

1. Comment on the meaning/ implication/ significance of the conversation between Jesus
and the Samaritan woman in the fourth gospel.
2. Analyse the importance of the encounter between Jesus and the Samaritan woman in
the gospel of John.

 The discourse signified the ministry of Jesus was universal. By talking with the Samaritan
woman about the kingdom of God. It indicated that Jesus was a universal savior for both
Jews and Samaritans.
 It indicated the divinity of Jesus. He was able to tell the woman as a prophet all what had
happen to her in life . For example having been married to over 5 men.
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 The conversation proved the humanity of Jesus. He got tired and thirsty, sat by Jacob’s well
and then asked for a drink of water from the Samaritan woman at around noon time.
 The conversation signified the equality of all sexes before Jesus. Jews despised woman yet
Jesus respected this woman by having a long conversation with her.
 It signified the lack of understanding of the disciples of Jesus (spiritual blindness). Its noted
in 4:27 that they got surprised when they found Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman.
 In the conversation, the messiahship of Jesus is revealed. Many Samaritans confessed that
Jesus was the messiah after being told by the woman. (4:39-40)
 The conversation showed the strong faith the Samaritan woman had in Jesus at a later stage
because she left everything behind to follow Jesus Christ.
 The conversation showed that later the woman a disciple of Jesus who had because she called
upon other Samaritans to come and see Jesus who had told everything in her life. (4:28-29)
 The discourse signified that Jesus was a prophet as confessed by the Samaritan woman that
he could be the messiah. (4:29)
 In the conversation the five husbands the woman had, had a doubt meaning like it could
mean the woman was too immoral or it meant the different gods that the Samaritans
worshipped.
 The conversation proved Jesus as the source of eternal life he said to the woman that he gives
life giving water. (4:10)
 Water in the well of Jacob symbolically stands for the idea of baptism or it symbolizes the
religion of Judaism that was ineffective so the living water that Jesus was to give to the
woman implied being baptized to Christianity.
 When Jesus promises life giving water it implied that he is greater than Jacob one of the
ancestors of the Israelites who owned the well where the woman was found.
 The disciples of Jesus begged hi m to have something to eat but answered he had food to eat.
This implied that he had no need for physical food but his relation with God could satisfy
him. (4:31-32)
 The conversation signified the need to change one’s heart as the Samaritan woman had done.
 It signified the need to worship one true God the almighty instead of worshipping gods.
 The conversation also exposed the lack of understand of the Samaritan woman. She did not
understand the meaning of life giving water.
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 The woman going back to the town and telling other people what had happened to her taught
the need for people who come to Jesus not to fear sharing their experience with others.

ANALYSE THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT LED JESUS TO HAVE A

CONVERSATION WITH THE SAMARITAN WOMAN IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN
 When Jesus was moving from Judea to Galilee he had to go through the territory of Samaria.
 In Samaria he came to a town named Sychar which was not far from the field that Jacob had
given to his son Joseph and this continued Jacob’s well.
 Jesus was tired out by the journey and so sat down by the well at around noon. This also
showed the humanity of Jesus.
 Later a woman came to draw water and she was a Samaritan.
 Thirsty as he was Jesus asked the Samaritan woman to give him a drink of water which also
signified that Jesus had human character.
 The Samaritan woman’s response to Jesus was that Jesus was a Jew and Samaritans do not
share the same cups and bawls with Jews. This showed that the woman had spiritual
blindness about Jesus’ true nature.
 The Samaritan even informed Jesus that it was Jacob who gave them that well and wondered
whether Jesus was claiming to be greater than Jacob. But Jesus told her that whoever drinks
on water from Jacob’s well would still be thirsty again.
 Jesus then told the woman that if only she knew what God gives and who it is that is asking
for water to drink, then he would give her life giving water.
 The woman even told Jesus that he did not even have a bucket and the well was deep, then
how would Jesus get the life giving water. But Jesus assured her that whoever drinks the
water that he give would never be thirsty again instead would gain eternal life. Then the
woman requested him to give her that life giving water so as never to be thirsty again. (4:15)
 After words Jesus sent the woman to bring her husband but she claimed had none because
she had been married to five husbands and the one she was with currently was not her
husband implying the woman was too immoral.
 When the woman was told her life background, she realized that Jesus was a prophet (4:19)
because he told her the truth.

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 The woman told Jesus that the Samaritan ancestors worshipped God on that very mountain
that wondered why the Jews claimed that Jerusalem was the place where to worship God
from. Jesus then told the woman that time was coming when people could not worship God
either on that mountain or Jerusalem but worship only one true God.
 The woman also confessed to Jesus that she knew the messiah was to come and when he
comes he would tell them everything but at this moment Jesus told her he was the messiah
showing open revelation of his messiahship.
 The disciples of Jesus who had gone to the town to get food, then came back found Jesus
with the woman but said nothing.
 Shortly the woman left the water jar with Jesus and went back to the town where he told
people about the messiah he had seen. Many Samaritans came back with her believed in
Jesus and even requested him to stay with them for at least two more days which showed that
the gospel had been accepted.

APPLICATION OF THE DISCOURSE BETWEEN JESUS AND THE SAMARITAN

WOMAN TO MODERN CHRISTIANS
What is the significance of the discourse of Jesus and the Samaritan woman to modern
Christians?
 The discourse teaches modern Christians to live holy lives instead of immoral lives.
 The conversation shows that Samaritans worshipped many gods therefore modern Christians
should worship only one true God the almighty.
 The discourse teaches Christians to go to Jesus for salvation as the Samaritan woman did
after knowing that Jesus was the promised messiah.
 The discourse indicates that Jesus was universal; therefore modern Christians should promote
equality among persons regardless of race and background.
 The conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman teaches modern Christians to have
love for one another like Jesus showed love to the Samaritan woman however much she was
adulterous.
 Modern Christians learn to go to Jesus seeking him for eternal life as he promised it to the
Samaritan woman.

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 Christians today learn to confess their sins as a way of speaking the truth like the Samaritan
woman acknowledged that she no longer had a husband.
 The conversation teaches modern Christians about the messiahship of Jesus; therefore they
should give honour to him.
 The discourse calls on Christians to become disciples of Jesus Christ by telling the good
news about him to others and taking them to Jesus like the Samaritan woman did by inviting
other people to Christ.
 The conversation shows the hospitality of the people (Samaritans) to hear the good news
about Christ. Therefore modern Christians are called upon to be hospitable and also accept
invitations by others intended to spread the word of God like Jesus stayed for two more days
with the Samaritans.
 Christians learn to associate with al kinds of people regardless of sex and race. Jesus showed
this example by associating with both men and women and even with Samaritans.
 The conversation indicates that the Samaritan woman changed her behaviors of adultery, so
modern Christians should be ready to repent their sins for God is ever ready to forgive them.
 The discourse teaches modern Christians to depend on God as the provider just as Jesus’
food was his relationship with God.
 Christians learn to abandon earthly things in favour of heavenly things like then woman left
the jar of water she came with and then went to town and called other people to witness
Jesus.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF DISCOURSES/ ALLEGORIES/ DIALOGUES IN JOHN’S

GOSPEL
1. Analyse the use of discourses in the gospel of John.
2. Comment on the meaning of discourses as used by Jesus in the fourth gospel.
 Discourses were length discussions or conversations between Jesus and his followers.
 Discourses were the common methods of teaching the message about God by Jesus in the
gospel of John.
 Discourses were the equivalent of parables in Mark’s gospel . That is to say, Jesus taught in
parables in Mark while in John he taught by use of discourses.

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 They used to start as ordinary conversations between Jesus and an individual but gradually
developed into theological ideas/ debates. They mainly included the conversation between
Jesus and the Samaritan woman and Jesus with Nicodemus.
 Discourses helped Jesus to take the initiatives as the logos in saving the individual like Jesus
asked the Samaritan woman, for water so as to give her eternal life.
 Allegories created a personal relationship between Jesus and the individual involved like the
Samaritan woman became a disciple of Jesus and even went to the town and called many
other people to witness Christ.
 Discourses contained a lot of symbolism . For example in the conversation between Jesus
and Nicodemus water stood for the idea of baptism.
 The dialogues were more effective in winning followers to Jesus than parables because in
discourses the person could ask for any clarification from Jesus and get a quick reply.
 The use of discourses showed Jesus associating with even the least respected people in the
society like the conversation with the Samaritan woman.
 The discourses revealed the humanity of Jesus like in the conversation of Jesus and the
Samaritan woman it noted that he was tired and thirsty that’s why he asked for some drinking
water from the woman.
 They revealed the divinity of Jesus like Nicodemus realized that Jesus was a teacher sent by
God and even the Samaritan woman realized that Jesus was a prophet or a messiah.
 The allegories helped to reveal the love of God for mankind revealed through Jesus Christ.
Because the woman believed in many gods Jesus promised her to give everlast water
meaning he wanted her to believe in him/ come to Christianity.
 Discourses were used by Jesus to challenge his opponents who celebrated the feast of
dedication. Nicodemus was a Pharisee who celebrated such feasts contrary to Christianity
but came to Jesus.
 The discourses also revealed the lack of understanding of Jesus’ disciples and the audience.
For example the disciples of Jesus wondered when they came back from the town to look for
food and found Jesus talking with the Samaritan woman.
 The allegories used by Jesus were a reflection of what was taking place in the church during
the time of Jesus. That’s why he called upon people like Nicodemus to be born again in
order to enter the kingdom of God.
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 The conversations helped Jesus’ audience to have a better knowledge about the kingdom of
God. For instance Jesus told the Samaritan woman that he gives life giving water implying
that whoever believes in him receives eternal life.
 They helped Jesus to introduce important sacraments to his audience like the idea of baptism
was introduced in the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus.
 The discourse reflected fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures like the conversation
between Jesus and Nicodemus and between Jesus and the Samaritan woman brought out the
idea of Jesus as the bread of life.
 Discourses showed a contrast (misunderstanding between heavenly issues and worldly
issues. For instance the Samaritan woman was practicing adultery which was against the
biblical teaching of marriage that is supposed to be monogamous.

However discourses had limitations/disadvantages that are noted below;

 The conversations involved a lot of symbolism which made it hard to understand by Jesus’
audience. For example when Jesus told Nicodemus to be born again Nicodemus wondered
how he could go back to his mother’s womb to be born again.
 The dialogues were theological and philosophical in nature and so required deeper thinking
and reasoning in order to understand him like the Samaritan woman did not understand the
kind of life giving water Jesus offered.
 The discourses were lengthy in nature so required a lot of patience and attention. This could
at times bore the listeners, confuse Jesus’ listeners.
 The use of discourses was a slower method of preaching the message about the kingdom of
God as compared to parables. This was because they used to involve a few people with
Jesus.
 The discourse could bring open hostility to Jesus because he directly challenged his
opponents like the Jewish rulers who did not understand the law.
 Discourses were majorly dominated by Jesus with Jesus little input from the listeners like
Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. So sometimes they could get bored.
 The conversation revealed lack of faith of Jesus’ audience . For example the disciples were
amazed when they found Jesus conversing with the Samaritan woman.

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 The discourses hardly gave Jesus enough time for resting as he was kept busy all the time .
For example Nicodemus visited him late at night and even the Samaritan woman interrupted
Jesus when he was resting near Jacob’s well.
 Generally discourses were tedious and time wasting because Jesus could take a lot of time
explaining abstract things to the listeners like explaining to Nicodemus how to be born again.
 Discourses could lead Jesus to accused of blasphemy for example the discourse at the
dedication of the temple where people wanted to stone Jesus because of claiming to be a son
of God.
Revision questions
1. Assess the role of discourses in the ministry of Jesus according to the gospel of John.
2. Examine the advantages and disadvantages of Jesus’ use of discourses in the fourth
gospel.

REASONS WHY JESUS USED DISCOURSES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Account for Jesus’ use of discourses in the fourth gospel.
 Jesus used discourses because they were the commonest method of teaching.
 Jesus used discourses because hey could easily create a personal relationship between him
and the individuals involved . For example he became a close friend with Nicodemus and the
Samaritan woman.
 The use of discourse by Jesus was due to the fact that it could create more disciples than the
parable in Mark’s gospel indeed the Samaritan woman became a good disciple went to town
to tell other people to witness Jesus.
 The discourses were used by Jesus in the fourth gospel because they helped him to take the
initiatives of seeking mankind easily. He did to Nicodemus by telling him to be born again.
 Jesus used discourses because he wanted to have an ordinary conversation with various
individuals however the conversation could later shift into theological.
 Jesus wanted to have conversations with all categories of people including the least expected
one like women.
 Jesus used discourses in the fourth gospel because they could enable the individuals to ask
from him questions directly and got immediate clarification.

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 Jesus used discourses because he wanted to reveal his humanity to his followers . For
example he begged the woman for water to drink because he was feeling thirst as a human
being.
 Jesus used discourses because he wanted to reveal his divinity because he told the Samaritan
woman that he gives life giving water.
 Jesus used discourses because he wanted to reveal his messiahship to the people who were
involved. He told the Samaritan woman that indeed he was the messiah.
 Messiah used dialogues because he wanted to challenge his opponents (Jewish rulers) who
did not believe in his divinity.
 He used discourses because he wanted to review the spiritual blindness of his disciples and
save people who were involved. To the Samaritan woman at first did not know Jesus was the
messiah and even the disciples showed their spiritual blindness by wondering why Jesus was
speaking with the Samaritan woman.
 Jesus wanted to show the love of God for mankind revealed through him . That is to say, he
requested Nicodemus to be born again in order to enter the kingdom of God.
 Jesus used discourse aiming at introducing important sacraments to his audience like baptism
and lord’s supper.
 He wanted to expose what was happening in the church at that time like sexual immorality
which the Samaritan woman was practicing.
 The use of discourses by Jesus was intended to preach the message about the message about
the kingdom of God.

THE TEACHING ON EUCHARIST IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

Examine the teaching on Eucharist in the gospel of john
 In john’s gospel, Jesus does not directly inaugurate the institution of Eucharist as it is in
Mark’s gospel.
 At Cana the new wine symbolized the Eucharist blood of Jesus.
 The new wine would satisfy all the needs of people.
 The feeding of the five thousand people has an element of Eucharist.
 Before the bread was distributed, Jesus took it and gave thanks to God which implied
Eucharist.
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 He fed them on five loaves of bread and two fish which represented his body.
 As people ate the Eucharistic bread and fish, it symbolized the taking of life of the spirit .
That is to say, eternal life.
 Jesus said that they would feed on his flesh of the Eucharist.
 Jesus is the bread of life which gives spiritual nourishment to his followers.
 Eating his flesh and drinking his blood are the source of eternal life.
 Whoever eats his flesh and drinks his blood lives in Jesus and likewise Jesus lives in him.
 This implied believing in Jesus who satisfies all hunger and thirst.
 And Jesus lives in him by the power of the spiritual meal.
 His body is the divine bread that came down from heaven.
 It is different from the bread that the Jewish ancestors ate but later died.
 This new Eucharist bread of Jesus brings eternal life.
 Thus Jesus is the bread of life in Eucharist.
 It as superior to the manna of the Exodus event which the Israelites were fed on.
 When Jesus appeared to the disciples at Lake Tiberius, the meal they had of bread and fish
was a sign of Eucharist.

WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SYMBOLS OF BREAD AND WINE TO

CHRISTIANS TODAY?
Bread and wine are symbols taken during Holy Communion.
 They symbolize the love of Jesus who died for the sins of mankind.
 They are symbols of salvation.
 They point out the cost of the salvation of mankind that Jesus paid through his death.
 Bread symbolizes the body of Jesus which was crucified on the cross.
 Wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus that he shed on the cross.
 They are symbols of the new covenant made between mankind and God, sealed with the
blood of Jesus.
 They call upon Christians to have reverence for Jesus as the son of God.
 They call upon Christians to have the spiritual nourishment that Jesus gives.
 They point to the heavenly banquet that Jesus’ followers would enjoy.

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 They symbolize the death of Jesus.
 They symbolize Jesus as the living Lord as we take his flesh and drink his blood.
 They give Christians the hope for resurrection.
 They give Christians the hope for the parausia.
 They are symbols of unity and equality among Christians.
 They call upon the Christians to live holy lives.
 They call upon the Christians to repent of their sins before taking part in the lord’s supper
“THERE IS A LOT OF SYMBOLISM ATTACHED TO BAPTISM AND
EUCHARIST IN JOHN’S GOSPEL”. JUSTIFY.
Yes there is a lot of symbolism attached to the baptism in the following ways;
 John the Baptist was baptizing people preparing them for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
 The disciples of Jesus were baptizing concurrently with John the Baptist.
 The Samaritan woman is told of water giving everlasting life . That is to say, baptism through
Jesus.
 During the washing of the disciples’ feet, water in a basin symbolized baptism.
 While on the cross, water came out of Jesus which was a symbol of baptism.
 Water in the well of Jacob symbolized the idea of baptism.
 Nicodemus was told by Jesus that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of
water and the spirit, implied baptism.

There is symbolism attached to Eucharist in the following ways;

 The wedding at Cana, the water turned into wine symbolized the idea of Eucharist.
 The feeding of the five thousand people, Jesus said that he was the bread of life implying the
idea of Eucharist.
 The blood that Jesus shed while at the cross after being pierced by the soldier was
symbolizing the idea of Eucharist.
 In the epilogue of John’s gospel, Jesus ordered his disciples to eat the fish and bread
symbolizing the idea of Eucharist.
 Jesus as a good shepherd, he feeds the followers on spiritual food.

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REASONS WHY MARY ANOINTED JESUS AT BETHANY (12:1-8)
1. Account for the anointing of Jesus by Mary in the gospel of John.
2. Justify the anointing of Jesus by Mary in the gospel of John.
 Mary anointed Jesus to show that he was the king of Israel before he could enter Jerusalem as
the royal city.
 It was to show that he was the expected messiah. That is to say, this act of anointing was
reserved for the Jewish kings.
 It was to prepare Jesus for his death and burial ahead of him.
 It was to show the lack of understanding of the disciples of Jesus especially Judas Iscariot,
because he rebuked for having wasted the expensive perfume.
 It was to show the greatness of Jesus . That is to say, Mary had realized how great Jesus was
and that is why she anointed hi with expensive perfume.
 It was to show the love that Mary had towards Jesus Christ.
 It was to show that Jesus was a human being who could appreciate the good things done for
him.
 It was to show that Jesus was going to pay heavily for the sins of mankind, to save them just
as the expensive perfume was used to anoint him.
 It was to show that Judas Iscariot was an agent of Satan and that is why he rebuked Mary for
having used an expensive perfume to anoint Jesus.
 It was to show the need for total surrender . That is to say, Mary had spent everything she
had on buying the expensive perfume to anoint Jesus.
 It was to elevate the position of women in the Jewish society . That is to say, Jesus broke the
negative Jewish culture attitude towards women.
 It was to show that the love for money was the cause of temptations like the one Judas
Iscariot had.
 It was to show that those who went to achieve earthly things like Judas Iscariot always fail in
their quest for heavenly glory.
 It was to show the respect and honour that Mary had for Jesus.

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 IMPORTANCE/ SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SYMBOLS OF WATER, BREAD AND
LIGHT IN JOHN’S GOSPEL
1. Discuss the significance of the symbols of water, bread and light in john’s gospel.
2. Show how water, bread and light are used to convey spiritual truth in John’s gospel.
3. What is the symbolic meaning of water, bread and light in John’s gospel?
The significance of water in John’s gospel
 John the Baptist used water for cleansing people’s sins in river Jordan.
 Water stood for the idea of baptism like Jesus told Nicodemus that he needed to be born
again of the spirit and which implied baptism.
 Water in the six jars at the wedding at Cana stood for the idea of purification and satisfaction.
 Water symbolized the religion of Judaism plus all its rites like the water in the well of Jacob.
 At Jacob’s well there were physical water that could give physical satisfaction to the Jews
and the Samaritans.
 Jesus Christ used water to make wine for the quests at the wedding party at Cana.
 The new wine made out of water was used to introduce a new religion called Christianity.
 Jesus referred to himself as the life giving water which implies he gives eternal life and
satisfaction.
 The man who had been crippled for 38 years found the water in the pool of Bethzartha
ineffective in healing him.
 So it is Jesus who gives both physical and spiritual healing to people.
 Jesus walked on water towards his disciples to show that he was divine, besides this helped
in revealing the lack of faith in his disciples.
 Water was used to give sight to the man who had been born blind. This is when Jesus Christ
ordered the man to go and wash his face in the pool of Siloam and so he received sight.
 Symbolically this meant that after receiving his sight he was to go and be the light to others
who did not believe in Jesus.
 Jesus used water to wash the feet of the disciples which stood for spiritual washing.
 Water and blood came out of Jesus when the soldiers pierced his body which symbolized that
he was a human being and also the idea of Eucharist.
The significance of the symbol of bread in John’s gospel
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 Bread represented the unleavened bread of the Passover feast.
 Bread gave nourishment meaning that Jesus Christ alone could give people the spiritual
nourishment.
 It meant that life can only come through Jesus Christ.
 Bread is compared to the manna that God gave to the children of Israel in the wilderness it
was foretelling the idea of Eucharist/ Lord’s Supper which would imply the new covenant
with mankind.
 He wanted people to put more emphasis on the spiritual bread other than physical bread.
 It stood for the redemption, death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
 It meant that eternal life only comes by receiving God’ own life given by the body and blood
of Jesus Christ.
 It pointed to the hunger which the people would have for the word of God which is Jesus
Christ.
 It meant that Jesus gives spiritual strength to his followers.
 Blood stood for the messiahship of Jesus.
 Bread stood for the divinity of Jesus.
 It pointed to the heavy banquet that followers of Jesus Christ would enjoy.
The spiritual meaning of the symbol of light in John’s gospel
 The term light meant the true wisdom and spiritual understanding of God.
 The term light was contrasting the darkness of sin, evil and death brought into the world by
Satan.
 It meant that it is through Jesus Christ that man gets the true meaning of life.
 It means that righteous can be got through Jesus Christ as the only light.
 It means that Jesus Christ is a universal savior . That is to say, anyone who believes in him
can reach the father because he is the light that shows the way.
 It meant that Jesus gives light to those who are spiritually blind towards him.
 It meant that Jesus Christ is divine . That is to say, son of God.
 It meant that Christ Jesus is the promised messiah.
 It meant the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures like the pillar of fire at Mt. Sinai in
Exodus.
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 It meant that it is only through Jesus that one can fully understand the scriptures because he
is the light of the world.
 It meant that through Jesus Christ man can come from the world of sin to righteousness and
life.
 It meant the purity of Jesus Christ because he is the light of the world.

