Christ’s Dealings with People

John (Survey)

INTRODUCTION: Learning how to deal with people is one of the greatest difficulties in the Christian life. There can be no doubt that our personalities tend to push us to one extreme or the other with very little variance. As is always the case in matters of character, the Lord Jesus Christ provides us with the pattern which is to be emulated.

I. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH POTENTIAL FOLLOWERS (John 1:37-51)

A. Andrew and an Unnamed Disciple (John 1:37-39)

B. Peter (John 1:40-42)

C. Philip (John 1:43-44)

D. Nathanael (John 1:45-51)

II. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH A RELIGIOUS MASTER (John 3:1-21)

A. Nicodemus’ Approach and Christ’s Response (John 3:1-3)

B. Nicodemus’ Confusion and Christ’s Response (John 3:4-21)

III. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH A SHUNNED WOMAN (John 4:5-30)

A. Christ’s Purposeful Journey (John 4:5-8)

B. The Woman’s Marvel (John 4:9-15)

C. Christ’s Address of Sin (John 4:16-26)

D. The Woman’s Marvel (John 4:27-30)

IV. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH A MAN LONG TIME IMPOTENT (John 5:1-16)

A. The Man’s Impossible Situation (John 5:1-5)

B. Christ’s Question (John 5:6)

C. The Man’s Response (John 5:7)

D. Christ’s Solution (John 5:8-16)

V. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH A WOMAN TAKEN IN ADULTERY (John 8:1-11)

A. The Woman’s Obvious Quandary (John 8:1-4)

B. The Accusers’ New Quandary (John 8:5-9)

C. Christ’s Address with the Woman (John 8:10-11)

VI. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH A MAN BORN BLIND (John 9:1-41)

A. Christ’s Initial Preservation of the Man’s Integrity (John 9:1-7)

B. The Man’s New Attacks (John 9:8-34)

C. Christ’s Continued Care for the Man (John 9:35-41)

VII. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH A GREIVING FAMILY (John 11:1-44)

A. Christ’s Delay (John 11:1-6)

B. Christ’s Dealings with the Disciples (John 11:7-16)

C. Christ’s Dealings with the Women (John 11:17-44)

VIII. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH A REBUKED SERVANT (John 12:1-8)

A. Mary’s Service and Rebuke (John 12:1-6)

B. Christ’s Defence and Rebuke (John 12:7-8)

IX. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH A BETRAYING SINNER (John 13:1-30)

A. Christ’s Knowledge (John 13:1-3)

B. Christ’s Humility (John 13:4-17)

C. Christ’s Education (John 13:18-26)

D. Christ’s Allowance (John 13:27-30)

X. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH ENDEARING DISCIPLES (John 13:31-38; John 14:1-31; John 15:1-27; John 16:1-33; John 17:1-26)

A. Christ’s Encouragement to Love (John 13:31-38)

B. Christ’s Promise of Reunion (John 14:1-11)

C. Christ’s Encouragement to Service, Love, and Fellowship (John 14:12-31; John 15:1-17)

D. Christ’s Comfort in Troubles (John 15:18-27; John 16:1-33)

E. Christ’s Prayer for Disciples (John 17:1-26)

XI. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH HOSTILE PURSUINTS (John 18:1-11)

A. Christ’s Question of Seeking (John 18:1-4)

B. Christ’s Fearful Response (John 18:5-7)

C. Christ’s Care for Others (John 18:8-11)

XII. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH ABUSIVE AUTHORITARIANS (John 18:12-40; John 19:7-11)

A. Christ’s Allowance of Improper Authority (John 18:12-13)

B. Christ’s Answer of Improper Authority (John 18:19-23, 33-37; John 19:7-11)

XIII. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH A HURTING MOTHER (John 19:26-27)

A. Christ’s Selflessness (John 19:26)

B. Christ’s Attentiveness (John 19:26-27)

XIV. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH CONFUSED AND HURTING FOLLOWERS (John 20:11-31)

A. Christ’s Care (John 20:11-17)

B. Christ’s Openness (John 20:19-31)

XV. CHRIST’S DEALINGS WITH DISILLUSIONED DISCIPLES (John 21:1-23)

A. Christ’s Provisions (John 21:1-14)

B. Christ’s Provocation (John 21:15-17)

C. Christ’s Testing (John 21:18-23)

CONCLUSION: Jesus dealt differently with different people at different times. The answer is to pray and seek God’s wisdom that we might grow in favour with God and man (Luke 2:52).