I AM Bible Study: Seven Powerful Claims of Christ

By Rose Publishing

In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses “I Am” statements that tell his listeners exactly who he is: the Bread of Life; the Light of the World; the Gate; the Good Shepherd; the Resurrection and the Life; the Way, the Truth, and the Life; and the True Vine. These claims infuriated the religious leaders and eventually led to Jesus’ crucifixion. This six-session study examines Jesus’ extraordinary claims and shows how Jesus provides, protects, guides, saves, and gives everything we need to grow in spiritual maturity.

• 6-session flexible Bible study
• Optional reading plan for people with more time who want to go deeper
• Leader’s guide is contained within each study guide, so no extra book purchase is required
• Discussion questions for each session and lots of space for writing

Most Bible studies on Jesus don’t include visuals. Imagine having one that does! Perfect for group and individual use, young adult study, homeschool, church library, to give to a friend, and more!

5 Key Features of the I Am: Seven Powerful Claims of Christ Rose Visual Bible Study

1. Packed with visuals and graphics
2. Clear and easy to understand
3. Practical life applications
4. Flexible, easy-to-use format
5. Anyone can lead this!

Each of the 6 sessions in every Bible study guides you (and your group) through the following sections:

• Introduction: Simple overview to get started.
• Read It: Key Bible passages and optional reading.
• Know It: Discussion questions with space for writing.
• Explore It: Summaries of key information, easy-to-read outlines, charts, full-color illustrations, and more.
• Live It: Devotional reading and life application questions, a short prayer, and space for note-taking and journaling.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
• Release date: Aug 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9781649380067

Book preview

I Am

In an algebraic expression, two types of symbols are used to make a statement: constants, like the numbers 7 or 5, and variables, like x or y. Just as their names indicate, a constant never changes (7 is always 7, and 5 is always 5), while a variable can represent any different value.

Life is composed of constants and variables. We experiment by changing up our variables to try to equal a happy, satisfied, content life. We’re convinced that if we could just control all the variables and find the right combination of influences, we will finally be happy. We all have needs that drive our behaviors to experiment. We want to feel safe and secure, to be loved and to love someone else, and to make a difference with our life. We play with the equation of our life in an effort to master the variables that can produce happiness. In fact, we exhaust ourselves and fill life with anxiety by focusing on the variables of life—many of which are beyond our control.

What if the secret to the good life isn’t found by mastering life’s variables but by growing deeper into the constant? The one enduring, unchanging constant on which all the rest of life depends is the God who exists without relying on anything outside himself. He is self-existent and far beyond our concepts of time and space, but he has intervened in our physical world to support all life. He is the uncaused Cause behind everything that exists, and he has revealed himself with a unique name. He is the I Am.

Through this study, we will focus our attention on the way Jesus adopted the most personal name of God from the Hebrew Scriptures to reveal his own identity as the one who is and will always be. Seven times in John’s gospel, Jesus picked up this ancient name that God used to introduce himself to Moses.

Jesus said . . .

ScriptureSession 1

The Bread of Life

John 6:1–59

The first part of John 6 records two astounding miracles that form the backdrop to one of Jesus’ powerful claims about himself.

Firstly, Jesus feeds more than five thousand people by multiplying five loaves of bread and two small fish (John 6:1–15). The miraculous feeding of the crowd is recorded in all four gospels and mimics the feeding of the Israelite multitudes with manna as Moses led them from Egypt (Ex. 16:35).

Then, Jesus walks on water on the Sea of Galilee and causes the disciples’ boat to arrive safely on the opposite shore (John 6:16–24). (Matthew and Mark describe the additional detail of Jesus calming the storm; Matt. 14:32; Mark 4:39.) John’s account of Jesus walking on water includes fewer details than the other accounts, but underscores Jesus’ authority over all creation.

The next day, the crowd realized that Jesus wasn’t in the boat when his disciples sailed away. When they heard he was on the opposite shore, they wondered how he made the seven-mile lake crossing and followed him in boats. Jesus seemed frustrated that the people were more interested in receiving additional loaves of bread from him—and even potentially using him to achieve their own goals of overthrowing Roman rule to set up a kingdom—than in discovering the unique identity and mission of Jesus. He wanted the crowds to move beyond just consuming the gifts he offered and imagining how they could use his power for their purpose. He called them to understand his identity and character as the one who is uniquely connected with and sent from God the Father and who offers them eternal life and not just perishable bread.

In John 6, Jesus’ miracles serve as convincing confirmation of the truth of his claim: I am the bread of life (John 6:35).

John 6 Outline

Read It Read It

Key Bible Passage

For this session, read about Jesus’ miracles