COMMENT ON THE SYMBOLS THAT THE CHURCH USES TODAY

Explain the symbols that Christians use in modern times.
 The candle light used during baptism shows that the baptismal candidate has received the
Holy Spirit.
 Light shows that the baptized candidate should be the light to others.
 Bread symbolize the idea of the body of Jesus Christ.
 Wine symbolizes the idea of the blood of Jesus Christ.
 The cross/ rosary reminds Christians of the death of Jesus Christ at the cross.
 The ring used by the clergy symbolizes the union with Jesus Christ.
 The scepter used by the bishops symbolizes that there are heads of the church.
 The white cloth used during one’s baptism implied the purity of the candidate.
 The incense used by the Catholics during church worship symbolizes blessings to the
congregation.
 The different colours of garments used stand for different meanings like white garments
stand for holiness black garments stands for death and mourning.
 The lying down of the catholic priest during ordination symbolizes obedience.
 Laying hands on the Christians is a symbol of giving blessings to Christians.
 The sprinkling of water at the forehead of a person symbolizes the idea of baptism.

CAUSES OF HOSTILITY/ CONFLICTS/ OPPOSITION TOWARDS JESUS FROM THE

JEWISH LEADERS
1. Account for the increasing hostility between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders as
portrayed in john.

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2. Analyse the circumstances that led to rise of conflict between Jesus and the Jewish
leaders in the fourth gospel.

 Because Jesus claimed to tear down the Jerusalem temple and rebuild in three days later.
 Because Jesus cleansed the Jerusalem temple yet they did not know the origin of his right to
cleanse it.
 Because Jesus appeared to break the Jewish law when he healed the crippled man on the
Sabbath.
 Because Jesus normally called God as his father which was seen as blasphemy.
 Because Jesus referred to the Jerusalem temple as his father’s house.
 Because Jesus was performing miracles which made him more popular than them.
 Because Jesus called himself the bread of life.
 Because Jesus referred to them as children of the devil.
 Because Jesus attacked them for being hypocrites.
 It was God’s plan.
 Caiaphas suggested killing Jesus because of fear of the Romans to destroy the Jewish nation.
 Jesus background as the son of Joseph was contradicting with his claim that he was from
heaven.
 Because Jesus claimed that they would not go where he was going and that they would look
for him but will die in their sins.
 Because Jesus raised Lazarus to life which made him more popular hence made plans to kill
him.
 Because Jesus claimed that he was greater and older than Abraham.

THE WOMAN CAUGHT IN ADULTERY (8:1-11)

1. Discuss the meaning of the incident of the woman caught in the act of infidelity in the
gospel of John.
2. “The one who has never done it, let him be first one to throw a stone at her”. (John
8:7). Examine the importance of Jesus’ response as reflected in the above quotation.

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 The quotation showed Jesus’ messiahship for he came to correct the weaknesses of the
mosaic law and save sinners from forces of evil and sin.
 The saying indicated Jesus as a fair judge of man’s sins. The Pharisees used emotions to pass
judgment to the woman but Jesus listened to the accusations against the woman and
reminded them that they were equally sinners.
 The action of Jesus signified that the mosaic law had outlived its importance and therefore
Jesus had come to perfect it by freeing mankind from the burden of the law that was stated in
Deuteronomy 22:22 and Leviticus 20:10.
 Jesus’ response indicated that all people are sinners before God. The Pharisees were
accusing the woman for committing adultery and wanted her to be stoned to death but when
Jesus said the one who had never committed it be the first to throw stone to her they all left.
 Jesus’ response showed lack of understanding of the Pharisees towards Jesus. The Jewish
leaders wanted to trap Jesus basing on Moses’ laws that permitted such a woman to be stoned
to death and he escaped them.
 Jesus’ response showed the importance of repentance of sins in the ministry of Jesus. He
forgave the woman of her sins and commanded her to in no more.
 The love for mankind was revealed through Jesus. Jesus willingly accepted to save the
woman from being stoned to death by the Pharisees which was a sign of love to sinners that
can also enter the kingdom of God.
 The event indicated the humanity of Jesus. He sympathized with the woman whom the
Pharisees wanted to stone to death because of the sin of adultery but later advised her to stop
sinning.
 It also showed the divinity of Jesus. He quickly realized that the Pharisees had brought the
woman with the intention to trap him and accuse him of doing wrong but dodged their trick.
 Jesus’ response reflected/ indicated that he came to condemn any kind of sin but not the
sinners. He told the woman that he could not condemn her but advise her to stop sinning.
 The words of Jesus proved that he came for reconciliation between God and mankind. In
other words he came to condemn sins but not sinners in order to bring them back towards
God also to bring reconciliation among people.

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 The words of Jesus showed that he came to save the sinners but not the righteous people.
This is why he dealt with a woman caught in adultery and advised her to stop sinning.
 Jesus’ response to the Pharisees implied that any sin can be forgiven by God. The Pharisees
thought that Jesus could support stoning the woman to death because of committing adultery
but he reminded them that they were equally sinners before God.
 The action of Jesus was a call to holiness that was required by the followers of Jesus instead
of living immoral kind of life involving adultery.
 It was one of the sources of conflict between Jesus and the Pharisees and it eventually
increased hostility towards him from the Pharisees who saw him as breaking the Mosaic
Law.
 The response of Jesus indicated that Jesus cared for both physical needs and spiritual needs
of mankind. He saved the woman from being stoned to death by the Pharisees and also
forgave her from the sin of adultery.
 It showed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. They arrested the woman for committing adultery
and wanted her stoned to death but equally they were sinners and needed salvation from
Jesus.

DISCUSS THE RELEVANCE/ SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STORY OF THE WOMAN

CAUGHT IN ADULTERY TO THE MODERN CHURCH.
 The incident teaches the modern Christians to live holy lives instead of sinning as Jesus
encouraged the woman who had been caught in the act of adultery to stop sinning.
 The story encourages modern Christians to repent their sins as Jesus encouraged he woman
caught in the act of adultery to stop sinning in her life.
 Jesus’ response reminds the modern Church especially the married people to be faithful in
their marriage instead of committing adultery because it can lead them to death like the
woman was going to be stoned to death but saved by Jesus.
 The modern church learns to condemn evil things committed in society instead of
condemning sinners as Jesus condemned the act of adultery but encouraged the woman to
stop sinning.

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 The incident promotes a spirit of forgiveness of one another regardless of the sins committed
as Jesus also forgave the woman caught in the act of adultery.
 The incident teaches Christians today to be sincere in what they do instead of being
hypocrites the way the Pharisees condemned the woman and wanted her to be stoned to death
because of her sin yet they were equally sinners.
 The story of a woman caught in adultery teaches the modern Christians to examine
themselves before condemning others as Jesus told the Pharisees that whoever had never
committed any sin/ done it before be the first to throw a stone at the woman but because of
guiltiness they all left.
 The story reminds Christians today to be fair when judging others instead of using emotions
to pass judgment to sinners as Jesus was fair to the woman caught in the act adultery.
 The incidence of the woman caught in adultery teaches modern Christians to promote the
spirit of love for one another regardless who had been caught in adultery whom the Pharisees
wanted to stone to death.
 The action of Jesus acts as a good example to church leaders to be ready to reconcile
conflicting parties as Jesus Christ did between the Pharisees and the woman instead of
creating more divisions.
 It reminds modern Christians to respect the ten commandments of God instead of breaking
them like Jesus requested the woman not to commit adultery anymore.
 The incident helps the modern church to know how to keep Jesus protected the woman
caught in adultery from being stoned to death.
 Jesus’ words remind Christians today to always seek for God’s wisdom when judging cases
instead of using emotions like the Pharisees had done to the woman caught in adultery.
 Christians learn to promote human rights in society instead of promoting mob justice that
Jesus discouraged from the Pharisees who wanted to stone the woman to death.
 The story teaches the Christian church today to respect and honour Jesus as the messiah who
came to fulfill God’s plan for the salvation of mankind instead of rejecting him the way the
Pharisees rejected Jesus.

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DISCUSS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS BEING ANOINTED AT BETHANY BY
MARY TO MODERN CHRISTIANS
 The anointment of Jesus by Mary reveals to modern Christians that Jesus was the expected
king of the Jews as Mary anointed him before entering the royal city of Jerusalem.
 The anointment of Jesus at Bethany proves to modern Christians that Jesus was the expected
messiah. This is because such anointment was only reserved for Jewish kings.
 The action reveals Mary as one of the fore runners of Jesus’ ministry. She prepared for his
death and burial ahead.
 The anointment of Jesus reveals to modern Christians the spiritual blindness of some of
Jesus’ disciples. Judas Iscariot rebuked Mary for having wasted this expensive perfume
indicating his spiritual blindness.
 It teaches modern Christians the greatness of Jesus. This was evidenced by Mary anointing
him with expensive perfume.
 It shows to modern Christians the great love Mary had towards Jesus as such expensive
perfume could not be poured to any lay man.
 The action of anointing Jesus at Bethany proves to modern Christians his humanity, because
Mary anointed him physically.
 Jesus being anointed at Bethany encourages Christians today to have total faith in him like
Mary knew that Jesus could soon save mankind from the bondage of sin.
 The actions of Judas Iscariot (words) teaches modern Christians that he was an agent of
Satan that is why he rebuked Mary for using such expensive perfume to anoint Jesus.
 The action of anointment of Jesus encourages Christians today to have total surrender to
Jesus like Mary who spent the little she had and bought the anointment oil she poured to
Jesus.
 It showed Christians that those who want to achieve earthly things like Judas Iscariot are
likely to fail in their quest for heavenly glory.
 Modern Christians are encouraged to respect and honour Jesus like Mary did by buying and
anointing him with expensive perfume.

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TO WHAT EXTENT IS GOSPEL OF JOHN A MANIFESTATION OF PERFECT
LOVE?
“The gospel of John was essentially aimed at manifesting the love of God for mankind”.
Discuss.
The gospel of John is a true manifestation of the love of God for mankind revealed through Jesus
. That is to say, divine love/ perfect love
To a larger extent, the gospel of John is a true manifestation of divine love in the following
ways;
 Jesus performed seven signs in his public ministry which revealed the love of God for
mankind . For example
 Jesus turned water into wine for the guests at the wedding party as a sign of love for
mankind because the wine that had been served first had gotten finished.
 Jesus fed the 5000 people on 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish when he saw that people were
hungry and therefore asked his disciples where they could buy enough food to feed the
crowd.
 Jesus saw Mary weeping about the death of Lazarus, his heart was deeply moved and also
wept Jesus eventually raised Lazarus to life as a sign of love for the bereaved family.
 Jesus found a man at the pool of Bethzatha who had been crippled for thirty eight years,
so asked him whether he wanted to be healed and later healed him in order to restore him
to his normal health.
 The Roman official came to Jesus at Cana and sought for healing of his son who was
about to die, Jesus accepted to heal the son as a sign of love for even the Gentiles.
 Jesus came to a man who had been born blind and helped the man to receive his sight
after washing in the pool of Siloam.
 When in the boat that had the disciples was attacked by strong winds in the night, Jesus
came walking on the water in order to rescue them and gave them courage.
 Jesus told Nicodemus that God loved the world so much that he gave his only son, so that
whoever believed in him would have eternal life, therefore manifestation of divine love.

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 Jesus asked for a drink of water from the Samaritan woman I order that she might have life
giving water, thus the love of God revealed through Jesus for the Samaritans whom the Jews
despised as being inferior.
 Jesus accepted to wash the disciples’ feet despite being their master as a sign of perfect love
towards them and also a perfect example for the disciples to always serve one another as he
had served them. In the event of washing the disciples’ feet, it is said that Jesus always loved
those in the world who were his own and he loved them to the very end, thus manifestation
of the love of God for man.
 During the Lord’s supper, Jesus gave the disciples a new commandment of love one another
just as he had loved them and reminded them that if they showed the love for one another,
then everyone would come to know that they were his disciples.
 Jesus shared the last meal with all the disciples including Judas Iscariot whom he knew that
he would betray him but went ahead to offer a piece of bread/ morsel to him as final appeal
to him to accept the bread offered to him in love in order to reject Satan’s influence upon
him.
 Jesus willingly accepted to suffer at the hands of the Jewish leaders and later died for the sins
of the mankind in order to bring about salvation to all.
 The Pharisees brought a woman to Jesus who had been caught in the act of adultery and
wanted her stoned to death but Jesus rescued the woman from being stoned to death when he
challenged Pharisees that they are equally sinners.
 The “I am” sayings in the gospel of John are presented as consequence of God’s love for
mankind revealed through Jesus . For example
 Jesus as the bread of life Jesus told the crowd that whoever came to him would never be
hungry and whoever believed in him would never be thirsty and emphasized that it was
not God’s will for him to lose any of all those he gave him but that he should raise them
to life on the last day.
 Jesus as the good shepherd. Jesus claimed that he was the good shepherd who was
willing to die for his sheep as a good shepherd, he cared for the lost sheep and even
protected the sheep from being attacked y wolves.

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  Jesus as a true vine. Jesus told the disciples that he loved them just as the father loved
him and besides he commanded them to love one another just as he had loved them.
 Jesus as the way, the truth and the life. Jesus promised the disciples that he was going
back to the father and would prepare a special room for them but would come back and
take them where they would be with him.
 Jesus as the light of the world. Jesus told the Pharisees that whoever followed him would
have the light of life and would never walk in darkness.
 Jesus as the resurrection and the life. Jesus assured Martha that he was the resurrection
and the life whoever believed in him would live though he was to die and whoever lived
and believed in him would never die.
 The risen Jesus appeared to peter and had a personal conversation with him, which
eventually led to his appointment as the shepherd of his sheep, therefore as a sign of love for
Peter despite his denial.
 Jesus loved a certain disciple more than rest of the disciples . For example the beloved
disciple sat very close to the boast of Jesus at the Lord’s supper.
 Jesus defunded and appreciated Mary’s act of appointment with an expensive perfume
though Judas Iscariot rebuked Mary for wasting the perfume suggesting that it should have
been sold to raise money for the poor.
 Jesus had personal friends whom he always visited as a sign of love for them . For example
Martha, Mary and Lazarus were his family friends.
 Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to the disciples as a helper who would stay with them
forever despite his departure from the world. This was a sign of perfect love for them.
 Jesus prayed for the disciples as a way of comforting them before he could depart from the
world and called upon God to keep them safe by the power of his name and also keep them
holy from the evil ones.
 Before the risen Jesus could ascend into heaven, he breathed the holy spirit upon the disciples
and assured them that be forgiven and if they never forgave people’s sins, they would not be
forgiven.

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 Jesus protected his disciples from being arrested by the Roman soldiers and the temple
guards sent by the chief priest. He requested the soldiers to let his disciples go and instead
arrest him.
 The risen Jesus appeared to the seven disciples at lake Galilee and helped them to catch a big
number of fish and later Jesus took the bread and gave it to them and also took the fish and
gave it to eat.
 Jesus promised to prepare a special room for his disciples when he goes back to his father’s
house as a sign of love.
 Jesus always referred to himself as the good shepherd who is willing to die for his sheep
knew his sheep by name and always protected his sheep from wolves as a sign of love.

However to a smaller extent, the gospel of John had other concerns about the public
ministry of Jesus to teach about namely;
 The prologue of the gospel of john . That is to say, where John the Baptist is seen as a
messenger who came to prepare away for the coming of Jesus and also reveal that Jesus
existed between the creation of the world.
 The conflicts between Jesus and the Jewish leaders which climaxed to his death at the cross .
For example the Pharisees accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath law when he healed the
cripple at the pool.
 Peter denied being a disciple of Jesus during his trial by the Sanhedrin yet he had assured
him before that he was ready to die for him.
 Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and came with the Roman soldiers and temple guards sent by
the chief priest to assist them in arresting Jesus.
 In the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus Jesus emphasized the importance of
baptism of the Holy Spirit and water in order to enter the kingdom of God.
 The burial of Jesus by Joseph of Arimathan together with Nicodemus and his eventual
resurrection from death and the several resurrection appearances to the disciples.
 The teaching of Jesus on the holy spirit and the work of the holy spirit . For example the holy
spirit would come to reveal the truth about God and would also teach the disciples everything
about God.

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 Jesus cleansed the Jerusalem temple and ordered the people to stop making his father’s house
a market place.
 The idea of witness to Jesus as the son of God . For example John the Baptist testified that
Jesus was the son of God.
 The ministry of Jesus as the fulfillment of a number of the Old Testament scriptures . For
example healing the cripple at the pool and the healing of a man born blind fulfilled the
scriptures in the book of Isaiah 35:5-6.

THE TRIUMPHANT ENTRY OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM (JOHN 12:12-19)

ANALYSE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS EVENT
 The event signified the fulfillment of the old testament prophesies like in Zachariah 9:9 and
Psalms 118:25-26 which stated that “your king is coming…….triumphant and
victorious…..humble and riding on the young donkey.
 It showed the honour and respect people had towards Jesus when picked branches of palm
tree to wave at him.
 The incident signified that Jesus was a spiritual messiah instead of a political messiah who
was expected by the Jews basing on the way they welcomed him.
 The event also showed that the kingdom of Jesus was peaceful. The young donkey that he
was sitting on was a symbol of peace.
 The event also indicated the spiritual blindness of the disciples of Jesus not until they
remembered this event at the resurrection of Jesus.
 The event showed Jesus as a king, an agent of salvation that is why he was given songs of
praise “Hosanna” or …….praise God…..
 The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem showed that the kingdom of Jesus was not of
this world where people compete for political posts but his was a spiritual kingdom.
 The event increased the hostility of the Pharisees towards Jesus. They were not happy that
Jesus was so popular as they watched this happening.
 The event pointed to the joy and happiness that would be enjoyed by the believers in the
kingdom of God.

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 It showed that the kingdom of God was now being established on earth/ at and.
 The event showed God fulfilling his divine plan through Jesus. Christ was linked to David
so that the blessing which God promised to David comes true.
 It indicated that Jews expected a political messiah who would lead them in political
revolutions but Jesus did not fulfill their desires as he came as a spiritual messiah.
 The event proved that Jesus was a king of the Jews basing on the way they welcomed him.
 The event signified the love of God for mankind revealed through Jesus. The journey to
Jerusalem was the start of his journey to suffering and death so as to save mankind (12:20-
39)
 The event signified the humanity of Jesus. Jesus sat on a donkey and moved into Jerusalem.

WHAT LESSONS DO MODERN CHRISTIANS LEARN FROM THIS EVENT?

 Modern Christians should believe in Jesus Christ as a spiritual messiah just as the Jews
believed in Jesus as a spiritual messiah not a political messiah.
 Modern Christians are called upon to believe in both the Old Testament scriptures as this
event proved the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures in Zachariah 9:9 that promised
the coming of the king.
 Modern Christians are called upon to pray for the power of wisdom from God so as to
understand the nature of his gospel preachers not to be like the disciples who failed to
understand the meaning of the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem until his resurrection.
 Modern religious leaders are called upon to exercise a spirit of love and peace because even
the kingdom of God is peaceful.
 Christians today should give honour and respect to Jesus Christ emulating the example of the
people who picked branches of palm tree and welcomed Jesus in Jerusalem.
 Christians learn from the event that Jesus was a humble son of God as well as a prince of
peace.
 Christian leaders should always work for peace in their community as Jesus did not like the
Pharisees who developed hostility towards Jesus.
 The event calls upon Christians today to prepare to celebrate the joy and happiness that will
be enjoyed by believers in the kingdom of God.

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 Christians should have self sacrifice to serve God as he so loved mankind that he gave in his
beloved man Jesus to die for man’s sins.
 Christians today learn the spirit of hospitality from the Jews who welcomed Jesus as happily
that they picked some branches of palm trees and waved at him.
 Christians should give praise and honour to the Lord like the Jews who welcomed Jesus by
singing “praise God”.
 Modern Christians are called upon to go out and preach the word of God as the entry of Jesus
Christ into Jerusalem revealed that the glory of God was on earth.

JESUS WASHES HIS DISCIPLES’ FEET (13:1-20)

Discuss the implication of Jesus’ washing of his disciples’ feet.
 The event signified the love of Jesus of his disciples for he took it by will to wash their feet.
 It signified the divine love in incarnation . That is to say, Jesus accepted rejection and death
as a son of God.
 Washing the disciples’ feet by Jesus showed spiritual blindness of Peter. He barred/
prevented Jesus from washing his feet without knowing the meaning of this action.
 The event was a perfect example or teaching to the disciples to always serve one another as
Jesus had served them.
 It signified the humanity of Jesus. Everything he did was done humanly and secondly he was
deeply troubled about his coming death.
 The event showed the divinity of Jesus. He knew that the hour of his death had come and
was to return to God.
 The laying of Jesus’ garments pointed to his death and resurrection. He took off the outer
garment and put it on back after washing their feet predicting how he would loose his
garments during crucifixion and later regain them after resurrection.
 It signified that Jesus was promised messiah as he Old Testament prophet had foretold all
what Christ was doing as a servant of mankind.
 Jesus’ washing of the disciples’ feet signified that he was giving his disciples spiritual
cleansing (baptism) that they needed before he would go back to God.

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 The event gave Jesus a chance to reveal the betrayer to the rest of the disciples. This came to
be known as Judas Iscariot.
 It also reflected on the Old Testament “I am” saying of God in the book of Exodus. Jesus
also referred to himself as I am who I am.
 This was a step towards preparation of the Lord’s Supper which was actually the last Christ
had with his disciples.
 The event signified that Jesus was a servant of mankind because he accepted to wash the feet
of his own disciples.
 It was also a preparation to the disciples for their future mission of spreading the gospel
where Christ taught them to be ready to bend down and serve others.
 The event showed Jesus as a suffering messiah. He was to suffer to bring salvation to
mankind.
 It signified that Jesus was a son of God. He told his disciples that he was to return to God his
father.

THE IMPORTANCE OF WASHING THE DISCIPLES’ FEET TO MODERN CLERGY

How relevant/ significant is this act of washing the disciples’ feet to the modern church
leaders?
 Modern church leaders learn to humble themselves in their service to Christians just as Jesus
Christ in his service humbled and washed his disciples’ feet.
 The act teaches modern church leaders to have mercy and love while executing their services
to the people as Christ also had such mercy and love.
 Modern church leaders are encouraged to be exemplary to their flock as they try to serve
them.
 Church leaders learn to serve others instead of waiting to be served.
 The act encourages modern Christian leaders to have intimate relationship with the Christians
they serve instead of being proud of themselves.
 The act teaches modern church leaders to copy the example of Christ by accepting to die for
the flock.

