L. UNDERSTANDING THE MESSAGE OF THE BIBLE

L.8 I understand what the Bible says about who Jesus is. John 1:1-14

What have you done to ask the question, “Who is Jesus?”

What can you do to deepen that search?

A Story

A sailor in the Navy joined the ship with little understanding of the Bible or who Jesus truly is. However, he was eager to learn. Over the course of a six-month cruise, he decided to explore a relationship with Jesus and began following Him. He diligently studied the Bible and appeared to grow in his faith. After the cruise, he returned to his hometown, where he encountered a group promoting the idea that all religions are unified and denying that Jesus is God. Unfortunately, he abandoned his faith and chose to live a self-centered life. We never heard from him again. What passages in the Bible could address the doubts this sailor faced?

Digging Into The Bible

John 1:1-14

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Discussion & Discovery

  1. What does it mean “in the beginning”?
  1. What is the meaning of “the Word”?
  1. What does it mean that “the Word was God”?
  1. How did “the Word” make all things?
  1. What does this tell us who “the Word” is?
  1. What does “the true light” tell us about who “the Word” is?
  1. In verse 11, what clues do we discover about “the Word” being Jesus?
  1. When it says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us,” who is this?

Application & Accountability

  1. What did you discover about Jesus from this author who knew him personally?
  1. Would you be interested in reading the rest of John and discovering more about who Jesus is?
  1. When would be a good time to start that reading?

Digging In Deeper

  1. What is the most important part of this lesson to you? Explain.
  1. How do you see applying aspects of this lesson to your life?
  1. When do you feel would be the best time to make that application?
  1. What do you hear the Lord speaking to you about this right now?