Themes in the Gospel of John
Sabbath School Lesson 7
Blessed Are Those Who Believe
You may use this for presenting and studying the current Sabbath School Lesson.
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> Download the notes for Lesson 7 video here.
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> Download Themes in the Gospel of John (4th qtr) Sabbath School Lessons Here
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Teaching a Sabbath School class for adults in a Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) context can be a rewarding experience. Here are some tips to make your class engaging, meaningful, and reflective of SDA beliefs.
Prepare Prayerfully and Thoroughly
Study the Lesson Deeply
Read the lesson several times and reference related Bible verses, Ellen G. White writings, and other SDA resources.
Pray for Guidance
Seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance to understand and present the material in a way that resonates with the class.
Know the Background
Understanding the historical, cultural, and theological context can help answer questions and provide depth.
Encourage Participation and Open Discussion
Ask Open-Ended Questions
Encourage critical thinking and personal reflection by asking questions that provoke thoughtful responses rather than simple yes-or-no answers.
Invite Personal Reflections
Allow time for class members to share how the lesson applies to their own lives. This can strengthen faith and build community.
Be a Facilitator, Not a Lecturer
Guide the conversation rather than dominate it. Allow for varied perspectives, as long as they align with the Bible and SDA teachings.
Use a Variety of Teaching Methods
Engage Through Stories and Examples
People connect well with relatable stories. Use examples from everyday life or stories that illustrate the lesson’s themes.
Incorporate Multimedia
Where appropriate, use visual aids, short video clips, or even songs that relate to the topic.
Divide into Small Groups
Sometimes splitting into smaller groups to discuss questions can lead to deeper insights, and it’s a great way to involve everyone.
Stay True to SDA Beliefs and Values
Focus on Core SDA Teachings
Emphasize elements like the Sabbath, the Second Coming, health principles, and the Great Controversy theme in relevant discussions.
Teach Grace and Hope
Balance discussions on prophecy and lifestyle with the principles of grace, salvation, and Christ’s love.
Address Tough Questions Honestly
Be prepared to tackle challenging questions about doctrine with biblical support. If you don’t know the answer, commit to finding it for a later discussion.
Make It Practical
Connect Lessons to Daily Life
Emphasize how biblical principles can impact relationships, work, health, and decision-making.
Encourage Service and Witnessing
Remind class members to put their faith into action through service and witnessing opportunities.
Discuss Spiritual Growth
Encourage habits like daily Bible study, prayer, and service, which can strengthen one’s walk with God.
Cultivate a Welcoming Atmosphere
Value Every Opinion
Create an environment where everyone feels their contribution is respected, even if they differ in opinion.
Start with a Warm Welcome
Greet each participant and make them feel valued. Begin with a short prayer to invite God’s presence and guidance.
Be Mindful of Different Backgrounds
Some participants may be new to the faith, so avoid assuming prior knowledge or understanding of SDA doctrines.
End with a Challenge or Call to Action
Summarize key takeaways and challenge the class to apply what they’ve learned in practical ways during the upcoming week.
Encourage them to pray, study, or engage in an act of kindness related to the lesson theme.
These strategies can create an enriching, Spirit-led class experience that encourages growth and fellowship.
Recounting what God has done in our lives is powerful and transformative for our faith. First, it reminds us of His presence and activity. When we recall His past interventions, we’re reminded that God isn’t just a distant figure in our lives; He’s intimately involved in our personal journey. Psalm 77:11 says, “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” This practice helps us face new challenges with confidence, knowing that the God who was faithful before will be faithful again.
Sharing what God has done also strengthens our relationship with Him. Each story we tell of God’s faithfulness is a reminder that we’re not alone, that He has walked with us through every storm and joy. Recounting His deeds helps us to trust Him deeper, building a solid foundation of faith.
Finally, when we speak of God’s works in our lives, it strengthens and encourages others. Our stories may be the evidence someone else needs to see God’s goodness. Personal testimony is a gift that reveals God’s character to others, offering them hope and encouragement. In sharing, our faith not only grows but spreads, becoming a beacon of light for others.
More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus
A behavior chart can be a useful tool in a Sabbath School classroom to encourage positive behavior, create a structured environment, and help students understand expectations. Here are some steps and ideas to implement a behavior chart effectively.
