Jesus claims to be the light of the world and calls us to follow him. When asked by the Pharisees about the validity of his claim, Jesus give two reasons. 1) “I know where I came from and where I am going.” 2) “My other witness is the one who sent me – the Father.” Jesus’ point is that we are to believe his claims for these reasons.
Read John 8:12-18
This is a key passage instructing Christians to be prepared to defend their faith. Peter begins by exhorting us: “in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.” Apologetics must flow from a relationship with Christ as Lord. Peter assumes that Christians will have enough contact with unbelievers that they will be asked to give the reason for the hope that they have and he urges us to be prepared to do so.
Read 1 Peter 3:15-16
The exhortation to continue to walk in Christ is an implied warning not to fall away from Christ. We are to continue to walk in Christ, 1) just as we received Him as Lord, 2) rooted and built up in Him, 3) strengthened in the faith as we were taught, and 4) overflowing with thankfulness.
Read Colossians 2:6-7
The feast of Tabernacles was a celebration of the harvest which included thanksgiving for rainfall. The idea of rainfall and fruitful harvests was used by the prophets as imagery to describe the future outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the blessed results of that. Jesus in this passage calls people to himself to receive the fulfillment of the prophetic promises.
Read John 7:25-52
This passage deals with the idea of leadership over God’s people. It teaches that human leadership over God’s people must be shared leadership exercised by men who are both capable and godly.
Read Exodus 18:13-27
This passage is all about the way in which the body of Christ is built up. Christ is the One who builds his body through his gifts and power. Among the gifts he gives are pastor teachers who task it is to equip “God’s people for works of service, so that the body may be built up.”
Read Ephesians 4:7-16
This story in which Jethro, who is Moses’s father-in-law and a priest of Midian, hears about God’s mighty acts and praises him, is part of a theme in the bible that shows God’s plan is not only for Israel to know him, but also the nations. This theme is fulfilled in Christ and through him in the New Testament church.
Read Exodus 18:1-12
In this passage, Jesus exposes the sins of those who oppose him. The references to Jesus’ “time” not yet having come powerfully convey the truth that Jesus was deliberately heading to the cross where he would pay for the sins of his people.
Read John 7:1-30
In this passage many of Jesus disciples left him because they were offended by his claims and demands. By nature we are no different and it is only through the drawing of the Father that we confess with Peter in verses 68-69 “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Read John 6:35-71
In this passage Israel is attacked by the Amalekites and fights against them. She wins by God’s power. We are at a different point in the history of salvation, but the battles that we fight against our spiritual enemies have the same significance and they are won only through Christ who has won the victory on the cross.
Read Exodus 17:8-16
