Connect As we begin a new series, how do you think you could best prepare for it?

Warm-Up

1. When did you become a follower of Jesus or when did you first know that you were a follower of Jesus?
2. How familiar are you with John’s Gospel? What’s John’s agenda for writing? (cf. John 20:31)
3. What are the ‘signs’ in John’s Gospel? How do they help show us who Jesus is?

Read John 1:1-5

4. What are the opening words of John’s Gospel? What do they mirror? Why is this important?
5. Who is the Word? What is the Word like? When did the Word begin?
6. If Jesus is eternal, what are the implications for us? What is the implication for the whole world?
7. What do people believe is ‘behind’ the universe? Why is it such good news that at the heart of the universe is not a principle, but a person?

Read John 1:6-14

8. How was Jesus received when he came into the world? Is recognising Jesus the same as receiving him?
9. Can you think of the range of responses that Jesus received? How do you witness those today?
10. Why does a saving faith require both a recognition and reception (through belief) of Jesus?
11. What do you think helps people be moved to belief in Jesus? How should that shape our prayers?
12. As people believe, what right does God give them? What does it mean to you to know that you have become a child of God in Christ? How do you enjoy that relationship day-to-day?
13. How human did the Son become? What evidence do we have that the Son was not merely masquerading or pretending to be a human, but truly human?
14. Do you think people struggle more with Jesus’ humanity or divinity? Why do you think that is the case? Do you ever emphasise Jesus' humanity over his divinity (or vice versa)? What could be the effect?
15. How is God becoming human a big ‘YES’ to our humanity and physical world? How is it a ‘YES’ to us?
16. What does John mean by the Word making his dwelling among us? How is it related to the tabernacle?
17. What are the implications of Jesus dwelling with us? What significance does that have for you?
18. Who has seen God? When we look at Jesus, what do we see? Why do people need to know this?
19. What are the ways that people try to “find God”? How is it through Jesus that we can meet with God?

Apply Who are you praying for that they would recognise Jesus and believe in him?

On Your Front Line this Week

What role or task do you need the Bible's wisdom for this week?

For Families

• Download: some of the family resources to use at home: stbartskids.org

Listen, Watch, and Read

• Listen (sermon): “In the Beginning” by Tim Keller:
  https://gospelinlife.com/sermon/in-the-beginning/
• Listen (sermon): “Come Home” by Vaughan Roberts:
  https://stebbes.org/sermons/come-home-2/#sermons  
• Read (article): “Athanasius on the Simple God And Eternal Generation” by Steven Wedgeworth:
  https://ca.thegospelcoalition.org/article/athanasius-on-the-simple-god-and-eternal-generation 

Series Resources

• Read: “John: An Expositional Commentary” by R C Sproul.
• Read: “The Gospel According to John” by Don Carson. 
• Read: “The Message of John” by Bruce Milne. 📚
• Read: “The Gospel According to John” by Leon Morris.
• Read: “John for Everyone: Part 1” by Tom Wright. 📚
• Read: “Can We Trust the Gospels?” by Peter Williams. 📚
• Watch: “John” by the Bible Project: https://bibleproject.com/guides/book-of-john/  
• Previous Series from St Bart’s (including Children’s Resources):
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/jesus-is
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/i-am
  https://www.stbarts.com.au/sermon-series/truth-glory 

📚Available to borrow from the St Bart’s Library (Toowoomba): stbarts.com.au/library 

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