Here are the 7 “I am” statements in John’s gospel in the NRSV translation. Use your preferred translation.
John 6:35 I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.
John 8:12 I am the light of the world.Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 10:7 I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:7 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep………..14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
John 11:25 I am the resurrection and the life.Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.
John 14:6 I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7 If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
John 15:1-5 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. 2 He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit.
To memorise 7 sayings use the 7 days of the week as hooks for each sayings.In preparation for learning all seven sayings fill in the table with your own information. If Covid 19 has disrupted your normal routine think back to when you had one as I have here:
| Day of week | Routine event | Location | Key word |
| Monday | Bread | ||
| Tuesday | Light | ||
| Wednesday | Gate | ||
| Thursday | Shepherd | ||
| Friday | Resurrection | ||
| Saturday | Way | ||
| Sunday | Vine | ||
Here is my example working in a school:
| Day of week | Routine event | Location | Key word |
| Monday | Date night | Dining room | Bread |
| Tuesday | Orchestra rehearsal | Concert Hall | Light |
| Wednesday | Cycle ride | Mountains | Gate |
| Thursday | Staff meeting | Staff room | Shepherd |
| Friday | Assembly | Hall | Resurrection |
| Saturday | Picnic lunch | Lake | Way |
| Sunday | Go church/pub! | Church | Vine |
Place the key word item in the event/location that you have chosen. So for example – on my Monday date night- the meal consists entirely of bread! Bread rolls for the starter, bread slices for the main meal followed by bread dough for pudding. On Tuesday at my orchestra rehearsal the hall is dark and spot lights come on etc.
IF you found this useful perhaps you could let me know what worked for you and what didn’t. Thankyou!