WELCOME TO THE GOSPEL OF JOHN

The gospel of John opens by telling how God came to live among us. It closes by asserting its purpose: that believers in Jesus as the Son of God gain life. In between, many are confronted with Jesus’ divine claim. Some choose to walk away yet others understand, in amazement of Jesus as God, that no one else has the words of eternal life.

The gospel of John is a difficult but rewarding book. We urge students to patiently work through the material, understanding that half of John covers just a few days of Jesus’ life. We urge teachers to provide guidance that no multiple choice guide can attain: explaining 12:25, the difference between pruning and cutting off, and the ‘ah-ha’ moment of 16:30. Indeed, questions are key in John, both the ones that are asked and the ones that are not asked. We urge all to know that Jesus prayed for us.

As 1 John 4:9 says, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” May the Samaritan woman’s experience with Jesus be ours.

EDITORIAL DECISIONS

We aim for objective questions that can be answered using the most recent edition of the NIV. We attempt to use the capitalization found in NIV. We refer to John the Baptist by this name even though the gospel of John does not do this (Jesus does in Matt 11:11). In some questions we emphasize the word ‘not’ by using ALL CAPS. We aim for one and only one correct answer; our key aims to mark the best answer.

CUSTOMIZATION AVAILABLE

Since we are publishing the key on the internet, we are offering to send a version with customized randomization to anyone who wants it. The questions will remain the same and in the same order, but most of the responses will be in a different order. While this will not render the published key worthless, it will add work to any student who wishes to improperly use the key in place of working through the questions the right way.

CONTRIBUTORS

Thanks to the following contributors for their creativity, work, and time:

• Amy Allen; Olathe, KS
• Bruce Harkins; Shawnee, KS
• Delores Hartman; Geneva, NE
• Gretchen Hawes; Austin, TX
• Mary Hawes; Austin, TX
• Sloan Hawes; Austin, TX
• Maryann Healy; Shawnee, KS
• Dalnita Holland; Overland Park, KS
• Leah Keppen; Overland Park, KS
• Laura Koehn; Olathe, KS
• Lyle Lancaster; DeSoto, KS
• Grace Mooney; Cleveland, MO
• Carissa Morrill; Bronx, NY
• James M. Morrill; Mbale, Uganda
• Diana Schnapp; Overland Park, KS
• Teresa Showen; DeSoto, KS
• Brenda Sikes; York, NE
• Terry Wood; Overland Park, KS

Starting in the FALL of 2008 we can use help on 2 Samuel:

1. Write one or more questions, accept responsibility to create questions for one or more chapters, or create specialized questions (perhaps covering footnotes or the ‘capstone’ questions found at the end of each advanced section).
2. Convert submitted questions to MS Excel format.
3. Review questions.
4. Serve as grammarian.

For the entire Bible Bowl Study Guide team,
John Morrill; Overland Park, KS
JSMorrill@gmail.com or study.guide@hoaltc.org