The ‘I am’ sayings of Christ Over 10 Million LifeBuilders in Print

Jesus made some sweeping claims for himself – outrageous but true! This
study guide examines the ‘I am’ statements, mainly from the Gospel of John.
But the sessions go far beyond a study of ancient words to a consideration of
how these claims can transform our lives today. What does it mean for Jesus
to say he is the Bread of Life? That he is the Light? What do his dramatic
claims tell us about his power and character? And how might that impact us
each day?
The ‘I AM’
L i f e B u i l d e r B i b l e S t u d i e s from Scripture Union
SAYINGS of CHRIST
TOPICAL STUDIES Praying the Psalms/ 9 studies Nehemiah/ 13 studies
Angels/ 8 studies Self-Esteem/ 9 studies Esther/ 9 studies
Christian Beliefs/ 12 studies Sermon on the Mount/ Psalms/ 12 studies
Christian Character/ 12 studies Proverbs/ 10 studies 8 studies
12 studies Singleness/ 10 studies Isaiah/ 22 studies for individuals or groups
Christian Community/ Spiritual Gifts/ 8 studies Daniel/ 12 studies
10 studies
Christian Disciplines/
12 studies
Spiritual Warfare/ 9 studies
Ten Commandments, The/
12 studies
Jonah, Joel & Amos/ 12 studies

NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS

Douglas Connelly
Decisions/ 9 studies Twenty-Third Psalm, The/ Matthew/ 22 studies
Encountering Jesus/ 8 studies 9 studies (in 2 parts)
Evangelism/ 12 studies Woman of God/ 10 studies Mark/ 20 studies (in 2 parts)
Faith/ 9 studies Luke/ 26 studies (in 2 parts)
Friendship/ 10 studies CHARACTER STUDIES John/ 26 studies (in 2 parts)
Fruit of the Spirit/ 9 studies Abraham/ 9 studies Acts/ 24 studies (in 2 parts)
God’s Comfort/ 9 studies David/ 12 studies Romans/ 19 studies (in 2 parts)
‘I am’ sayings of Christ/ Elijah/ 8 studies 1 Corinthians/ 13 studies
8 studies Joseph/ 9 studies 2 Corinthians/ 11 studies
Images of Christ/ 10 studies New Testament Characters/ Galatians/ 11 studies
Images of God/ 10 studies 10 studies Ephesians/ 11 studies
Images of the Spirit/ 8 studies Old Testament Characters/ Philippians/ 9 studies
Integrity/ 10 studies 12 studies Colossians & Philemon/
Jesus’ Final Week/ 8 studies Peter/ 12 studies 10 studies
Kingdom of God, The/ Women of the New 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus/
10 studies Testament/ 10 studies 11 studies
Lord’s Prayer, The/ 8 studies Women of the Old Hebrews/ 13 studies
Meeting God/ 12 studies Testament/12 studies James/ 9 studies
Meeting Jesus/ 13 studies 1 & 2 Peter & Jude/
Meeting the Spirit/ 10 studies OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS 12 studies
Parables/ 12 studies Genesis/ 26 studies (in 3 parts) John’s Letters/ 12 studies
Prayer/ 12 studies Joshua/ 12 studies Revelation/ 14 studies

ËxHSLIOEy27313 z
www.scriptureunion.org.uk
ISBN 978 1 84427 313 3

A L i f eB u i l d e r B i b l e S t u d y
i am sayings.qxd 02/07/2007 17:42 Page 2

Scripture Union is an international Christian charity working with

churches in more than 130 countries providing resources to bring the good
news about Jesus Christ to children, young people and families and to
encourage them to develop spiritually through the Bible and prayer. As well
as coordinating a network of volunteers, staff and associates who run
holidays, church-based events and school Christian groups, Scripture
Union produces a wide range of publications and supports those who use
their resources through training programmes.

Scripture Union, 207-209 Queensway, Bletchley, MK2 2EB, UK.

e-mail: info@scriptureunion.org.uk
website: www.scriptureunion.org.uk

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NSW 2252.
website: www.su.org.au

ISBN 978 1 84427 313 3

First published in the United States by InterVarsity Press 2006.

