The Spiritual Gospel
The Illuminate Study Guide is a packet inluding a copy of the Illuminate booklet for study participants and a four-page leaflet of supplemental material for each lesson. Study goals, discussion questions, and lesson application along with the supplemental commentary provide useful tools for the study leader.
Perhaps the most distinguishing feature about John’s Gospel is the long dialogues he records between Jesus and unbelieving Jews. John’s purpose is clearly evangelistic: “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (20:31)
Early in the third century A.D., Clement of Alexandria wrote: “Last of all, John perceiving that the bodily facts had been made plain in the gospel, being urged by his friends, composed a spiritual gospel.” While scholars of late have questioned the accuracy of Clement’s statement that John’s Gospel was written last, there’s probably no dispute about referring to John as “a spiritual gospel.” Some commentators see sacramental overtones almost everywhere in this book; however, it’s interesting to note that John is the only one of the four gospels where there’s no mention of the bread and wine at the Last Supper. And while Jesus’ baptism at the hands of John is implied (1:29-34), John’s emphasis is clearly on the coming baptism “with the Holy Spirit“ (1:33). As Friends there’s much in this gospel that supports emphasizing the primacy of spiritual reality as opposed simply to relying on a creed or a religious ritual. In fact, a primary purpose of the lessons in this quarter should be to teach a Quaker understanding of the gospel of Christ.
SAMPLE: The Spiritual Gospel
SAMPLE: The Spiritual Gospel SG
lessons
1. The Word as Light and Life (John 1:1-9)
2. The Word Become Flesh (John 1:10-18)
3. Born of the Spirit (John 3:1-12)
4. Eternal Life (John 3:13-21)
5. True Worship (John 4:1-7 19-24)
6. “I Am the Bread of Life” (John 6:35, 48-56, 60-63)
7. “I Am the Good Shepherd” (John 10:7-16)
8. The Call to Servanthood (John 13:1-15)
9. Jesus: the Way, the Truth, the Life (John 14:1-7)
10. “I Am the Vine” (John 15:1-16)
11. The Holy Spirit (John 16:5-16)
12. Preparing the Disciples (John 16:19-24, 31-33)
13. A Prayer for Disciples (John 17:1-5, 15-23)