John - Week 1

The Word 

READ 

John 1:1-2 

1 In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He existed in the beginning with God. 

These are some of the most important verses in the Bible. They also reveal that when you come across a term like “Word” that is difficult to understand; keep reading and it will be explained. Verse 14 does this, “So the Word became human and made his home among us.” This reveals that the “Word” in verse 1 refers to Jesus. Notice the specific declaration that “The Word was with God, and the Word was God.”  

REFLECT 

Think on these two great verses for what they tell us about God.  

RESPOND 

As to His eternal existence, Jesus had no beginning (see John 8:58). As to His human existence, He was born as a baby in Bethlehem (see Matthew 2:1). 

Everything That Was Created 

READ 

John 1:3-5 

3 God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. 4 The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. 

Verses 3-5 tell what Jesus did. When it says, “God created everything through him,” this is a reference to the Trinity, which means “three in one;” that is, it is a Tri-Unity. Verse 3 refers to the Father creating through the Son. As to “what?”—God is one (see Deuteronomy 6:4). As to “who?”—He is three persons (see Matthew 28:19). Jesus is the creator of everything. Notice that His life “brought life to everyone.” 

REFLECT 

Think about the creation of the universe and that Jesus brought it all into existence. 

RESPOND 

Can one believe the Bible and be an evolutionist who thinks everything came about by long ages and chance? What does the Bible say? Read also Colossians 1:15-17. Do you believe what the Bible says? If not, why not? Talk with a friend about this. 

Witness to the Light  

READ 

John 1:6-9 

6 God sent a man, John the Baptist, 7 to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. 8 John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. 9 The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.  

The fourth Gospel was written by John, the son of Zebedee (see Matthew 20:20). He was one of the disciples of Jesus. These verses tell about another John—known as “the Baptist” because he baptized people. John the Baptist was the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth (see Luke 1:57-64). Just as John the Baptist was not the light but only telling about the Lord Jesus, so believers are to tell others about Jesus and what He has done in their lives. 

REFLECT 

Have you told others about Jesus and what He has done for you? If not, is it because you have not trusted in Him as your Savior? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a Christian friend about the need to tell others about Jesus just as John the Baptist told others about Him. Pray together about some for whom you have a burden to share the Gospel. 

To All Who Believed  

READ 

John 1:10-13 

10 He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. 11 He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. 12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.  

“His own people” referred to in verse 11 could mean the Jewish nation because Jesus came as the Messiah of Israel. Jesus also came to give His life for the world, as John 3:16 says. 

Notice that only those become the children of God who believe and accept Him. All humans have had a physical birth, but as verse 13 says they need to have this spiritual birth that only comes from God. This is by trusting in Jesus as Savior. This is what is meant by the expression “born again.” 

REFLECT 

When did you place your trust in Jesus as your Savior? 

RESPOND 

Read Matthew 7:21-23 that tells what happens to those who do not know Jesus as Savior. Some will do meritorious works but will be condemned because they have not trusted in Jesus as Savior. No one can do enough good works to meet the demands of a holy God. Read John 3:16-18 in this regard. 

The Word Became Human  

READ 

John 1:14-18 

14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. 15 John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’” 16 From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. 17 For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.  

Verse 14 reveals that the “Word” in verse 1 refers to Jesus. In contrast to the Old Testament Law that seemed to say, “Do this or die,” through Jesus came grace and truth, expressed in verse 17 as “God’s unfailing love and faithfulness.” Jesus has revealed the heavenly Father to us and we learn what has been revealed by reading the Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  

REFLECT 

Do you want to know more about God? If so, you need to know what Jesus said and did as recorded in the four Gospels. As John 1:18 says, “He has revealed God to us.” 

RESPOND 

What are your plans for reading the rest of the Gospel of John and the other three Gospels? Talk with a friend about this. Perhaps you could covenant to read the Gospel of John together and share what you have learned.