Lesson 07- Blessed Are Those Who Believe

Read for This Week’s Study
John 8:54-58; Genesis 12:3; Romans 4:1-5; John 12:1-8; John 19:4-22; John 20:19-31; Daniel 2:1-49; Daniel 7:1-28.

Memory Text:
 “Jesus said to him, ‘Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’ ” (John 20:29).

Sabbath Afternoon: 

5 Key Points

1. Faith Without Sight: Jesus declared a blessing on those who believe without seeing (John 20:29), tells us the importance of faith over physical evidence.
2. Testimonies of Belief: John’s Gospel presents a diverse group of people affirming Jesus’ identity—disciples, commoners, rulers, and even skeptics like Thomas.
3. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus’ life and ministry confirmed Old Testament prophecies, reinforcing the faith of those who believed.
4. Witnesses From All Walks of Life: The Gospel includes testimonies from the humble (Mary), the curious (Pilate), and the faithful (Abraham), illustrating the universal appeal of Christ’s mission.
5. Eternal Implications of Belief: Belief in Jesus leads to eternal life, making faith a central theme in the Gospel of John (John 3:16, John 11:25-26).

3 Discussion Questions

1. Why is believing without seeing considered a blessing?

   • Answer: It demonstrates a faith that trusts in God’s promises and character, beyond tangible evidence, aligning with Hebrews 11:1.

2. How do the varied testimonies in John’s Gospel strengthen our faith today?

   • Answer: They offer a comprehensive view of Jesus’ impact on diverse individuals, showing that belief in Him is relevant and transformative across all backgrounds.

3. What lessons can we draw from the connection between faith and fulfillment of prophecy?

   • Answer: It confirms that God’s plan is trustworthy, and His promises will be fulfilled, encouraging believers to place their faith in Him.

Sunday: Harking Back to Abraham

5 Key Points

1. Abraham's Faith in the Messiah: Abraham’s faith in God’s promises pointed forward to the coming of Jesus, who fulfilled the covenant (John 8:56).
2. Jesus’ Claim to Divinity: By stating, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58), Jesus directly identified Himself as eternal and divine.
3. Salvation by Faith: Romans 4:1-5 emphasizes that Abraham was justified by faith, not works, setting the foundation for salvation through faith in Christ.
4. Universal Blessing: The promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed through him (Genesis 12:3) was fulfilled in Jesus, the Savior of the world.
5. Faith Over Lineage: Abraham is the father of faith for all who believe, not just those of physical descent (Galatians 3:7-9).

3 Discussion Questions

1. Why was Abraham’s testimony about Jesus significant?

   • Answer: It affirmed Jesus as the fulfillment of God’s covenant promises, connecting the Old Testament to the New Testament.

2. What does Abraham’s faith teach us about our relationship with God?

   • Answer: Faith involves trusting God’s promises even when the outcome is unseen, as Abraham trusted in the promised Redeemer.

3. How does Jesus’ statement “I AM” deepen our understanding of His identity?

   • Answer: It connects Him to the God of the Old Testament, affirming His divinity and eternal existence.

Monday: The Witness of Mary

5 Key Points

1. A Gesture of Gratitude: Mary’s anointing of Jesus with expensive perfume (John 12:3) was an expression of love and gratitude for forgiveness and her brother’s resurrection.
2. Foreshadowing of Burial: Mary’s actions symbolized Jesus’ upcoming death and burial, an act of devotion and prophetic insight.
3. Fragrance of Worship: The perfume filled the house, symbolizing how genuine worship impacts everyone around (John 12:3).
4. Contrast of Motives: Judas’ objection to Mary’s act revealed his selfishness, while Mary’s heart reflected sincere worship and sacrifice.
5. Jesus’ Defense of Mary: By affirming Mary’s actions, Jesus highlighted the importance of love and faith over criticism and greed (John 12:7-8).

3 Discussion Questions

1. Why was Mary’s act of anointing Jesus significant?

   • Answer: It reflected her deep faith and understanding of Jesus’ mission, preparing Him symbolically for His death and burial.

2. What does Judas’ reaction teach us about our priorities?

   • Answer: It warns against valuing material possessions over heartfelt devotion to God.

3. How can we, like Mary, offer our best to Jesus?

   • Answer: By dedicating our talents, time, and resources wholeheartedly to worship and serve Him.

Tuesday: The Unwitting Witness of Pilate

5 Key Points

1. Pilate’s Recognition of Innocence: Pilate repeatedly proclaimed Jesus innocent (John 18:38; 19:4, 6), showcasing his acknowledgment of Jesus’ righteousness.
2. The Inscription on the Cross: Pilate’s declaration, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews” (John 19:19), served as a public witness to Jesus’ true identity.
3. Conflict of Conscience: Pilate’s decision to condemn Jesus despite knowing His innocence highlights the danger of yielding to external pressures.
4. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Pilate’s actions, though unjust, played a role in fulfilling God’s redemptive plan.
5. The Tragedy of Compromise: Pilate’s failure to stand for truth underscores the consequences of prioritizing self-preservation over integrity.