Published in Great Britain by Scripture Union 2007.

© Douglas Connelly

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored

in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, elec-
tronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the
prior permission of Scripture Union.

The right of Douglas Connelly to be identified as author of this work has

been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and
Patents Act 1988.

Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy
Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by
International Bible Society. Anglicisation copyright © 1979, 1984, 1989.
Used by permission of Hodder and Stoughton Limited.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication data: a catalogue record for this

book is available from the British Library.

Printed in China by 1010 Printing International Limited.

I AM lbs.fm Page 3 Thursday, May 24, 2007 8:16 AM

Contents
GETTING THE MOST OUT OF I AM ——————————— 5

1 I Am He
Salvation John 4:1-26 —————— 9

2 I Am the Bread of Life

Survival John 6:25-51 —————— 13

3 I Am the Light
Direction John 8:12-30 —————— 17

4 I Am the Good Shepherd

Security John 10:1-21 —————— 21

5 I Am the Resurrection
Eternity John 11:1-27 —————— 25

6 I Am the Way
Peace John 14:1-14 —————— 29

7 I Am the True Vine

Purpose John 15:1-8 —————— 33

8 I Am the Alpha and Omega

Confidence Revelation 1:8; 22:12-16 — 37

Leader’s Notes —————————————————— 41

I AM lbs.fm Page 5 Thursday, May 24, 2007 8:16 AM

Getting the Most Out of

I AM
No one could say the things Jesus said and be taken seriously.
Imagine standing up in an office meeting or even at a small
group Bible study and saying: “I am the way; no one has access
to God except through me.” Or think about how you would re-
act if someone took the microphone at a funeral and an-
nounced: “I am the resurrection and the life; if you believe in
me, you will never die.” That person would be asked to sit
down—or ushered out the door! No one would take such
claims seriously.
But those are the very words we hear from Jesus in the Bi-
ble—and from Jesus the words ring true. Who is this man who
makes such sweeping claims? And how can such a man bring
rest to my restless spirit?
The claims Jesus made sounded even more startling to the
people who first heard them. The words “I am” drew Jesus’
first-century Jewish audience back to a pivotal point in biblical
history. God spoke to Moses from a burning bush and sent him
to Egypt to lead the people of Israel to freedom. Moses worried
that the people would want to know who had sent him and so
he asked God what his name was. God answered, “I AM WHO I
AM” (Exodus 3:14). God’s covenant name with Israel was “I
AM.” Now, hundreds of years later, the same words come from
the lips of Jesus. He is claiming to be no one less than the Lord
God. The same God who spoke to Moses now speaks again.
This study guide examines the “I AM” declarations of Jesus
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6 ———————————————————— I AM

in the New Testament. We will look at the context of each

statement, and we will listen to Jesus’ powerful words—but we
want to go beyond simply a study of ancient words. We will
also discover how Jesus’ words can transform our lives today.
Be prepared to wrestle with some amazing claims. Then be pre-
pared to have your life changed as Jesus’ claims ring true in
your experience.

Suggestions for Individual Study

1. As you begin each study, pray that God will speak to you
through his Word.
2. Read the introduction to the study and respond to the
personal reflection question or exercise. This is designed to
help you focus on God and on the theme of the study.
3. Each study deals with a particular passage—so that you
can delve into the author’s meaning in that context. Read and
reread the passage to be studied. The questions are written
using the language of the New International Version, so you
may wish to use that version of the Bible. The New Revised
Standard Version is also recommended.
4. This is an inductive Bible study, designed to help you dis-
cover for yourself what Scripture is saying. The study includes
three types of questions. Observation questions ask about the
basic facts: who, what, when, where and how. Interpretation
questions delve into the meaning of the passage. Application
questions help you discover the implications of the text for
growing in Christ. These three keys unlock the treasures of
Scripture.
Write your answers to the questions in the spaces provided
or in a personal journal. Writing can bring clarity and deeper
understanding of yourself and of God’s Word.
5. It might be good to have a Bible dictionary handy. Use it
to look up any unfamiliar words, names or places.
I AM lbs.fm Page 7 Thursday, May 24, 2007 8:16 AM

G e t t i n g t h e M o s t O u t o f I A M —————————————— 7
6. Use the prayer suggestion to guide you in thanking God
for what you have learned and to pray about the applications
that have come to mind.
7. You may want to go on to the suggestion under “Now or
Later,” or you may want to use that idea for your next study.

