Yesterday I posted the second Good Gifts lesson, and in my hurry, simply jumped into the study without even a greeting. So, especially for those who did not start the study last week, I feel the need to re-blog Lesson 2 with an introduction.  Thanks for your patience.

Last week we looked at Luke’s history of Jesus’ life, from which we get most of the details about his birth.  These are the things we remember when we celebrate Christmas, and God blessed us with a reliable history that gives us confidence that it’s true.

This week we will begin a look at John’s Gospel, which gives us the life of Jesus from a different perspective–but for the same reason.  Both writers wanted the world to know Jesus and to know why he came to earth live as a man.  Both writers backed up their stories with their lives and they both call us, not only to know the story, but to believe who Jesus is.

Good Gifts, Lesson 2

II.  Read John 1:1-4

1. The Word and God

• What is the significance of the word “He”, in verse two. To whom does that pronoun refer.

• If “He” was with God, how many persons were present at creation?

 

• Note the verse or phrase that corresponds with the following assertions from this passage:

He is Logos (Word)-

He is God- He is

Creator of life-

He is light-

John claims that Jesus Christ is both the “wisdom of God and the active agent of God.  Nothing was lost when logos descended to earth, when the mind of God invaded human history” (Moore 18).  When we read logos or “word”, we should think of the creative force, the will, and the mind of God, all three revealed in one human being—Jesus.

2. The Word is Life and Light

This “light” is essentially all that is good about human life.  See 1 John 1:5-7’ Psalm 36:9.  Jesus’ life, as described in the Gospels, shows us the way human beings are supposed to live.  (John uses the word Phos translated ‘light’ 33 times, more than any other New Testament writer does.)

• List the six descriptions of “The Word” from John 1:2-5.

 

 

Prayerfully take a few moments to meditate on these phrases.  Remember that from the writings of Luke we have a verifiable account of Jesus as a real person.  Now, from John’s Gospel, reflect on how each dimension of Jesus’ life can change the world.