3 Discussion Questions

1. What can Pilate’s hesitance teach us about standing for truth?

   • Answer: It shows the importance of acting on conscience rather than succumbing to societal pressures.

2. How did Pilate unknowingly testify to Jesus’ identity?

   • Answer: By writing the title “King of the Jews” and declaring Jesus’ innocence, he acknowledged Jesus’ unique role and authority.

3. What lessons can we draw from Pilate’s failure to act righteously?

   • Answer: Compromising on truth leads to personal regret and missed opportunities to uphold justice and honor God.

Wednesday: The Witness of Thomas

5 Important Points with Supporting Texts:

1. Doubt and Conditional Belief: Thomas initially refused to believe in Jesus’ resurrection unless he could see and touch His wounds (John 20:25). This highlights the human tendency to seek tangible evidence before believing.
2. Jesus’ Compassion for Doubters: Jesus appeared and specifically invited Thomas to touch His wounds, demonstrating His willingness to meet us in our doubts (John 20:27).
3. Faith Without Sight: Jesus pronounced a blessing on those who believe without seeing, underscoring the value of faith (John 20:29).
4. A Confession of Faith: Thomas’ exclamation, “My Lord and my God,” affirmed Jesus’ divinity and his personal commitment to Him (John 20:28).
5. Faith Based on Evidence: Ellen White emphasizes that God provides sufficient evidence for faith, but not so much as to remove the possibility of doubt (Steps to Christ, p. 105).

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. Why did Thomas struggle to believe in Jesus’ resurrection?
   • Answer: Thomas struggled because he was not present when Jesus first appeared and relied on empirical evidence to believe. This reflects his human nature and skepticism.
2. What lesson can we learn from Jesus’ response to Thomas’ doubt?
   • Answer: Jesus’ response shows His patience and understanding toward those who doubt. It teaches us that God provides opportunities to strengthen our faith, even when we falter.
3. Why does Jesus call those who believe without seeing “blessed”?
   • Answer: Faith without sight is a deeper trust in God’s word and promises, reflecting a reliance on spiritual evidence rather than physical proof.

Thursday: Our Witness of Jesus

5 Important Points with Supporting Texts:

1. The Gospel’s Purpose: John wrote his Gospel so that readers may believe in Jesus and have eternal life (John 20:30-31).
2. Faith in Prophecy: We have the advantage of seeing biblical prophecies fulfilled, such as the spread of the gospel and the destruction of the temple (Matthew 24:14; Matthew 24:2).
3. Faith Despite Time: Even after two millennia, the survival and growth of Christianity testify to the power of Jesus’ teachings and the work of the Holy Spirit.
4. Personal Witnessing: Each believer has a unique testimony that contributes to the broader witness of Jesus (John 1:40-42).
5. Scripture as Evidence: The Bible provides sufficient evidence for faith through prophecy, historical accuracy, and transformative power.

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What advantages do we have today in believing in Jesus compared to His first followers?
   • Answer: We have access to the entire Bible, historical fulfillment of prophecies, and centuries of testimonies from other believers.
2. How does sharing personal testimony strengthen one’s faith?
   • Answer: Sharing testimony reinforces one’s understanding of God’s work in their life and inspires others to seek Him.
3. Why is the Bible an essential foundation for witnessing?
   • Answer: It provides a reliable and inspired record of God’s dealings with humanity, fulfilled prophecies, and Jesus’ life and teachings.

Friday: Further Thought

5 Important Points with Supporting Texts:

1. Faith Over Evidence: Like Thomas, some wait for irrefutable proof before believing, but faith often requires trust beyond tangible evidence (John 20:29).
2. Danger of Doubt: Ellen White warns that cultivating doubt leads to a harvest of disbelief, making it harder to respond when faith is most needed (The Desire of Ages, p. 808).
3. Historical Fulfillment: Prophecies in Daniel 2 and 7 affirm God’s sovereignty and provide a strong foundation for faith.
4. God’s Patience: God is patient with human frailty, meeting people where they are to grow their faith.
5. Unified Testimony: Different witnesses in John’s Gospel had varied experiences with Jesus, yet all pointed to Him as the Messiah and Savior (John 1:29; John 4:42).

Discussion Questions with Answers:

1. What’s the difference between Abraham’s faith and Thomas’ doubt?
   • Answer: Abraham trusted in God’s promises despite not seeing immediate fulfillment, while Thomas required physical evidence to believe.
2. How does the fulfillment of prophecies in Daniel 2 and 7 strengthen our faith today?
   • Answer: Seeing these prophecies fulfilled provides concrete evidence of God’s foreknowledge and His control over history.
3. How can we balance the need for evidence with the necessity of faith?
   • Answer: By recognizing that God provides enough evidence to support belief while leaving space for faith to grow and deepen trust in Him.