ABIDING IN CHRIST
8 STUDIES FOR INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS
J. I. Packer & Carolyn Nystrom
With Notes for Leaders
An imprint of Intervarsity Press
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©2009 by J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom
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Cover image: Kirsten Pott
ISBN 978-0-8308-6250-4
Getting the Most Out of Abiding in Christ
Getting the Most Out of Abiding in Christ
Of all the Gospel writers, John is the one who works hardest to highlight the divinity of Jesus, God’s incarnate Son, and the transforming effects of personal encounter with him, both initial and sustained. This should not surprise us, for John was the closest of the Twelve to Jesus. That is the point he makes by his rather awkward description of himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” in some ways, to be sure, Peter, whom Jesus was grooming for leadership, and who was often a spokesman for the Twelve, was closest, but Peter knew that in terms of affectionate intimacy John was ahead of him. So it was John whom Peter asked to find out from Jesus who would betray him (John 13:23–26), as it was John whom Jesus, on the cross, told to look after his mother, Mary (John 19:26–27).
Jesus and John may in fact have been relatives. It is very possible, although not actually provable, that Jesus’ mother’s sister, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee, and the otherwise unidentified but clearly well-known Salome (John 19:25; Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40) were the same person, in which case John was Jesus’ cousin. Whether this was so or not, John, with his uncannily retentive memory, his spiritually insightful ...
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About Abiding in Christ: 8 Studies for Individuals or Groups: With Notes for Leaders“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love” (John 15:9). Before Jesus left this world he gave specific encouragement and instructions to his disciples on what to expect and how to live after he had gone. These words still apply to his disciples today. In Abiding in Christ, trusted guides J. I. Packer and Carolyn Nystrom lead you through a study of Jesus’ farewell to his disciples in John 14–17 to help you discover what it means to abide in Christ during the time between Christ’s departure and his second coming. |
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