Outline of the Gospel of John

Introduction:

• John’s purpose: That his readers believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and believing have life through His name (20:31).
• John’s biography: The disciple whom Jesus loved.
• John’s theological themes:
  • Truth and witness
  • Light and glory
  • Eternal life and saving belief
  • God the Father and God the Holy Spirit
  • Love one another and the world

Theme: Reasons why we must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God:

I. Prologue: Because He is the Word who became flesh (1:1-18).

II. Reasons why we must believe in anticipation of the hour (1:19-12:50)

1. Because John the Baptist was His forerunner (1:19-28).
2. Because He is the One whom the Spirit anointed (1:29-34).
3. Because His disciples followed Him (1:35-51).
4. Sign 1: Because He turned the water into wine (2:1-11).
5. Because He was zealous for His Father’s house (2:12-25).
6. Discourse 1 (Nicodemus): Because He was the gift of the Father’s love (3:1-21).
7. Because He is the Bridegroom (3:22-36).
8. Discourse 2 (Samaritan woman): Because the Samaritans believed (4:1-42).
9. Sign 2: Because He healed the nobleman’s son (4:43-54).
10. Sign 3: Because He healed a lame man (5:1-16).
11. Discourse 3 (Sonship): (5:16-47).
    1. Because the Father’s work and His work are the same (5:16-30).
    2. Because He is validated by authoritative witnesses (5:31-47).
12. Sign 4: Because He fed 5,000 families with five loaves and two fish (6:1-15).
13. Sign 5: Because He walked on water (6:16-21).
14. Discourse 4: Because He is the Bread of Life – Part 1 (6:22-40).
15. Discourse 4: Because He is the Bread of Life – Part 2 (6:41-71).
16. Because He was hated by the world (7:1-36).
17. Because He promised the Holy Spirit (7:37-52).
18. Excursus: What modern translations have noticed about John 7:53 – 8:11.
19. Discourse 5: Because He is the Light of the World (8:12-20).
20. Because He is from above (8:21-29).
21. Because He knows if we do not believe (8:30-59).
22. Sign 6: Because He healed a man born blind (9:1-12).
23. Because all are born blind (9:13-41).
24. Discourse 6 (Good Shepherd): Because He is the Good Shepherd (10:1-21).
25. Because He gives His sheep eternal life (10:22-42).
26. Sign and Discourse 7: Because He is the Resurrection and the Life (11:1-57).

III. Reasons why we must believe in preparation for the hour (12:1-50).

1. Because He was anointed for burial (12:1-11).
2. Because He entered Passover triumphantly (12:12-19).
3. Because He drew all men to Himself by dying (12:20-43).
4. Because the Father had sent Him into the world (12:44-50).

IV. Reasons why we must believe once the hour had come – Farewell Discourse (13:1-17:26).

1. Because He loved His own unto the end (13:1-11).
2. Because He taught His disciples to love one another (13:12-38).
3. Because He promised to return (14:1-12).
4. Because He answers prayer (14:13-15).
5. Because He promised another Comforter (14:16-26).
6. Because He gives His disciples peace (14:27-31).
7. Because He is the True Vine (15:1-17).
8. Because the world hates Him (15:18-16:3).
9. Because He commissioned the Comforter (16:4-15).
10. Because He turns weeping into rejoicing (16:16-33).
11. Because He prays for His own (17:1-26).

V. Reasons why we must believe once the hour had come – Passion and Resurrection (18:1-21:25).

1. Because He took the cup given to Him by the Father (18:1-11).
2. Because He foresaw Peter’s denial (18:12-27).
3. Because He rules a kingdom not of this world (18:28-40).
4. Because no man had power over Him (19:1-16).
5. Because His death fulfilled Scripture’s prophecy (19:17-37).
6. Because He was buried having died (19:38-42).
7. Because He arose having died (20:1-18).
8. Because He assembles with His disciples on Sunday (20:19-31).
9. Because He provides a catch for His fishermen (21:1-25).

Appendices:

Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday