Christ the Savior-Holy Spirit Orthodox Church
Archpriest Steven C. Kostoff
4285 Ashland Ave, Cincinnati OH 45212 - (513) 351-0907
Notes for Summer Bible Study 2012

August 1, 2012

Notes and resources
for our 2012 Summer Bible Study on the Gospel according to St John, Chapters 1-11, 'The Book of Signs'
Scroll down for notes posted in reverse order (most recent at top)...


Read Fr. Steven's Meditations stemming from our Summer Bible Study 2012:


Session 8 - Wednesday, August 1

August 1, 2012

The Good Shepherd
 
For the Bible Study this evening, we will read JN. 10 and the series of closely-related parables and images about Jesus as the Good Shepherd (o poimen o kalos).

 
Here are a few questions for reflection before we meet this evening:

 
+  How does the cluster of images – sheepfold, door, shepherd – apply to Jesus?

+ What are the Old Testament precedents for Jesus calling Himself the Good Shepherd?

+ Who are the thieves and robbers found in this passage?

+ Who are the “other sheep” that Jesus refers to?

+  What is the Jewish feast of Dedication and how does this relate to what Jesus is saying in this chapter?

+ How does Jesus witness to His divine nature in this chapter?

+ What does Jesus mean when He says “you are gods” in v. 34?
 


The Bible Study will follow Vespers which begins at 7:00 p.m.


Session 6 - Wednesday, July 18

July 17, 2012
The “Bread of Life”
 
The Bible Study will continue on Wednesday evening, July 18, with our study of JN. 6, which contains the two “signs” of the multiplication of the loaves and fishes, together with Jesus walking on the water.  This is followed by the profound “Bread of Life” discourse.  If you would like to learn more of the scriptural teaching on the Eucharist, this session will give you a great opportunity.

Vespers at 7:00pm
Bible Study begins at 7:45pm


QUESTIONS FOR THIS WEEK'S BIBLE STUDY
 
Here are a few questions to think over before our Bible Study tomorrow evening.  We should be back in the Education Center where it is always a bit cooler.  The Bible Study will begin at 7:45 p.m. right after Vespers which will begin at 7:00 p.m.  We had great participation last week, and I hope we can continue in that spirit.
 
JOHN 6 – Jesus as The Bread of Life
 
1. What is the significance of the sign of the multiplication of the loaves occurring during the Jewish Passover?

2. What is Eucharistic about the multiplication of the loaves?

3. What is the main revelation of the sign of Jesus walking on the water?

4. How does Jesus relate Himself to the manna in the wilderness?  How does this relate to the dialogue with the Samaritan woman in ch. 4?

5. The Bread of Life discourse is in two distinct parts:  JN. 6:35-50; 51-58.  What are the two themes of these two parts of the discourse?  How are these two themes so integral to our Liturgy?

6. Why did some of Christ’s disciples leave Him after this discourse?  Why did Peter and the others remain with Christ?
 

This should keep our minds occupied for awhile!



Posted July 18, 2012
Thanks to Jennifer Haynes for passing along this link:

Fr Thomas Hopko, The Names of Jesus

Jesus - The Bread of Life

Jesus didn't just say he would give us our daily bread; he said he is the Bread of Life. Fr. Tom Hopko continues his study of the great "I Am" sayings of Jesus. A helpful supplement to our Summer Bible Study!

Audio Podcast with Full Transcript
(Ancient Faith Radio)




Session 5 - Wednesday, July 11

Christ heals the Paralytic
Christ heals the Paralytic
Christ heals the Paralytic
July 10, 2012
Dear Parish Faithful & Friends in Christ,
 
For those coming to the Bible Study tomorrow evening, here are a few questions to ponder ahead of time:
 
1.       The first half of St. John’s Gospel is often called the ”Book of Signs.”  What number sign is it so far in the Gospel?  Why or how is this healing of the paralytic considered to be a “sign?”   Is there any significance that it takes places during a Jewish Feast?

2.       How would you describe the over-all personality of the paralytic?  Is there any significance to his paralysis lasting for thirty-eight years?

3.       Why are the “Jews” angry with Jesus for healing on the Sabbath?  What is Jesus’ response?

4.       What do we learn about resurrection from the discourse that follows the healing?  What is the meaning of “realized eschatology” and “final eschatology?”

5.       There are at least four witnesses that testify on behalf of Jesus?  Who or what are these four witnesses?

6.       What does Jesus mean when He claims that Moses wrote about Him?

 
Hopefully, these will keep us thinking as we prepare for the Bible Study tomorrow evening.
 