(Free behavior charts to download are at the bottom of this article)
Define Clear Expectations
Before introducing a behavior chart, make sure that students understand what behaviors are expected of them in Sabbath School. This can include things like:
- Listening when others are speaking
- Showing respect to teachers and classmates
- Participating in activities
- Following directions
- Being kind and helpful
Choose a Positive Focus
A behavior chart works best when it emphasizes positive behavior rather than punishing negative behavior. For example:
- "Great Listener"
- "Respectful to Others"
- "Helped a Friend"
- "Completed the Activity"
Select a Chart Type
Here are some chart options that work well in a Sabbath School setting. (See free examples below)
Sticker Chart: Each child gets a sticker for positive behavior. A full row of stickers could earn them a small reward or privilege, like choosing the next story or picking a song.
- Moving Up the Ladder: A visual chart where students move their name up the ladder (or to a “star” section) for good behavior.
- Class Points Chart: Rather than individual rewards, the whole class earns points for cooperative behavior. When they reach a goal, they can have a group reward like a small treat or a special activity.
Involve the Kids
Letting children participate in setting up the chart can help them feel more engaged. You can ask them for input on what positive behaviors they want to focus on, or let them decorate the chart.
Offer Rewards and Praise
Rewards don’t have to be extravagant; they can be as simple as extra playtime, a small snack, or choosing a story. Frequent verbal praise is also a great way to encourage positive behavior. Recognize students for their efforts, not just results, to reinforce that trying hard is valuable.
Periodically, take a moment to talk about how the behavior chart is going. Discuss with the kids how they feel about their progress and if there’s anything they would like to add or change.
Model Positive Behavior
Lead by example, showing patience, kindness, and respect to reinforce the behaviors the chart promotes.
A behavior chart can add structure and help create a positive learning environment for Sabbath School. By making it encouraging, collaborative, and focused on growth, students will feel motivated to contribute positively to the class.
Free Behavior Charts to Download
Jesus and Children Behavior Chart
In John 7:37–53, Jesus spoke to the crowd at the Feast of Tabernacles, proclaiming, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” This statement led to various responses among the people.
Many in the crowd were divided in their opinions.
Some believed Jesus was the Messiah
They said, “Surely this man is the Prophet” or “He is the Messiah.” These people recognized something unique and powerful in Jesus’ words and actions.
Others were skeptical
Some questioned if Jesus could be the Messiah because he was from Galilee, and they expected the Messiah to come from Bethlehem, where David was from.
Some wanted to arrest Him
The temple guards who had been sent to arrest Jesus were so captivated by His words that they returned without seizing Him, explaining, “No one ever spoke the way this man does.” This response surprised the religious leaders, who were becoming increasingly hostile.
Ultimately, this passage highlights the mixed reactions to Jesus’ teachings and His claims about Himself. The division among the people foreshadowed the broader conflicts and choices people would have to make about Jesus’ identity.
More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus
In John 5:36–38, Jesus emphasizes His close relationship with the Father and the validation of His mission through the Father’s works and testimony.
Works as a Testimony (v. 36)
Jesus points out that the works He performs—miracles, healings, and teachings—are given to Him by the Father. These works are not only miraculous signs but also a testimony that God sent Him.
Direct Testimony of the Father (v. 37)
Jesus says that the Father has personally testified on His behalf. This may refer to events like Jesus' baptism, where God’s voice was heard, affirming Jesus as His beloved Son, and other scriptural prophecies that point to Jesus.
The Father's Word and Belief (v. 38)
Jesus confronts His listeners, saying that they don’t have the Father's word abiding in them because they don’t believe in the One He has sent. Their lack of belief in Jesus reflects a disconnect from truly receiving and understanding God’s word.
Jesus points to the Father’s active role in affirming His identity and mission, with works and testimony designed to reveal Jesus as sent from God.
In other Scripture
The Father affirms Jesus as His beloved Son, expressing His approval and delight in Him. At Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:17, Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22) and the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:5, 2 Peter 1:17–18), God’s voice from heaven declares, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” In Matthew 17:5, He also adds, “Listen to Him,” urging people to heed Jesus' authority.
More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus
Strengthen Your Personal Faith
Spend regular time in prayer, studying the Bible, and reflecting on your beliefs. A deep, personal relationship with God can provide inner strength and help you feel less swayed by the attitudes of others.
Build a Supportive Community
Connect with like-minded believers who encourage each other in faith. Small groups, church gatherings, and even online Christian communities can offer companionship, accountability, and perspective.
Live Out Your Values
Actions speak louder than words, and living in a way that reflects Christ's love can be a powerful witness. This doesn’t mean being perfect, but striving to show kindness, compassion, patience, and humility in daily interactions.
Stay Rooted in Scripture
Remembering the stories of biblical figures who faced opposition can be inspiring. Daniel, Esther, and the apostles, for example, stood firm in their faith despite external pressures.
Reflect on the "Why" Behind Your Faith
Why do you believe what you believe? When you understand and affirm your faith from within, it becomes easier to withstand external pressures. Studying apologetics can also provide answers to difficult questions and reinforce your convictions.
