John Bible Study Week 1

Read 1-5

John 1:1–5 ESV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

Initial thoughts or questions? What stands out to you?

Who is John, the author?

Jesus’ best friend telling us who Jesus is

What is ‘the Word’?

Logos- Jesus is the spoken word and the one spoken about

What can we know about Jesus from these 5 verses?

He existed before creation

He is not part of creation

He was active in creation

He is life

He is light and the light shines in the darkness

The light is stronger than the darkness

Read 6-8

John 1:6–8 ESV

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.

Who is this John? The same guy?

John is a different person from the author

What did he do?

He came to bear witness to Jesus

Read 9-11

John 1:9–11 ESV

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.

What do y’all notice here?

Jesus is for everyone

What happened when Jesus came to the world?

The world rejected him (as we will read)

Who were Jesus’ own people?

The Israelites

Read 12-13

John 1:12–13 ESV

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

This is kind of a weird couple of verses. What is John saying here?

Are all people born children of God?

Those who are not born again believers are not children of God

He still loves them but that is a title given to those who have been born again

Who is the ‘who’ in verse 13?

Children of God/ believers

What is John saying in verse 13?

To be reborn is not of blood (natural/physical) nor of the will of the flesh (willpower)

We are reborn of God because of God (He makes us alive)

What is being born of blood?

Physical or natural birth

What is being born of human will?

Trying hard to become a child of God

How can we be reborn and become children of God?

It is God’s doing. We just give ourselves to Him.

What does it mean to give ourselves to God?

To submit our will to His and trust Him with our life.

Read 14-15

John 1:14–15 ESV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’ ”)

What does it mean that Jesus become flesh and dwelt among us?

What are Grace and truth?

What does it mean that Jesus is full of grace and truth?

It is His very nature

Read 16-18

John 1:16–18 ESV

For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.

What is Jesus’ fullness?

What is the law that came through Moses?