Lesson 1 – Highlighting the God-Man

John 1:1-18

I. Into Your History:

A. Preparation for the Lesson:

Have each person in your group write on a sheet of paper a brief description of themselves. There is one catch, however, they cannot use any physical characteristics, their occupation, gender, or family status (e.g. single, married, mother of two children etc…). When finished with this task, collect the descriptions, and then pass them back out in a random manner, making sure that no one gets their own description. Have each person read aloud the description they were given, and then have them attempt to identify the individual who wrote it.

B. Suggested Ice-Breaker:

How might you describe God to someone who had never heard of Him?

This may be a daunting task for many of us. However, an individual named John took on this task some 2000 years ago. His description, in the prologue to the Gospel of John, is not terribly long; however, it is arguably one of the most profound ever written.

II. Into the Bible:

A. Jesus as Word: Read-John 1:1-18.

i. Question: In John 1:1, the term “word” (Greek term “logos”) is used three times. Who was this “word?”(See also John 1:14)

ii. Question: Why do you think the author used this particular terminology (“word”) as the focal point of his description?

When people communicate they usually do so by using words, either spoken or written. During Old Testament history, God revealed Himself to his people in a partial and somewhat veiled manner. We see in John’s Gospel that the “word” is synonymous with Jesus, the second person of the trinity. He became the full and final revelation (communication) of God to man.

iii. Question: A person can be with their friend, but you cannot BE your friend at the same time. How would you explain to someone how Jesus could be both with God, and be God? (cf.1:1)

The deity of Christ and the Trinity may be the two most important doctrines that separate orthodox Christianity from every other religion or cult in the world.

The first three verses in John chapter 1 is a good place to show that Jesus was and is God. Elsewhere, the New Testament ascribes terms and titles that are a clear indication of his deity. (Read-Phil. 2:9-11, Col. 1:19, and John 20:28)

Though the term Trinity is not found in the Bible, the concept is undeniably there. On the one hand, scripture clearly affirms there is one God. (Deuteronomy 6:4) On the other hand, the Bible affirms the full deity of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Sometimes it is thought that Christianity teaches the notion that 1+1+1=1. This is a false equation. The term trinity describes a relationship not of three gods, but of one God who is three distinct persons. The historic formulation is that God is one in essence and three in persons. Though this formula is mysterious, it is in no way contradictory. While our finite minds cannot fully comprehend an infinite God, He still calls us to believe His word even when we don’t fully understand it.

“The most pressing question on the problem of faith is whether a person as a civilized human being can believe in the divinity of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, for therein rests the whole of our faith.”

~ Fyodor Dostoevsky (Russian novelist, 1821-1881)

B. Jesus as Light:

i. Question: In John 1:4, 5, 7, 8, and 9, the author uses the word “light” quite frequently. What does this term symbolize?

ii. Question: According to John 1:10-11, how did people respond to the light?

iii. Question: Why did they respond it this way?

Here we see the basic hostility between light and darkness. The unregenerate world (those who are spiritually dead) hates God and the knowledge of truth. They may not openly admit it, but it is true nonetheless. (See Romans 8:7-8)

C. Jesus as Savior:

i. Question: How does a person who is naturally hostile towards God, and naturally drawn to darkness, become a child of God according to John 1:12-13?

· We must receive him and believe in him. (vs.12)

In verse 12, we are told that those who “receive” Jesus, and “believe in His name” are given the right to become God’s children.

· We must first be born-again by him. (vs.13)

In v.13, we are reminded that our spiritual birth (being born-again) is radically different than physical birth, and that salvation cannot come from our own will. Adoption into God’s family is a sovereign and mighty work of God alone. (See John 6:44)

ii. Question: In John 1:14, we see that the “word” spoken of in John 1:1-3 became flesh and lived among men. This is known as the incarnation. What is your understanding of this essential doctrine? Was Jesus half-man and half-God; fully-God and fully-man, or something else?

When Jesus was born, God became a man. He was not part man and part God. He was 100% human, and 100% divine. (See Col. 2:9) Jesus was God in eternity past, He was God, as He lay in the manger, and he reigns from His throne in Heaven as God today and forever.

iii. Question: According to John 1:18, what significance did God becoming a man have for the world then, and for us today?

Before God came into our world, people could only know Him partially, but after He came, people could know Him fully because He became visible and tangible in Jesus Christ.

"Anything that one imagines of God apart from Christ is only useless thinking and vain idolatry."

- Martin Luther

III. Into Our Lives:

§ How is your faith impacted by the fact that Jesus (the second person of the trinity) became a Man?

§ Do you remember the moment that the light of Jesus shined into your life?

§ If you would, briefly share that moment with your ACTS group.