I AM: The Seven Signs

I think the disciples sometimes get a bad rap. Much like the Old Testament Israelites, we frequently discuss the disciples as a rag tag crew who bumbled and stumbled their way into the Bible. Sure, we empathize with them and we learn from them, but when we are not careful, they become an easy foil in our neatly packaged Bible studies. Perhaps I am overgeneralizing here, but that thought ran across my mind as I began ByTheWell4God’s, I Am: The Seven Signs and saw right away that this was not going to be the typical study of the gospel.

I Am: The Seven Signs is one of a number of creative worship kits offered by the Washington-based family-owned business, ByTheWell4God. Like most of the kits, it includes creative items (stickers, die cuts, stamps, etc.) and a 14 lesson devotional booklet designed to be studied over the course of 28 days (2 days per lesson–one for study, one for creative response). The study could easily be completed over a longer or shorter time by an individual or small group. I have been completing studies with BTW4G since they started devotional kits in August 2017, and every single time I have been challenged spiritually, personally, and creatively. Typically I share some reflections on the studies on my Instagram, but frankly, I am a bit fatigued with typing on my phone, so I’m taking my thoughts to a real keyboard this year. I’ll post pictures over there for sure, but longer thoughts will be here.

Back to the disciples….

I Am is a study of the gospel of John and the seven “I Am” statements and seven signs of Jesus found in the book. The first lesson invites us to read through John 1:29-51 with an eye to the following titles used to identify Jesus: Lamb of God, Rabbi, Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, Son of God, King of Israel, and Son of Man. There is a lot to be gleaned from this passage, and I would encourage you to spend some time in it. Focusing on the names, for me, revealed a great example of how the disciples got it right! In John 1:40, 41, it says, “One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (which means Christ).” Andrew had been with Jesus for about one day, and as soon as he saw his brother, he declared Jesus as the Messiah, God’s Anointed One! What a mighty and immediate revelation. Andrew did not sit back and observe before making a conclusion; he did not go crowdsourcing for more information to inform his declaration–he was certain that the man before him was indeed The One long prophesied about. Wow.

As I prayed and worked through the study, I heard an important question. Do you recognize Him?

Ouch.

Here I am in 2018 with the privileges of multiple Bibles, churches, scholars, teachers, the internet and more, and I struggle with fear and stress and insecurities as if I do not know Jesus.

Ouch.

I am certain about who He is. I believe. I am grateful for the gift of grace and salvation in my life. I have been set free.

But on a day to day basis, I do not always walk in that freedom. I am humbled by this study and the example of the disciples in just the first lesson of this reading in John. I am challenged by the Spirit in my meditation on this Word. But most of all, I am grateful for the reminder at the start of this year to focus on and rest in who He is. As is often said, “Know Jesus, Know Peace. No Jesus, No Peace.”

I am planting my feet here to start my fearless year. Two nights ago, I read in Max Lucado’s Fearless, “Fear creates a form of spiritual amnesia. It dulls our miracle memory. It makes us forget what Jesus has done and how good God is.” I could not have asked for a better January study to fight spiritual amnesia. I am looking forward to spending this month in the gospel of John meditating on who He is and what He has done!!

 

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