John 5:19-29 Study Guide: Jesus Gives Life

Community Group Study Guide — Jesus Gives Life
John 5:19-29

Study Information:
In our passage Jesus addresses the hostile crowd of the pharisees and describes his relationship with God the Father. He was previously accused of equating himself with God by breaking the sabbath and calling God his own father (John 5:18). Instead of dismissing their critique, Jesus explains some of the intricacies of his relationship with God the Father to them. In this text we learn that Jesus does what he sees the Father doing, he gives life as the Father gives life, and likewise has a role as judge (John 5:19-24). God the Father has given Jesus authority as judge and as the one by whom we experience eternal life through. This is not to say that God does not have authority to judge, but that uniquely we are granted eternal life or “the resurrection of judgement” based on what we do with Jesus. This should be shocking to the crowd that is hostile to Jesus and his work as he tells them that he is working as God the Father works through him. This group of pharisees would say they worship and love God, but their rejection of Jesus shows that this is not true.

This passage should call all of us to respond. There is a day that is coming when the dead will hear the voice of Jesus and be brought forth to either life of Judgement. For those in Christ we look forward to a day of resurrection to new life, but for those who reject Jesus there will be a day when the tombs are open and those who are judged based on their own merit and their own works will be cast out of God’s presence to a “resurrection of judgement.” This is a warning for the pharisees and for any of us who would criticize and reject Jesus’ message. At the same time, there is hope because as we look to Jesus and his ministry we see the works, life and love of God the Father. Jesus reveals to us the character and nature of God and that should help our faith grow and give us hope.

At your community group:

Take 15-20 minutes to share about how God has been at work in your life, prayer concerns and pray for one another.

How did God speak to you through the scripture and the sermon this week? 

Discussion Questions:
What are some unique things we learn about Jesus in this passage? What do we learn about Jesus relationship with the Father? (Look at verse 19-20).

How does this passage explain to us what we can expect when Jesus returns?

Followers of Jesus should have a lot of hope based on passages like this. What can a follower of Jesus expect from Jesus through their faith in him?