Zip a de doo da, it’s Tuesday again. Oh how I love Bible Study. Welcome back to afaithtalk.com, I’m so glad you’re here. Today we being another book. I don’t think I’ve done this whole book before, but we’re going to now. So welcome to the Gospel of John, the beloved Disciple.
If ever you find someone who’s never read the New Testament, have them start with this book. It’s so good. So let’s get going, this first chapter is lengthy.
Let’s Pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for this book, this chapter, this time, this story we’re about to read. Thank You for the words You’re going to add for explanation and the way You’re going to lead. Reveal what it is we need to see in this reading. We want to see your glory. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Yes, I’m using the NIV, so follow along here or open your Bible to John. And make sure you have something to write with and on, because it’s always a surprise to me when one is needed.
The very first verse in John is so memorable. Before you read, if you know it, write it on a piece of paper.
Fascinating surprise today too! Biblegateway has John 1:1-2 as the verse of the day today.
The Word Became Flesh
Read John 1:1-2
Where does time start in this chapter?
How many times is the repeated word stated?
Who is the Word according to these two verses?
Read John 1:3-5
In him was _________ and that life was the _________ of all mankind. Write Verse 4. Or underline those two words in your Bible.
The word ‘overcome’ in verse 5 according to my footnotes, could be ‘understood’. Darkness cannot understand light. Nor can darkness overcome light.
Reminds me of this story I read some time ago about Einstein and a professor. It’s just a legend, but it’s fascinating to read. You can Google it if you haven’t. I’m not putting it here as it’s a legend, not Truth. Though it contains some truth.
Now, go back and reread verses 1-5, very slowly, pausing at all the commas and ends of sentences. Write out what you see. Here, I’ll give you the first one I see.
The Word was with God in the beginning.
I hope you saw this one: the Word was God. He is God with God. He is Life and Light and Everything else.
I hope you saw loads and you enjoyed every one of them.
Read John 1:6-8
The story of John, this John, is an amazing story too. Yet he was just the forerunner. He is the one who was to testify and witness of the light, to point people to God. So that they might what?
Read John 1:9-13
Write verse 9.
He is the true _________ that gives _________ to everyone.
The world did not recognize its Creator. His own people did not receive Him. Oh the sorrow that must have caused God. Then there’s that tiny word in verse 12…Yet… oh doesn’t that just send a little hope your way?
To those who believed in His name, He gave what? Write it or underline it in your Bible.
Read John 1:14
Write the first sentence of verse 14. (Or underline it.) What’s another word for ‘dwelling’?
The Light of the world. The Creator of the universe. The One and Only God, came and made His home among us. There’s a story about angels discussing this here, if you’d like to read some fiction.
Read John 1:15
Why is John saying Jesus was before him? Even David said something like that. They can say that because Jesus was in the beginning with God. He is eternal. And He, the eternal one came to live among us.
Read John 1:16-17
Verse 16 is true because verse 17 is true. What came through Jesus Christ? And He’s so full we have all received what?
That verse, verse 16 is one to remember. Life is hard. There are days when the only thing we can really do to hang onto our faith is repeat verses like this one. Praise can change every moment.
Out of Your Fullness, Lord Jesus, you give me grace in place of grace already given. Blessing over Blessing. Praise Your Name.
Read John 1:18
The One and Only Son, who is himself_________ has made God known.
Read John 1:19-28
John the Baptist Denies Being the Messiah
This all happened in Bethany. Do you know who else lived in Bethany? Jesus spent a lot of time there.Very good friends of His.
Read John 1:29-34
John Testifies About Jesus
John called Jesus what? What did he say Jesus was doing?
John gave this testimony: (write, or underline) the first and last sentence.
Read John 1:35-37
John’s Disciples Follow Jesus
Can you imagine this? These are two of John’s disciples, we don’t hear a lot about John’s disciples. But these two, what do they do?
Read John 1:38-39
What did Jesus say?
Can you imagine this? They spent the day with him.
If this were you? “What do you want?”
Read John 1:38-39
What did Andrew do first?
What did he tell Simon?
Jesus renamed Simon, and from here he’s called what?
Read John 1:43-45
Jesus Calls Philip and Nathanael
There are amazing things in this book we call the Bible. Philip, this isn’t the last time he’s mentioned either. He gets an exciting story later in Acts. All because He believed. What did he tell Nathanael?
Read John 1:46-50
Jesus promised Nathanael what?
Read John 1:51
The footnotes say that where Jesus says “you” in this verse, it’s plural. As if He says “all of you will see” What will we see?
Echos of Genesis 28:12.
Look, the Lamb of God! The Light of the World. The Messiah we call Christ. He has come, and will come again.