Bible Study Week 1

Week 1

John 1:1-18

Suggested Theme: Word became flesh / Who is Jesus

Main topics:

1. Who is Jesus (about 15 mins):

• ver 1-3: He is the Word of God. He is God.
  He reveals God’s characters, wisdom and creation. He is from the beginning, even before time exists.
  (related verses: Genesis 1. It talks about "in the beginning" and God created the universe with His powerful words.)
  
  
• ver 4-5: He has life which is the light of men.
  Suggested questions:
  What is our life like without the true light?
  Does your life have a meaning?
  Do you think you're living a real life?


• ver 18: He represents the unseen God.
  (related verses: Exo 33:20 And He said, You cannot see My face. For there no man can see Me and live.)
  Suggested discussion:People often say if they see God they will believe. Jesus is the image of God. We have His stories, and we experience Him everyday.
  

2. What is human nature (about 10 mins):

• ver 5, 11: Men live in darkness and hate their sins to be exposed by light.
  Most men do not know and do not want to know God.
  (related verses: Isaiah 53: 3 He is despised and rejected of men; a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as it were a hiding of faces from Him, He being despised, and we esteemed Him not. )
  Suggested question: Do we all feel good to have our darkness exposed in light? What's your story?
  


• ver 12-13: Yet some are willing to accept Jesus. 

3. How Jesus saves us (about 15 mins)?

• ver 14: He came to become one of us (Word became flesh).
  (related verses: Isa 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given. 
                          Phi 2: 6-7: Though he (Jesus) was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.)
  Suggested question: What is the form of ultimate love?
  (People may come up with different answers and that's good. Because I'm sure Jesus covers it all. Here in John Ch1 we will focus on Jesus' love of becoming one of us, giving up His heavenly kingship and becoming a servant of men.)


• ver 14: It is God's desire to be with us.
  Differences between Old Testament and New Testament:
  
  • OT: Men could meet with God only once a year
    (Lev 16: 29-34: And this shall be an everlasting statute to you, to make an atonement (in the holy sanctuary) for the sons of Israel for their sins once a year.) 
  • NT: God dwells in us and we can meet Him anytime
    (Heb 10:19-20: Therefore, brothers, having boldness to enter into the Holy of Holies by the blood of Jesus.
    Rev 21:3-4: Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them.)


• ver 14: He has both grace and truth.
  Suggested question: why do we need both grace and truth?