The Truth Shall
Set You Free

John 8:31–36 · September 27, 2026 · AM
Ed Rangel · Waupaca Church of Christ · NASB 1995

Memory verse — John 8:32: “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Lesson objectives

Identify what Jesus requires of His disciples.
Explain why family, money, and position cannot free us from sin.
Explain the Son’s authority and our response to Him.

Thesis: Jesus frees us from slavery to sin as we believe Him and continue in His word.

1. Continue in Christ’s word · John 8:31–32

Jesus joins His promise to continuing in His teaching. His word exposes our sin and directs us to Him for forgiveness. True disciples live what they profess.

1. What condition in verse 31 comes before the promise in verse 32?

2. How did Nathan’s parable expose the difference between David’s judgment of others and his own conduct? (2 Samuel 12:1–7, 13)

2. Admit sin’s slavery · John 8:33–34

They appealed to Abraham as their forefather. Jesus pointed to the sin they practiced. Their ancestry could not remove their guilt.

3. How can family background, money, or a respected position keep someone from accepting correction?

The Truth Shall Set You Free

John 8:31–36 · Continued

4. What does Ecclesiastes 12:14 say about the sins we manage to hide from other people?

3. Receive the Son’s freedom · John 8:35–36

A slave might live and work in a household, but his place was not permanent. A son belonged to the family. Jesus is the Son with authority to free those enslaved to sin.

An employee’s job may end. The owner’s son remains his son even if his job changes. Employment differs from slavery, but the illustration helps explain the difference between working there and belonging to the family.

5. Why did those claiming Abraham as their father still need the Son to free them?

Abraham was God’s friend; Jesus is God’s Son. Our hope of freedom rests in the Son, not in being descended from Abraham. (James 2:23; John 8:36)

6. How does Romans 6:3–7 connect baptism into Christ with leaving the old life? What new service follows in verses 16–18?

Our response

Hear Christ’s word, believe in Him, repent, confess Him as Lord, and be baptized for forgiveness of sins (Romans 10:9–10, 17; Acts 2:38). Continue faithfully. When we sin, confess it and seek God’s forgiveness (1 John 1:7–9).

7. What wrong do you need to admit and correct? Name a specific action that agrees with Christ’s teaching.

At home and in the congregation, our conduct should agree with what we teach. Tell the truth, ask forgiveness, and return what was taken.