Wednesday Bible Study Recap - John 8

 

Wednesday Bible Study Recap – John 8 and the “Four Alls”

Last Wednesday’s Bible study at Jason Lee Memorial United Methodist Church was a meaningful and spirit-filled time of reflection as we continued exploring John 8 through the lens of the United Methodist “Four Alls.”

We began with a warm and engaging conversation about baptism. Everyone shared their personal experiences, memories, and the ways baptism has shaped their understanding of faith and identity in Christ. This sharing created a beautiful foundation for the evening—centering us in God’s grace and the gift of new life.

From there, we moved into John 8, allowing Scripture to guide us into deeper reflection on punishment, judgment, grace, and self-awareness before God.

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All Need to Be Saved

John 8:1–11 | Romans 3:23 | Ecclesiastes 7:20

The story of the woman caught in adultery reminded us of the universality of sin. Jesus’ words—

“Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone” (John 8:7)

invited everyone present into self-examination.

We reflected on how easily judgment can replace humility when we forget:

• “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23)
• “There is not a righteous person on earth who always does good” (Ecclesiastes 7:20)

This opened a powerful conversation about how both visible and hidden sins place all of us equally in need of grace.

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Clarification on “Corrupted Natural”

During the study, Pastor Marvel clarified a phrase that appeared in the video shared with the group: “corrupted natural.” He explained that this does not mean that human beings are worthless or beyond hope. Rather, it points to the reality that:

something within us is broken and needs to be made whole again by God’s grace in Jesus Christ.

It is not a statement of rejection, but an invitation to healing, restoration, and transformation through Christ.

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All Can Be Saved

John 8:10–11 | John 3:17 | Luke 19:10

Jesus’ response to the woman was life-changing:

“Neither do I condemn you. Go your way, and from now on do not sin again.”

We reflected on the radical nature of grace—that Jesus neither excuses sin nor abandons the sinner.

Supporting Scriptures:

• “God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world” (John 3:17)
• “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10)

We named how powerful it is that no one is beyond the reach of Christ’s mercy.

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All Can Know They Are Saved

John 8:12 | Romans 8:16 | 1 John 5:13

Jesus declares:

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness.”

We reflected on how salvation brings clarity, identity, and assurance—not confusion or fear.

Other guiding Scriptures:

• “The Spirit himself testifies… that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16)
• “I write these things… so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13)

The group shared how faith is not only belief, but lived assurance in the light of Christ.

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All Can Be Saved to the Uttermost

John 8:31–36 | 2 Corinthians 5:17 | 1 Thessalonians 5:23

Jesus teaches:

“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free… So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”

We discussed how salvation is not only forgiveness, but deep transformation and ongoing freedom.

Supporting Scriptures:

• “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• “May God sanctify you entirely…” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

We reflected on how grace does not only pardon—it restores, heals, and reshapes our lives.

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Closing Reflection

Together, we saw how John 8 reveals the full movement of grace:

• A woman restored
• Religious assumptions challenged
• Sin exposed in all hearts
• Christ offering light and freedom to everyone

We closed by asking:
Which of the “Alls” is God inviting you to trust more deeply right now?

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Invitation

You are warmly invited to join us for our next Wednesday Bible Study:

📍 Jason Lee Memorial United Methodist Church
🕔 Wednesday at 5:00 PM

Come as you are for a time of Scripture, reflection, and community as we continue growing together in God’s Word and grace.

Rev. Marvel Souza

Wednesday Bible Study Recap – John 7

Wednesday Bible Study Recap – John 7

This past Wednesday, we gathered for a rich and engaging time of fellowship and study as we explored John 7 together.

We began with a warm-up conversation centered on different Bible versions and personal favorite Bibles. This opened the door for meaningful sharing, as many reflected on the stories behind their Bibles—whether it was a gift from a loved one, a Bible that carried them through a difficult season, or a translation that helped them better understand God’s Word. This moment reminded us that Scripture is not just something we read, but something that walks with us through life and shapes our faith in personal ways (Psalm 119:105).

As we entered into John 7, Pastor Marvel led us in reflecting on how people responded to Jesus during His ministry. Throughout the chapter, we see a wide range of reactions:

• Some responded with curiosity, wondering who Jesus truly was (John 7:12, 7:25–27).

• Others reacted with doubt and skepticism, questioning His authority and background (John 7:15, 7:41–42).

• Still others were filled with amazement, recognizing that there was something unique and powerful about Him (John 7:31, 7:46).

These different responses help us see that encountering Jesus has never been neutral. People were—and still are—moved to respond in different ways. This led us to reflect on our own journeys of faith: Where do we see ourselves in these responses? How do curiosity, doubt, and wonder shape our relationship with Christ today?

