Running head: NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY 1
New Testament Bible Study Assignment
Larry O’Neal
Liberty University
,NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY
2
Introduction and Thesis Statement
In this Bible Study paper, we will be looking at John 5:1-17, where Christ heals a man
who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda. In this paper we will observe
this text and look at what John was trying to communicate. We will discuss how this passage
correlates with the Bible as a whole. The Gospel according to John, John attaches the Torah to
the person of Christ and reminds us that Christ was promised in the Old Testament Scriptures
and expected (van der Merwe, 2014. p.4). We also discuss how it reflects other truths found in
Scripture, along with the person and work of Christ. This healing is only mentioned in John, and
John uses this healing to challenge his Gentile readers to understand Jesus is not just a healer, but
someone who gives eternal life (Thompson, 2017. p.65). Lastly. we will discuss how to take the
truths in this text and apply it to ourselves. In verse 6 of this text, Christ asks the man will he be
made whole and Jesus showed the man that He was able to make Him whole. Reading this
account in the Gospel according to John, you can see that Christ is able to make you whole as
well. Will you be made whole?
II. Observation
A. I have read the passage in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will find a
copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.
, NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY
3
o Yes
o No
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: Jesus, a great multitude of impotent folk, a certain man and the Jews.
2. Plot: During a feast of the Jews, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem where there is a pool called
Bethesda. This pool is by the sheep market and has five porches where a great multitude of sick
waited for an angel to trouble the water; the first to step in after it is troubled is healed. Also,
there was a certain man at this pool who had an infirmity for 38 years. Christ saw this man and
came to him and asked, “Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:6). But the man tells Jesus that he
has no one to help him get to the pool when it is troubled and when he does go down, someone
steps before him. Jesus then tells the man to take up his bed and walk and immediately the man
was healed. Being the Sabbath, the Jews approached the man and told him that it was not lawful
for him to carry his bed, but the man told them that the one who made him whole told him to
carry his bed and walk. Because of this, the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to slay Him.
New Testament Bible Study Assignment
Larry O’Neal
Liberty University
,NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY
2
Introduction and Thesis Statement
In this Bible Study paper, we will be looking at John 5:1-17, where Christ heals a man
who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years at the pool of Bethesda. In this paper we will observe
this text and look at what John was trying to communicate. We will discuss how this passage
correlates with the Bible as a whole. The Gospel according to John, John attaches the Torah to
the person of Christ and reminds us that Christ was promised in the Old Testament Scriptures
and expected (van der Merwe, 2014. p.4). We also discuss how it reflects other truths found in
Scripture, along with the person and work of Christ. This healing is only mentioned in John, and
John uses this healing to challenge his Gentile readers to understand Jesus is not just a healer, but
someone who gives eternal life (Thompson, 2017. p.65). Lastly. we will discuss how to take the
truths in this text and apply it to ourselves. In verse 6 of this text, Christ asks the man will he be
made whole and Jesus showed the man that He was able to make Him whole. Reading this
account in the Gospel according to John, you can see that Christ is able to make you whole as
well. Will you be made whole?
II. Observation
A. I have read the passage in both a formal translation (KJV, NKJV, NASB, ESV, or CSB)
and a functional translation (NIV, NLT, or NCV). Highlight the correct answer. You will find a
copy of the NASB, ESV, CSB, and NLT in your myWSB Library.
, NEW TESTAMENT BIBLE STUDY
3
o Yes
o No
B. Identify the basic elements of the story you are studying
1. Main characters: Jesus, a great multitude of impotent folk, a certain man and the Jews.
2. Plot: During a feast of the Jews, Jesus goes up to Jerusalem where there is a pool called
Bethesda. This pool is by the sheep market and has five porches where a great multitude of sick
waited for an angel to trouble the water; the first to step in after it is troubled is healed. Also,
there was a certain man at this pool who had an infirmity for 38 years. Christ saw this man and
came to him and asked, “Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:6). But the man tells Jesus that he
has no one to help him get to the pool when it is troubled and when he does go down, someone
steps before him. Jesus then tells the man to take up his bed and walk and immediately the man
was healed. Being the Sabbath, the Jews approached the man and told him that it was not lawful
for him to carry his bed, but the man told them that the one who made him whole told him to
carry his bed and walk. Because of this, the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to slay Him.
