John 7: Group Study Handout

Overview

Jesus avoided Judea for safety since the Jews sought to kill him (vv. 1-2). His brothers urged him to go to Judea for the feast, noting that no one seeks to be known in secret (vv.

Key verse

“Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink!”

John 7:37 (WEB)

Outline

1. John 7:1–9 Jesus Avoids Judea for Safety
2. John 7:10–13 Jesus Goes to the Feast Secretly
3. John 7:14–24 Jesus Teaches in the Temple
4. John 7:25–31 Debate on Jesus' Identity
5. John 7:32–36 Pharisees Send Officers to Arrest
6. John 7:37–44 Invitation to Living Water
7. John 7:45–53 Officers' Response and Nicodemus' Defense

Discussion questions

1. In v6, why does Jesus say, 'My time has not yet come'?
2. What do the crowds question in v27 about Jesus' origins?
3. In v24, why does Jesus say, 'Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment'?
4. In v30, what does it mean that 'his hour had not yet come'?
5. When has fear of criticism stopped you from speaking openly like the crowds in v13?

Go deeper

Passages that echo John 7: Isaiah 44, John 4, John 8.

Before next time: read John 8.