John 1 - 5 - Encountering the Word - Bible Study Guide
“Encountering the Word” – 6 Studies in John 1 – 5
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Sample questions from this study:
John 1:1 – 18
The Word Became Flesh
1. If someone was to write your biography, how would the opening paragraph read?
2. What is the evidence that you find most convinces you that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God?
Read John 1:1 – 18
3. Why do you think John begins his gospel as he does, rather than with the infancy narratives such as we see in Matthew’s and Luke’s gospels?
4. What is the significance of the title “the Word” which John applies to Jesus?
5. What claims does John make about Jesus’ identity and character?
6. Are you aware of any ways in which these claims are demonstrated to be true through Jesus’ ministry??
7. Why do you think many people today as in Jesus’ day (ie v 10 – 11) don’t accept these claims about Jesus?
8. Why is John so concerned that his readers understand the pre-existence of Jesus?
9. What impact does this truth have on your life today?
Read John 20:30 – 31 & 1 John 1:1 – 4
10. Why does John believe that eyewitness testimony about Jesus is important?
11. In verse 14, the phrase “made his dwelling among us” is literally “lived in a tent among us.” What aspect of the Old Testament experience of God is captured by this description?
12. How does Jesus fulfil this Old Testament experience?
13. Do you notice any other Old Testament images or descriptions applied to Jesus in these verses?
14. If you had to summarise this section of John’s gospel (commonly called the Prologue) in one sentence, what would you say?
15. What popular ideas about Jesus in our day are refuted by the Prologue to John’s gospel?
16. How would you use this section to encourage someone who:
– Thinks that God is far-off and unknowable?
– Thinks that it doesn’t matter what you believe about God, as long as you believe something?
– Thinks that being right with God is simply a matter of doing the right things?
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