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 Jesus’ act reveals to modern church leaders that there are always traitors among the
Christians they serve. However they should not fear to talk about them openly as Christ
pointed out Judas Iscariot.
 The act calls on modern church leaders to seek for guidance from God and allow him to lead
them in their leadership as Christ did.
 Modern church leaders learn to train their followers for their future mission like Jesus trained
his disciples to serve others.
 The act teaches modern church leaders to correct their followers who go wrong like Jesus
corrected Peter who had refused to be washed.
 The action of Jesus reminds the modern clergy to tolerate even those people who may work
against their ministries like Jesus who tolerated Judas Iscariot who had prepared to betray
him.
 The church leaders today learn to treat all their servants equally including those who may
betray them like Jesus did to Judas.
 The action of Jesus enables modern church leaders to do the will of God for mankind like
Christ did all what he could for the good of mankind.
 Washing the disciples’ feet by Jesus teaches the clergy to encourage their followers to repent
of their sins or to withdraw their evil plans.
 Jesus’ action of washing the disciples’ feet promotes the spirit of fellowship that church
leaders should put in place for their followers.
 It teaches church leaders together with their followers to believe in Jesus as the messiah.

REASONS WHY JESUS WASHED THE DISCIPLES’ FEET

1. Account for Jesus’ act of washing his disciples’ feet in the gospel of John.
2. What prompted Jesus to wash the disciples’ feet in the fourth gospel?

 Jesus wanted to show divine love to his disciples for he took it by will to wash their feet.
 Jesus washed his disciples’ feet because also God wanted to show his real love to mankind
through Jesus Christ who was preparing for his death and resurrection.

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 Jesus washed the disciples’ feet because he wanted to teach the disciples to always serve one
another as Jesus had served them.
 Jesus wanted to show his humanity before his disciples that is to say everything he did was
done humanly.
 Jesus wanted to show his divinity to the disciples. That is to say he was able to know the
person who was to betray him.
 Jesus also wanted to fulfill the Old Testament scriptures . That is to say, he reflected to Old
Testament “I am” saying of God in Exodus.
 Jesus washed the disciples’ feet because it was the perfect time for him to give the betrayer to
the rest of the disciples.
 Jesus also wanted to prepare his disciples for the future mission of spreading the gospel.
 Jesus washed the disciples’ feet because he wanted to prepare the Lord’s Supper which was
actually the last Christ had with his disciples.
 Jesus also wanted to show to his disciples that he was the promised messiah as the Old
Testament prophets had foretold all what Christ was doing as a servant of mankind.
 Jesus wanted to show to his disciples that he was a true son of God because he told them that
he was to return to God his father.

EXAMINE THE CHALLENGES CHRISTIANS FACE IN SERVING ONE ANOTHER

TODAY
Christians face the following challenges in serving one another especially in line of preaching the
gospel;
 Some Christians are selfish so they do not want to pay attention to other people’s word of
God.
 Some Christians are so proud of themselves.
 Differences in education levels.
 Differences in political ideologies.
 Differences in religious groups.
 Financial hardships.
 Divisions among Christians themselves.
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 The greed for material wealth.
 Inadequate time.
 Political instabilities in some parts of the country . For example Kasese.
 Emergency of epidemics nodding head, ebola etc.
 Poor payment at work.
 Wrong attitude of some people towards work.
 Cultural differences.
 Discrimination in churches and other work places.
 Increased immoral degeneration.
 Influence of western culture . For example adoption of pornography.

THE LAST SUPPER/ LORD’S SUPPER IN JOHN’S GOSPEL

Give an account of Jesus’ last supper in the fourth gospel.
 According to the fourth gospel the last supper took place a day before the Passover meal.
 It happened after Jesus had finished washing the feet of his disciples as an example to them.
 After the Lord’s supper Jesus was preparing the disciples for the future task of serving
although they did not understand what Jesus was showing.
 Jesus felt greatly troubled and declared openly that one of his disciples was to betray him
soon.
 The words of Jesus puzzled the disciples and looked at one another and so peter requested
John the beloved disciple who was seated next to Jesus to ask him who was going to betray
him.
 So the disciple moved closer to Jesus’ side and asked “who is it Lord”.
 Jesus answered to the disciples that he was to deep some bread in the sauce and give it to the
betrayer.
 Jesus performed a sign to reveal the identity of the betrayer by deeping a piece of bread in a
sauce and so gave it to Judas Iscariot the son of Simon Iscariot.
 Immediately as soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered him.
 Then Jesus told Judas to be quick with what he was going to do. Judas took the bread went
out and it was a night meaning Judas was surrounded by evil forces.
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 None of the other disciples at the table understood why Jesus said to Judas to be quick with
what he was planning to do.
 But because Judas was in charge of the money bag some thought that Jesus had told him to
go and buy what they needed for the festival or what to give to the poor.
 After Judas had left Jesus told the rest of the disciples that his hour had come to reveal the
glory of the son of man and glory of God.
 Christ assured the disciples that he would not be with them very soon but they could look for
him however they would not be in position to go where he was going.
 At the end Jesus gave a new commandment to his disciples to love one another as he had
loved them. This meant that if they showed love for one another everyone would know that
they were his disciples.
 Simon peter wondered why he could not follow Jesus but Christ told him he had to first die.
 Finally Christ told Peter that before the cock crows peter would have denied Jesus three
times and it really happened.

THE COMPARISON BETWEEN JOHN’S GOSPEL AND MARK’S GOSPEL ON THE

ISSUE OF THE LORD’S SUPPER OR THE LAST MEAL
1. Analyse he similarities and differences between Mark and John’s gospel on the issue of
the last supper.
2. Compare the gospel of john and Mark on the account of the Passover or the Lord’s
Supper.
3. To what extent is John’s preservation on the Lord’s Supper different from that of
Mark’s gospel?

Similarities
 In both gospels of Mark and John, the Lord’s Supper coincides wit the Passover feast
although in John’s gospel it was a day before the Passover feast.
 The lord’s supper started in the evening.
 The last supper ended at night.
 The last supper involved Jesus and his disciples.

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 There is prediction of Jesus’ betrayer who was Judas Iscariot.
 It marked the last meal that Jesus had with his disciples.
 The disciples failed to know at first the actual name of the betrayer.
 The disciples showed lack of faith towards Jesus like Peter.
 Last supper was initiated by Jesus himself.
 It involved drink of wine and eating of bread.
 Judas Iscariot leaves Jesus and his disciples before the end of the meal.
 The disciples were shocked about the impending death of Jesus.
 In both gospels Jesus predicted his own death.
 Jesus predicts Peter’s denial although in mark’s gospel it was shortly predicted at mountain
Olives.
 In both Jesus makes a sign to identify the betrayer as Judas Iscariot.
 In both Jesus referred to himself as a son of man.

Differences
 In Mark’s gospel, the Lord’s Supper coincided with the Passover feast while in John’s gospel
the Lord’s Supper took place a day before the Passover feast.
 In Mark’s gospel the disciples asked Jesus where to prepare the Lord’s Supper from while in
john’s gospel, the disciples were already having the Lord’s Supper with Jesus Christ.
 In Mark’s gospel the Lord’s Super is prepared in an upper room while in john’s gospel, the
place is not described.
 In Mark’s gospel Jesus Christ inaugurates/ confirms the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper.
While in john’s gospel Jesus washes the disciples’ feet.
 In mark’s gospel Jesus talks of a new covenant sealed with his blood while in john’s gospel
he talks of the need to serve one another.
 In Mark’s gospel Jesus gives a brief teaching but no farewell message to the disciples while
in John’s gospel Jesus gives a lengthy teaching and a farewell message to the disciples.
 In mark’s gospel, Jesus identifies the betrayer saying that the one who deeps a piece of bread
with me in a dish would be the betrayer but in John’s gospel he took a piece of bread and
deeped it and gave it to Judas the son of Simon Iscariot to identify him as the betrayer.
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 In Mark’s gospel all the twelve disciples are treated equally yet in John’s gospel special
attention is given to John the beloved disciple who leaned towards Jesus and even Peter
requested him to ask Jesus for the name of the betrayer.
 In Mark’s gospel the disciples sang a hymn during the Lord’s Supper and thereafter went to
mount Olives yet in John’s gospel the disciples stayed at the Lord’s supper and had no
singing of a hymn.
 In Mark’s gospel, Jesus tells his disciples that he would never drink wine again until the new
wine in the kingdom of God while in john’s gospel Jesus simply tells the disciples that he
would not be with them much longer and that they would look for him.
 In Mark’s gospel Jesus warns the disciples about his coming death while at mountain Olives
after the Lord’s supper. Yet in John’s gospel Jesus was troubled in spirit and so warned the
disciples about his coming death while still at the lord’s Supper.
 In Mark’s gospel the Lord’s Supper goes on till the end with all the disciples including Judas
Iscariot while in John Judas leaves before end of the Lord’s supper because Jesus had
ordered him to be quick about what he was going to do.
 In Mark’s gospel Satan appears to have already entered Judas before the Lord’s Supper. Yet
in john’s gospel Satan entered Judas immediately after he had eaten a piece of bread given by
Jesus.

DISCUSS THE TEACHING OF JOHN’S GOSPEL ON THE HOLY SPIRIT

 According to John the Holy Spirit reveals the truth about God.
 The Holy Spirit according to the gospel of John as said by Jesus Christ could be a helper who
would stay with the disciples forever.
 In the gospel the Holy Spirit would enable believers to remember what Christ had taught to
them.
 According to the gospel of John Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit who would
encourage the believers to remember what Christ had taught.
 John teaches that the Holy Spirit was to bring peace to the world to those who believed in
Jesus Christ.

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 The gospel of John teaches that Holy Spirit was to complete the work of Jesus Christ.
Therefore the Holy Spirit was to come after Jesus’ departure.
 John teaches that in times of suffering persecution the Holy Spirit comforted believers.
 According to john’s gospel the Holy Spirit would make people aware of their sins and
therefore go for repentance as they prepared for judgment.
 The gospel teaches that the holy spirit in the early church enabled disciples of Jesus to
perform miracles in Christ’ name.
 According to the gospel of John the Holy Spirit played the work of settling disputes among
believers.
 It was the work of the Holy Spirit according to the teachings of john’s gospel that enabled
believers to give testimonies about Christ without fear or favour.
 John teaches that the Holy Spirit helps in expansion of God’s kingdom here on earth.
 John also teaches that the Holy Spirit would give people courage especially those who obey
God’s commandments.

EXAMINE THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THE CHURCH TODAY

 The Holy Spirit guides people to perform various miracles in Jesus’ name like healing the
lame.
 The Holy Spirit guides Christians to live holy lives emulating the example of Christ . That is
to say, not involving in immoral acts like murder, sexual immoralities, robbery, corruption
etc.
 The Holy Spirit guides Christians to endure persecution.
 Guides Christians to carry out catechism lessons to the new converts.
 Guides Christians in translating scriptures in local languages so as even the illiterates can
understand the word of God.
 Guides the church on how to preach the gospel.
 Guides Christians on how to detect false preachers.
 Guides Christians to write Christian literature and spread t to others.
 Guides Christians to speak in tongues.

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 Guides Christians to do charitable works . For example assisting the poor by giving them
clothes, school fees, food, housing facilities etc.
 Guide Christians to lay hands on sick people and get healed.
 Guides Christians to compose Christian songs and hymns used for praise and worship.
 Guides Christians to establish churches in different places of the world.
 The Holy Spirit guides Christians to carry out baptism of new converts.
 Guides Christians to love one another.
 Guides Christians to carry out fellowship.

JESUS’ PROMISES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO HIS DISCIPLES

What promises of the Holy Spirit did Jesus make to his disciples about the holy spirit in the
fourth gospel.
 Jesus assured his disciples that if they loved him they would automatically obey his servants
and so he would send the Holy Spirit to them.
 Jesus told the disciples that he would ask his father to send the Holy Spirit as a helper who
would be with them forever.
 Jesus promised the disciples that the Holy Spirit was to reveal to them about his true nature.
 Christ said to the disciples that the world could not receive the Holy Spirit because they
could not see him or know him.
 Jesus told his disciples that for they knew the Holy Spirit because he remained thim and was
in them.
 Christ went ahead to say to the disciples that God loves those who love his son and obey his
commandments, so he would love and reveal himself to those who loved them.
 When Jesus said the above words Judas wondered how Jesus would reveal himself to the
disciples instead of the world.
 But Jesus said that the world is blind to the revelation of God in him, so the world neither
obeyed nor loved Jesus and God.
 Jesus told the disciples that the Holy Spirit who God would send in his name would remind
them about everything.

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 Jesus promised his disciples to leave them with spiritual peace which the hostility of the
world would not be able to destroy.
 Jesus discouraged the disciples from being worried and upset because he was going to come
back for them soon.
 He encouraged the disciples to be glad/happy that he was returning to the father with his
work being completed. This was also teaching the disciples to also be hardworking to
accomplish their tax in time.
 Christ promised the disciples that he was leaving physically but they would not be a lot
because he would return to them in the power of the Holy Spirit.
 He still said that he would disappear from the sight of the world but not from the sight of the
disciples who would have eternal life.
 Jesus promised his disciples that after resurrection, they would come to understand his
relationship with his father and they would know that there are spiritual union with him.

THE TEACHING OF JOHN’S GOSPEL ON THE HOLY SPIRIT AND ITS

RELATIONSHIP TO THE CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF TRINITY
Examine the teaching of John’s gospel on the Holy Spirit and its relationship to the
Christian doctrine of trinity
The teaching of John’s gospel on the Holy Spirit
 John understands the giving of the Holy Spirit to the followers to have been prophesied in the
Old Testament scriptures.
 God told John the Baptist that he would see the spirit come upon Jesus in form of a dove and
that would be the person who would baptize with the Holy Spirit.
 John the Baptist confessed that he had seen the Holy Spirit come down like a dove from
heaven and it stayed on Jesus.
 Jesus told Nicodemus that no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and
the spirit.
 Jesus said that the fullness of God’s spirit is in him as the son of God because he speaks
God’s word.

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 Jesus told the Samaritan woman that by the power of God’s spirit would people worship God
truly.
 The Holy Spirit will reveal the truth about God.
 The Holy Spirit would teach them everything about God.
 The Holy Spirit would remind them about what Jesus had taught them.
 The Holy Spirit would make the world aware of sin and the judgment on sin.
 The Holy Spirit would be a witness to Jesus because he would speak about him.
 The Holy Spirit is sent by God and his son.
 The Holy Spirit speaks of God with authority from him.
 The Holy Spirit will live in us and with us.
 The Holy Spirit would give god glory because he will talk what he says.
 The Holy Spirit will help believers to love Jesus Christ and also to obey his commandments.

THE RELATIONSHIP OF JOHN’S TEACHING ON THE HOLY SPIRIT TO THE

CHRISTIAN DOCTRINE OF TRINITY
 The teaching of trinity states that is one God, there are three persons namely, God the father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit.
 The word of God identified with the son of God hence Jesus was with God in the beginning.
 The word/ son is sent into the world by God the father for man’s salvation.
 Jesus the son shares identity with God the father . That is to say, and God were one.
 The father’s work is the sons’ work . That is to say, Jesus said that the father who sent him is
with him because he does what pleases him.
 Jesus Christ the son is totally obedient to his father’ will.
 God the father loves whoever loves his son Jesus Christ.
 The Holy Spirit is the third person who takes the place of Jesus Christ after his departure.
 Both the son and the Holy Spirit come from God the father . That is to say, Jesus is his
father’s name and the holy spirit is in his name.
 The father gave and sent the son and the son will give and send the holy spirit at his request.
 The Holy Spirit is present during the baptism of Jesus being sent by God the father.
 After the son’s resurrection, he breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples.
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 The relationship of the father and the son is that of love, Christ said his father loved him
because he was wiling to his life.
 Jesus is the truth and holy one from God the helper in the spirit of truth and this is the Holy
Spirit.
 God would send the holy spirit in the name of his son Jesus Christ.

THE ROLE/ IMPORTANCE OF SIMON PETER AS A LEADER OF THE DISCIPLES

IN JOHN’S GOSPEL
Assess the role of Peter as a leader of the 12 disciples in John’s gospel
Positive role of Peter as the leader of the disciples in john’s gospel
 Peter is one of the first two disciples who were called by Jesus Christ and was introduced to
Jesus by Andrew.
 He was the only disciple that was given a new name by Jesus Christ as the rock (Cephas)/
SIMON.
 peter confessed on behalf of the disciples that they had no where to go because Jesus was the
holy one from whom words of eternal life come.
 At the Lord’s Supper, it was Peter who requested the beloved disciple who was seated next to
Jesus to ask Jesus the name of the betrayer.
 Peter was the only disciple who tried to defend Jesus Christ from being arrested when he cut
off the ear of one of the arresting soldiers.
 Peter was one of the two disciples who witnessed the trial of Jesus Christ before the
Sanhedrin from the courtyard.
 Peter was given to be the shepherd of the sheep . That is to say, Jesus instructed him to take
care of the church in his absence.
 He was the only disciple whom Jesus asked whether he really loved him and peter assured
him that he loved him.
 Peter was one of the disciples who first received the news about the resurrection of Jesus
from Mary Magdalene.
 Peter was the only disciple concerned about Jesus’ act of washing his disciples’ feet,
probably he though that it was the duty of the disciples to wash their master’s feet.

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 Peter was the only disciple who assured that he was ready to die for him.
 Peter was so much concerned and worried when Jesus Christ told them that he was going to
leave them, so he asked him about where he was going.
 After receiving the news of Jesus’ resurrection, Peter together with John ran to the empty
tomb, although it was the disciple who reached the tomb first, when peter arrived he went
straight into the empty tomb and touched the wrappers of Jesus that he had left behind.
 Peter suggested to the six disciples that he was going fishing on Lake Tiberius and they
accepted to go with him the risen Jesus appeared to them abruptly.
 Besides when the beloved disciple realized that it was Jesus who had ordered them to throw a
net into the lake some fish, he only informed peter on behalf of the disciples.
 When Jesus ordered the seven disciples to bring some of the fish they had caught to the shore
of the lake, it was one who went abroad and dragged the net full of fish to Jesus.
 He had concern for the beloved disciple to be the leader of the sheep . That is to say, when
Jesus had asked him to take care of the sheep he referred him to the beloved disciple.

Negative role of Peter as a leader of the disciples in John’s gospel

 Unlike in mark’s gospel, the leadership of Peter in john’s gospel seems to be challenged by
the beloved disciple of Jesus.
 Peter tried to bar Jesus from washing his feet because he did not know what it meant.
 Peter cut off the ear of one of the arresting soldiers, so failed to understand that Jesus Christ
was a peaceful leader as a suffering messiah.
 Peter denied Jesus Christ three times in the court yard.
 Peter failed to recognize the risen Jesus when they had gone fishing on Lake Tiberius, it was
instead the beloved disciple who recognized him and informed Peter about it.
 John the beloved disciple was the only disciple present during the crucifixion and the death
of Jesus Christ.
 Even Jesus ordered John the beloved disciple to take care of Mary his mother as his own
mother and even requested Mary his mother to take John the beloved disciple as her own son
unlike Peter.

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 Peter requested the beloved disciple to ask Jesus for the name of the betrayer instead of peter
asking for himself.
 The beloved disciple enjoyed a special position at the lord’s Supper by sitting close to the
breast of Jesus Christ unlike peter.
 Peter failed to know the actual place where Jesus was going after his departure, so asked him
where he was going.
 Peter was not the first disciples to be called by Jesus instead he was introduced to Jesus by
his brother Andrew.
 Peter first feared to go straight into the courtyard when Jesus was being tried by the
Sanhedrin instead it was a certain disciple (name not mentioned) who came and begged the
guard to allow peter into the courtyard.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN JOHN’S GOSPEL

1. Analyze the role of women in Jesus’ ministry as depicted in john’s gospel.
2. “The women were very good disciples as reflected in John’s gospel”. Justify the above
statement.

 Mary the mother of Jesus is presented as the mother of Jesus at the wedding at Cana.
 Mary the mother caused Jesus Christ to perform a sign of provision of wine to the guests.
 The Samaritan woman confessed that Jesus was the messiah as well as a prophet.
 Later the Samaritan woman became a disciple when she went and called on other Samaritans
to come and see Jesus and they believed in him.
 The Samaritan woman helped to reveal the gap that existed between the Jews and the
Samaritans. This helped Jesus to bridge the gap between the Jews and the Samaritans as
equal people.
 The woman caught in adultery could have gone out to spread the message of forgiveness by
Jesus Christ.
 The adulterous woman gave chance to Jesus to bring up the inadequacies of the Jewish law .
That is to say, the law had condemned such a woman to be stoned to death.

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 Mary anointed Jesus Christ at Bethany as a preparation for his death and burial and Jesus
appreciated her action.
 This anointing helped Jesus to realize the spiritual blindness of Judas Iscariot who had
rebuked Mary for having wasted the expensive perfume on him.
 Mary and Martha showed great faith in Jesus as the messiah who was to come to this world.
 Mary the sister of Lazarus prepared dinner for Jesus.
 Mary the mother and Mary Magdalene showed their concern during the suffering of Jesus
Christ, they followed him up to the cross and stood by his cross.
 Mary the mother showed her motherly love, care and concern to Jesus during his last hour.
 Mary Magdalene was the first person whom the risen Jesus appeared to and Jesus ordered her
to go and inform his disciples that he was going back to his father.
 On Easter Sunday, Mary Magdalene showed her concern and went to the tomb where Jesus
Christ had been buried and found it empty.
 May Magdalene obeyed and went to inform all the disciples and Jesus’ brothers about the
risen Christ.
 A woman (slave girl) created an opportunity for peter to deny Jesus Christ three times as
Jesus had predicted before.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN TODAY IN THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL

1. “Today women can effectively spread the gospel” comment on this assumption.
2. Assess the effectiveness of women in the spread of the gospel today.

Yes women today an effectively spread the gospel because of the following;
 Women are good in composing and singing Christian songs and hymns.
 They give hospitality in church when they act as church ushers.
 They organize religious conferences and seminars to promote the gospel.
 They are acting as teachers of CRE in secondary schools and tertiary institutions.
 The Catholic Church has nun/ sisters who are dedicated to the service of God and this has
attracted many to Christianity.

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 Christian mothers have a lot of influence on the child’s behaviours through prayer right from
birth of the child.
 During the formative stage, the child is normally with the mother and this is where the
personality of a child is formed.
 They are good at convincing men to become Christians and change their behaviours.
 Some are carrying out missionary journeys.
 They are good at organizing fellowships.
 Women have set up charity organizations to help the disadvantaged people in society.

