November 5th Lesson Plan
The Gospel of John- In the Beginning
We are going to be reading through the Gospel of John. We are super excited for this Bible study in our small groups. The Apostle John is writing this book to us years later than the other Gospels- He is the only Disciple that will die of old age and not be a martyr. John has one main theme of his Book. Lets flip forward to John 20:30-31-
30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe[a] that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
John is saying- Jesus is God! John is not as concerned about what he did, but who He is! John knows that at the end of the day- the signs that Jesus performed are not what’s going to save us for eternity- but knowing and believing that Jesus is God. At the end of the Book in John 21:25 he says,
25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
John witnessed the signs- he doesn’t want to waste time telling all the signs- He wants us to know who Jesus is! A church I follow always does word counts for the beginning of a book study. Here are the key words and their usage for the Book of John;
Jesus- 275 times
God/Father-175 times
Believe-98 times
Truth- 52 times
Life-48 times
I would like to think that Jesus is God-and if you Believe in his Truth, then you will have eternal Life! Jesus is God! John doesn’t want us to focus on what he did, but who he was. John wants us to truly believe- to not just have a knowledge of Jesus, but to truly place our complete Hope and Trust in Him. We are called to not just accept this Truth, but to Trust and put complete confidence in this Truth-Lordship! This is putting our Faith, our Hope, finances, relationships and health in the governing power of 1= Jesus.
Lets start with the 1st passage to talk about- John 1:1-18- The Word became Flesh. I love how John starts with, “In the beginning”- this is coming in direct correlation with the first words of the Bible. Genesis 1:1 says, ”In the beginning”- John then goes on- “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[a] it.”
What is the significance of John using “The Word?” A Bible scholar David Guzik tells how “the Word” had 2 significant meanings. At this point in time, by using “The Word”- this spoke directly to the Jewish people. The Jews would use “The Word of God” ie; “God said- Let there be light” “God said-Let there be Life.” For Jews “The Word” was eternal, The creator of everything, the source of Life- God! But by John using “The Word”- in the Greek the word is “Logos”- Greek philosophers used this term to describe “sense of the world”, its not chaotic, but there’s perfect order and an “ultimate reason” that controls all things. John is meeting both the Jews and Gentiles right where they’re at! He then says, “the Word was with God and the Word was God”- This is way before the manger in Bethlehem- Jesus was with God from the beginning.
In verse 1:6-8 John starts talking about John the Baptist. John the Baptist’s work was well known and received at that time. John the Gospel writer wanted to be clear that he was “bearing witness” toward the Light. David Guzik says, “ The matter of witness is a serious thing, establishing truth and giving ground for faith. Yet, witness “does more. It commits a man. If I take my stand in the witness box and testify that such-and-such is the truth of the mater I am no longer neutral. I have committed myself. John lets us know that there are those like John the Baptist who have committed themselves by their witness to Christ.” Jesus will later call John the Baptist “the greatest whoever lived” (Matthew 11:11). What an incredible title! That should encourage us to bare witness in His name
Look at verse 12 now- “12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” This is telling us to receive Jesus- Become a child of God and then let God do something in our lives that only he can do!
In verse 14 it says, “The Word became Flesh”- this is saying God came to us through Jesus. Lets always look to Jesus and God will meet us there!
Discussion:
What does it mean that Jesus is “The Word”? What does it mean to be “Born again”?
How can we “commit ourselves” to bear witness to Christ in our lives? How about at work as firefighters? Use the examples of John the Baptist.
Reflect now on who Jesus really is. What does it mean to “personally” Believe?