ST NICOLAS, NEWBURY

HOME GROUP QUESTIONS

WEEK BEGINNING 15 APRIL 2007

JOHN 1:1-18 - GOOD NEWS FROM JOHN - NEW LIGHT

(Note - there is rather a lot of material here if you intend investigating all the different links this chapter has with the rest of the Bible. For small group study, it might be wise to be selective.)

1. Read John 1:1-18. John's Gospel is distinctive. The language is of a very different style compared with the 'synoptic' Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke), and the content gives us some unique insights into the life Christ. It has been compared to a 'pool in which a child may wade and an elephant can swim'. John's purpose in writing is stated at the end of his gospel: 'These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.' (John 20:30-31)

2. Read Genesis 1:1-4, and then John 1:1-3 again. What do you think is John's purpose in opening his gospel in this way? What is the importance of these verses, particularly when set alongside John 1:18?

3. John calls Jesus 'the Word'. Why do you think this is? Look for a link with Genesis 1, and then investigate Psalm 33:6, Isaiah 40:6-8 and Isaiah 55:10-11.

4. What effect does the spoken word have on people? (See for example Genesis 15:1; Exodus 20:1; Deuteronomy 8:3; Psalm 119:11, 89; John 15:3, 7; John 17:14, 17.) Is this true for us today, living as we do, in a more visual age?

5. How does Jesus Christ, God's Word, show us who God is today? See John 1:18; 1:14.   

6. In Genesis, the pinnacle of God's creation may be found in 1:26. The climax of chapter 1 of John is v14. What is the connection between these two events?

7. What else do we learn of the character of Jesus from this passage? It may be helpful to start with John 1:3, 4-5, 9, 14, 16.

8. What does the Word come to bring? See especially, John 1:4, 7, 9, 12, 16, 17.

9. Why do you think John refers back to Moses in John 1:17? For a summary of the background to this, see Hebrews 9:19-28; 10:1, 5-9; 15-16.

10. John 1:14 is another reference to the way in which the OT Law is a picture of the better things that are coming in Christ. In this verse, 'made his dwelling among us' is literally 'tabernacled among us'. The tabernacle was the place of God's glory. Compare Exodus 40:34-38 with John 1:14. How can we know and appreciate God's glory today?   

11. Look at the references to 'life' in the passage. What sort of life do you think Christ offers? Use a concordance (a concise one will do, or you will be here a long time!), and look up references to 'life' in John's gospel. What do these verses tell us about the character and mission of Jesus?

12. 'Light' is mentioned five times in the passage: vs. 4, 5, 7, 8, 9. What is the link between 'life' and 'light'? To help you in your discussions, do some cross referencing on the word 'light'. It would be worthwhile extending this search beyond John's gospel. (For leaders - it might be worth writing the references on pieces of paper before the study, and passing them around so that everyone can take part in looking up and reading a Bible verse.) How does this image of light contribute to our understanding of the astonishing news that God has become a human being?

13. The main focus of the church's Prayer Day on Thursday this week is on Parents and Family Life. Home Groups are invited to join in whenever they meet. See http://www.st-nicolas-newbury.org/prayer-day.htm for details.

Helen Wilkinson
16 April 2007