Welcome Valley Bible Studies

Lesson 21: John 6:22-29

John 6:22-29
The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Background Information
Keep in mind that this passage continues the account in which Jesus fed the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish and then walked on the sea to His disciples’ boat.

This passage of Scripture also introduces us to a very important theme that is developed here in John and in the rest of the New Testament. That theme is the fact that we can gain forgiveness of sins and eternal life (be saved) through simple faith in Jesus Christ rather than through our own efforts.

 Related Scriptures
Matthew 6:25-34
Matthew 13:44-46
Romans 4:3-8
Ephesians 2:8-9
Philippians 3:4-11
Colossians 3:1-2

Questions

1. Why did Jesus say the people were looking for Him?
2. Jesus’ miracle had provided the people with food. What did that miracle say about who Jesus really was?
3. By only caring about the food, did the people see what the miracle said about Jesus?
4. Which was more important, the food the miracle provided or the truth it revealed?
5. What did Jesus tell them to work for?
6. When they asked Jesus how to do that work, what did He tell them?
7. What does Jesus say counts as doing “works” of God?
8. Think about what Jesus says in these verses. Also think about the related Scriptures. a. What does a person have to do to gain eternal life? b. What counts as if we had lived a life of good deeds and obedience to God (as if we were righteous)? c. Who has done the work that actually gives us eternal life?

This study is in the public domain and may be copied and distributed freely.