However, women experience some limitations in the spread of the gospel hence
becoming ineffective namely;
 In the Catholic Church women cannot be ordained as priests.
 The long period of lactation makes them weak physically.
 They are faced with the problem of lack of finance.
 Some are faced with the problem of menstruation period.
 Some are faced with the problem of pregnancy.

THE ROLE OF GENTILES IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

1. Analyze the role of Gentiles in Jesus’ ministry in the gospel of John.
2. Assess the role of Gentiles in the ministry of Jesus in the fourth gospel.
 Jesus conversed with the Samaritan woman showing that he was a universal savior. Later a
woman becomes a disciple of Jesus when she went out and called other Samaritans to come
and see Jesus and they believed in him.
 The Samaritan woman confessed that Jesus was a prophet as well as a messiah so indicating
that she played a positive role in Jesus’ ministry.
 In john’s gospel Jesus healed the Roman officer’s son who came for assistance from Jesus.
Therefore such Gentiles had faith in Jesus.
 Many gentiles were converted to Christianity after receiving the word of God from Jesus or
after being healed . For example the family of the Roman officer after healing their son
believed in Jesus.
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 In john’s gospel Pirate who examined Jesus and found no guilty in him was a gentile.
 The notes on the cross of Jesus declaring him as the king of the Jews was written in Greek,
Aramaic and Latin languages to show that the gentiles were important in the ministry of
Jesus.
 At one time Jesus was visited by the Greeks and he accepted to talk with them implying that
he was concerned about the gentiles too (12:20)
 Jesus referred to himself as the light of the world. This implied that he brought salvation to
both Jews and Gentiles.
 When Jesus prayed to God he said that God gave him authority over all mankind so that he
might give eternal life to whoever believed in him hence gentiles were included.
 The gospel of John indicates a translation of Aramaic words for the gentiles like Golgotha
which means the place of the skull.
 Jesus cleansed the Jerusalem temple that the Jews had abused as a lesson to the Gentiles also
that this was a place of worship.
 John the Baptist referred to Jesus as the lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world
and this implied he was teaching both the Jews and Gentiles.
 Jesus preached the message about God to the Samaritans and big number of them were
converted and even requested him to stay with him for two more days which he accepted.
 During Jesus’ discourse of the good shepherd, Jesus said that there were other sheep which
belonged to him that were not his sheep fold but he would also look for them in order to
make one flock with one shepherd. This implied that he was concerned about the gentiles.
 In john’s gospel the roman soldiers who arrested Jesus were gentiles. (18:4)
 The Jews themselves alleged that Jesus was a Samaritan during the discourse on before
Abraham was born I am.

JESUS’ TEACHING ON PRAYER TO HIS DISCIPLES (JOHN 17:1-26)

Analyse Jesus’ prayer to his disciples
 Jesus looked up in heaven and said to the father that the hour has come.
 Then Jesus prayed for glory and said that the Lord gave him authority over all mankind so
that he could give eternal life to all those that were with him.

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 Jesus further said to the father that he had completed the work assigned to him, so he asked
the father to give him glory in the same way he had done before the world was made.
 Jesus confirmed to the father that many people had known him now and obeyed his word
through the son.
 Jesus said that he gave the people the message he was sent to deliver so that all who received
it may continue to believe in Christ.
 According to 17:9 Jesus acknowledged to the father that all he had was to the father but also
what the father had was for him. This signified that both Christ and god are one.
 Jesus continued to pray for his followers that as he goes back to the father. He keeps them
safe and united just as he and the father were united.
 Jesus went on to pray that while he was with the believers, he kept them safe by the power of
the lord’s name and none of them was lost except the man who was bound to be lost so that
the scriptures could come true.
 Christ also prayed to the father for his disciples that as he goes back to him the believers
might remain with joy in their hearts in all its fullness.
 Jesus further said to god he gave to the believers the Lord’s but the world hated them because
they did not belong to the world like Christ did not belong to the world.
 In 17:15 Jesus prayed to the father not to take away believers out of the world but to keep
them safe from the evil ones.
 He also prayed to god to dedicate the believers to himself by means of truth as Christ had
dedicated himself to god in his service.
 He further prayed t the father not only to show mercy to the believers but that they should be
all united knowing both Jesus and God.
 Christ said to the father that he gave him the believers but requested that they should be with
him by heart such that they may see Christ’s glory that the lord gave to him.
 However in his prayer Jesus said to the father that the world did not know him and did not
know who sent Jesus but he had tried to make the world know God.

DISCUSS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF JESUS’ PRAYER FOR HIS DISCIPLES TO

MODERN CHRISTIANS

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 Jesus’ prayer for his disciples teaches modern religious leaders always to be ready to pray for
the believers in both times of peace and trouble.
 It reveals the union that Jesus had between him and the father who sent him into the world to
preach the gospel as he said “all have is yours, and all you have is mine…” (17:10)
 It teaches modern Christians to always dedicate their services to god as Jesus did and was
able to accomplish the work the father gave him. 917:4)
 Jesus ‘ prayer to his disciples promotes a spirit of unity among believers as Christ prayed to
the father to keep them as one.
 It teaches modern Christians to always give glory to the father as Christ said that he always
gave glory to the father while on earth. 917:4)
 The prayer of Jesus reminds religious leaders to prepare their followers to take on their
mission when they are away.
 Jesus’ prayer to hid disciples encourages modern Christian leaders to carry out their mission
of preaching the word of God without fear or favour like Jesus said he had made the father be
known to the people in the world.
 The prayer of Jesus teaches modern religious leaders to struggle and keep their followers safe
from the powers of evil following the example of Jesus who said that he had kept the
believers safe by the power of god who sent him.
 Jesus’ prayer to his disciples shows that he had too much love for his disciples; therefore
modern Christians are called upon to also exercise such spirit of love among their followers.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE ARREST, CRUCIFIXION AND THE DEATH OF JESUS

IN THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO JOHN
Explain the importance/ relevance of Jesus’ arrest, crucifixion and death in light of john’s
gospel
The significance of the arrest of Jesus (18:1-11)
 The arrest of Jesus was carried out in the night which implied the action was illegal.
 It also signified that darkness was conflicting with light in other words darkness represents
the spiritual blindness of the Jewish leader towards the truth of Jesus’ gospel.

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 The arrest of Jesus signified lack of understanding of Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus by
handing him over to be arrested.
 Jesus’ arrest and Judas’ betrayal fulfilled the prediction of Jesus that one of his disciples
would betray him.
 It also signified that Jesus took initiative as the logos (love) to save mankind. He clearly
identified himself before the arresting soldiers that he was Jesus of Nazareth that they were
looking for.
 The arrest of Jesus signified his divinity. Jesus’ power was felt by the soldiers by falling
down as soon as he identified himself before them.
 It also signified the humanity of Jesus. He was actually arrested like any other Jew/ human
being who had committed an offense.
 Jesus’ arrest signified that he was in full control of the events that led to his arrest. This is
why he was able to present himself to the soldiers who even did not know him properly.
 The arrest of Jesus indicated that he was a good shepherd who protects his sheep. He told the
soldiers to only arrest him and let the disciples free which they accepted.
 Jesus’ arrest portrayed/ showed peter as the leader of the 12 disciples and also as a man who
loved his master so much he tried to defend Jesus by cutting off the ear of one of the soldiers.
 It showed Jesus as suffering messiah as well as a peaceful leader as he felt sympathy for the
soldier whose ear had been cut off.
 Jesus’ arrest fulfilled his prediction that not any of his disciples would be lost from him. This
is proved when all his disciples were let free by the soldiers.

The significance of the crucifixion of Jesus (19:1-27)

 The crucifixion of Jesus indicated that he was in full control of events that were taking place.
He managed to carry his own cross to Golgotha to bring salvation to mankind.
 It signified Jesus was a human being. He physically carried the cross himself to Golgotha.
 The crucifixion indicated the majestic power of Jesus/ divinity instead of a suffering type of a
messiah.
 During the crucifixion of Jesus the great power of faith of women is depicted. Some of them
stood towards Jesus Christ by his cross.

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 Jesus carrying the cross during his crucifixion fulfilled Old Testament times when Israelites
carried firewood.
 The crucifixion also fulfilled the Old Testament scripture in psalms 22:28 indicating how
soldiers would grumble for Jesus’ clothes.
 It also proved that Jesus was a king of the Jews as it was written on his cross “king of the
Jews”.
 It was a divine plan that the title king of the Jews was written on Jesus’ cross because the
Jewish leaders wanted Pilate to change the title but he rejected their request.
 The crucifixion of Jesus signified the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures of the
suffering servant of God whom Isaiah 53 had talked about.
 The action also proved that the work of Jesus had been completed because he said it is
finished at the time of his death.
 Jesus’ crucifixion implied that his ministry was universal. The notes put on his cross was
written in different languages like Aramaic, Latin and Greek so catering even to the gentiles.
 Jesus’ mother and john the beloved disciple were both present at his crucifixion and Jesus
requested his mother and john to take care of each other, this signified continued friendship
between the two families.

The significance of the death of Jesus in john’s gospel (19:28-37)

The death of Jesus Christ had the following significances;
 The blood that came out of Jesus’ body when he was pierced signified the idea of Eucharist.
 Water that came out of Jesus’ body at his death also signified the idea of baptism of
Christians.
 The death of Jesus on the cross showed his humanity. He physically did like any other Jew
who could die.
 Jesus’ death revealed the glory of God/ love of god to mankind on earth revealed through
Jesus Christ who died for human sins.
 The death of Jesus Christ indicated the kingdom of God was a present reality as he accepted
his son to die for the sins of mankind.
 The piercing of the body of Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament scriptures in Zachariah 12:10.

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 Jesus’ death being witnessed by people like john the beloved disciple and his mother Mary
indicates that he also had followers.
 The legs of Jesus were not broken fulfilling the Old Testament scriptures in Exodus 12:46and
also signifying that Jesus Christ was the Lamb of God.
 At the time of Jesus’ death he said it is finished this signified that he had completed his work
the father gave him.

REASONS FOR THE DEATH OF JESUS ACCORDING TO JOHN’S GOSPEL

1. Justify Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross in the gospel of john.
2. Account for Jesus’ crucifixion on the cross in the light of the fourth gospel.
 The crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a divine plan. It was god the father who had planned it
that Jesus would die at that time.
 Jesus Christ was crucified in order to bring glory to God his father who had sent him into the
world to preach the gospel.
 Jesus died because Satan had entered one of his disciples Judas Iscariot who decided to
betray him and was then handed over to the Jewish leaders who crucified him.
 The crucifixion of Jesus was caused by his becoming more popular than the religious leaders
especially after raising Lazarus to life.
 Jesus was crucified because he knew about his crucifixion but willingly accepted to surrender
himself to the Jewish leaders.
 Jesus was crucified because he accepted to carry the cross himself to Golgotha.
 The crucifixion of Jesus was caused by his action of cleansing the Jerusalem temple which
caused controversy with the Jews later planning to kill him.
 Jesus’ crucifixion was because the high priest Caiaphas had predicted the death of Jesus so as
to save the Jewish nation from being attacked by the Romans.
 Jesus was crucified because the Jewish leaders had accused him falsely of treason before
Pilate. They said he claimed to be the king of the Jews yet they were under the Roman rule.
 Jesus was crucified because the mob preferred Jesus to be crucified so as to release Barabbas
by Pilate.

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 Jesus was crucified because he had conflicted with the Jewish leaders over the observation of
the Sabbath for example he had healed a blind man on Sabbath which was against the Jewish
law.
 Jesus was crucified because the Jewish leaders accused him of committing blasphemy . That
is to say, he claimed to be the son of God and equal to God which to them was un acceptable.
 The death of Jesus was part of fulfilling the Old Testament scriptures of the suffering
messiah as noted in Isaiah 53.
 Jesus was crucified because his arrest, trial and accusation by the Sanhedrin were all fake but
just of out of jealousness.
 Jesus was crucified on change of treason because it was the order of the Roman execution
that such a case could be punished by crucifixion in order to avoid other people from
committing a similar offense.

HOW FAR WERE THE JEWISH RELIGIOUS LEADERS RESPONSIBLE FOR

THE DEATH OF JESUS ON THE CROSS ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL OF
JOHN?
To a larger extent the Jewish religious leaders were responsible for the death of Jesus in the
following ways;
 When Jesus cleansed the Jerusalem temple they asked for the origin of his right to cleanse the
temple hence they started making plans to kill him.
 In the same way of cleansing the Jerusalem temple Jesus claimed to rebuild the temple in 3
days which was not understood by the Jewish leaders who claimed that they had taken many
years to rebuild it.
 Jewish leaders became jealous of Jesus and laid plans of his death because he had a large
crowd following him like when he entered the Jerusalem city with a lot of praises to him.
 When Jesus claimed to be greater and older than Abraham their ancestor, this annoyed the
Pharisees and hence organized to kill him.
 When Jesus raised Lazarus to life the Jewish leaders plotted to kill him because of his
increasing popularity.

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 It was the Jewish leader the high priest Caiaphas that suggested Jesus should be killed in
order to save the Jewish nation from being destroyed by the Romans.
 They were the Jewish leaders that bribed Judas Iscariot to help them in betraying Jesus which
Judas also did in their favour.
 The Jewish leaders falsely accused Jesus of claiming to be the king of the Jews before Pilate.
So Pirate also accepted to hand over Jesus to them to be crucified.
 The Jewish leaders caused Jesus’ death through accusing him of blasphemy. He claimed to
be a son of God as well as being equal to god.
 It was the Jewish leaders who accused Jesus of breaking the Sabbath law like when he healed
the crippled at the pool also he healed the man who was born blind.
 The Jewish leaders planned the death of Jesus by accusing him forgiving the sins of the
adulterous woman which was against the mosaic law.
 The Pharisees were not happy with Jesus when he called them children of the devil. Hence
they planned for his crucifixion.
 The Jewish leaders were responsible for the death of Jesus as they organized the guards to
arrest Jesus for having attracted many people and they were also wondering whether he was
the promised messiah.
 When Jesus referred to god as his father it highly annoyed the Jewish leaders and called it
blasphemy hence leading to the death of Jesus.
 The Jewish religious leaders were responsible for the death of Jesus through accusing him of
treason before Pilate.
 It was these Pharisees that insisted that Jesus should be crucified despite Pilate finding him
innocent.
 The Jewish leaders still influenced the death of Jesus through mobilizing the mob to demand
for Jesus’ crucifixion in return for the release of Barabbas.
 The Jewish religious leader Caiaphas is the one who ordered his guards to take Jesus to Pilate
for trial where he was eventually sentenced to death.
 Still it was Annas one of the high priests who allowed high guards to torture Jesus before
forwarding him to Caiaphas.

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 However, to a smaller extent other factors led to the death of Jesus other than the
Jewish religious leaders as noted below;
 The betrayal of Judas Iscariot led to Jesus’ death.
 It was a divine plan of God.
 It was meant to fulfill the Old Testament scriptures about the suffering messiah.
 Crucifixion was the Roman way of executing criminals like Jesus who was accused of
treason.
 Pilate’s decision ordering the Jewish authorities to take Jesus for crucifixion although he saw
no case over him also resulted into the death of Jesus.
 Pilate was unfair in his judgment because he subjected Jesus’ trial to the wishes of the crowd.
 Jesus himself willingly accepted to go to the cross and even refrained people like peter from
fighting back to defend him resulted into his death.
 The crowd that forced Pilate to sentence Jesus to death and release Barabbas also contributed
to his death.
 Jesus’ death was meant to show the love of god for mankind revealed through Jesus.

JESUS’ TEACHING ON PRAYER (17:1-24)

How did Jesus pray to God referring to his earthly ministry which was about to an
end? (17:1-6)
 Jesus prayed to God asking him to give him glory in his coming death so that he may also
give back glory to God.
 Jesus appreciated the fact that God had given him the authority over all mankind.
 Jesus prayed to God so that he may give eternal life to those who believed in him.
 Jesus said that eternal life meant knowing the true God and knowing Christ as the son of god.
 In the prayer Jesus says he had shown the glory of God on earth and had finished the work he
had been given to do.
 Jesus prayed to God to give him glory in his presence same glory he had with him before the
world was created.
 In the prayer Jesus appreciated the fact that he had made God known to his followers who as
well belonged to him as the father.
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 When praying Jesus recognized the fact that his followers had obeyed the word of God which
he taught to them.
 In his prayer, Jesus had no expression of sorrow because he was returning to the father and
had accomplished his work.
HOW DID JESUS PRAY TO GOD FOR HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
DISCIPLES HE HAD CALLED TO SERVE? (17:7-9)
 Concerning Jesus’ relationship with the disciples, Jesus informed God that he had passed the
message he had given to him to teach to his disciples/ followers.
 Jesus also reminded God that his disciples knew the fact that he come from him as the father.
 Jesus prayed for his disciples because they also belonged to him as the father and his glory is
shown through his disciples.
 Jesus prayed to God asking him to keep the disciples safe by God’s power now that Christ
was to go back to the father.
 Jesus prayed to God also to keep the disciples united just like he and God the father were
united.
 In this prayer Jesus reminded God that he had done everything possible to protect his
disciples and keep them safe except one who was bound to get lost so as to fulfill the Old
Testament scriptures.
 Jesus said to God that he passed on the gospel to his disciple but the world hated them
because they did not belong to it.
 Jesus also prayed to God asking him to keep his disciples holy and safe.
 In the prayer Jesus said that he sent the disciples to the world just as God had sent them to the
world to preach the world.
 Jesus prayed to god to accept his disciples as he was offering them back to him as he was
dedicating himself to God.

HOW DID JESUS PRAY FOR THE CHURCH OF THE FUTURE ACCORDING TO
17:20-26
 Jesus prayed for those who believed in the message of the disciples so that they be blessed by
god.

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 He also prayed to god for the unity to exist in the church of the future.
 Jesus prayed for unity of the church in order for the world to believe that God had sent him.
 He prayed for glory in the future church as God has also given him glory so that they might
be one.
 Jesus prayed to God to love his followers of the future church as God had loved him too.
 Jesus appreciated the fact that God had given him all those followers, so he prayed to him to
allow them be where he was in order to see his glory.
 Jesus prayed that his followers keep knowing him so that the love of God be with them too.
 Jesus also prayed for the future church to get the power of the holy spirit to fight evil forces
that would come their way.

THE EVIDENCE OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IN JOHN’S GOSPEL

1. What justification is there in john’s gospel to show that Jesus really resurrected from
death?
2. Discuss the concrete proof for the resurrection of Jesus from death in the fourth gospel.
3. “the resurrection of Jesus is a historical reality”. Justify the statement in light of the
fourth gospel.

The gospel of john justify the resurrection of Jesus in the following ways;
 John’s gospel records the presence of the empty tomb as a proof that Jesus actually
resurrected.
 Mary Magdalene went to the tomb where Jesus was buried and saw that the stone had been
taken away from the entrance. This implies that Jesus had already resurrected.
 Similarly the beloved disciple of Jesus went to the tomb of Jesus’ burial and saw only linen
wrappings that Jesus had left behind but ever saw the body which implies Christ had already
resurrected.
 Simon peter also went straight to the empty tomb and touched the linen wrappings where the
body of Jesus had been buried, this also implies that Christ had risen.
 The two angels who were sitting at the entrance of the tomb where the body of Jesus had
been buried resurrected.

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 There is proof that Jesus appeared after resurrection to Mary Magdalene and even called her
by name while at the empty tomb.
 Jesus resurrected according to john’s gospel because he instructed Mary Magdalene to go
and inform his disciples his resurrection.
 It is true Jesus resurrected according to john’s gospel because he appeared to the disciples in
a room and wished them peace to be upon them.
 Indeed Jesus resurrected because he showed the scars of his hands and body to the disciples
and were filled with joy.
 The risen Jesus breathed the Holy Spirit upon his disciples and advised them to forgive
people’s sins.
 Jesus resurrected because he was able to show himself to Thomas the disciple who had at
first doubted the news of Jesus’ resurrection and later he confessed he was the lord.
 Jesus resurrected according to John’s gospel as he appeared to seven disciples who had gone
fishing on Lake Tiberius and even called them to have a meal of fish and bread with him.
 It is true Jesus resurrected because he later had a conversation with peter whom he asked
over three times whether peter loved him and peter confirmed he did loved him.
 According to the gospel of John it is evident that Jesus resurrected because he appeared to
Peter and appointed him as the official shepherd of the sheep. That is to say, the head of the
disciples.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RESURRECTION AND APPEARANCE OF JESUS

IN JOHN’S GOSPEL
Examine the importance/ meaning/ significance/ relevance of the resurrection and appearance
of Jesus according to the gospel of John.
 The resurrection of Jesus signified that there is life after death since he had resurrected.
 It signified that Jesus was a true son of God as he claimed that would die and later resurrect
in three days.
 The resurrection of Jesus signified that Jesus was the promised messiah who suffered, died
and later re-appeared on earth as it was expected.
 The resurrection of Jesus meant he was a divine being.

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 It revealed the lack of faith of Thomas because he had doubted Jesus’ resurrection before
seeing him physically.
 Jesus’ resurrection and re-appearance to some people like Mary Magdalene and the disciples
increased their faith in him.
 The resurrection and appearance of Jesus enabled the disciples to receive the power of the
holy spirit which he had promised to them.
 Jesus’ resurrection taught the disciples a lesson that their master Jesus had powers over
death.
 It gave courage to the disciples to preach the word without fear.
 Jesus’ resurrection and appearance to various people gave them joy in life.
 It signified that Jesus was a good shepherd who calls his sheep by name as he called Mary
Magdalene.
 It also showed the love of God for mankind revealed through Jesus Christ who died and later
resurrected to prove God’s power.
 Jesus’ resurrection helped him to commission the disciples to go out and forgive people’s
sins on his behalf.
 It also signified the importance of faith as Jesus emphasized to the disciples that happy are
those who believe without seeing.
 The resurrection of Jesus enabled him to fully appoint Peter as the head of the apostles.

REALIZED ESCHATOLOGY VERSES FUTURISTIC ESCHATOLOGY IN THE

GOSPEL OF JOHN
1. How far is the gospel of John concerned with realized eschatology other than futuristic
eschatology?
2. To what extent does the gospel of John show that the kingdom of God had already come
among the contemporaries of Jesus?
To a larger extent, the gospel of John is concerned with realized eschatology other than
futuristic eschatology . That is to say, the kingdom of God had come in the following ways;
 John the Baptist confessed to his disciples that Jesus was the Lamb of God who takes away
the sins of the world.

