In2Freedom: John Bible Study ~ John 1:1-5 ~ In the Beginning Was the Word

The following is the first lesson of a Bible study I created in the hope of helping people explore the gospel of John in a real and personal way, and to encourage them to spend time with God in his word and prayer even if it is in any other part of God’s word.

If we “let the word of Christ dwell in us richly,” we will know how to “teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”[1] This will lead to, “whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”[2]

With that in mind, I hope this is more than just a bunch of questions and their right answers. I would much rather hear that it is an adventure in getting to know God better than we have ever known him before, the very thing I expect every time I spend time with God in his word and prayer.

You can find a doc. version of this Bible study here[3] if you would like to open it on your word-processor, a PDF version here[4] if you would like to print it out, or you can try to copy and paste it into your computer and add your prayer-journaling to the questions.

Whatever the case, I hope you find encouragement from considering what God has done for us in giving us his Son, and how we can experience relationship with him in the fullest possible way. If you pick up on any ways this study could be improved, please let me know and will gladly consider the help.

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1)

The gospel of John was recorded by one of Jesus’ disciples (followers) who became part of the group often referred to as “the Twelve Apostles”. The apostles (sent ones) were men commissioned by Jesus to lay the foundation for the church that would grow through the remaining centuries. At the time John wrote this, the church understood that he was one of the leaders Jesus appointed to teach them the truth of the gospel, or good news.

In this opening paragraph, John connects the “beginning” with the life and ministry of Jesus that had already fulfilled God’s work of salvation, and with the continuing work of the good news to shine the light of life into the darkness of our world. Each of us will find ourselves in the story if we are willing to listen.

Part 1: Jesus the Word of God

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. (John 1)

1. God led John to begin his letter by referring to Jesus as, “the Word”. What place do words have in our lives that would help us understand things about Jesus?

2. What do these statements about Jesus as the Word tell you about him?

3. What does Jesus’ identity as “the Word” communicate about God’s relationship to you and your relationship to him?

Part 2: Jesus the Creator

3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1)

1. The first part of this verse is a positive statement about Jesus. What does it tell you about everything we know of us and our world?

2. The second part of the verse is a negative statement reinforcing the same point. What does it tell you is impossible?

3. What does this tell you about you and your relationship to Jesus?

Part 3: Jesus the Light of Life

4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1)

1. The phrase, “In him was life, and the life was the light of men,” tells us something about who Jesus is. What is God telling you he wants you to believe about his Son and how does that relate to your need of him?

2. The fact that, “the light shines in the darkness,” tells us something about what Jesus does. How would you describe what Jesus is doing and how it connects to your need?

3. The conclusion, “and the darkness has not overcome it,” tells us something of the effectiveness of Jesus’ coming into our world. What does it tell you God wants you to experience in your own life?

Conclusion: Hearing, Seeing, Joining

After looking at this paragraph from its three vantage points, what do you hear God speaking to you about, what do you see him doing in you, and how are you going to join him in his work?

Email: in2freedom@gmail.com

Unless otherwise noted, Scriptures are from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.)