John Bible Study ~ John 1:14-18 - The Glory of the Word in Flesh

There is no greater way for God to communicate to us than through the person of his Son, the Word of God. This study considers what God has done to give us his Word, not only in Jesus’ coming into the world, but also in the Bible that makes the Savior known to us. 

The things we learn about Jesus in this passage invite us to consider the wonder of who he is and what he is working to do in people’s lives to this day. There is no doubt that his nature and works have been expressed as described. The question is always whether we have come to know him as revealed. 

John Bible Study ~ John 1:14-18 - The Glory of the Word in Flesh[1] 

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) 16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (John 1 ~ ESV)

The significance of Jesus as the Word of God is now given in a theme that will develop throughout the rest of this gospel account. Witnesses confirm who he is and what he is about; the contrast between the old covenant and the new covenant is presented, and the purpose in Jesus’ coming is made clear: to make the Father known. All these things call us to celebrate in person what God has given us in his Son. 

Part 1: The Word became flesh 

John’s gospel connects who Jesus was before creation with his coming into the world in human form. He gives a theme statement of how Jesus affected people so that we would hold on to this testimony all the way through the Book, all in the hope that some will come to know him in the same way as is described. 

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. 15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’” (John 1) 

1.     What are all the things in this section that God wants you to believe about his Son? 

2.    What is John the Baptist’s testimony about Jesus? 

3.    What is John the Apostle’s testimony about Jesus? 

4.    What is your testimony about Jesus?

 

Part 2: Grace and Truth in Jesus Christ 

The second focus of this section draws our attention to specific qualities of relationship that apply to all who have received Jesus Christ. 

16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (John 1) 

1.     What are the things you know about Jesus’ fullness that help you understand what we can receive from him? 

2.    How would you explain the difference between the law that was given through Moses and the grace and truth that came through Jesus? 

3.    What do these gifts from Jesus indicate about your need of him? 

4.    In what ways have you experienced Jesus making himself known to you like this? 

Part 3: The God Who Makes the Father Known 

Jesus did not come into the world without reason. In this third look at this paragraph we consider the purpose of God in sending his Son and how well we have experienced the fulfilment of that purpose. 

18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known. (John 1) 

1.     How does this verse parallel the initial description of Jesus as the Word that he was in the beginning, he was with God, and he was God? 

2.    What does this indicate is God’s purpose in sending his Son into our world? 

3.    What are the ways that Jesus is still fulfilling this purpose? 

4.    How have you experienced Jesus doing this for you?

 

Conclusion: Hearing, Seeing, Joining 

Now that you have considered what it means that Jesus as the Word of God became flesh in order to live out the grace and truth of God for all to see: 

1.     What do you hear God speaking to you about? 

2.    What do you see God doing in you through this part of his word? 

3.    How are you going to join God in his work?  

© 2021 Monte Vigh ~ Box 517, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8

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.)

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[1] If you want to load a Word document version of this study onto your computer for prayer-journaling, you can find it here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/60o2bqkx2iaqc2r/0004%20-%20John%201_14-18%20-%20The%20Glory%20of%20the%20Word%20in%20Flesh.docx?dl=0  

 If you want a PDF version to print out, you can find it here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/idj5isiiaupk9in/0004%20-%20John%201_14-18%20-%20The%20Glory%20of%20the%20Word%20in%20Flesh.pdf?dl=0  

 If you have suggestions to improve this study, please send me an email. I would love the help! And, if you need assistance attaching to the Savior with the experience of Christ this section of God’s Book reveals, I would love to help!