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 Jesus told Nicodemus that whoever does not believe in the son of God is already judged there
and then.
 John’s gospel uses the term eternal life instead of kingdom of God to show that it had already
come on earth. John’s gospel says whoever believes in Jesus Christ as the son of God already
gets eternal life which is here and now.
 When Jesus prayed for his disciples he said that the hour had come to give glory to him and
glory to God.
 Jesus told Mary and Martha that he was the resurrection and life so he raised Lazarus to life.
 Mary anointed Jesus at Bethany with an expensive perfume to show that God’s anointed has
already come.
 Jesus Christ cleanses the Jerusalem temple as a public manifestation that it had come on
earth.
 The triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem was a public manifestation that it had
come on earth.
 Jesus said that the time has already come when the dead will hear the voice of the son of God
and have life.
 Jesus send the holy spirit to his disciples after his resurrection.
 The Baptist witnessed the Holy Spirit come upon Jesus from heaven in form of a dove and he
confessed that he was the son of God.
 The Samaritan woman went out and called upon other Samaritans t come and see Jesus who
had told her everything she had ever done.

However, to a smaller extent, John’s gospel was also concerned with futuristic
eschatology . That is to say, the kingdom of God had not yet come in the following ways;
 Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be born again of water and the spirit before he can enter
the kingdom of God.
 Jesus promised the disciples that he will come back and take them where they will be with
him.
 Jesus promised the disciples to send them the Holy Spirit as helper who will stay with them
forever.

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 Jesus’ crucifixion and death showed that the kingdom of God was yet to come.
 Jesus told Peter that if he wanted the beloved disciple to live until he was to come back, what
would that mean to him.
 Jesus prayed for his disciples that God keeps them safe by the power of his name because he
was coming back to him.
 The feeding of the 5000 people was pointing to the heavenly banquet that his followers
would enjoy.
 The anointing of Jesus at Bethany was a preparation for his death and burial.

THE MEANING OF THE VARIOUS SYMBOLS USED IN JOHN’S GOSPEL

1. Discuss the meaning of the various symbols in the gospel of John.
2. Comment on the significance of the symbols used in the gospel of John.
3. Justify the view that the gospel of John is a gospel of symbolism

A striking feature of the gospel of John is the symbolic uses of common things from everyday
life. John’s gospel uses ordinary symbols to bring out spiritual truth about God or spiritual
realities to his audience like water, bread, the grape vine and its fruits, light, darkness among
others.
 Symbols in john’s gospel are used to convey spiritual truth about God to the readers.
 The term water symbolizes the idea of purification.
 The term water also symbolizes the idea of baptism.
 Term word symbolizes the wisdom of God, so Jesus is the true wisdom of God.
 Bread and wine symbolize the idea of Eucharist/Lord’s supper.
 The cross symbolizes the idea of victory in the ministry of Jesus.
 Water in the pool of Berthzartha symbolized the idea of healing.
 Jesus being the Lamb of God symbolized that he was humble and a gentle son of God.
 They symbolized the mesiahship of Jesus.
 They also symbolized the divinity of Jesus.
 The six jars that were filled with water during the wedding at Cana symbolized the
satisfaction and abundance found in Jesus.
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 The blood and water that came out of Jesus while at the cross when the soldiers pierced him
symbolized the humanity of Jesus.
 The term world symbolizes the physically created world in which mankind lives and also
mankind being enslaved by sin.
 Life giving water that Jesus promised to give the Samaritan woman symbolized the idea of
eternal life.
 The feeding of the 5000 people was a symbol pointing to the heavenly banquet that Jesus’
followers would enjoy.

JOHN’S TEACHING ON JUDGMENT ON MANKIND

1. Examine the teaching on judgment of mankind in light of John’s gospel.
2. What did Jesus teach on judgment of man in the gospel of John?
3. Explain what John’s gospel teaches about God’s judgment.

 According to John’s gospel, the judgment of mankind takes place in the present age than in
the future . That is to say, it is here and now.
 Judgment of an individual is determined by his own attitude towards Jesus.
 Whoever believes in Jesus is not judged.
 But whoever does not believe in Jesus has already been judged.
 It explains how judgment works; the light has come into the world but people love the
darkness because their deeds are evil.
 Whoever believes in Jesus has eternal life.
 Whoever disobeys Jesus will not have life but will remain under God’s punishment.
 Whoever hears Jesus words and believes in God who sent him has eternal life.
 He will not be judged but has already passed from death to life.
 Whoever rejects Jesus and fails to accept his massage has one who will judge him.
 The words that Jesus speaks will be his judge on the last day.
 For God did not send his son into the world to be its judge but to be its savior.
 But whoever does what is true comes to the light in order that the light may show that what
he did was in obedience to God.
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 God himself does not judge anyone but gave the right to judge to his son.
 The time will come when the dead will come out of their graves and those who will have
done good will be raised and live and those who will have done badly will rise and be
condemned.
 For what God wants is that all those who believe in Jesus should have eternal life and will
raise them to life on the last day.
 Whoever believes in Jesus will live even though he physically dies and whoever lives and
believes in him will never die.
 He says the Holy Spirit would prove to people of the world that they are wrong about sin
about what is right and about God’s judgment.
 Jesus also advised the Jewish leaders to stop judging by external standards instead to judge
by true standards.
 Jesus also said that he came to this world to judge so that he blind should see and should
become blind.

THE TEACHING OF JOHN’S GOSPEL ON THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS

1. How does the gospel of John present the authority of Jesus as a son of God?
2. Examine the teaching of John’s gospel on the authority of Jesus.

 Jesus clearly asserts his divine son ship and his complete union with his father.
 His union with God the father is shown in complete obedience to him.
 Jesus says that he can do nothing on his own, he does only what he sees his father doing.
 The father loves him and shows him all that he himself does, so that the son shares the
father’s work.
 To Jesus, god entrusted him with the power to raise the dead and give them life.
 God entrusted Jesus with the owner to judge the world.
 Honour shown to Jesus is honour shown to God his father.
 Jesus was entrusted with the power to give eternal life to those living in the world.
 Just as God is the source of life, in the same way he has made his son to be the source of life.
 The deeds of Jesus were showing that he had authority in the world from God.
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 The I am saying are a reflection of Jesus’ authority given to him by God.
 He says he did not come on his own authority but God who sent him.
 Jesus assured the Jewish leaders that he came from above unlike them who came from the
world.
 He promises to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples because he had the authority.
 Cleanses the Jerusalem temple with divine authority.
 He claims that he came from above and so was greater than all.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN AND THE OLD

TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES
1. Discuss how the work and the ministry of Jesus in the gospel of John is a fulfillment of
the Old Testament scriptures.
2. Discuss how the gospel of John fulfills the Old Testament scriptures.
3. Comment on the relationship between the gospel of John and the Old Testament
scriptures.

 In the beginning was the word and the word was with God as presented in john’s gospel, this
fulfills the creation stories in the book of Genesis.
 John the Baptist is presented a fore runner in the prologue of john’s gospel, which stands for
Prophet Elijah of the Old Testament times.
 When John the Baptist claimed that he was the voice of some one shouting in the desert, this
fulfills the old testament scriptures in Isaiah 40:3
 The cleansing of the Jerusalem temple by Jesus fulfills the Old Testament scriptures in
psalms 69:9 and Jeremiah’s temple sermon in Jeremiah 7.
 The 12 baskets of food that remained after feeding the 5000 people reflected the 12 tribes of
Israel.
 The 5 loaves of bread that were used to feed the 5000 people reflected the Torah. That is to
say, the 5 law books of Old Testament.
 The crucifixion of Jesus on the cross coincided with Passover lamb.

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 The triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem fulfills the prophesy in the book of Zachariah
9:9.
 The cross of Jesus bore the notice INRI . That is to say, Jesus of Nazareth the king of Jews,
the expectation of Jews though in irony.
 The division of the garment of Jesus by the soldiers fulfills the Old Testament scriptures in
psalms 22.
 The burial of Jesus reflected the message in Isaiah about the suffering servant of God.
 Jesus refers to himself as the true vine, this reflects the true vine pictured in Isaiah 5:1-7 and
Jeremiah 2: 21.
 The I am sayings in john’s gospel are equivalent to the I am sayings in Exodus like when
God told Moses that “I am who I am”.
 The anointing of Jesus at Bethany by Mary showed that Jesus was the anointed king of the
Jews as expected in the Old Testament scriptures.
 Jesus performed seven signs which were expected of a messiah like healing a cripple, healing
a man born blind fulfilling Isaiah 35:5-6.

TO WHAT EXTENT DO CHURCH LEADERS FULFILL THE MINISTRY OF JESUS

TODAY
How far have the modern clergy fulfilled the ministry of Jesus?
To a larger extent religious leaders do fulfill the ministry of Jesus today in the following ways;
 They preach the gospel about Jesus.
 Catholic priest are living celibate lives in order to concentrate on serving God alone.
 They carry out works of charity.
 They carry out missionary journeys.
 They choose their successors to take over them.
 They perform miracles in Jesus’ name.
 They guide and counsel Christians.
 Extend forgiveness of people’s sin on behalf of God.
 They interpret the Old Testament scriptures and the New Testament scriptures.
 Some have endured persecution and suffering for the sake of Jesus.
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 They anoint the sick Christians, visit those in hospitals and visit those in prison.
 They land hands on Christians to receive blessings and the Holy Spirit.
 Settle disputes among Christian.
 Baptize new converts in Jesus’ name.
 Carry out the Lord’s Supper.
 Conduct prayers
However to a smaller extent, some church leaders have failed to fulfill the ministry of
Jesus in the following ways;
 Some are promoting immoral behaviours among Christians like homosexuals.
 Some are materialistic in nature
 Some are false preachers
 Some are hypocrites
 Some misinterpret the gospel for selfish interest.
 Some do fuel divisions in the church.
 Some are involved in politics.
 Some are too proud of themselves.
 Some have commercialized church services.
 Some are living sexually immoral lives

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE EPILOGUE OF JOHN’S GOSPEL 21:1-25

 Epilogue of John’s gospel refers to the concluding chapter of John’s gospel and this covers
chapter 21:1-25
Comment on the significance of the epilogue of John’s gospel.
 Signified that Jesus had indeed resurrected from death . That is to say, his appearance to the
seven disciples.
 Signified the divinity of Jesus . That is to say, he told his disciples to throw the net into the
lake and they were able to catch some fish.
 Signified the humanity of Jesus. That is to say, called upon the disciples to come and eat the
fish and bread that he had prepared for them.

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 Signified the commissioning of Simon peter to be the head of the church on earth by the risen
Jesus Christ.
 It foreshadowed the miracle of feeding the 5000 people by Jesus. That is to say, he fed the
disciples in fish and bread just as he had fed the 5000 people on fish and bread.
 The disciples also received the spiritual sight through the sign of catching fish and later when
they shared the bread and fish that Jesus had prepared for them.
 This could have symbolized the Lord’s Supper.
 Signified the continual lack of understanding of Jesus by his disciples. That is to say, at first
they did not understand him when he appeared to them at the lakeside and ordered them to
throw the net into the lake.
 It signified the love of Jesus for his disciples. That is to say, he appeared to them.
 It signified the genuine love that Peter had for Jesus. That is to say, he assured Jesus three
times that he really loved him.
 The three times that Peter affirmed that he loved Jesus corresponds to the three times that
Peter had denied Jesus.
 It pointed to the martyrdom of Peter which would bring glory to God.
 It removed the faith of the seven disciples in Jesus.
 It removed the misunderstanding about the disciple whom Jesus loved . That is to say, Jesus
clarified to Peter about the position of the beloved disciples.
 Its beloved disciple of Jesus confirms himself as a witness of Jesus.

PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians is specifically the people known as Corinthians living in
the city of Corinth.
THE CHARACTERISTICS/FEATURES OF THE CITY OF CORINTH
At the time when Paul first visited them
 The city of Corinth was the largest sea port Greek and most important city in the whole of the
Roman Empire because of its commercial business.
 It was a city characterized by a high degree of sexual immorality like prostitution and incest.

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 Drunkardness was the order of the day. That is to say, the Corinthians were habitual
drunkards and this explains why there was a high rate of crime in Corinth.
 The city was a camp of many people from different parts of the world who had been affected
by the city because of its commercial prosperity such people included the Jews, Greek,
Egyptians and Syrians.
 Socially people were divided into classes . That is to say, the majority of the people were
poor especially the slaves whereas the minority were very rich in luxury and extravagance.
 The dominant religion of the people was fertility cult. The Corinthians worship Baal and his
wife Astarte
 They believed that success in life depended on sexual intercourse between Baal and Astarte
and if they did not have sex, it was the duty of Corinthians to remind them.
 There was temple prostitution especially in the Greek temple where the Greek
 The Corinthian was an industrial and ship building centre.
 Greek was the common language of communication used since the territory was under the
Roman rule.
 Paganism was common because each race had its own Baal god or goddess to worship like
the Corinthians worshipped Baal, the Greeks worshiped the goddess Apodite whereas
Egyptians worshiped Isis.
 Religious syncretism existed in Corinth . That is to say, there was a mixture of Christian and
pagan believe especially the Christians who had been converted from paganism continue
being influenced by pagan feast and ideology.
 Christianity was practiced by some God fearing people in the city especially the Jews and
some Gentiles who had been converted to Christianity.
 Corinth was a famous sports centre where people were talented in both in door and out door.
 The city was full of Greek philosopher who used to confuse the people about the meaning of
life after death and ideas of crucifixition.

HOW PAUL ESTABLISHED THE CHURCH AT CORINTH

 The church was started by Paul during his second long missionary journey in the area around
50-52 AD.

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 While in Corinth Paul met a Jewish couple who were already Christians and they were
Acquilla and Priscilla and they had been ordered to leave Rome by emperorClaudius.
 Paul stayed with this Jew family were together with them and made tend for sale.
 He then began enuagardising Corinthians working long with in Jewish community and a few
Greeks with who they used to meet in the local synagogue on the Sabbath.
 Paul also lived in the house of Titus Justus who believed in God. He later baptized Crispus
who was the leader of the synagogue in Corinth.
 Paul was also joined by Silas and Timothy in the spreading of the gospel so then the church
started expanding . That is to say, getting more followers.
 In the mean time, Paul met a Greek Christian woman Chloe who had great influence in
Corinth and worked with her in expanding the church.
 Afterwards, Paul left Acquilla and Priscilla and moved to Ephesus in Philistine where met
Apollos a Jew but born in Alexandria and he baptized him.
 Apollos was an eloquent speaker and had a good knowledge Old Testament scriptures
especially these of the John the Baptist.
 Paul then decided to send Apollos to Corinth to continue strengthening the church that he had
established during his second mission journey to the area.
 While Paul was in Ephesus the Corinthians wrote and sent him a letter seeking for guidance
to the problem that had cropped up to the church like sexual immorality and misuse of the
gift of the Holy Spirit.
 On the above accent responded to them by writing the letter entitled “Paul’s first letter to the
Corinthians”.
 However it is believed by scholars that this was not actual first letter that Paul had written but
the first letter could have been lost during the process of selection and compilation of the
New Testament.
 Paul’s first letters to the Corinthians as known in the bible is said to have been dated/written
from Ephesus around 55-57AD.
 All in all Paul played a big role in the establishment of Christians church in the Corinthians
city.

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AIMS OF WRITING PAUL’S FIRST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIAN
1. Division in the church of Corinth.
Paul wrote to encourage the Corinthians to have unity in the church since the different human
leaders they followed were all servants of God. This was because they had been divided
basing on four personalities namely; some claimed to follow Paul, some claimed to follow
Apollo, some claimed to follow Peter while others claimed to follow Jesus Christ.

2. The problem of incest.

Paul wrote to encourage them to expel the young man from the church fellowship who was
having intercourse with his widowed step mother and also to condemn the incest as a sin
before God.
This was because they had tolerated the young man in the church fellowship, besides they
had become proud that such a sin was taking place with their knowledge.

3. Law suits against fellow Christians.

Paul wrote to advice them to choose one wise member from the church to settle disputes
instead of taking Christian to pagan courts of law to solve them.

4. General sexual immorality . That is to say, prostitution.

Paul wrote to encourage them to use their bodies to glorify God instead of ashaming him by
uniting their bodies with prostitution. This was because they had continued to have sexual
affairs with prostitutes claiming they were free to do anything they wanted with their bodies.

5. The problem of marriage.

Paul wrote to encourage those who wanted to marry and those who wanted to live a celibate
life to stay celibate since both were gifts from God.
This was because they had asked him whether they should marry or should celibate and
whether divorce was accepted in marriages.

6. The problem of food offered to idols.

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 Paul wrote to encourage them to do things that glorify God and also to do things that do not
make the weaker Christian in faith to be tempted into sin. This was because they wanted to
know whether they were to buy and eat the meat that had been offered to idols and whether
they were to attend pagan parties and eat what is served when invited by pagan brother.

7. Right and duties of an apostle.

He wanted to use his own experience of how he had surrounded his apostolic rights so as to
commit himself to the spread of the gospel as an example to those who claimed to be strong
in faith without minding about the feelings of those who were weak in faith.

8. Paul wanted to warn the Christians about idol worship.

He does this by reminding them of how God had punished the Israelites because of
worshipping idols yet he had always provided them with everything so God would punish
them as well.

9. The problem of head covering by women during church worship.

Paul wanted to encourage women to continue veiling their heads during church worship this
reflected the glory of their husbands.
This was because woman had misunderstood Paul’s teaching on Christian freedom to mean
that they were now free to go for church worship without veiling their heads hence ashaming
their husbands.

10. The problem of the Lord’s Supper.

He wanted to encourage them to examine themselves before taking part in the Lord’s Supper
had been seen as feast for over eating and even drinking.

11. The problem of spiritual gifts.

Paul wrote to teach them that all spiritual gifts came from God and that Agape love was the
most important spiritual gift of all.

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 This was because they had considered the gift of peaking in tongues as the important spiritual
gift besides they had not known that these spiritual gift were given by God.

12. The problem of the resurrection of Jesus.

Paul wanted to assure them that Jesus Christ had resurrected from and so even the Christian
would resurrect like him
This was because hey had doubted the resurrection of Jesus Christ as well as the resurrection
of believers because of the Greeks teaching of resurrection.

13. Offering for fellow believers in the church of Jerusalem.

Paul wanted to encourage them to continue contributing some money to the need Christians
in the church Jerusalem.

SOCIAL EVILS/SOCIAL ILLS/IMMORALITY IN THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH

(a) Discuss the social evils that were manifested in the Corinthian church.
(b) Comment on the immorality that existed in the church of Corinth.
 Incest. A young man was having sexual intercourse with his step mother which was a sin
before God.
 Prostitution. Some Christians were having sexual affairs with prostitutes claiming that they
were free to do anything they wanted with their bodies.
 Divorce under marriage. Some married people were divorcing their partners yet marriage
was supposed to be permanent.
 Division in church. Christians were divided basing on personality ground . That is to say,
followed Peter, some followed Paul some followed Apollos while others followed Jesus
instead of being united.
 Misuse of the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper had been abused by discriminating against
the poor, grabbing of food, over drinking and lack of self examination.
 Drunkardness was its order of the day among some Christians.
 Misuse of spiritual gift. Those who had a gift of speaking in long tongues boasted over with
the spiritual gift. there was also disorder and noise during moments of public worship.

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 Worship of idols and participation in pagan teats where some Christians ended up being
tempted into sin.
 Law suits against fellow Christians. Christians failed to settle their own disputes, so opted to
settle them before pagan magistrates.
 Women failed to cover their heads during church worship being seen as dissonance to their
husband hence breaking the Jewish culture.
 Judgment of human leaders by the Christians yet it was only God to judge mankind since he
was the final judge.
 Trusting in human wisdom instead of trusting in the wisdom of God . That is to say, the
Corinthians had depended so much on human reasoning which made them to doubt the truth
of the gospel.
 Backsliding in the Christian faith especially by those who were weak in faith and an aspect of
food offered to the idols.

HOW DID PAUL RESPOND TO THE ABOVE SOCIAL EVIL?

Comment on Paul’s response on the immorality in the Corinthian church.
1. Division in the church
 He advised the Corinthians to be united completely.
 He advised them to follow Jesus Christ in whose name they were baptized.
 He asked them whether he was the one who died for their sins.
 Says the message of the crucified Jesus is the power and wisdom God.
 He specified the role of each apostle in establishing of the Corinthian church.
 He rebuked them as spiritual babies..
 He rebuked them as men of the flesh because they were living according to the standards
of the world.
 Says he and Apollos were simply partners as well as servant of God.
 Advised them to boast of what Jesus had done for them instead of boasting about human
leaders.
 Advised them to leave judgment of human leaders to God.

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  Says the body of a Christian is the temple of God where the Holy Spirit lives so were to
keep it holy.
2. Incest
 He advised them to expel the young an from church worship.
 He passed judgment on the young man in the name of Jesus Christ.
 He advised them to hand this man over to Satan for his body to be destroyed but saved on
the Day of Judgment.
3. Prostitution
 He advised them to use their bodies to glorify God.
 Discouraging them from using body for sexual immorality because it is a sin before God.
 He reminded them that their body is the temple of Holy Spirit.

4. Legal disputes
 Discouraging them from taking fellow Christian to pagan courts of law.
 Advised them to choose one wise member from the church to judge their cases.
 Reminded them that they would even judge the angels in heaven but wonder how they
had failed to such small matters.
5. Misuse of the Lord’s supper
 Advised them to first examine themselves before taking part in the Lord ’s Supper.
 Advised those who were hungry to first eat at home before taking part in the Lord’s
Supper.
 Advised them to always wait for one another at the Lord ’s Supper.
6. Misuse of spiritual gifts
 Advised them to use the spiritual gifts for the benefits of the whole church.
 Says love was the most important gifts of all spiritual gifts.
 Advised those speaking tongue to pray for the gift of interpreting what is spoken in
tongue.
7. Divorce under marriage
 Advised them to have permanent marriage instead of seeking divorce.
 Advised those who lacked self control to marry instead of burning with sexual passion.
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8. Failure of women to cover their heads during church worship
 Advised women to continue veiling their heads during worship as a sign of respecting
and submission to their husband.
 Advised women to always keep quite during public worship and if they wanted to find
something from the church, they were to wait and ask their husbands from home.
9. Food offered to the idols
 Advised them to buy and eat meat and food sold in the market without asking any
question.
 Advised them to always worship one God.
 Advised the strong in faith to consider the feeling of those who are weak in faith because
tempting them to eat food offered to idols would be equivalent to sinning against Jesus
and their brothers.
10. Trusting in human wisdom
 He advised them to trust in God’s wisdom which is the death of Jesus Christ on the cross
and his resurrection.
 Says the facilities of God is more than human wisdom and God’s weakness is stronger
than human strength.
11. Judgment of human leaders
 He advised them to hand judgment of human leaders to God because he is the final judge
of mankind.
12. Paul also advised them to always associate with moral people instead of associating with
immoral people.

