TEXT: John 1:1-13
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After taking a big-picture look at The Gospel of John in our first study, we now begin Sunday walking through John’s Gospel. In the prologue to his work, John sets the stage for the rest of the gospel, making staggering observations about the greatness of Jesus. There is enough here to keep our minds and hearts engaged in countless hours of study and reflection. But this greatness is not distant or out of reach. John tells us that Jesus, the light, has entered into our darkness that we may become children of God. In this passage, the greatness of Christ is expressed through the love of Christ for a broken and sinful people.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
HEAD: Questions aimed at our minds to help us understand God’s word.
Compare John 1:1-5 with Genesis. What similarities do you see? What do these similarities tell us about what John wants us to understand?
What’s different about the beginning of John’s Gospel compared to Matthew, Mark, and Luke?
HEART: Questions aimed at our affections to help us love God.
List every characteristic of Jesus you can find in this passage. As you reflect on this list, how do you respond? Overwhelmed? Confused? Worshipful?
Read Verses 9-13. How is Jesus coming into the world an expression of his love? What does it mean to receive this love? (v.12-13)
HANDS: Questions aimed at our hands to help us live for God (Personally, Communally, and Missionally).
How do these great theological truths about Jesus (pre-existent, divine, creator, in relationship with the Father and Spirit, light, etc.) motivate you to love him more? Or, to put it another way, how does the doctrine of Christ move you to devotion to Christ?
Verses 6-8 introduce John The Baptist. In light of these verses, how does he set an example of mission for us as we engage with others?