I had the wonderful opportunity to study John 10-12 for a teaching opportunity at my church. This experience reminded me again of the difference between simply reading the Bible and studying the Bible, especially studying the Bible for the purpose of teaching it. In our daily reading of the Bible, we can miss such rich theology. That is why I appreciate what is called expository preaching (verse by verse through a book of the Bible), which is what my pastor does. In expository preaching, you pick up the theology and doctrines that are there in the text that you could easily overlook if you were preaching or listening to topical sermons, such as “5 Keys to a Great Marriage”.
Some of the doctrines you will encounter just in John 10 are:
- Perseverance/preservation of the saints (eternal security)
- Substitutionary atonement
- Authority of Scripture
- Limited atonement
- Deity of Christ
- Election