“Trust God’s timing…His plan comes first, not what the world or you want.”

OBJECTIVE:

• John 7:1-13

EXPLORE:

(These are different commentary notes that can be used to explain the context to our students. Feel free to use your own.)

Context / Background / History

Jesus’ Location and Timing (John 7:1-2) 

• Jesus stayed in Galilee instead of Judea because Jewish leaders were seeking to kill Him. This wasn’t cowardice, but a deliberate awareness of God’s perfect timing. His arrest and crucifixion had not yet come. 
• The Feast of Tabernacles was a joyful, weeklong celebration in September or October. Families built temporary shelters to remember God’s faithfulness during Israel’s wilderness journey. 

The Opposition of Jesus’ Brothers (John 7:3-5) 

• Jesus’ brothers urged Him to go publicly to Jerusalem to show His works, reflecting worldly thinking. 
• They didn’t yet believe in Him as Messiah. Their focus was on human approval rather than God’s plan. 
• Cultural expectations assumed the Messiah would make Himself publicly known; Jesus’ true glory would only be revealed through the crucifixion. 

Jesus’ Response: Different Worlds (John 7:6-9) 

• Jesus said, “My time has not yet come”, showing submission to God’s perfect timing. 
• Boldly confronting sin meant the world hated Him, whereas His brothers, aligned with society’s norms, would not face the same opposition. 
• Going secretly demonstrated wisdom and courage. He acted boldly while avoiding unnecessary danger.

Jesus at the Feast (John 7:10-13) 

• He went to the feast not publicly, avoiding the usual caravan. This was strategic, not deceptive. 
• Public opinion was divided: some said He was good, others accused Him of deceiving. 
• Speaking openly about Jesus was risky because of the religious authorities. 

Takeaways for Students: 

• God’s timing is more important than public approval. 
• Even close friends or family may not understand your faith journey. 
• Bold faith may require courage, wisdom, and sometimes discretion. 
• Standing for truth may cause division, but it shows commitment to God over the world. 

STUDENT RESOURCES:

• Youtube Video - John 7 Spoken Word

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS: 

Scripture (S)

• Read together! Encourage students to highlight or make note of anything that stands out to them. 

Observation (O)

• Why did Jesus wait to go to Judea, and what does this show about His trust in God’s timing? 
• How did His brothers respond to His ministry, and what does that teach us about following God even when others don’t understand? 
• How did Jesus balance boldness and caution when He went to the Feast of Tabernacles? 
• How do the people’s reactions show the challenge of standing for God’s truth?

Application (A)

• Where are you tempted to compromise your values because of peer pressure? How can you follow Jesus’ example? 
• Are there situations where you feel rushed to act? How can you wait for God’s perfect timing? 
• How can you act courageously but wisely when facing challenges to your faith? 
• How do you respond when friends or family pressure you to do something against your faith? 
• How can you stay faithful to God even when others don’t understand or believe? 

Prayer (P)

• Take a few moments to reflect on areas in your life where you feel pressure…from friends, family, or even yourself… to act before God’s timing. This is a time to bring those things before Him and receive His guidance and strength. 

Guided Prayer Prompts (students can pray silently, aloud, or in pairs): 

• Ask God to show you where you might be rushing ahead of His plan. 
• Pray for courage to stand firm in your faith, even when others don’t understand.
• Pray for wisdom to act boldly but wisely in situations where you face pressure.
• Ask God to help you honor Him with your choices, words, and actions this week. 

Optional Personal Reflection: 

• Invite students to write or share one specific area where they want to trust God’s timing this week. 
• Encourage them to commit to one bold action aligned with God’s plan.