Suggestions for Members of a Group Study

1. Come to the study prepared. Follow the suggestions for
individual study mentioned above. You will find that careful
preparation will greatly enrich your time spent in group discus-
sion.
2. Be willing to participate in the discussion. The leader of
your group will not be lecturing. Instead, he or she will be
encouraging the members of the group to discuss what they
have learned. The leader will be asking the questions that are
found in this guide.
3. Stick to the topic being discussed. Your answers should be
based on the verses which are the focus of the discussion and
not on outside authorities such as commentaries or speakers.
These studies focus on a particular passage of Scripture. Only
rarely should you refer to other portions of the Bible. This
allows for everyone to participate in in-depth study on equal
ground.
4. Be sensitive to the other members of the group. Listen
attentively when they describe what they have learned. You
may be surprised by their insights! Each question assumes a
variety of answers. Many questions do not have “right”
answers, particularly questions that aim at meaning or applica-
tion. Instead the questions push us to explore the passage more
thoroughly.
When possible, link what you say to the comments of oth-
ers. Also, be affirming whenever you can. This will encourage
some of the more hesitant members of the group to participate.
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8 ———————————————————— I AM

5. Be careful not to dominate the discussion. We are some-

times so eager to express our thoughts that we leave too little
opportunity for others to respond. By all means participate! But
allow others to also.
6. Expect God to teach you through the passage being dis-
cussed and through the other members of the group. Pray that
you will have an enjoyable and profitable time together, but
also that as a result of the study you will find ways that you can
take action individually and/or as a group.
7. Remember that anything said in the group is considered
confidential and should not be discussed outside the group
unless specific permission is given to do so.
8. If you are the group leader, you will find additional sug-
gestions at the back of the guide.
I AM lbs.fm Page 9 Thursday, May 24, 2007 8:16 AM

1
I Am He
Salvation
John 4:1-26

“Do you know anything about the Bible?” I was browsing the
religion section of the local bookstore, and a woman of Middle
Eastern descent startled me with her question. “There are so
many Bibles here,” she said, “and I don’t know which one to
choose.”
I asked a few questions and made a couple recommendations.
When she walked away with her new Bible, she smiled and
thanked me for helping her. “American men,” she whispered,
“are not usually so polite.”
Her words still ring in my mind. I wonder how often she has
been scorned or ignored. I wonder if any Christians have
crossed the path of her life and how they have treated her.
GROUP DISCUSSION. How do you respond when someone
speaks to you unexpectedly? Share a story if you have one.
PERSONAL REFLECTION. What kind of person are you reluctant
or afraid to speak to? What factors make you hesitant?
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10 ———————————————————— I AM

Jesus made some amazing claims about himself—and often to

the most unexpected people! In John 4 Jesus reveals himself as
the source of eternal life to a woman no one else would talk to.
Read John 4:1-26.

1. The Jewish people of Jesus’ day despised the Samaritans

(and the Samaritans returned the favor). Trying to think from
that cultural background, how would you feel upon hearing
that Jesus had decided to go through Samaria rather than tak-
ing the longer, but more acceptable, way around the territory?

2. What barriers is Jesus willing to overcome in order to have a

conversation with the Samaritan woman?

3. What barriers hinder Christians today from engaging others

in conversation about Jesus?

4. What does Jesus mean when he offers her “living water” (vv.
10, 13-14)?

What does the woman think Jesus means (vv. 11-12, 15)?
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I A m H e —————————————————————————— 11
5. Why does Jesus bring up the woman’s past marriages and
present adulterous relationship (vv. 16-18)?

6. Why do you think the woman makes the comments in

verses 19-20?

How does Jesus respond (vv. 21-24)?

7. What does it mean to worship God “in spirit and in truth”

(vv. 23-24)?