Don’t Seek Approval from Others
Jesus warned that following Him might mean losing favor with the world. But remember, faith isn’t about popularity; it’s about staying true to your convictions and your relationship with God.
Be Compassionate Toward Others' Perspectives
Faithfulness doesn’t require rejecting others. Instead, listen to their beliefs and show empathy. This approach not only strengthens your own faith but allows you to respond with grace.
Pray for Courage and Guidance
Ask God for strength to stay faithful even when it's hard. Prayer can offer peace and direction and help you feel anchored in God's presence when facing challenging circumstances.
Staying faithful can indeed feel lonely at times, but many Christians find that these practices help them live with purpose and authenticity without feeling the need to "go along with the crowd."
More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus
In John 6:51–71, Jesus makes a profound statement that many of His followers find difficult to accept. He says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.” He then adds that “unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” (John 6:53).
This teaching troubled many people for several reasons.
Many listeners took Jesus' words literally, imagining that He was asking them to eat His physical flesh and drink His blood. In Jewish culture, eating flesh and drinking blood was not only physically repulsive but also a violation of their dietary laws, which prohibited the consumption of blood. This teaching seemed offensive and incomprehensible.
Jesus was speaking about spiritual truths that were hard to grasp without faith. To understand His words required a shift from a purely physical or literal perspective to a deeper, spiritual understanding.
True Meaning of Jesus’ Words
Jesus was not instructing people to physically eat His flesh and drink His blood. Instead, His words symbolized a spiritual truth. "Eating" His flesh and "drinking" His blood meant fully accepting Him, trusting in His sacrificial death, and allowing His life to fill theirs. He was pointing to His eventual sacrifice on the cross, where His body would be given, and His blood would be shed for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation of humankind.
Jesus was inviting His followers to enter into a relationship with Him where they would depend on Him spiritually, just as they depended on food and drink physically. By taking part in this spiritual sustenance, they would receive eternal life.
Jesus’ words pointed ahead to the sacrament of the Eucharist, or Communion, in which Christians symbolically partake of His body and blood to remember His sacrifice and receive spiritual nourishment.
More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus
In John 1:32–36, John the Baptist describes Jesus in a way that challenges traditional expectations of the Messiah. He says, “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him.”
This imagery of the Spirit descending like a dove signifies peace, gentleness, and divine anointing. For many, the Messiah was expected to be a powerful political or military leader who would liberate Israel. Instead, John presents Jesus as a humble, Spirit-filled servant.
Additionally, John calls Jesus “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” This title is striking and unexpected because it frames Jesus as a sacrificial figure rather than a conquering king.
The concept of a "Lamb" suggests vulnerability and sacrifice, alluding to the sacrificial lambs offered for atonement in Jewish worship. Rather than overthrowing earthly powers, Jesus would bring spiritual liberation by offering himself as a sacrifice for sin, transforming the people’s expectations of salvation and the role of the Messiah.
More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus
In John 3:25–36, John the Baptist makes five humble comparisons between himself and Jesus, emphasizing Jesus’ divine authority and his own role as a preparer for Jesus' coming. Here are some of the key ways John contrasts himself with Jesus in this passage:
Friend of the Bridegroom
John describes himself as the "friend of the bridegroom," while Jesus is the bridegroom. He explains that he is like the best man who rejoices in the bridegroom’s joy (John 3:29). This symbolizes that John’s purpose is to prepare people for Jesus and then step back, allowing Jesus to take center stage.
Role and Authority
John acknowledges that his role is earthly and limited, while Jesus comes from above and speaks the words of God. John says, “He who comes from above is above all” (John 3:31), underscoring Jesus' divine origin and authority.
The Increasing vs. the Decreasing
In verse 30, John famously says, “He must increase, but I must decrease.” This statement captures John's understanding that Jesus’ ministry must grow and flourish while John’s role will fade as Jesus takes prominence.
Bearer of God's Spirit
John the Baptist emphasizes that Jesus speaks the words of God and has the Spirit “without measure” (John 3:34), indicating Jesus’ full connection with God and divine mission. This shows that Jesus has unique authority and a direct connection to God’s will.
Eternal Life through Jesus
John testifies that belief in the Son (Jesus) leads to eternal life, while rejecting him results in God’s wrath (John 3:36). This highlights the difference between John's earthly mission and Jesus’ eternal impact on humanity.
Through these comparisons, John humbly accepts his role as the forerunner to Christ, recognizing Jesus' divine status and ultimate purpose in God’s plan.
More: Lesson 6 More Testimonies about Jesus