There Are No Substitutes: Discussion Guide

2.13.22
In Person Series
John 6 – 8
There Are No Substitutes

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

OPEN
Peter’s words quoted above represent the sentiment of a group of close and committed followers at this
point in Jesus’ ministry. The context makes it clear, however, that all is not well among the large crowds
that had been with Jesus. Many were turning back. Let’s look at what was happening – and why.

NEXT
Begin by noticing 6:2 – “a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the signs he had
performed by healing the sick.” What do you think is the more likely explanation: (a) They were
convinced he was Israel’s Messiah? (b) Like Nicodemus, they have honest questions that still need to be
asked? (c) They are caught up in the spectacle? (d) They are hoping for a personal sign? (e) Other?

After seeing all the “signs” they had witnessed, how do you explain that “many of his disciples turned
back and no longer followed him”? What was the “hard teaching” (v.61) that had “offended’ (v.62) so
many of them? [Note: This is not a comment about the Lord’s Supper! Do you understand what he
meant by eating his flesh and drinking his blood in this context? Think this through very carefully.]

John 6:35 is the first of the seven “I Am” statements from Jesus in the Gospel of John. Take time to find
the others. What is their cumulative effect in this Gospel? How does the “I Am” claim tie Jesus to the Old
Testament narrative? See Exodus 3:14 for important background.

What do you hear in the “challenge” from Jesus’ brothers-in-the-flesh at 7:3-5? What do we know about
any of them in post-resurrection settings? In the life of the early church? What does this tell you about
the impact of the resurrection? Its evidential value as the “ultimate sign” of Jesus’ identity?

You get a feel for the “gathering storm” around Jesus from 7:25-27 – and the section of text those verses
introduce. Should we be surprised at the constant battle between faith and unbelief that is going on in
our own time over Jesus’ claims? Over the lifestyle (i.e., “eat my flesh, drink my blood”) of discipleship?

One of the best-known stories from Jesus’ ministry is found at 7:53-8:11. [Note: Scholars generally
accept this as genuine, although it is not in some early manuscripts of John – but in Luke!] Some misuse
this story to argue that people have to be perfect (i.e., “without sin”) to make moral judgments or to call
others to repentance. Is that a reasonable interpretation? Read Deuteronomy 19:16-21 for context.

Religious controversy can be downright ugly! What do you hear in the “illegitimate children” protest of
Jesus’ enemies (8:41)? The double-barreled attack at 8:48? The intent of the mob at 9:59? [Note: Don’t
overlook the “I Am!” affirmation at 8:58 as background to the mob’s intent.]

CLOSING
What is the primary point John is making in these three chapters about the “gathering storm” around
Jesus? Finally, what did you hear from Sunday’s teen presenters that gives you encouragement and hope
about our teens and their commitment to follow Jesus – even though their culture is largely going
another direction? Please end your study by praying for young followers of Jesus who are being
challenged daily by ideas that are hostile to faith and purity.