🌿 Discover Bible Study (DBS) SESSION 5 – FEEDBACK – JOHN 5 🌿

Date Thursday, May 21st, 2026

Blog link https://www.otakada.org/discover-bible-study-dbs-session-5-feedback-john-5/

DBS Session 5 DBS Outline link https://www.otakada.org/week-5-dbs-prayer-for-nations-focus-africa/

Today’s study on John 5 was deeply enlightening and practical. Different contributors shared unique insights, and together we learnt so much about God, Jesus, people, faith, tradition, excuses, honor, and obedience.

✨ Key Lessons We Learnt About God & Jesus

1️⃣ God is compassionate and intentionally seeks people out.
Unlike many other miracles where people came to Jesus asking for help, in this passage Jesus went to the man at the pool Himself. This shows that God sees people in helpless situations and reaches out to them even when they feel forgotten or stuck.

2️⃣ God does not always work according to human expectations or traditions.
The lame man expected healing only through the stirring of the water, but Jesus healed him differently. We learnt that many times we limit God by putting Him in a box and expecting Him to move only in familiar patterns. God can work beyond systems, traditions, formulas, and human expectations.

3️⃣ God wants cooperation and agreement from us.
The question “Do you want to be made well?” challenged us deeply. Sometimes people say they want change, healing, or breakthrough, but internally they are tied to excuses, fear, comfort zones, or old mindsets. God wants our willingness and participation.

4️⃣ Hunger and pursuit matter.
The woman with the issue of blood was mentioned as an example of someone who pressed through obstacles to encounter Jesus. We learnt that spiritual hunger attracts encounters with God. Those who truly desire God pursue Him intentionally.

5️⃣ Jesus lived in complete alignment with the Father.
Jesus said He only did what He saw the Father doing. This taught us to ask ourselves whether we are moving with God or simply asking God to bless plans we already made ourselves. True discipleship requires sensitivity and obedience to God’s direction.

6️⃣ Jesus has authority over life and judgment.
We learnt that eternal life comes through hearing and believing in Jesus. Judgment is ultimately connected to accepting or rejecting Christ. Jesus is not only Savior but also Judge and King.

✨ Lessons We Learnt About People & Human Nature

7️⃣ People can become trapped in excuses and victim mindsets.
The lame man immediately explained why he had remained there for so long. This challenged us to examine areas where we constantly explain our limitations instead of responding to God’s instruction.

8️⃣ Tradition can blind people to God’s work.
Instead of rejoicing that a man was healed after many years, the religious leaders focused on Sabbath rules and traditions. This showed how religion without love can make people miss God completely.

9️⃣ Human beings often lack honor and gratitude.
A major discussion centered on how people may receive help, support, or sacrifice from others and still fail to show appreciation or loyalty afterward. This reminded us that we should not depend on human validation or honor because people can easily forget past kindness.

🔟 We must guard our hearts against bitterness.
Even while helping people, we must remember that our service is unto God and not dependent on whether people appreciate us or not.

✨ Practical Personal Lessons & Instructions

✅ Stop limiting God to familiar methods.
✅ Stop hiding behind excuses.
✅ Be spiritually hungry and intentional in pursuing God.
✅ Learn to hear God before making decisions.
✅ Continue working faithfully without seeking human praise.
✅ Avoid being trapped by religion and tradition.
✅ Trust God’s validation more than man’s approval.
✅ Remain compassionate, obedient, and aligned with God’s will.

The session was very reflective and practical, and everyone’s contribution added depth to the conversation. Truly blessed by the study today 🙏🔥