Fr. Steven



Session 4 - Wednesday, June 27

June 27, 2012
NOTE:  No Vespers this week, Bible Study begins at 7:45pm.

Dear Parish Faithful,
 
The “Living Water” that wells up to Eternal Life
 
Our Bible Study will begin this evening at 7:45 p.m.  There will be no Vespers service this evening preceding the Bible Study.  We will read and discuss Ch. 4 of the Gospel According to St. John, covering the dialogue with the Samaritan Woman and the Sign of the Healing of the Royal Official’s son.  Here are a few questions to “ponder” during the day in preparation for this evening’s session:
 
+  What is significant about the place at which this dialogue took place?
+  What does Christ mean by the “living water” He is offering to the Samaritan Woman?
+  What is the significance of her five husbands and the fact that her sixth husband is not really a husband?
+  How do we worship God “in Spirit and truth?”
+  What does Christ mean by reaping and harvesting in relationship to the Samaritans?
 
+  How does the sign of the healing in 4:46-54 compare to similar healings in MATT. 8:5-13 and LK. 7:1-10?
+  How should we understand the role of faith and life in this healing sign?
+  What progression can we detect in the three encounters between Jesus and Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman and the royal official?
 

Hope to see yet another great turn-out this evening for the Bible Study!
 
 
Session 2 - Wednesday, June 13

The Wedding at Cana
The Wedding at Cana
The Wedding at Cana
June 13, 2012
Dear Parish Faithful,
 
The second session of our Spring/Summer Bible Study will meet this evening at 7:45 p.m.  Vespers will be served at 7:00 p.m.  We will concentrate on JN. 2 and the sign at Cana of Galilee, when Jesus transformed the water into wine at the marriage feast there, where His mother is also present.  Following that, we will take a look at the cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem.  (We will first take a brief look at Ch. 1:19-51 and examine St. John the Baptist’s “testimony” to Jesus.


 
Questions for Discussion:
 
THE WEDDING AT CANA
  • How is the “miracle” at Cana of Galilee a “sign?”  Or, perhaps, a sign of what?
  • What is the role of the Mother of God in that first sign?
  • Why do we read the account of the sign at Cana of Galilee at the service of Matrimony?
  • How does this sign relate to the sacramental life of the Church?
 THE CLEANSING OF THE TEMPLE
  • What is the meaning of the cleansing of the Temple in JN. 2:13-22?
  • Why does St. John include the cleansing of the Temple so early in the Gospel?
 
We had an excellent response in our opening session last week.  We hope to continue that trend.  There are plenty of more chairs available in the education center, so everyone will be accommodated.
 
Fr. Steven


Session 1 - Wednesday, June 6

“In the Beginning was the Word”
 
I would like to bring up a few preparatory items for those who will attend Bible Study this evening.  We are concentrating on the “signs” and discourses of St. John’s Gospel, but before we reach the first great sign in ch. 2 – the Wedding at Cana – we will take a fairly detailed look at what is called the Prologue of the Gospel concerning the Word of God who “became flesh.”  (JN. 1:1-18)  We will then study the rest of Ch. 1 in our remaining time.   This will follow a brief over-all introduction to the Gospel itself so that we can more fully appreciate its unique features and its very distinct approach to revealing the mystery of Christ.  There will be a handout or two that I hope will prove useful.  So please prepare by reading JN. 1 for this evening.
 
I would also like to raise a few questions that we can discuss during the course of the Bible Study:
 
  • What is the relationship between the Prologue and the remaining body of the Gospel?
  • What is meant by the term “Word of God” in the Prologue?
  • What are some of the key themes in the Prologue?
  • What is St. John revealing to us about Jesus?
  • What does it mean to “testify” to Jesus as St. John the Baptist does in Ch. 1?
  • What does it mean to refer to Jesus as the “Lamb of God” as St. John does?
  • As Orthodox Christians, how do we “testify” today both as a Church and as individual Christians?
  • Nathaniel is described as someone “without guile.”  What does this mean?
  • What does Jesus mean by His invitation to “come and see?”
 
We may not be able to cover all of these questions, but they should definitely lead us toward a very fruitful and productive discussion.
 
I consider this opening Prologue of St. John’s Gospel so important for our understanding of Christ and the entire Christian revelation that I would be willing to repeat this evening’s class on Thursday morning at 11:00 for those who cannot make it this evening, but who desire to learn more about St. John’s unique teaching about Jesus Christ.  Please let me know if that would be something that you are interested in.