Grace And Truth (John 1)
The Gospel of John stands distinct from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), offering a unique perspective on the life and ministry of Jesus.
So just a few general points about the Gospel of John:
Authorship and Date:
• Who wrote the Gospel of John? Traditionally, it's attributed to John, the son of Zebedee, one of Jesus's twelve apostles. However, scholarly debate continues, with some suggesting a "Johannine community" as the source.
• When was it written? Estimates generally range from the late first century (around 90-100 AD), making it likely the last of the four canonical Gospels.
Purpose and Themes:
• What is the primary purpose of John's Gospel? John 20:31 states, "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."
Some of the key themes in John:
o Jesus as the Word (Logos) incarnate.
o "Signs" and "glory" revealing Jesus's divine nature.
o "Light" versus "darkness."
o "Life" and "eternal life."
o The importance of "belief" and "love."
o The role of the holy spirit, the paraclete.
John's portrayal of Jesus differs from the Synoptic Gospels. John emphasizes Jesus's divinity and pre-existence, while the Synoptics focus more on his earthly ministry.
John 1:1-18
The Word (Logos):
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1).
o How does this opening statement connect with the Old Testament concept of God's creative word??
o Why do you think John chose the term "Word" (Logos) to describe Jesus? What would that term have meant to his original audience?
o What does it mean to you that "the Word became flesh" (John 1:14)? How does this concept of the Incarnation impact your understanding of God's relationship with humanity?
Light and Darkness:
"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5).
o What does this imagery convey about the conflict between good and evil?
o How do you see the "light" of Jesus impacting the "darkness" of the world today?
o How does a person "walk in the light"?
o Considering that Jesus is the light, how can we as Christians continue to let our lights shine in our communities?
Receiving Jesus:
"Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
o What does it mean to "receive" Jesus?
o What are the implications of becoming a "child of God"?
o Why do you think that some people receive Jesus, and others do not?
General Discussion Points:
Where do you see John's Gospel, particularly this first chapter, differ from the other Gospels?
How has your understanding of John 1 impacted your life?
How does the Old Testament background add to the depth of John chapter 1?