John 1 and 2

Step 1: Read John chapters 1 & 2 and take notes on what stands out to you.

Step 2: Consider answering some or all of the questions below (may these be a blessing, and not a burden)

Optional Study Questions

1. Re-read John 1:1-2. When, according to the book of John, is the “beginning” of Jesus. Why do you think John starts here? Who else was there in “the beginning”?
2. 1. Optional: dig a little deeper and check out: Genesis 1:26, 1 Corinthians 2:10-12, Colossians 1:15-20
3. Re-read John 1:4-9. Light and Darkness are major symbols in John’s gospel. What do they seem to refer to and symbolize?
4. 1. Optional: Dig a little deeper and check out: Psalms 36:9; 82:5; 119:105, 130; Proverbs 4:19; Isaiah 60:1-2; John 3:19-21; Acts 26:18; Romans 13:12-14; Ephesians 5:8-14
5. Re-read John 2:11. Why do you think Jesus chose turning water into wine for a wedding as His first sign? How might the miracle of Jesus turning dirty water into wedding wine be significant to you?
6. 1. Optional: dig a little deeper and check out: Daily life made a Jew ceremonially unclean or unholy (Mark 7:3-4) Therefore Jews poured water over their hands before eating, studying the Law, and so on. A LOT of water was necessary for this many guest, so this household has jars with a total capacity of more than 120 gallons! In the Old Testament, wine is a central part of the messianic wedding banquet (Isaiah 25:6) An abundance of wine also symbolizes the joy of the last days (Jeremiah 31:12; Amos 9:13-14). Finally, Jesus is referred to as the “bridegroom” and the Church is the “bride” (Ephesians 5:25-32)…and here we are at a wedding for this first miracle. Coincidence?
7. Re-read John 2:13-16. Why do you think Jesus did what He did in the temple?
8. 1. Optional: dig a little deeper and check out: Psalm 69:8-9, John 1:29, Isaiah 56:3-5, 1 Corinthians 5:7, Hebrews 10:5-14

Heart Questions

1. What was your motive for initially following Jesus?  What were the circumstances that led you to do so? How much did you know about Him?
2. Which one of the disciples are you most like when it comes to following Jesus: Andrew and Philip = spreading the news, Peter = a new creation, Nathaniel = moving from doubt to strong belief?
3. John 1:17 tells us the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus. Can you identify a time or place you were operating out of the “law” alone? What was the outcome? If grace and truth were a scale which way would it be leaning more towards in your daily life. Pray and ask for wisdom on how to better balance your truth/grace scale.

Want some more?

Below is a link to a 20 minute Crossroads podcast from Too Long; Didn’t Read. This episode talks about the first chapter of John.

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/too-long-didnt-read/id1369194152?mt=2&i=1000426469924

Link to the google slides from large group on 1/17/19

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1CSvJ97cY64zX20fsMKXtWoYjjB7jw4zSM6ku2CPXj8A