Elder Update

Elder Update 1.1.26

Understand John’s Purpose: John clearly proclaims Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God lovingly sent by the Father to save those who believe. This big truth demands a response. When you realize John writes to present Jesus as the Christ and calls his readers to believe, the structure of the gospel begins to take shape. There is a building argument within the gospel. It is making the case that Jesus is the Christ, the promised son of David and the Lord, the son of God who has come to save those who believe. Believe & Live!

John 20:31 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Follow The Building Argumentation: As we study, consider John’s stated aim (John 20:31) and you’ll notice that our Big Truths answer the question: Why should we believe Jesus is the Christ and life is found in Him? Week over week you’ll begin to observe John’s building argumentation as he makes the case that Jesus is the Christ and how His followers respond in belief.

Ponder Belief: John uses the term belief to conceptually capture our saving response to Jesus. As we study throughout the year, take note how John defines belief, directly and indirectly.

Read & Study: We recommend quickly reading the entire Gospel at the beginning of the year, in the middle, and at the end of your study. This will help you keep authorial intent and the contextual framework in mind as you study smaller sections.

Additionally, a full movie of The Gospel of John is available on the resource page. It is simply the NIV text acted out. While resources like this are never perfect, it is a great resource for an introduction or review as you get started. Make it a family movie night!

Build Weekly Routines Around The Workout: New for our churchwide study of John are weekly workouts. Each Workout guides us to Ponder, Pray, and Practice through the week’s John passage. They bring accountability and help toward 3 specific disciplines every week. Here are a few practical ways to use the Workout.
- Use the Ponder section to get started in personal study and to guide conversations with family and friends. Perhaps make it a routine for Friday commutes.
- Use the Pray section to guide your prayerful preparation to gather on Sundays. Perhaps take time to pray as a family before getting out of the car on Sunday mornings.
- Use the Practice section to set short term goals and routinely share how you’re pursuing growth in Christ with your groups. Perhaps set weekly goals as a family or with an edifying group of friends.

Connect With Others For Help & Accountability:
- Behind the Message – Every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. we’ll review the previous week and set up the upcoming week in John. Behind the Message is a great place to ask questions and connect with others around the Workouts.
- Prepare: Doers of the Word – Prepare is a Go Group that meets downstairs in the adult hall on Sundays. There is a Prepare at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Throughout our study of John it will begin with a purposeful time of prayer, specifically aimed at praying according to our weekly reading. Then, coming out of this time of prayer, it will facilitate a shared call to put into practice what we’re reading.

Redeem Extra Time: We all have time in our day that can be redeemed for our growth. Take advantage of your time in the car, getting ready, doing chores, etc. This shouldn’t be your primary study time, but these minutes stacked day over day can be key to reinforcing what you’re learning. Perhaps listen to a reading of John from your Bible app, a sermon from the resource page, or the latest episode of the Ponder Pod. You’ll be amazed how much more you’ll retain and grow by setting your mind on your study by consistently redeeming these moments.
- The Ponder Pod – The Ponder Pod aims to help us rightly ponder (study and meditate) on the text. New episodes are released on Thursdays. Search tcbchurch on Youtube or wherever you get your podcasts. The current episode will also be available at tcbchurch.org/john.

Ask For Help: John wrote so that you might believe and live. We too want you to believe and live. So, while you cannot text John a question or grab coffee and ask “How can this be?” like Nicodemus did, you can talk to someone who shares John’s aim. If you want some help, seemingly simple or complex, reach out to your group leader or any of TCBC’s leaders. They may or may not have all the answers, but they are committed to pursue the revelation of God together.

Treasure God’s Revelation: The Gospel According to John is Spirit-inspired revelation. It makes known who God is and who He has called us to be. Do not approach it with indifference or apathy, rather pursue it with diligent effort as the life-giving treasure it is. In other words, work at it. Purpose not to just show up and be spoon-fed. Pray and plan weekly to make the most of your study of John.
- Resources: We work diligently to organize resources to help you and those around you read and study for transformational growth. Familiarize yourself with the resources available. Pray and set your plan. Get others involved and be purposeful. tcbchurch.org/john.

Serve Another: The accountability of serving another is powerful. Don’t study John only for yourself. Serve someone in your family, a friend, or co-worker by guiding them through a study of John. Identify someone. Ask them to study John with you. Set up a recurring time to meet and begin working through John together.