THE DIVISION/PARTY FACTIONS IN THE CHURCH OF CORINTH

1. Comment on the nature of divisions that existed in church of Corinth.
2. Give an account of the divisions in the Corinthian church
The division in the Corinthian church was based on personality ground . That is to say, each
group preferred to follow a particular human leader at the expenses of the other leaders.

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 There were four divisions or party factions or splinter group based on personality grounds
namely;
1. “I follow Paul’s party”
 These followed Paul because he was the founder of the church at Corinth.
 Because Paul had baptized some, some of them like Cripus, Gaius, Stephanus and his
family.
 Because Paul was an apostle specifically for the Gentile Christians.
 Because Paul preached a gospel in a simple manner and language which was easy for
ordinary people to understand and this teaching was based on his experience.
 He used his past experience to win people to Jesus Christ.

2. “I follow Apollos party”

Apollos had succeeded Paul had now left for Ephesus so when he came to Corinth, some
people followed him because;
 He was more eloquent and interesting in his preaching of the gospel than Paul.
 He used a philosophical approach to interpret the gospel hence easily won the support of
the Greeks.
 He had received quality education from the great university of Alexandria so he won the
support of the Greeks who cherished intellectualism.
 He was a young intelligent man with good knowledge and interpretation of the Old
Testament scriptures especially those of John the Baptist.
 He was a Jew who was seen as a lover of the Jewish culture and the Jewish life style so
he won the support of the Jews.

3. “I follow Simon Peter’s party”

These followed Peter because of the following reasons;
 He was of the original apostles of Jesus Christ.
 He was the head of the apostolic band . That is to say, the shepherd of the sheep.
 He was a Jew brought under the Jewish culture and always supported it under that is why
he won the support of the conservative Jews.

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4. “I follow Jesus Christ party”
This group decided to follow Jesus Christ instead of human leaders because;
 Jesus Christ was the son of the Holy Spirit.
 Jesus Christ was the Messiah who had died for their sins.
 He was the founder of Christianity.

NB
The above division in the church of Corinth was only based on personality grounds, however the
Corinthian were still united as far as the gospel message was concerned.

It is important to note that there existed other divisions in the church of Corinth not necessary
based on personality ground but based on the following:
5. Division on the issue of food offered to idols. The strong Christians in faith continued to eat
food offered to idols because they believed that idols did not exist at all whereas the weak
Christians in faith believed that country this meat could defile one’s relationship with God.
6. Division on the issue of Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper had divided the Christians into
two groups . That is to say, the rich Christians who despised the poor Christians.
7. Division on the issue of spiritual gifts. The Christians who had the gift of speaking in
tongues saw it as the most important spiritual gift so boasted over those who had other
spiritual gifts or did not have any spiritual gift.
8. Division on the issue of head covering by women. Women who had stated going for public
worship without veiling their heads, but men could not tolerate women who were praying
without covering their heads in church worship because this was shaming them in public.

PAUL’S TEACHING ON DIVISIONS/PARTY FACTIONS IN THE CORINTHIAN

CHURCH
1. What does Paul teach about divisions in the Corinthian church?
2. Discus Paul’s response to the problem of party factions in the Corinthian church.

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 The divisions in the Corinth church were based on personality grounds other than doctrinal
differences.
 Paul advised them to be completely with one purpose and one thought.
 He was particularly angry with one group that claimed to follow him because they boasted
that he had baptized them and that he was the one who laid the foundation of the church at
Corinth.
 He asked them whether he was the one who had died for their sins on the cross.
 He reminded them that he did not baptize many of them apart from Crispus, Gaius,
Stephanus and his family.
 Paul says even those he baptized were not baptize were not in Jesus’ name.
 Paul says Jesus did not send him to baptize but to preach the gospel without using the
language of human wisdom.
 He says the message of the crucified Christ is the power and wisdom of God.
 Paul says what seems to be God’s foolishness id wiser than human wisdom and what seems
to be.
 God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.
 God has brought us into union with Jesus Christ and he made Jesus Christ to be our wisdom
and by him Christians put right with God.
 Paul says he didn’t preach his own gospel but preached the gospel of the crucified Jesus who
died for the sins of the world.
 He rebuked them as spiritual babies and that is why he had used a simple language suitable
for them to understand the message about Jesus Christ.
 He rebuked them as men of the flesh because they were living according to the standard of
the world.
 Paul says he and Apollos were simply God’s servants and each of them was doing the work
that God had given them.
 He specified the role of each apostle/servant in establishing the Corinthian church as follows;
- Paul planted the seeds (gospel) among the Corinthians and
- Apollos watered the plant, but it was God who made the plant to grow.

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 So what mattered most was to follow Jesus Christ/God who made the plant to grow after than
following the apostles.
 Paul says there is no difference between the man who sows the seeds and the one who
waters, God would reward each servant according to the work done.
 Paul says he and Apollos were working together for God , the Christians were the field of
God.
 He was the following metaphor to explain his work in establishing the kingdom of God; he
refers to himself as an expert builder who laid the foundation of the church at Corinth and
Apollos was building on the same foundation which foundation was Jesus Christ.
 God has placed Jesus Christ as the only foundation and so no other foundation can be laid
down. However each apostle was to be careful in the way he was building on the foundation.
 The quality of each apostle’s work on the foundation will be seen on the day when Jesus
Christ returns and fire will be used to test each apostle’s work.
 He advised them to boast of what Jesus Christ had done for them instead of boasting about
human leaders.
 He says even if they had ten thousand guardians in their Christian life, they had only one
father and he had become their father because of bringing the gospel to them.
 He promised to send them Timothy to remind them of the Christian principles they ought to
follow.
 He promised to visit them again in order to find out the source of pride of those who were
causing trouble in the church.
 He says the body of a Christian is the temple of God where the Holy Spirit lives and so they
were to keep it holy.
 Condemns them for judging God’s servants, instead judgment was to be left to God as the
final judge of mankind.
 He says that he and Apollos as servants of God were required to be faithful to him as their
master.
 He says God’s servants were facing persecution for the sake of the gospel and if they were
competitors, then they would not compete with one another in order to be persecuted.

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CAUSES OF DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH OF CORINTH
1. Account for Paul’s teaching on divisions in the Corinthian church.
2. Justify Paul’s teaching on party factions in the church of Corinth.
3. Why were there divisions in the Corinthian church?
 The Corinthian were divided basing on personality grounds.
 The Corinthians thought that the human leaders were competitors yet they were working as
partners.
 They failed to realize that all human leaders were working towards the expansion of the
kingdom of God.
 Because of the high level of spiritual immaturity among them . That is to say, they were
spiritual babies and that is why they could not understand that Jesus Christ was the
foundation of the church.
 Because they were still men of the flesh . That is to say, they were living according to the
standards of the world.
 Because they were still ignorant of who had died for their sins, probably they thought that it
was Paul or Apollos or Peter.
 Because they did not know in whose name they were baptized, probably they thought that
they were baptized in Paul’s name or Apollos or Peter.
 They failed to understand that the church leaders were building on the same foundation
which was Jesus Christ.
 It could have been as a result of the failure of the Holy Spirit to guide them in matters of
Christian faith.
 Because they lacked faith and that is why they decided to follow God’s servant.
 Te multi-racial nature of the church and the discrimination based on tribal grounds . That is
to say, the Jews and the Greeks preferred to follow Apollos because of his eloquence and
intellectualism, while the Gentiles preferred to follow Paul because he was specifically an
apostle to the Gentiles, while the Jews preferred to follow Peter because he was a lover of the
Jewish culture.
 Because they lacked the love for one another.
 Because they had failed to understand who had sent the church leaders.

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DANGERS/EFFECTS OF DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH OF CORINTH
1. Examine the dangers of divisions in the Corinth church.
2. How did the divisions threaten the unity of the church in Corinth?
The divisions in Corinth were based on personality grounds . That is to say, some were following
Apollos, some followed Paul while others followed Peter’s teaching such were going to cause
the following;
 The spirit of fellowship with God was being threatened . That is to say, the divided believers
would find it hard to meet together to fellowship and pray to God as a family.
 Divisions affected their spiritual growth because it was leading to quarrels hence backsliding
among them.
 Divisions worsened the level of spiritual immorality among them . That is to say, they
continued to live as spiritual babies.
 Divisions could hinder the expansion of the church since this could discourage the non
believers from joining the church.
 Divisions along personality beliefs made Christians to turn out to be sinners because God
prefers unity other than divisions.
 Division encouraged them to pass judgment to human leaders yet judgment was to be left to
God.
 Divisions made the people to fail to realize in whose name they were baptized instead of
understanding they were all baptized in Jesus’ name, they thought they were baptized by the
different persons they followed.
 The unity emphasized in the church was being threatened hence becoming disunited.
 Because of the divisions, the Christians substituted the place of Jews Christ in their hearts
with human leaders that is to say instead of defending the course of Christianity and the
gospel, Christians only defended human leaders who they claimed to follow.
 Divisions among Christians were equivalent to dividing Jesus Christ which was very
dangerous.
 Divisions were dangerous because they caused chaso Jesus Christ was not divided.
 Division caused chaos, quarrels and open accusations among the Christians.

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 Division caused personality cults among the Christians which in turn caused pride.
 Divisions made Christians to destroy God’s holy temple because of the quarrels, jealousy and
pride among them.
 The division made them to forget the foundation of the church as Jesus.
 The division affected the spirit of love for one another.
 Divisions brought a mixture of Christianity with pagan beliefs like the belief intellectualism .
That is to say, they trusted more in human wisdom than the true wisdom of God.
 Divisions made the Christians to look at the apostles as competitors instead of partners. This
competition extended to the followers.
 Divisions could make some Christians to backslide to paganism . That is to say, many found
it easy to follow the words of the fortune tellers and do what they requested them to do than
praying to God in times of crisis.
 Divisions made them to be proud of themselves . That is to say, it caused pride. The
preachers took themselves as earthly gods.

PAUL’S TEACHING ON THE CONTRAST BETWEEN DIVINE WISDOM AND

HUMAN WISDOM
Explain Paul’s response/teaching about divine wisdom and human wisdom in the first
letter to the Corinthians.
 St. Paul taught that human wisdom is nothing compared to God’s wisdom in other words he
wanted to teach the people to always seek for God’s wisdom other than wisdom from fellow
human beings.
 He also advised the Corinthians that they could not reach or understand God by their human
wisdom or reasoning but they could get to know him.
 He also stressed that people were taking the gospel to be a new kind of wisdom and that’s
why they had compared who is wisest among the religious leaders like Paul, Apollos and
Simon Peter.
 Paul taught the Corinthians that they were not saved by human wisdom or understanding but
they were saved by the wisdom which is Jesus Christ.

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 He taught them that with human wisdom the Jews could not understand the meaning of the
crucified Jews as the Messiah.
 He said that the Jewish understanding of the law made them to be imprisoned by the law.
This is why when Jesus came he taught the people laws about the Sabbath when he said the
Sabbath is meant for man not man for Sabbath.
 Paul taught the Corinthians that because Jesus believed in human wisdom.
 He taught to the Corinthians that human wisdom could not permit the Greeks to believe in
Jesus as the son of God as to them Jesus was an ordinary man as well as criminal but because
of God’s wisdom Jesus Christi was born by the power of the holy spirit from virgin Mary and
Joseph her husband.
 The Greeks could not image God becoming a human being so this was contradicting and
foolish that God could die on the cross.
 Paul taught the Corinthians that true wisdom is only revealed to those who have faith in Jesus
Christ therefore he called upon the people to trust in Jesus Christ.
 Paul said the gospel he preached to them was that of the cross of Jesus Christ and did not
preach it using human wisdom but God’s wisdom so he encouraged the people to always
think of God’s wisdom.
 Paul said that with divine wisdom people believe in the cross to be a victory other than
defeat.
 He also added that the crucifixition of Jesus Christ that mankind received salvation which is
the wisdom of God.

THE RELEVANCE OF PAUL’S TEACHING ABOUT WORLD AND HEAVENLY

WISDOM TO CHRISTIANS TODAY
 Paul’s message is a warning to the educated, scientists and the rich that they can’t find
salvation in their seasonal strength but through seeking for God’s wisdom.
 Christians are called upon to seek for wisdom of God in order to attain salvation at the end of
time.
 Christians should pray for guidance from the Holy Spirit not to seek for guidance from the so
called scientists who may give false wisdom.

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 Christians are called upon to use their talents and abilities to prove the existence of God but
not through use of the so called educated people who in many cases oppose God’s creation of
power.
 Christians should defend the sign of the cross before those who despise it . That is to say,
those who do not believe in God.
 Christians should be united. Both church leaders and the laity should work for unity in the
church unlike the Corinthians who had belief in different personalities like Apollos, Peter and
Paul.
 Christians should understand salvation is attained through divine but not human wisdom.
 Christians are warned that God will destroy the proud and bring the wisdom of the great to an
end.
 Christians are called upon to use their wisdom God gives them to benefit others . For
example healing the sick through prayers.
 Christians should understand that with God’s wisdom greediness for material wealth of man
need to be controlled but people should work for the kingdom of God.

THE INDICATORS OF HUMAN WISDOM TODAY

The following are some of the things people do today to show that they have human wisdom in
their heart;
 Many people depend on money to solve all other people’s problems. This is practiced even
by pastors who ask for some money to offer prayers of blessings to individuals.
 Many people depend on intellectualism, science and technology to survive and disprove God.
This is more evident with the whites who make robots that do many things in relationship to
human kind whom God created.
 Some non Christians question the trinity of God the father, Son and holy spirit they say there
is only one true God.
 Many people don’t believe that Jesus is God’s son. They insist that Jesus Christ was a son of
Mary and Joseph the carpenter as indicated in the gospels.
 Christians who involve in acts of embezzlement and corruption of government funds and
property they believe have better human wisdom than others.

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 Believers in human wisdom also doubt about the resurrection and second coming of Jesus
Christ. Many say the time he promised to come back almost expired.
 Many people claiming to have human wisdom haul insults at road sides preachers of the
word of God. They take it that they lack what to do.
 Some preachers hide under the church for selfish games. In other words many pastors have
started up individual churches not for the main purpose of spreading the gospel but targeting
financial benefits.
 Human wisdom has been indicated among church leaders who are rivaling and creating
divisionism in the church among believers . For example in Uganda pastor Simeon has for
long been at longer heads with pastor Robert Kayanja of Miracle Centre Cathedral.
 In Uganda some laity glorify some creatures at the expense of others like the people of
Corinth used to believe in personalities. This is a total sign of having human wisdom.
 Some people do not observe the Sunday services. They refer to religion as the opium of the
people. In other words many say religion is someone’s belief.

THE RELEVANCE, LESSONS OR SIGNIFICANCE OF PAUL’S TEACHING ON

DIVISION IN THE CORINTH CHURCH TO CHRISTIANS TODAY
What lessons do modern Christians learn from Paul’s teaching on disunity in the
Corinthian church?
 Christians are called upon to be united with one purpose and one hope unlike the Corinthians
who were disunited by following the teaching of different personalities like Apollos, Peter
and Paul.
 Modern Christians are called upon to follow Jesus Christ as our universal savior. He is the
only one who died for our sins not human beings like the Corinthians ere following.
 Modern Christians should have faith in Jesus but not in personalities or pastors. This is
because we were baptized in Christ’s name not in the name of pastor some of us adore like
the Corinthians were doing.
 Christians are called upon to boast of what Christ Jesus had done for them instead of boasting
about what the religious leaders has done for them.
 Church leaders should preach the same gospel about Jesus Christ unlike the Corinthians who
had divided gospel.
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 Christians should keep their bodies holy because the body of a Christian according to Paul’s
teaching is a temple of the Holy Spirit.
 Christian leaders should work as servants of God as well as partners in establishing the
kingdom of God instead of competing with one another like the Corinthian preachers were
doing.
 Modern Christians are reminded to believe in the power of God because its what saves them
but not the power of human beings that saves them.
 A Christian should trust in God’s wisdom other than trusting in the power of human wisdom
which is totally foolish before God.
 Christians should leave judgment of human leaders to God alone. He is the final judge but
not use fellow human beings to judge others.
 Church leaders are called upon to be careful in the way they build the foundation of the
church lest they face God’s judgment. According to the Corinthians the foundation of the
church was poor because followers had divided opinion basing on personality preachings.
 Christians should have spiritual maturity instead of behaving like spiritual babies by being
divided which Paul noted in the Corinthian church.
 Christians are called upon to live according to the standards of God instead of behaving like
men of the flesh. In other words we should follow God’s commands more than following
human commands.
 Christians should accept all religious leader of the church because they are servants of God
unlike the Corinthians who had divided up themselves by following different leaders.
 Church leaders should do God’s work because they will be rewarded in heaven at the end. In
other words they should fight to create unity of Corinthian leaders who created more disunity
among the believers.

DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH TODAY

“Today the present splinter denominations among Christians in Uganda are not a new
development in the church”. With reference to Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians
justify the statement.
 Yes, the splinter denominations in Christians today are not a new development because they
began right from the time of the Corinthian church.
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 Corinthians were divided basing on four personalities namely Apollos, Paul, Peter and others
followed Jesus Christ.
 Those who followed Paul’s party stressed that he was the founder of the Corinthian church;
he baptized some of them, was an apostle to the Gentiles and preached the gospel about Jesus
Christ in a simple way.
 Some people followed Apollos’ party or teaching giving their views that he was mere
eloquent in preaching the gospel than Paul, he was educated from the university of
Alexandria and a man with good knowledge of new testament scriptures especially these of
John the Baptist.
 In Corinth some people followed Peter’s party and their view were that he was one of the
original apostles of Jesus Christ and was the head of the apostolic church.
 Divisions or splinter denominations also existed through some people following Jesus
Christ’s teaching only. They say Jesus was the son of God born of the Holy Spirit and was
the Messiah who died for their sins.
 Divisionism existed also on the issue of celebrating the Lord’s Supper. Some people were
impatient that others were still praying they started enjoying their food. Also some rich
Christians did not want to share their meals with the poor.
 The splinter denominations in the Corinthian church also existed on the issue of spiritual
gifts. These people that spoke in tongues undermined others who could not speak in tongues
like those who preached the gospel.
 Divisions in the Corinthian church existed on the issue of food offered to idols. Some people
supported the views of attending and eating food offered to idols during pagan parties but
others did not support the view.
 In the Corinthian church splinter sects existed on the issue of head covering by women. Paul
taught that a woman should cover her head while in public worship so as to show the good
image of the husband but still some women did not want to move in public uncovered heads
thus creating divisions.
 However even today, sects among Christians are divided up basing on personalities just as it
was in the Corinthian church. For instance refer to fellow pastor Kayanja, pastor Kakande or
pastor Namutebi or various priests to preach to them the gospel other than others.

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 There are also divisions based on denomination grounds and the way of interpreting the
bible. In Uganda today just like in the Corinthian church, people are divided along lines of
protestants, Catholics, Adventists due to difference in the interpretation of the bible.
 There are also divisions existing in the church due to leadership wrangles for instance the
protestant church in the North has just announced its separation from the leadership in
Kampala.
 Splinter denominations in Uganda are also brought about due to economic reasons . That is to
say, some religious leaders from church to acquire wealth but not to spread the gospel. For
instance pastor Muwanguzi Kiwedde who is in prison now as implicated for standing as a
pastor in various places like Namulanda, Mengo then Raka but aiming at cheating people.
 The misuse of church funds in form of offering and donations had led to constant quarrels
and separations of believers. Sometimes the implicated religious leaders taken to the courts
of law which brings more misunderstanding between them and their followers.

INDISCIPLINE IN THE CHURCH OF CORINTH/IMMORALITY

Immorality in the church of Corinth covers three sub themes including the following;
(a) Incest
(b) Legal disputes/law suits against fellow Christians
(c) Prostitution

INCEST
Justify the teaching of Paul on incest in the Corinthian church.
Paul got information that there was a scandal in the Corinthian church. A certain young man
was having sexual intercourse with his father’s wife.

Therefore Paul taught about incest in the Corinthian church because of the following reasons;
 Sexual immorality in form of incest was a sin before God which he wanted the Corinthians to
stop there and then.
 Paul taught about incest because he had that a young Christian man was having sexual
intercourse with his widowed step-mother which to him was also not good.

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 Paul taught about incest because the Christians in the Corinthian church had kept quite about
this issue and only came to learn about it from Chloe’s family.
 The Christians had become proud that such a sin of incest was happening in their amidst
knowing that it was evil before God.
 The Corinthians had failed to condemn the young man who had committed incest therefore
Paul’s writing about this issue was intended to warn or condemn the young man of this evil.
 The Corinthians had failed to ex-communicate the young man from their church fellowship.
So when Paul wrote the letter he aimed at ex-communicating this young man from the church
fellowship.
 They had failed to pass judgment to the young man who committed incest in Jesus’ name.
Therefore Paul wrote the letter so as to pass on his judgment to the young man in Jesus’
name.
 The Corinthian Christians had failed to hand over the young man to Satan for his body to be
destroyed but to be saved on the day when Jesus Christ returns.
 Paul wrote the letter and addressed the issue of incest in order to teach the Corinthians that
even if it was only this young man committing incest, the danger would spread in the church
as normal so people had to be warned to stop or avoid it.
 Paul addressed the issue of incest in the Corinthian church in order to warn the believers to
stop associating with immoral people in the church.
 Paul addressed the issue of incest in his first letter to the Corinthians because he wanted to
teach hem that incest in church was abominable in the Jewish culture and he so said that one
who sleeps with any of his father’s wives as disgracing his father.
 Paul’s teaching about incest was to show the Corinthians that incest was ashaming the church
of God. In other words he wanted to let them stop practicing it.
 Paul taught about incest in the Corinthian church because it was discouraging pagans from
joining the church. Actually not even the pagans were practicing incest.

