1. What is the one key idea of this chapter. pay attention to the title of the chapter!
The one key idea of this chapter is called to love. Jesus Christ emphasizes the thought of discipleship very strongly in John's Gospel. This importance stresses serving, believing, understanding, trials and difficulties, and eternal love. He calls his disciples to say "yes" to continuing Jesus' message of love and compassion across the world. Jesus also emphasizes the importance of faith which gives you strength in bringing the fulness of the kingdom. We are shown instances were even those close to him become held up by obstacles and become blinded by wealth and ambition. Then following those stories we see that of Bartimaeus which is a beautiful story of love, faith, and commitment, in which faith saves him of his blindness. Jesus calls us each day to join him and follow him and proclaim his message of compassion; he calls us to live in his heart and not be blinded by the negative values of society. Discipleship leads us on a life long journey full of obstacles and metanoia; the gifts to help us on the journey are faith, hope and trust. Proclaiming and sharing Jesus' love and compassion is the key idea of this chapter.
2. Write about two major ideas you want to remember. Write a short paragraph on each clearly stating the idea and then telling why you want to remember it.
One major idea I want to remember are the obstacles and the journey of discipleship. Jesus shows us that discipleship is a life long journey with trials and changes along the way. We are blinded by society's values of wealth, power and ambition. These things direct us away from our journey and cause us to lose the truth that Jesus is your wealth, power and ambition. The gifts of faith, hope and trust help us to leave the blindness behind and continue along the path of Jesus to "see the light." Discipleship leads us along the way of the cross and we need to be strong and proclaim and build the kingdom of God on earth. I want to remember this because it is good for me to recognize the things that can blind me from seeing Jesus and realizing that faith will help me to succeed in the carrying of his message.
Another major idea that I want to remember is the gifts of discipleship. Jesus promises faith, hope and trust will come along with discipleship. As Jesus died on the cross, women were the only ones present to weep and anoint him. In fact it was women who were the most faithful to Jesus all the way to his death on the cross. There is also a recognition of a full circle happening in the Gospel of John. We see that Jesus' disciples are to meet him in Galilee where Jesus' message was first proclaimed. This circle shows how Jesus gives us more than one chance to remain faithful and that if we are unable to make the commitment the first time, faith, hope and trust will help us into his loving arms that are always reaching for us. Pentecost and the strength, knowledge, hope, faith and trust the Apostles received was a perfect situation of the gifts of discipleship. I want to remember this because it is important to realize that Jesus is always reaching for you to join him and gives us faith, hope and trust to assist us in the life long journey.
3. One image that captures the chapter for you.
ALSO I BELIEVE THE POEM "FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND" IS PERFECT IN SUMMARIZING THE CHAPTER
4. One significant question you have from this chapter. It can be intellectual or personal.
What is the significance to having the women being the only true faithful ones to Jesus up until his crucifixion?
Possible Answer: We see that the women throughout Jesus' life created a very special bond with Jesus; the waited on him in their homes, embraced him when they saw him, always remained open to his teachings when he preached, and overall had a very intimate relationship with him. This intimacy caused them to remain extremely faithful and suffer greatly because they loved purely.
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