Dynamic Studies in John
Bringing God's Word to Life
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
The Magnificent Word
John 1:1-19
Opening Prayer
Group Warm-Up Question
What are some examples of jargon or slang that you either use now or have used in the past?
Read: John 1:1-19
Reread: John 1:1-3
Who was and is the Word?
How long has the Word existed?
What is the relationship between the Word and God?
What was the role of the Word in creation?
Reread: John 1:4 What was the role of the Word in giving life to every plant and animal?
What do you think it means that the life of the Word brought light to everyone?
Read: John 1:5 Does it appear that the Word is also being referred to as light?
What does it mean that the darkness can never extinguish the light?
Note: In the Greek, it is inferred that not only has darkness not overcome the light, but it has not understood it. What does this nuance of meaning tell us?
Read: John 1:6-8 Who was John the Baptist?
In what specific role did God use John the Baptist?
Reread: John 1:9
What does it mean that the true light gives light to everyone?
The concept of this special light is important in scripture. It is also contrasted with the concept of spiritual darkness. Read the following verses and note what we learn about this special light, its impact, and how it relates to the concept of darkness.
Read:
1 John 1:5
John 3:16-20
John 12:35-36
2 Corinthians 4:3-6
Luke 1:78-79
1 Thessalonians 5:5-6
Note: This concept is also found prophetically in the Old Testament. Read what the prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 9:2 about 2800 years ago. To whom or what do you think Isaiah was referring?
Note: The word “life” is also a key element in John’s gospel. In fact, it is surprising to realize that he uses this word 36 times in his book. To experience life in a physical sense there are a number of essentials. This is also true in a spiritual sense. The Holy Spirit utilized this symbolism to help us understand the role of the Word, spoken of in the verses we read so far today. As you review the essentials of life below, please discuss how they relate specifically to the Word as introduced by John in the first chapter of his gospel.
1. Light
Read: John 8:12
Read: Malachi 4:2 (Sun of Righteousness)
Note: Malachi was written about 400 years prior to the birth of Jesus Christ. To whom, quite specifically, do you believe Malachi 4:2 is referring?
How could this be possible?
2. Breath of Life
Read: John 3:8
Read: John 20:22
Why do you think true spiritual life is impossible without this ingredient?
3. Water
Read: John 4:10
Read: John 4:13-14
Read: John 7:37-39
How does the imagery of this life giving, never- ending, refreshing water impact you?
4. Food
Read: John 6:35
How does this combined imagery make you feel?
Why?
Read: John 14:6 What does this verse mean to you in concert with your understanding of the ingredients of life?
Read: John 1:10 How would you put the irony, tragedy and injustice of this verse in your own words?
What examples of situations similar have you seen in everyday life?
Read: John 1:11 What happened when God incarnate went to the people of his own race who adhered to the religious practices He had provided to them?
Read: John 1:12-13 What right did the Word give to those who trust and accept Him?
What happens to people today who believe, trust, and accept Him?
How, specifically, does one receive or trust in the Word? What must one do to make this effective and active in his or her life?
Read: John 1:14
What are perhaps the two most important personal characteristics of the Word?
In addition to these personal characteristics what supernatural characteristic do we see?
In your own words, how might you describe the awesomeness of His glory of being the one and only Son of the Father?
Reread: John 1:15
What two very important things did John the Baptist say about the Word?
Reread: John 1:16
What have those who have trusted the Word received from His abundance?
Reread: John 1:17
By what Name does John refer to the Word for the first time in this verse?
Why do you think the Holy Spirit had John wait until He was at this point in his book to make the transition from the Word to Jesus Christ?
What came through Moses?
What came through Jesus Christ?
Why do you think John continues to accentuate these two very important characteristics of Jesus Christ?
Reread: John 1:18-19
Note: Be sure to also read these verses in the KJV. What else did John the Baptist report about Jesus Christ?
This is the first time in John’s gospel that the word “son” is used for Jesus. The phrase “only begotten” (KJV) also means “unique, the only one of its kind.” It does not suggest that there was a time when the Son did not exist and that the Father created Him. Jesus Christ is eternal God; He has always existed.
Jesus is called the “Son of God” at least nine times in the book of John. Read the following verses to see this.
John 1:34 (Be sure to also read this verse in the KJV)
John 1:49
John 3:18
John 5:25
John 10:36
John 11:4
John 11:27
John 19:7
John 20:31
John the Baptist was one of six people quoted in the book of John who gave witness that Jesus is the Son of God. Read the Following verses to see what they had to say.
Nathaniel: John 1:49
Peter: John 6:68-69
The Blind man who was healed: John 9:35-38
Martha: John 11:27
Thomas: John 20:28
In addition to these six people Jesus corroborated their testimony as we see in the following two verses.
Jesus: John 5:25
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Book Details
About the Book
Two thousand years ago a man named John recorded an eyewitness account of the life, death, and resurrection of the man who claimed to be the Jewish Messiah.
What he wrote was so amazingly designed that some have said “A child can wade in it and an elephant can bathe in it.”
John attempts to answer the most important question we must all face, whether we realize it or not. That is “Who is Jesus Christ, and having gained that knowledge, what will you do about it?”
Fred Scheeren guides us through the book of John by relating it to the whole of Scripture to answer this life-altering question. Dive into this exciting study for another life-changing encounter with the Word of God.
Gordon Haresign, internationally known author, professor, speaker and member of the board of directors of Scripture Union, Speaking of the Dynamic Bible Studies series produced by Scheeren has said: “These are among the finest, if not the finest, inductive Bible studies available today. I strongly endorse them.”
About the Author
Fred Scheeren is a distinguished Certified Financial Planner and Managing Director-Investments with a major investment firm. Using his award-winning analytical skills and overwhelming passion for biblical study, Scheeren has carved out a second vocation as a speaker and now an author. Over the past forty years, he has presented numerous Bible studies to groups of different sizes and denominations.