PAUL’S TEACHING ON INCEST

1. Examine the stand that Paul took against the case of incest in the Corinthian church.
2. How did Paul react/teach about the problem of incest in the Corinthian church

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 Paul assured the Corinthians that this act of incest was so terrible that not even the pagans
would be guilty of it.
 Paul discouraged the Corinthians from being proud that incest was taking place in the church.
In his view this was going to affect the spiritual growth of believers and the expansion of the
church.
 Paul taught the Corinthians that they had to expel this young man from their church
fellowship as this would help to control the spread of the vice.
 He reacted by saying to them that they were to feel with sadness instead of being proud that
incest was taking place in the church of Jesus Christ.
 Paul reacted also to the young man who was practicing incest by passing judgment to him in
Jesus’ name.
 Paul also reacted to the problem of incest in the Corinthian church by advising the Christians
to handover this man to Satan for his body to be destroyed so that his spirit would be saved
on the day when Jesus returned.
 Pal used an example of a little bit of yeast which can make the whole batch of dough rise. In
this he wanted to mean that small kind of sin if not controlled would cause more problems in
the church.
 Paul also advised the Corinthians to remove the yeast of sin (incest) so that they may be pure
at the time of judgment.
 Paul also reminded the Corinthians about the Passover feast (Lord’s Supper) that was ready
celebration and says Jesus Christ as the Passover lamb had been sacrificed for them.
 Paul advised the Corinthians to celebrate the Lord’s Supper with the bread of purity and truth
instead of having bread of the old yeast of sin.
 Paul advised the Corinthians to avoid associating with immoral people like those who
practice incest.

LESSONS MODERN CHRISTIANS LEARN FROM PAUL’S TEACHING ON

INCEST
What lessons do modern Christians learn from Paul’s teaching on incest in the
Corinthian church?

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 Christians should associate with only moral people instead of associating with immoral
people like the Corinthian Christians were doing by associating with the man who committed
incest.
 Christians are called upon to expel immoral people from their church fellowship just as Paul
advised to the Corinthians to chased away the man who committed incest.
 Christians today are called upon to live exemplary lives in order to avoid being judged
harshly on judgment day.
 Modern Christians should guard against being tempted because an immoral person can have
the capacity to influence others into sinning.
 Modern Christians should pass judgment in Jesus’ name to those ho commit terrible sins in
the society like incest.
 Modern Christians should do things that glorify God instead of shaming him like practicing
incest.
 Modern Christians should examine themselves before taking the Lord’s Supper . That is to
say, they should be sure in heart by going for repentance.
 Modern Christians should condemn evil acts in out society instead of keeping quite about
them like the Corinthians who had kept quite until Chloe’s family told Paul about the case of
incest.
 Modern Christians are called upon to respect matters of sex instead of abusing it like the
Corinthians who had started spreading the vice of incest.
 Modern Christians who have committed evils like practicing incest should be encouraged to
go for repentance unlike the Corinthians who did not encourage evil doers to go for
repentance.
 Modern Christians should be able to judge members of their own fellowship but not to wait.
 Modern Christians should prepare themselves for the day of the Lord by going for repentance
not like the man who committed incest and never went for repentance.

ASSES THE VALIDITY OF PAUL’S ADVISE ON INCEST IN THE CORINTHIAN

CHURCH TO MODERN CHRISTIANS.
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To a greater extent Paul’s advise on incest in the Corinthian church is
valid/relevant/important/applicable to the modern Christians in the following ways;
NB
 The above points are all relevant to modern Christians

However, to a smaller extent, Paul’s teaching on incest may be irrelevant in the following
ways to modern Christians;
 Some societies in Uganda like among the Banyankole, incest is allowed so this would make
Paul’s teaching on incest irrelevant to modern Christians.
 In a related way in some clans of Buganda there are elements of incest practiced. For
example in Engabi clan they are divided into two that is the Cob (Engabi) known as
“Nyunga” and the cob known as “nsambya”. These can marry one another meaning Paul’s
teaching becoming irrelevant.
 There is need to associate with immoral so as to show them the right direction instead of
neglecting or discriminating them from our society as Paul advised the Corinthians to ex-
communicate or expel the incestuous person.
 Paul only passed judgment on the young man who committed incest and ignored the widow
because he was a pagan. However, the two need to be judged.
 According to the teaching there is need to judge even non believers in our society because if
not done they can continue spreading evil acts among Christians but St. Paul put such as
suggestion to a pagan woman.

LAW SUITS/LAW DISPUTES AGAINST FELLOW CHRISTIANS (1 Corinthians 6:1-11)

In the church of Corinth there was another scandal where Christians used to drug each other into
pagan courts of law. When Paul was informed by Chloe’s family, he was greatly
shocked/disappointed with this behavior.

ACCOUNT FOR PAUL’S DISAPPOINTMENT ABOUT LEGAL DISPUTES IN THE

CORINTH CHURCH.

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 Paul was disappointed because such behavior would discourage pagans from joining
Christianity. Pagans would fear to be converted to Christianity because it looked like
religion which had no signs of forgiveness to one another.
 The law suits against fellow Christians disappointed Paul because it showed lack of love and
Christian brotherhood among believers in the Corinthian church.
 Paul was disappointed with the issue of legal disputes in the Corinthian church because to
him it showed lack of guidance from the Holy Spirit.
 The Christians of Corinth showed that they had forgotten the Christian virtues like
forgiveness to those who wrong us.
 Paul was disappointed with legal disputes because to him it showed these Christians had
continued to depend on human wisdom (pagan judges) other than seeking for divine wisdom
from God.
 Paul was disappointed with law suits in the Corinthian church because the quarrels and
disputes were tearing the church apart . That is to say, that’s creating more divisionism in the
church.
 Paul was warned because the Corinthians claimed to be wise yet they could not solve minor
cases in their amidst (community)
 Paul was worried because Christians had not properly understood the purpose of Christ’s
death and resurrection to them.
 Paul feared that pagan courts might be corrupted and hence pass wrong sentences.
 Paul was disappointed with the Corinthians because of acts of legal disputes indicated that
they were spiritually immature.
 Paul was disappointed because the Christian Corinthians were now washing.

DISCUSS PAUL’S ADVISE/RESPONSE TO THE CORINTHIANS ABOUT TAKING

FELLOW CHRISTIANS TO PAGAN COURTS OF LAW
Examine pal’s response/teaching to Christians seeking assistance from pagan courts of law
today.
(Similar points but use present simple tense)

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 Paul began by wondering why and how Christian could drag a fellow Christian to a civil
court of law (1 Corinthians 6:1). He was shocked that Christians had preferred the civil
rather than the Christian courts.
 He also put this fear that pagan courts of law where they referred would not judge the
Christians well because they were on just and corrupt.
 Paul put ashame on the Christians because they were taking their fellow Christians to courts
of law.
 According to Paul he informed the Corinthians that its Christians who will judge the world
rather than allowing the world pagans to judge them (1 Cor 6)
 Paul reminded the Corinthians to prepare for the second coming of Jesus. He said that on the
Day of Judgment Christians will seat with Jesus altogether will pass judgment on all
creatures.
 Paul reminded them that they were even to judge angels in heaven. So he expected them to
be capable of judging such small matter among themselves.
 Paul advised the Corinthians always to choose one wise person within their fellowship who
could guide them in sorting out their problems.
 Paul reacted by saying that the mere fact that they had legal disputes against one another
showed that they had completely failed to follow the Christian virtues and principles like
love and forgiveness.
 He believed that the weakest member in the Christian community would be a better judge
than the wisest pagan judge.
 Paul wondered why the Corinthians boasted of wisdom when there was no one among them
who was not wise enough to settle their disputes. Their behavior manifested poverty and
wisdom.
 He started having quarrels and disputes among brethren was bad itself. Worse of all was
presenting the disputes before non Christians judges.
 Paul said that it was a shame to resort to pagan courts (1 Cor 6:5). As Christians they had a
duty of showing a good impression to non Christians in order to be attracted to the church.
 He emphasized the need to practice love and forgiveness of one another. This indicated in
the statement he made. It’s bad enough for you to have law suits of all against one another (1
Cor 6:7)
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 He told them that having become Christians they had been washed clean, sanctified and
justified through Christ and the holy spirit. Therefore they were to live holy lives not by the
standards of the world.
 Paul called upon the Corinthians to endure injustice to accept suffer for a while instead of
causing suffering for any other (1 Cor 6:8)

THE APPLICABILITY/RELEVANCE OF PAUL’S TEACHING TO LAW SUITS TO

MODERN CHRISTIANS
Comment on the relevance/applicability of the above message to Christians today.
 Christians should forgive one another as a way of solving their conflicts in the way Paul
advised the Corinthians.
 Christians should endeavour to settle their own disputes like in the church by involving the
church leaders instead of taking cases of fellow Christians to pagan courts of law.
 Christians today are called upon to practice the spirit of love one another just as Paul
suggested to the Corinthians.
 Christians today are advised by Paul to choose one wise member from the church to judge
their cases other than going to pagan courts.
 Christians today should live in order to inherit the kingdom of God as St. Paul said wicked
will not enter the kingdom of God.
 Wicked Christians should go to repentance of their sins because according to Paul’s advise to
Corinthians God is ready to forgive them.
 Modern Christians should expect to judge the world (pagan) and angels in heaven so should
be able to judge even small cases among them.
 Christians should be in position to do things that glorify God by voiding to take fellow
Christians to pagan courts of law.
 Christians are called upon to follow the Christian principles/virtues like forgiveness other
than having continuous conflicts with the brethren.
 Modern Christians are called upon to guard against being tempted to sin by avoiding cases of
corruption in one’s hands.
 Christians and magistrates should practice fair hearing and trials in the courts of law act to
worry people like Paul who did not believe in the pagan courts of law.
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 Modern Christians are called upon to rely on the power of the holy spirit to solve quarrels in
their midst instead of relying on the power to the corrupt pagan judges.

PAUL’S TEACHING ON THE PROBLEM OF PROSTITUTION AND FORNICATION

(1 Cor 6:12-20)
There was rampant prostitution and fornication in the Corinthian church. This was due to the
Greek teaching that the body and soul of a human being are independent of each other. The
Greeks taught that the body could not affect the soul and that at death the body will not but the
soul will escape and receive God’s judgment.

The Greeks even had a saying that sex was as essential for the body as food was the stomach.

HOW DID PAUL RESPOND/REACT TO THE PROBLEM OF PROSTITUTION/

FORNICATION IN THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH
Paul responded in the following ways;
 He reminded them about the meaning of their new freedom in Christ. He said they had
misinterpreted this freedom by thinking that they were free to do whatever the law had
forbidden. But he corrected them and said that their freedom is not a license to sin (1 Cor
6:12)
 Paul also informed the Corinthians that evil acts destroy the new freedom that Christ had
given them by dying for their sins on the cross.
 He informed the Corinthians that their bodies were not created for sex. Some Corinthians
had reasoned like the Greeks that sex was essential for the body as food was for the stomach.
 Paul says/said that all things are permitted but not all are helpful. He said both food and sex
were ordained by God for proper use by man but when misused it is an abuse of Christian
freedom.
 Paul advised the Corinthians to treasure their bodies. He agreed with them that food and
stomach go hand in hand but both will end.
 Paul worried the Corinthians that the body was meant to serve the Lord and so they had to
use their bodies properly so as to be rewarded on the judgment day.

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 Paul taught the Corinthians that a body of Christian is part of Jesus’ body and so Christ
dwells (lives) in each Christian’s body (1 Cor 6:15). Therefore he said it was wrong to join
Christ’s body with a prostitute too.
 Paul informed the Corinthians that fornication is a sin against one’s own body. He said it is
worse than any other sin because it is an internal sin but not external
(1 Cor 6:18)
 Paul also notified the Corinthians that a Christian’s body is a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor
6:19). Therefore to misuse the body was to defile the temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in
each Christian.
 He reminded the Corinthians that Jesus paid a big price to liberate believers from sin by
dying on the cross so he called them to honour Christ by avoiding immoralities like
prostitution (6:19-20)
 Paul tried to make the Corinthians understand that the mind body and soul that one entity and
will be judged together. This was removing the Greek teaching that stated the body and soul
will be judged differently.

HOW RELEVANT IS PAUL’S TEACHING TO CHRISTIANS TODAY

 Christians today should abstain from sex before marriage that is fornication as Paul forbid the
Corinthians.
 Modern Christians are called upon to understand sex is only proper and sanctified in
marriage . That is to say, that sex should only be practiced in marriage unlike the Corinthians
who practiced sex before marriage and prostitution.
 Christians today should keep their bodies holy by knowing that their bodies are temples of
the Holy Spirit unlike the Corinthians who defiled the temple of the holy spirit by carrying
out prostitution.
 Christians today are reminded that what the body does affects the soul not like the
Corinthians who were misguided by the Greek that the two will be judged differently on
resurrection.
 Christians should prepare their bodies for judgment by keeping themselves holy.
 Christians ought to repent their sins such that when Christ comes back will find them holy.

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 Christians are warned about the distraction nature of fornication and prostitution in other
words they should avoid them because they are unholy before God.
 Modern Christians should use their freedom responsibly not like the Corinthians who
misused their Christ given freedom by carrying sexual immorality like prostitution and
fornication.

PAUL’S TEACHING ABOUT MARRIAGE AND CELIBACY (1 Cor 7:1ff)

The Corinthians written a letter to Paul asking for his advise about certain issues, marriage and
celibacy inclusive.

The Corinthians had asked Paul the following questions which he responds to in this letter;
 Is it right to marry?
 Is it right to stay single?
 Is sex holy or an evil?
 Should Christians get married to non believers?
 Should slaves marry?
 Is divorce allowed?
 Should widows remarry?

1. Account for Paul’s teaching on marriage in the Corinthian church.

2. Justify Paul’s teaching on marriage in his first letter to the Corinthians.
Paul taught about marriage in his first letter to the Corinthians because of the following reasons;
 Paul taught about marriage in the church of Corinth because they had written to him (Chloe’s
family) seeking for guidance on the subject of marriage where they asked whether sex was
holy or an evil.
 Paul taught about marriage because the un married Christians in Corinth wanted to know
whether they were to go ahead to marry or stay un married.

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 Paul addressed the issue of marriage in his letter to the Corinthians because the Corinthians
had written to him and wanted to know whether they were to remain unmarried or to go
ahead and marry.
 The virgins of Corinth wanted to know from Paul whether they were to remain unmarried or
to go ahead and marry because they also feared that sex is an evil.
 Paul’s writing about marriage in his letter to the Corinthians was due to the engaged couples
who wanted to know whether they were to remain unmarried or stay single.
 Some married Christians wanted to know whether they were to have sexual intercourse in
marriage or not.
 The letter was written to address the issue of the unmarried Christians who faced sexual
temptations (passion) and they could not restrain their sexual desires.
 Some married Christians wanted to know whether divorce was accepted in marriage so this
forced Paul to write his letter addressing this issue.
 The Corinthians had written to Paul inquiring whether it was okay for someone to remarry
after divorcing his partner. Paul answered them in the letter that it wasn’t right.
 Paul wrote about marriage because some Christians wanted to know from him whether
marriage was to be monogamous or polygamous. Here he answered them or advised them to
practice monogamous marriage.
 The letter of Paul to the Corinthians had much teaching about marriage because he was
answering the questions asked whether it was right marriage to go on between believers and
pagans.
 Paul taught about marriage in order to stress the issue of the widows who wanted to know
whether they were to remarry again or continue staying unmarried. He advised them to
remarry.
 Some Christians wanted to stay unmarried because they believed that there was no time left
to get married due to the imminateparausia.
 Paul taught about marriage as a way of teaching the Corinthians to have elf control among
the unmarried people.
 Some Christians had a problem of whether they should stay in the same condition as when
God called them or change to another state after being called by God. Paul advised them to
stay in the original state.
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PAUL’S TEACHING/ADVISE ON MARRIAGE IN THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH
(1 Cor 7:1-40)
Comment on Paul’s teaching/reaction/response on the problem of marriage in the first
letter to the Corinthians.
 Paul reacted by saying celibacy is good and proper . That is to say, he said it is excellent,
more profitable and morally better for a man not to touch a woman in order to serve God well
(1 Cor 7:1)
 He advised the Corinthians to practice monogamous marriages. In this he said “let each man
have his own wife and each woman her own husband”. (1 Cor 7:2)
 He advised the married to fulfill their marital obligations.
Here he said that a man has full control over his wife’s body and the wife likewise has
control over the husband’s body.
 Paul advised the married people to have enough sex but he said there should be reservations
during times of prayer and after prayer they can resume sexual activities so as to avoid
satanic temptations (1 Cor 7:5)
 Paul also reacted to the Corinthians by stressing that marriage is a holy institution. He
emphasized it was ordained by God and ends into a sacrament of matrimony.
 Paul also reacted to th problem of marriage by advising widows to remain single . That is to
say, not remarry although this was not a rule but a suggestion (1 Cor 7:8)
 Paul taught the Corinthians who were unmarried to remain single as God called them. This
was because the end of the world was soon (1 Cor 7:9)
 However Paul also reacted by teaching that it is better for one to marry than to burn with
sexual passion/desires although he preferred much people to be celibate like him(1 Cor 7:9)
 Paul reacted to th problem of marriage by discouraging divorce. He aid a wife should not
leave her husband and vice versa. Actually this was a command from the Lord (1 Cor 7:10-
11)
 However Paul also encourages divorce on condition that if a non believer, pagan partner
desired divorce (1 Cor 7:15)

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 He encourages marriage between believers and non believers. He said that in such a
relationship the unbelieving partner is sanctified and their children are sanctified too (made
holy) (1 Cor 7:12-16)
 Paul advised those who had separated to reunite with their husbands or stay single for the rest
of their life (1 Cor 7:11)
 Paul taught the Corinthians that if one is unmarried he has not committed any sin and if one
is married he has not also committed a sin. Therefore he encouraged them to marry.
 He said to the Corinthians that a married woman is not free as long as her husband lives but
if he died, then he was free to marry another man she wished provided he was a Christian.
 He encouraged the engaged couple should either marry or stay unmarried.

RELEVANCE/SIGNIFICANCE OR IMPORTANCE OF PAUL’S TEACHING ON

MARRIAGE
How relevant is Paul’s teaching on marriage to the Christians?
 Married partners should have permanent marriage like Paul advised instead of seeking for
divorce which is un Christian.
 Married partners should satisfy each other’s needs in marriage by not denying themselves
sex.
 Modern Christians are called upon to live in the same state when one was called by God to
serve him just as pal taught the Corinthians.
 To the Christians who prefer to marry should go ahead to marry because according to Paul it
is a gift from God.
 Those Christians who prefer to remain unmarried Paul advises them to go ahead because it is
also a gift from God.
 Celibacy is the last way according to Paul for one to live in order to serve God well.
Therefore Christians are called upon to pray for the gift of celibacy.
 Paul teaches modern Christians to practice marriage mainly between fellow Christians
although he does not deny marriage with non Christians.
 Paul teaches marriage partners to treat each other equally because they are all equal before
God therefore Christians today should also treat their partners equally.
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 Modern Christians are called upon to practice monogamous marriages instead of polygamy
which St. Paul discourages to the Corinthians.
 According to Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians modern married couples should reconcile
with each other in case divorce occurs but not to go ahead and marry other partners.
 Modern Christian widows learn from Paul’s teaching to the Corinthians hat they are free to
marry again in case they burn with sexual desires.
 Paul encourages virgin Christians to go ahead and marry or stay un married.
 Modern Christians who are engaged to one another are encouraged by Paul to go ahead and
marry that is make marriage vows.

PAUL’S TEACHING ABOUT CELIBACY

 Paul suggested that a man does well not to marry in order to serve God better.
 Similarly, Paul put it clear that celibacy is gift from God. So he suggested whoever could
remain celibate due to the limited time left on earth had to do so.
 Paul also proposed that someone who became a Christian when he was un married should
pray as a celibate to enable him serve God well.
 He also mentioned that because of the imminateparausia it would be better for one to be un
married because there was no time left.
 Paul said n unmarried man concerns himself with the word of the Lord more than a married
man.
 He advised the widows to remain single as he had done.
 Paul put it clear that celibacy is not a sin before God as some people thought.
 He stated that if married partners divorced, they should stay single instead of marrying
another partner.
 Paul thought the world was to come to an end very soon, so it was better not to marry at all.
 He said considering the present time, married men should live as though they were un
married.
 Paul said that a person who marries does well but the one who doesn’t marry does even much
better.
 He encouraged the people of Corinth to remain celibate when he said tat celibacy offers more
chances for spiritual fulfillment.
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 Pals said to the Corinthians that unmarried life saves people from the daily troubles and
worries that married people go through.
 He also said that if one was free from a husband he discouraged them from seeking for
partners.
 Paul still advised the Corinthians who were engaged couple to stay single as they were if they
so wished without being influenced.

THE PROBLEMS OF FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS/CHRISTIAN’ FREEDOM OF

CONSCIENCE
1. What prompted Paul to teach about food offered to idols in the first letter t the
Corinthians.
2. Account for Paul’s teaching on Paul’s freedom on conscience in first Corinthians.
3. Justify the teaching of Paul on food offered to idols.

By the time Paul established the church at Corinth people used to offer sacrifices in form of
animals, food drinks to their gods and idols such sacrifices were offered to ask for peace,
blessings, good harvest, fertility, victory in war and success in business.

All the religious, social, political, military, economical occasions were characterized by animal
and food sacrifices to share the food and drinks offered to these idols in case they attended the
function. But this was going to cause a danger to the new converts to Christianity. They
questioned themselves and also sought for advise from Paul whether it was okay or wrong to
continue eating such sacrifices offered to idols.

JUSTIFY THE TEACHING OF PAUL ON FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS

 Paul taught about food offered to idols because the Corinthians had written to him seeking
for advise on that issue.
 It was because in many of the pagan temple in Corinth, animal and food and meat that was
not consumed was sold in market places.
 Paul wrote about this issue in order to help the Corinthians who wanted to know from him
whether they were free to buy and eat the meat that had been offered to idols.
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 The Corinthians wanted to know from Paul whether believers were free to attend pagan
parties when invited by their pagan relatives and friends yet the food and meat served at first
was dedicated to idols.
 The Corinthian Christians had split themselves into two groups . That is to say, those who
still eat food offered to idols and those who had abandoned so Paul wrote to re-unite them.
 Paul wrote about food offered to idols because the strong Christians in faith were acting as a
stumbling block to those who were weak in faith and needed guidance.
 Paul wrote about this issue to answer the Corinthians who wanted to find out whether idols
really existed and what their impact was on faith. Paul answered them by saying idols don’t
exist and have no negative impact on their faith.
 some Christians were practicing double stands . That is to say, eating and drinking from the
cup of demons and at the same time taking part in the Lord’s supper so Paul wrote
………..this problem.
 Paul wrote about food offered to idols to correct the new converts in Christianity that some of
the things they were doing were not glorifying God like practicing in pagan feasts.
 Some Christians had continued to worship idols without knowing the consequences like
lowering their spiritual understandings.

