John: A 12-Week Study

Knowing the Bible

by Justin Buzzard, J.I. Packer (Editor)

The Knowing the Bible series is a new resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God’s Word. Each 12-week study leads participants through one book of the Bible and is made up of four basic (1) Reflection questions designed to help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) “Gospel Glimpses” highlighting the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) “Whole-Bible Connections” showing how any given passage connects to the Bible’s overarching story of redemption culminating in Christ; and (4) “Theological Soundings” identifying how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from a wide array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God’s grace on each and every page of the Bible.

In this study of John’s Gospel, pastor and author Justin Buzzard helps readers understand the most theologically and philosophically profound account of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection in the New Testament. From revealing his cosmic identity as being with the Father “in the beginning,” to recounting the many miraculous signs attesting to his divinity, Buzzard illuminates John’s unmatched portrait of Jesus Christ, the unique Son of God, sent from heaven to save all who would turn to him. This insightful guide encourages Christians to worship Christ as Lord and follow him on mission to the world.

Genres: Christian, Christianity, Nonfiction, Biblical Studies, Christian Living, New Testament, Theology

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2013

About the author

Justin Buzzard (MDiv, Fuller Theological Seminary) is founder and lead pastor of Garden City Church in Silicon Valley. Buzzard is the author of Date Your Wife, writes about culture and the church at JustinBuzzard.net, speaks widely, and is part of the Acts 29 Church Planting Network. He resides in Silicon Valley with his wife, Taylor, and their three young sons.

Reviews

[Rebekah DeVall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a good study!
The only drawback was the fact that some of the questions were very easy (i.e., "why did Nicodemus talk to Jesus at night?") while others snuck in six questions disguised as one.
Otherwise, a very good study! 10/10 recommend doing with a life group.

[Isa Gueno · Rating 4 out of 5]

✌🏻

[Cm · Rating 3 out of 5]

We picked this book after thumbing through the early pages. Often Bible study workbooks are full of shallow questions, but the early pages had deep, thought-provoking questions. Then in the middle, we found several shallow, child’s Sunday school level questions, two or three leading questions with conclusions I didn’t think the text supported, and one that required seminarian-level knowledge about the ancient culture. I think there was one section where we just skipped discussing any of the questions because of these problems. Overall, though, I did think this was a good starting place for studying and discussing John. If you want a book to launch discussion, this isn’t bad. If you want a book for self-study, it’s just okay. A lot of what I got out of John with this pass wasn’t really addressed by the study book.

[James McCormick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the questions were well written and facilitated great discussion. Really enjoyed the first half of the book. Some questions felt Sunday school-ish or “fill in the blank.” A few, especially late in the book, didn’t make a lot of sense, trying to force meaning and interpretation where none was necessary. A little heavy handed at times. The book of John is often about the simplicity of faith, and sometimes simple words weren’t allowed to be just that.

[Mark Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good study guide, but I wanted it to cover a bit more.
We used this in our Sunday school class. But we did not look at it every Sunday. Rather we studied John, taking weeks to complete a chapter in John. Then, we would return to this book and use it for review of the chapter. For a study guide with more information, I suggest the Life Change series from NavPress.

[Steven Kolbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found a copy of this at a Half Price books in Wichita and miraculously it was unwritten in. I've read John before, but this time I understood it far better. I don't think I spent the whole twelve weeks working through the Gospel, but I certainly took more time and read more deliberately. I highly recommend it for anyone wanting a better understanding of John.

[Kathleen Meacham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was reading this for a bible study group. This was a dig deep experience. The author stretches you in your faith. Hard, but worth it.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went through it by myself, but it is designed for group study. I think a person would get more from a group than self study.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful

Definitely worth it. Has helped deepen my understanding of Jesus heart and the human condition . 17 words are required for me to submit this review

[Whitney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great overview of john with connections to the bible as a whole. But some of the questions were very leading and not necessarily challenging you to think of things in your own. And it wasn't a study I was racing to start every morning. Overall average good study.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

The questions are so-so, but I really valued the whole-bible-connections.