8. In verses 25 and 26 Jesus clearly claims to be the Messiah,

the deliverer God had promised to send. Imagine the look on
the woman’s face when she hears his words. Do you think she
is surprised or skeptical, and why?

9. What does Jesus’ offer of living water mean in your life and
spiritual experience?
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12 ———————————————————— I AM

Identify any fears or prejudices that may keep you from talking to
other people about Jesus. Ask God to give you the courage to over-
come those barriers.

Now or Later
What would Jesus talk with you about if you had a quiet lunch
together? In a journal or the space here, formulate two or three
issues that you think Jesus might want to address.
How would you respond—by changing the subject or by re-
ceiving his grace? Prayerfully talk over those issues with Jesus.
Listen for his response.
The ‘I am’ sayings of Christ Over 10 Million LifeBuilders in Print
Jesus made some sweeping claims for himself – outrageous but true! This
study guide examines the ‘I am’ statements, mainly from the Gospel of John.
But the sessions go far beyond a study of ancient words to a consideration of
how these claims can transform our lives today. What does it mean for Jesus
to say he is the Bread of Life? That he is the Light? What do his dramatic
claims tell us about his power and character? And how might that impact us
each day?
The ‘I AM’
L i f e B u i l d e r B i b l e S t u d i e s from Scripture Union
SAYINGS of CHRIST
TOPICAL STUDIES Praying the Psalms/ 9 studies Nehemiah/ 13 studies
Angels/ 8 studies Self-Esteem/ 9 studies Esther/ 9 studies
Christian Beliefs/ 12 studies Sermon on the Mount/ Psalms/ 12 studies
Christian Character/ 12 studies Proverbs/ 10 studies 8 studies
12 studies Singleness/ 10 studies Isaiah/ 22 studies for individuals or groups
Christian Community/ Spiritual Gifts/ 8 studies Daniel/ 12 studies
10 studies
Christian Disciplines/
12 studies
Spiritual Warfare/ 9 studies
Ten Commandments, The/
12 studies
Jonah, Joel & Amos/ 12 studies

NEW TESTAMENT BOOKS

Douglas Connelly
Decisions/ 9 studies Twenty-Third Psalm, The/ Matthew/ 22 studies
Encountering Jesus/ 8 studies 9 studies (in 2 parts)
Evangelism/ 12 studies Woman of God/ 10 studies Mark/ 20 studies (in 2 parts)
Faith/ 9 studies Luke/ 26 studies (in 2 parts)
Friendship/ 10 studies CHARACTER STUDIES John/ 26 studies (in 2 parts)
Fruit of the Spirit/ 9 studies Abraham/ 9 studies Acts/ 24 studies (in 2 parts)
God’s Comfort/ 9 studies David/ 12 studies Romans/ 19 studies (in 2 parts)
‘I am’ sayings of Christ/ Elijah/ 8 studies 1 Corinthians/ 13 studies
8 studies Joseph/ 9 studies 2 Corinthians/ 11 studies
Images of Christ/ 10 studies New Testament Characters/ Galatians/ 11 studies
Images of God/ 10 studies 10 studies Ephesians/ 11 studies
Images of the Spirit/ 8 studies Old Testament Characters/ Philippians/ 9 studies
Integrity/ 10 studies 12 studies Colossians & Philemon/
Jesus’ Final Week/ 8 studies Peter/ 12 studies 10 studies
Kingdom of God, The/ Women of the New 1 & 2 Timothy & Titus/
10 studies Testament/ 10 studies 11 studies
Lord’s Prayer, The/ 8 studies Women of the Old Hebrews/ 13 studies
Meeting God/ 12 studies Testament/12 studies James/ 9 studies
Meeting Jesus/ 13 studies 1 & 2 Peter & Jude/
Meeting the Spirit/ 10 studies OLD TESTAMENT BOOKS 12 studies
Parables/ 12 studies Genesis/ 26 studies (in 3 parts) John’s Letters/ 12 studies
Prayer/ 12 studies Joshua/ 12 studies Revelation/ 14 studies

ËxHSLIOEy27313 z
www.scriptureunion.org.uk
ISBN 978 1 84427 313 3

A L i f eB u i l d e r B i b l e S t u d y