A Journey Through John: Who Is Jesus?

(BRIEF INTRO)

How many of you all have heard about Jesus Christ? How many of you know about Him? How many of you all have a clear understanding of Him? How many of you all would like to know Him more, and understand who is truly is? Well, I would be glad to help you do just that. Today we are going to learn from someone who knew Jesus, His heart, and His mission when He was here on earth.

Therefore, this leads me into the title of message, “A Journey through John: Who is Jesus?”

Summary: The Gospel of John presents a profound exploration of Jesus' identity, emphasizing His divine nature and relationship with humanity. Through various 'I Am' statements and miracles, John reveals Jesus as the Son of God, the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, and the Good Shepherd, illustrating not just who Jesus is but also how He relates to each of us.

Application: Understanding who Jesus is helps children recognize His love, guidance, and importance in their lives. This knowledge encourages them to develop a personal relationship with Him and trust in His promises, especially during challenging times.

Teaching: This sermon teaches children about the multifaceted identity of Jesus as presented in the Gospel of John, emphasizing His love, divinity, and role as our Savior. Through simple language and relatable examples, children will learn that Jesus is not just a historical figure but a living presence in their lives.

How this passage could point to Christ: The theme of Jesus' identity as seen in John connects to the entire scripture, where He is portrayed as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies—the Light that shines in darkness, the Good Shepherd who lays down His life, and the Bread of Life who satisfies our spiritual hunger. This reinforces His role as central to God’s redemptive plan.

Big Idea: Jesus is not just a character in a story; He is the living Savior who loves us and desires a relationship with each one of us. Knowing who Jesus is will transform our hearts and lives.

Recommended Study: As you prepare this message using your Logos library, consider exploring the 'I Am' statements in John’s Gospel and how they reflect Jesus' divine attributes. Pay attention to any text-critical issues related to different manuscripts of John, as well as the historical context of the Jewish audience to whom John was writing. This will enrich your understanding of John's portrayal of Jesus and provide insights for engaging the children effectively.

1. Word and Light

John 1:1-5

Perhaps you can introduce the concept of Jesus as the Word and the Light. John emphasizes Jesus' preexistence and role in creation, presenting Him as the living Word through whom all things were made. This opening sets the stage to understand Jesus as more than just a man—He is divine. Children can grasp this by imagining Jesus as the light that brings warmth and goodness into the world.

2. Bread that Satisfies

John 6:35

You could explain Jesus as the Bread of Life. In this passage, Jesus claims to be the sustenance that fulfills our deepest spiritual needs. Highlight how physical hunger mirrors our soul’s craving for connection and purpose. Children might relate to how hunger is satisfied with bread, teaching that Jesus satisfies the deeper hunger in our hearts for love and belonging.

3. Light Shines Bright

John 8:12

Maybe emphasize Jesus as the Light of the World. This teaches how Jesus illuminates the path for our lives like a lamp dispels darkness. For children, the image of light overcoming shadows can suggest Jesus' guidance, presence, and truth, assuring them that in confusion or fear, Jesus provides clarity and comfort.

4. Shepherd Who Cares

John 10:11

You might introduce Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Here, John describes Jesus as someone who cares for His followers like shepherds care for sheep. Children can relate to the idea of being safely watched over; this point can reassure them of Jesus' protection, care, and willingness to lay down His life for us.

5. Life Beyond Death

John 11:25

You can focus on Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life. This passage expresses Jesus' power over death, promising eternal life to those who trust Him. Children may find hope in understanding that Jesus is not just a friend now but forever, offering companionship wherever life leads.

6. Way to Follow

John 14:6

You could describe Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus assures His followers that He guides them to eternal truth and life with God. For children, this can mean discovering the right paths in life, trusting that Jesus will always lead them to safety and love, especially when choices seem difficult.

7. Vine and Branches

John 15:5

Perhaps teach about Jesus as the True Vine. In this final point, children learn the importance of staying connected to Jesus to bear good fruit in their lives. This analogy helps children appreciate the need for a relationship with Jesus to grow in love, kindness, and faithfulness, much like a branch relies on the vine.

Knowing Jesus: The Heart of Our Faith

Summary: This sermon emphasizes the transformational importance of knowing Jesus Christ and understanding God's word. It focuses on the difference between mere religious knowledge and a personal relationship with Christ.

Application: This sermon can help children understand that knowing about Jesus is not just about learning facts but about having a real relationship with Him. Encouraging them to pray, read the Bible, and talk about Jesus will solidify their faith and guide them in their daily lives.

Teaching: The sermon teaches that truly knowing Jesus leads to a deep and meaningful faith. It helps children differentiate between simply knowing facts about religion and having a personal relationship with God that impacts their lives.

How this passage could point to Christ: Jesus is the central figure throughout the Bible, from the prophecies in the Old Testament to His life, death, and resurrection in the New Testament. He represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise of salvation and calls us into a personal relationship with Him.

Big Idea: True knowledge of Christ transforms our lives from mere religion to a loving relationship with God.

Recommended Study: Consider exploring the Gospels in your Logos library to understand the life and teachings of Jesus more deeply. Look into specific accounts that illustrate how Jesus interacted with His disciples and the importance of personal revelations of faith. Examine different translations of key verses on knowledge and relationship to see how the nuances of language can enrich your understanding.

1. Welcoming the Word

John 1:1-14

Perhaps you could focus on how these verses introduce us to the concept that Jesus, the Word, is central to our understanding of God. As children explore these verses, emphasize that knowing Jesus is more than knowing facts; it is about welcoming Him in our lives, much like the Word made flesh dwelled among us. This relates to the theme of exploring the difference between religion as rules and relationship as a loving bond with Christ.

2. Abiding in Jesus

John 15:1-5

You could explain how Jesus describes Himself as the vine and we are the branches, highlighting the necessity of abiding in Him. This connection symbolizes how our relationship with Jesus is life-giving and essential. Encourage children to see knowing Jesus not as a distant concept but as a daily connection that shapes our lives. Abiding in Him results in fruitful lives, illustrating the transformation from religion to relationship.

3. Personal Revelation

Matthew 16:13-17

Maybe focus on Peter's revelation of Jesus being the Christ. This passage is critical in helping children understand the importance of personal revelation rather than just inherited knowledge. Emphasize the value of praying and asking Jesus to reveal Himself personally. This further underscores the theme of moving from a mere religious understanding to a heartfelt relationship with Christ.

4. Prioritizing His Presence

Luke 10:38-42

Perhaps you might shed light on the story of Martha and Mary, where Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet and listen, illustrating the importance of prioritizing relationship over religious duties. Encourage children to find time with Jesus in their daily routines, teaching them that learning about Him is about developing a friendship that goes beyond duties and leads to joy and fulfillment in Him.

5. Pursuing True Knowledge

Philippians 3:7-11

You could focus on Paul's perspective, where he considers everything else as loss compared to knowing Christ. Use this passage to teach children the joy and value of pursuing a relationship with Jesus above any other pursuit. Encouraging them to maintain their focus on Christ, convey that genuine knowledge of Him transforms lives into more than religious adherence, but into vibrant, personal relationships.