PAUL’S RESPONSE/TEACHING ON FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS/CHRISTIAN

FREEDOM TO CONSCIENCE
1. Give an account for Paul’s teaching n food offered to idols in first Corinthians.
2. Analyse Paul’s advise/recommendations concerning food offered to idols.
3. Critically examine the response of Paul on meat offered to idols.
 Paul started by saying on idol stands for something that doesn’t clearly exist.
 He told Corinthians that there is only one supreme God although he agreed with them that
they are so called gods. He added on that God is super natural while idols were artificial.
 Paul responded to the Corinthian the power of the idols they worshipped he said they are man
creatures and cannot lead to salvation.
 Paul taught that God is the creator of man and man should worship one true God.
 He also said that eating food offered to idols neither improves nor reduces a person’s
spiritual status (1 Cor 8:8)
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 Paul advised the strong in faith the book of their knowledge with love for those who are
weak in faith (1 Cor 8:8-9)
 He also recommended strong Christians that they were free to eat meat offered to idols but
the weak Christians he recommended they should avoid eating food offered to idols (1 Cor
8:8)
 Again Paul advises the strong in faith to eat food offered to idols in the absence of those who
are weak in faith.
 However Paul also discouraged the Corinthian from eating any kind of food or meat if it
would make those who were weak in faith to sin against Jesus.
 Paul taught that if food offered to idols was eaten without somebody knowing that it was
offered to idols then a Christian should not fear to eat it.
 Paul still said however if a believer knew that meat had been offered to idols, he was not to
eat it for the sake of the weak Christians in fait.
 He recommended that one is free to buy and eat any kind of food or meat offered in the
market places without necessarily asking where it came from (1 Cor 8:25)
he still mentioned that if one was told that the meat that was offered then he was not to eat it
for the sake of his weak brothers in faith.
 On the issue of attending or not attending pagan parties. Paul recommended that one is free
to attend any pagan party when invited and asking any question (8:27)
 Paul advised them to always do things that glorify God be it eating or drinking.
 He said that eating food offered to idols would be like putting the Lord to tests as the
Israelites had done and Lord punished them for that.
 Paul called upon the Corinthians to imitate him just as he had imitated Jesus.

DANGERS ASSOCIATED WITH FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS

 It was causing divisions in the Corinthian church between those who claimed to be strong
Christians and those who attend pagan parties and also called themselves Christians.
 It offended/affected the weak Christians and made some of them backslide in faith . That is
to say, they got confused whether idols do exist or not.
 It made the strong or mature Christians proud, arrogant and selfish over their weak brethren.

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 Some of the weak Christians started abusing strong Christian who attended idol feasts as
selfish and uncouthly.
 It hindered the conversion of more people to Christianity. This was because they saw no
difference between their beliefs and Christians misled their freedom where by they remained
attending pagan parties at the same time worshipping the supreme God.
 Some Christians stopped visiting their relatives and friends for fear of eating meat and food
offered to idols. However this is also hindered the spread of gospel to relatives and friends.
 Some Christians participated in pagan and at the same time shared the Lord ’s Supper. This
was a great disgrace to the Lord.

RELEVANCE OF PAUL’S ADVISE/TEACHING ON FOOD OFFERED TO IDOLS TO

MODERN CHRISTIANS.
How relevant/important/applicable is Paul’s teaching about food offered to idols to modern
Christians?
 Christians are called upon to do things that bring glory to God just as Paul called upon the
Corinthians to glorify God by limiting their involvement in pagan feasts.
 Christians who are strong in faith should guide against being tempted into sin and also guard
against misleading those weak in faith.
 Christians are called upon to put trust in God the super natural creator of earth and heaven
with creatures in it instead of trusting in idols which to Paul they don’t even exist.
 Modern Christians should live exemplary life to fellow Christians and also before pagans
which can attract them to Christianity unlike the Corinthians who stopped visiting their
relatives and friends who were worshiping idols.
 Christens should pray for the power of the holy spirit for guidance in decision making not
like the Corinthian pagans who looked for blessing through sacrificing idols.
 Modern Christians should use their freedom responsibly instead of tempting others into
sinning like the strong Corinthians who misled the young believers.
 Modern Christians should only worship one God the real creator unlike the Corinthians who
used to worship God and other gods.
 Christians with weak faith should seek advise from those with strong faith.
 Christians should always respect other people’s feeling.
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 Modern Christians should use their common sense/their Christian conscience to find out what
is right and proper for them unlike some Corinthians who failed to use their common sense to
judge who the supreme God was to the idols.
 Modern Christians were called upon to do things that attract pagans to Christianity not like
the Corinthians who simply scared away new converts when they involved themselves in
pagan worship.
 Modern Christians should sacrifice some of their right time and privileges in order to win
more people to Christianity.
 Modern Christians should always consult leaders whenever in problems instead of consulting
pagan gods.
 Christians today are free to eat any kind of food or meat because food doesn’t defile one’s
relationship with God.
 However sometimes Christians are called upon to give up certain food staffs and drink for
the sake of those who may feel offended that it can defile them.
 Christians should attend any pagan party without fearing to eat the meat offered but should
take prayer fast.

PAUL’S TEACHING ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF AN APOSTLE (1 Cor 9:1-27)

It was an accepted norm of culture in the early church that an apostle had to receive material
support from the laity (followers). However in the case of Paul and Barnabus they preached the
gospel but never accepted any form of material from the church.

Many Christians in Corinth doubted Paul’s apostleship and said he was trying to buy cheap
popularity from the Corinthians by not asking for his apostolic rights.

They even wondered why he was not and he was not using his apostolic rights or privileges as
other apostles were doing.

Paul’s answer to them is linked to what he had already said in chapter 8 . That is to say, one’s
freedom may be limited for the good of others.

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1. How does Paul use himself as an example in explaining the rights and duties of an
apostle?
2. Analyse the way in which Paul disciplined himself by surrendering his privileges as an
apostle in 2 Corinthians.
3. How does Paul respond/teach about rights and duties of an apostle in 1 Corinthians 9:1-
26
 He started by confirming to them that he was a true apostle of Jesus Christ. He said he had
seen the risen Lord and the Corinthian church was a result of his apostolic sweat (1 Cor 9:1-
2)
 Paul informed the Corinthians that he was aware of all his apostolic rights like the right to
receive food and drinks from the Corinthian Christians (1 Cor 9:3-4). So he wasn’t ignorant
of his right to depend on the convert for his maintenance.
 He told them that he was aware that other apostles such as Peter and the brothers of the Lord
James, Joseph, Simon and Jude were maintained by the Christian community (1 Cor 9:5)
 He also informed them that he was aware that even the wives and children of apostles were
maintained for by the church (1 Cor 9:5)
 He said he had a right to e given food and drinks for his work but because he was………but
he decided to meet his personal needs for the sake of others.
 Paul also stressed that he knew he had a right to earn a living from the church but he decided
to work himself by……...
 Paul confirmed to the people that he had a right to have a wife and even moving with her like
the other apostles did but decided to lie a celibacy life.
 For those who were saying he did not demand for material wealth for his service ……..so he
had a right to be free from the demand of the Jewish law.
 Paul proves his right to be maintained by quoting the example of a soldier. He said that a
soldier does not pay for his expenses so even an apostle should not.
 He gave them an example of a farmer who also feeds on the fruits of wine. By this he meant
that he had a right from to reap from his garden.
 According to 1 Corinthians 9:7 Paul also used an example of a shepherd who drinks from the
flock of his sheep. By this he meant that as a shepherd he had a right to receive their support.

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 Men who worked in the temple got their food from the temple. Those who offered sacrifices
in the altar were entitled to some shares.
 He told them next that he and Barnabus had surrendered their lives for the good of the gospel
because they didn’t want to burden poor Christians with the task of looking for extra material
to support apostles (9:2)
 He also preached that it was Jesus’ command that those who preach the gospel should be
supported by Christian communities (9:14)
 Paul informed the Corinthians that his work of preaching the gospel was enough privilege for
him. Jesus had chosen him to preach and this was a are opportunity and enough privilege.
 He said that Christian ministry involves sacrifice. In order to love and serve others well, who
had learnt to put themselves in their shoes to share the joy and sorrow.

SHOW HOW PAUL’S SURRENDERING OF HIS APOSTOLIC RIGHTS AND

PRIVILEGES IS RELEVANT TO CHRISTIANS TODAY
 Christians show subsidize on what the …..gives them by working for themselves.
 Church leaders should get their own means of preaching the gospel to the people like the way
Paul did.
 Should endure all problems, challenges entitled in the gospel spreading like undermining
their authority as Paul was undermined by his people.
 Christian communities are called upon to support church leaders for example giving them
food, housing and transport.
 The preachers should get rid of acting as stumbling block to the spread of the gospel because
of their demands.
 Church leaders should preach the gospel to all categories of people as Paul preached to both
Jews and Gentiles.
 Church leaders are called upon to lower themselves to the level of those they serve just like
Paul did to the Corinthians who did not demand material wealth.
 Church leaders should work to win people to God.
 Church leaders should live exemplary lives to the Christians they serve just as Paul lived an
exemplary life.
 They should exercise self control and self discipline in their daily life.
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 Church leaders should be ready to work as volunteers like Paul did but not working for a pay.
 Christians should imitate the example of Paul who remained celibacy for the purpose of
spreading the gospel smoothly.

ORDER OF PUBLIC WORSHIP/BEHAVIOR OF PUBLIC WORSHIP IN THE

CORINTHIAN CHURCH
There are three types/areas concerning order of public worship in the Corinthian church.
(a) The issue of covering heads by women while in church (head veiling) (1 Cor 11:2-16)
(b) The conduct of the Lord’s supper (1 Cor 11:17-34)
(c) The gifts of the holy spirit (1 Cor 12:14)

THE ISSUE OF COVERING THE HEAD IN WORSHIP (1 Cor 11:2-6)

Paul was asked whether it was proper for Christian women to appear in public worship and other
places without veils on their heads a social custom among Jews, Romans, Greeks and even
pagans.

THE PROBLEM OF HEAD COVERING BY WOMEN DURING PUBLIC WORSHIP

Why did Paul teach about head covering by women during church worship?
 The Corinthians wrote to Paul seeking for guidance on whether women were to veil their
heads during public worship or were not to veil their heads.
 Some women were going for public worship without covering their heads with a veil which
prompted Paul to teach about it that it was improper to what they did.
 Some women had misunderstood the teaching of Paul about Christian freedom to mean that
were now free to go for public worship without veiling their heads.
 The women who failed to cover their heads during public worship were breaking the Jewish
culture that demanded women to cover their heads. This also prompted Paul to teach about
head covering.
 The poor dressing in public worship was causing disorder as the body of women could be
exposed.
 Some women were speaking during public worship yet . For example were required to keep
quite thus making Paul to teach about it to his letter to the Corinthians.
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 There was a problem of women who had failed to submit to their husband yet man is the
head of the women. Therefore Paul to clear this problem.
 Men could not tolerate seeing the behaviours of women with uncovered heads in public when
Paul was informed he cleared the problem by advising the women to always cover their
heads.
 Paul wrote the letter to teach the women that they were out of men’s ribs and therefore, they
had to respect their husbands.
 Some women were praying and prophesying God’s message with uncovered head which to
Paul was unright.
 Paul advised the issue of head covering by women to teach them that women did not cover
her head during public was to be seen as a prostitute.
 Some women were ashaming their husbands by not veiling their heads during public worship
so Paul wrote to call upon them to veil their heads.
 Some women had started asking their husbands questions while in church worship. But Paul
wrote and taught them women should only ask questions at home.

POSITION/STATUS OF BEHAVIOR OF WOMEN IN THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH

Discuss the position/behavior of women in the church of Corinth.
 Women were subordinates to men.
 Women were to dress decently according to the social convention of the time.
 Women were to cover their heads during public worship.
 Women were not to cut their hair short because this would be a disgrace to their husbands but
they were to live it grow long.
 A woman who prayed without veiling her head was seen as shaming her husband.
 Women were to veil their heads as a sign of respect to the angels in heaven.
 Women were to keep quite during public worship instead of speaking in the church.
 If a woman did not understand what had been preached in public worship, she was to wait
and ask her husband while at home.
 Women were not required to speak in tongues.
 A woman who exposed her hair while in public worship was seen as a prostitute.
 A woman was created for the sake of man and was also created from man.
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 Women were not supposed to be church leaders . That is to say, in charge of church affairs as
the Jewish law commanded.

POSITIONS OF WOMEN IN PUBLIC WORSHIP TODAY

Discuss the position and behavior of women in public worship today.
 Today women have gone against most of Paul’s advise.
 Today women are equal to men instead of being subordinates which right is granted by the
Uganda constitution.
 Today we have women liberation movement that has tried to sensitize women with the aim
of emancipating them.
 Women are also church leaders like in the protestant church we have female priests who lead
moments of worship.
 Among the Pentecostal church we have female pastors who lead the praise and worship
session as well as performing miracles like Pastor Imelda Namutebi of Liberty Worship
Church.
 Today women do not need to cover their heads during public worship.
 Women pray with unveiled heads by having fancy hair styles.
 Women also give testimonies during church worship. Women in the Catholic Church are
refrained from heading church worship.

THE CONDUCT OF THE LORD ’S SUPPER (1 Cor 11:17)

1. Examine the problem of the Lord’s Supper in the Corinthian church.
2. Justify the teaching of Paul on the issue of the Lord’s Supper in the Corinthian church.
3. Account for Paul’s teaching on the issue of the Lord’s Supper in the Corinthian church.
The following are some of the problems or reasons taught by Paul about the Lord’s super;
 The Corinthians celebrated the Lord’s Supper without examining their attitude towards the
Lord’s Supper hence making Paul to write about this issue.
 There was misuse of the Lord’s Supper in Corinth where people had made it a mere ritual.
This also made Paul to write about the Lord’s supper.

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 The Lord’s supper had divided the Corinthians on the basis of the rich and poor, Gentiles and
Jesus, slaves and free people to Paul this was deterring the spread of the gospel and so had to
teach about it.
 Some Christians were greedy. They tended to grab as much food as they could in order to
fill their stomachs which made other Christians go hungry.
 There was selfishness of the Lord’s supper which made Paul get concerned to teach about
this issue. The spirit of sharing had died out as each one ate his own food.
 Paul wrote about the Lord’s supper because there was a problem where women Christians
hurried to start the Lord’s supper before waiting for one another so as to eat at the same time
(impatience)
 There was over eating at the Lord ’s Supper so as to satisfy people’s physical hunger
spiritually had no faith because they did not share with the poor.
 Paul taught about the Lord ’s Supper because people misused it by becoming drunkards.
 There was a problem of insincere repentance. Some Christians took part in the Lord’s
Supper before self examination.
 The Christians conducted the Lord ’s Supper with no spirit of Christ’s love which he showed
when he was celebrating the last supper with his disciples.
 There was a problem of pride among the rich Christians. Whenever they came for the Lord
’s Supper they distanced themselves away from the poor this made Paul to get concerned and
taught about the proper use of the Lord’s supper.
 The abuse of the Lord ’s Supper was despising the church of God.
 The abuse of the Lord ’s Supper caused backsliding among some Christians especially the
poor who were despised by the rich Christians.
 Some Christians participated in the Lord ’s Supper without the spirit of love for one another.
 Some Christians practiced double stands by taking part in the Lord ’s Supper and at the same
time took part in idol feasts by drinking from the cup of demons.
 The actual meaning of the Lord ’s Supper had lost meaning among Christians.
 They took part in the Lord ’s Supper to satisfy themselves without having concern for one
another.

PAUL’S TEACHING ON THE LORD ’S SUPPER (1 Cor 11:17-34)

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1. Comment on the teaching of Paul on the Lord’s supper in the Corinthians church.
2. Comment on the advice that Paul gave concerning the conduct of the Lord’s supper in
first Corinthians.
 Paul does not praise the conduct of the Christians on the issue of the Lord’s supper because it
was doing more harm than good.
 The Lord’s supper was communal meal, a feast which was to nourish their Christian
fellowship.
 The Lord’s supper was a way of sharing in the body and blood of Jesus as they came to take
part in it instead of just eating and drinking.
 He wandered whether they did not have their own homes in which to eat and drink instead of
the Lord’s supper.
 He condemns the act of selfishness at the Lord’s supper . That is to say, each person eating
his own food while others went hungry.
 He condemns them for despising the church of God and putting to shame to poor.
 He reminds them of the actual teaching of Jesus on the Lord’s supper.
 On the night Jesus was betrayed, he took a piece of bread, broke it and gave thanks to God
saying “This is my body which is for you and whenever you eat of it. Do so in memory of
me”.
 In the same way after supper he took a cup of wine and said “This cup is God’s new
covenant sealed with my blood, whenever you drink it, do so in memory of me”.
 So the Lord’s supper was meant to renew the covenant with God.
 Taking part in the lord’s supper was equivalent to proclaiming the death of Jesus until he
returned.
 Those who take part in the Lord’s supper in a way that shames Jesus are guilty of sin.
 Advises them to fist examine themselves before taking part in the lord’s supper.
 If one fails to recognize the meaning of the lord’s supper, he brings judgment upon himself
as he takes part in it.
 The cause of weaknesses, illness and death among them was because they had abused the
Lord’s supper.
 Paul says if they examined themselves first they would not come under judgment of God.

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 Advises those who were hungry to first eat at home so as to avoid coming under God’s
judgment.
 Advises them to be orderly and wait for one another whenever they came for the Lord’s
supper.
 He emphasized respect they should give Jesus as they celebrate the Lord’s supper.
 He advised them to take the Lord’s supper as a holy meal.
 Paul challenges them to judge for themselves whether it was right to take part in the Lord’s
supper and at the same time drink from the cup of demons.
 Discourages them from being partners with demons . That is to say, one cannot eat from the
table of the Lord and at the same time the cup of demons.

Questions
1. How did the celebration of the Lord’s supper by the Corinthians differ Paul’s
understanding?
2. How did Paul’s teaching on the Lord’s supper differ from the way the Corinthians
celebrated it?
3. Show how the Corinthians celebrated the Lord’s supper . That is to say, how the
Corinthians had misused the Lord’s supper.
4. And show how Paul understands the Lord’s supper . That is to say, his teaching on the
Lord’s supper.

IMPORTANCE OF THE LORD’S SUPER TO CHRISTIANS TODAY

What is the meaning of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper t Christians today?
 Lord’s supper is a sign of remembering the deliverance from sin by Jesus.
 It is a sign of unity and togetherness among the different categories of Christians because
they all share from the same cup of wine and eat the same bread.
 It is a sign of the love of God for mankind revealed through Jesus Christ.
 It is a sign of equality between men and women, young and old, and poor and rich because
they all drink from the same cup.
 It is a sign of holiness among themselves.

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 It is a sign of repentance of one’s sins . That is to say, one has to first examine himself before
taking part in the lord’s supper.
 It is a symbol of overcoming death through Jesus Christ.
 It shows the fulfillment of the Old Testament scriptures in Jeremiah 31:31.
 It seals the new covenant that God made with mankind, indeed it was the blood of Jesus
Christ that sealed this covenant.
 It is a sign of expecting the second coming of Jesus Christ.
 It is a sign of expressing one’s faith in Jesus Christ.
 The bread symbolizes the body of Jesus Christ.
 The wine symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ.

THE PROBLEM OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS . THAT IS TO SAY, THE MISUSE OF

SPIRITUAL GIFTS
1. Account for the teaching of Paul in spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church.
2. Explain why Paul taught about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the church of Corinth.
3. Examine the dangers of the misuse of spiritual gifts had caused in the Corinthian
church.
 The Corinthians had confused and limited ideas about the origin and meaning of spiritual
gifts.
 There was misuse of spiritual gifts in the Corinthian church.
 Spiritual gifts had caused a division among the Christians especially between those who had
the gift of speaking in tongues and those who had other spiritual gifts or did not have any
spiritual gifts.
 There was chaos, disorder and noise during church worship in the use of spiritual gifts.
 They had considered the gift of speaking in tongues as the most important spiritual gifts.
 There was no interpretation of the gift of speaking in tongues.
 There was forging of spiritual gifts especially the gift of speaking in tongues since it was
seen as the most important gift.
 There was discrimination based on spiritual gifts . That is to say, those who did not have any
spiritual gift were being discriminated against in the church.

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 There was pride/boasting about spiritual gifts . That is to say, those who had the gift of
speaking in tongues boasted over those who did not have this particular gift.
 There was monopolizing of church worship by those who had the gift of speaking in tongues
. That is to say, these did not give others a chance to make use of their gifts.
 Love as the most important spiritual gift had been ignored.
 Spiritual gifts were no longer being used for the benefits of the whole church instead they
were being used for personal glory.
 They had failed to know that even the gift of proclaiming the word of God was more
important than speaking in tongues.
 They had failed to distinguish between the gifts that came from the Holy Spirit and those that
come from the devil.
 The misuse of spiritual gifts was hindering the expansion of the church because it was
discouraging non believers from joining the church.
 Speaking in a random way could give a chance for demons to infiltrate into church worship
and so shout in confusion with Christians.
 Some Christians were saying Amen without having understood the meaning f a thanksgiving
prayer.

DOES THE CHURCH IN UGANDA FACE SIMILAR PROBLEMS OF SPIRITUAL

GIFTS
Yes the modern church in Uganda faces a similar problem of spiritual gifts in the following
ways;
 Some christens have also failed to know the origin of spiritual gifts.
 Some Christians with the gift of speaking in tongues despise those with other spiritual gifts
or without any spiritual gift.
 Spiritual gifts have caused disorder, chaos and noise when making use of them during church
worship.
 Some Christians have migrated from church to another in search of the best preachers
especially the youths.
 Those with the gift healing sometimes abuse it by asking money from the sick people.

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 Some Christians have gone ahead to oppose medicine prescribed by medical doctors
assuming that the power of the Holy Spirit will heal them.
 Some Christians have gone ahead to forge spiritual gifts.
 Some Christians have been baptized again on joining the “good churches” leaving the mother
church.
 Most youths have migrated from one church to another in search of spiritual gifts.
 There is a lot of pride among Christians with spiritual gifts.
 Some Christians have doubted the Christians who do not have any spiritual gift.
 Some Christians have also doubted the Christians who have continued to stay in the mother
churches like the Catholics and protestants are doubted by the born agains.
 There is hardly the interpretation of what is spoken in tongues during church worship.
 Some religious leaders like pastors have been accused of acquiring evil powers from the
devil in the making of miracles.

PAUL’S TEACHING ON SPIRITUAL GIFTS IN THE CORINTHIAN CHURCH (12:1-

40)

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