Another important part of our study focused on Jesus’ brothers and their encouragement for Him to make His ministry more public and visible (John 7:3–4). At that time, there was a strong expectation that the Messiah would bring immediate political, religious, and social restoration to Israel. Many were looking for a visible, powerful leader who would transform their circumstances.

However, Jesus responded in a surprising way: “My time has not yet come” (John 7:6, 7:8). This statement reminds us that Jesus was not driven by human expectations or pressure, but by God’s divine timing and purpose. His mission would unfold not according to popular demand, but according to God’s plan. This invites us to reflect on how often we try to fit God into our timelines and expectations, rather than trusting in His perfect timing (Ecclesiastes 3:1).

Pastor Marvel also emphasized the important role of curiosity in our faith. Curiosity is often seen as uncertainty, but in reality, it can be a doorway to deeper understanding. In John 7, we see people asking questions, debating, and seeking clarity about who Jesus is. Rather than dismissing these questions, we are invited to lean into them. Jesus Himself later cries out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink” (John 7:37), showing that a seeking heart is welcome.

Curiosity leads us to ask, to search, and to grow. It invites us into a deeper relationship with Christ, where faith is not static but continually being formed and renewed.

We closed our time reminded that just as in John 7, people today continue to respond to Jesus in different ways. The invitation remains open—to come, to question, to believe, and to grow.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this meaningful time together. We look forward to continuing our journey through the Gospel of John next week!

You are warmly invited to join us for our next Wednesday Bible Study at 5:00 PM, at Jason Lee Memorial United Methodist Church - 168 S. University Blackfoot ID 8322. Come as we continue diving into the Gospel of John, growing together in faith, understanding, and community. We would love to see you there!

With Grace and Peace,

Rev. Marvel Souza

Wednesday Bible Study Recap – John 6

Wednesday Bible Study Recap – March 18

Text: John 6

During our Bible study we explored Gospel of John chapter 6, one of the most powerful chapters in the ministry of Jesus Christ. The chapter begins with the well-known miracle where Jesus feeds a large crowd with only five loaves of bread and two fish (John 6:1–14). From this story we reflected on several important spiritual lessons.

Jesus Cares for Both Body and Soul

One of the first things we noticed is that Jesus did not ignore the physical needs of the people. The crowd had been following him for a long time and they were hungry. Instead of sending them away, Jesus chose to feed them.

This reminds us that the gospel is not only about spiritual words but also about compassion in action. As followers of Christ, we are called to care for the whole person—body, mind, and spirit.

This idea appears throughout Scripture:

• Gospel of Matthew 25:35 – “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”

• Epistle of James 2:15–17 – Faith without caring for people’s practical needs is incomplete.

This led us to an important question for our lives and our church:
Are we caring for the real needs of people, or are we only trying to share religious messages so people become members or simply more “religious”?

God Multiplies What We Offer

Another detail we discussed was how Jesus organized the large crowd into smaller groups before the miracle happened (John 6:10). Order and community became part of the process of multiplication. Sometimes God works through structure and participation, not only through dramatic miracles.

We also noticed that Jesus used what was already available—five loaves and two fish. Though it seemed small, when it was placed in Jesus’ hands, it became enough for thousands.

This reminds us that God often works through the resources we already have, even when they seem limited. What matters most is faith and willingness to offer it to Christ.

A similar principle appears in Second Book of Kings 4:42–44, where a small amount of bread is multiplied through God’s power.

The Crowd’s Motivation

Later in the chapter, we see that some people continued following Jesus, but their motivation was not entirely spiritual. They were seeking him because they had eaten the bread and were filled (John 6:26). Jesus challenges them by saying they should not work only for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life (John 6:27).

This invites us to reflect on our own faith:
Are we seeking Jesus only for what he can give us, or are we seeking a deeper relationship with him?

Jesus as the Bread of Life

The discussion ended with one of the most profound statements in the Gospel of John. Jesus declares:

“I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)

Here Jesus reveals that the miracle of bread was not only about feeding the crowd for one day. It was a sign pointing to a greater truth: Christ himself is the bread that comes from heaven (John 6:51).

Just as physical bread sustains our bodies, Jesus sustains our souls, bringing forgiveness, redemption, and eternal life.

This connects with the spiritual promise found in Gospel of John 10:10, where Jesus says he came so that we may have life in abundance.

Final Reflection

Our conversation reminded us that the mission of the church is both spiritual and practical. We are called to share the good news of Christ while also responding to the real needs of people around us.

When we offer what we have—our time, compassion, and resources—Jesus can multiply it for the blessing of many. And as we follow him, we are continually nourished by the true Bread of Life, who feeds our souls with grace, hope, and new life.

Rev. Marvel Souza