4 implications of the impossible becoming possible (John 1:15-18).
Helpful Quotes:
“The Gospel is this: We are more sinful and flawed in ourselves than we ever dared believe, yet at the very same time we are more loved and accepted in Jesus Christ than we ever dared hope.” Tim Keller
“For the solidarity of mankind is such that, by virtue of the Word’s indwelling in a single human body, the corruption which goes with death has lost its power over all. You know how it is when some great king enters a large city and dwells in one of its houses; because of his dwelling in that single house, the whole city is honored, and enemies and robbers cease to molest it. Even so is it with the King of all; He has come into our country and dwelt in one body amidst the many, and in consequence the designs of the enemy against mankind have been foiled and the corruption of death, which formerly held them in its power, has simply ceased to be. For the human race would have perished utterly had not the Lord and Savior of all the Son of God, come among us to put an end to death.” St. Athanasius, 318 AD
Discussion Questions:
Which aspect of John 1:1-18 (what we’ve studied the past four weeks) stands out as the most encouraging thing for you personally?
Why do we typically view grace and truth as existing in opposition? How does Jesus coming full of grace and truth change how you view their relationship?
Faithful Christianity embodies many “dichotomies” similar to what John outlines in v. 14. E.g. loving our enemies, finding peace amidst trials, etc. What other dichotomies are we called to embody as Christians? How does God becoming man help us with that?
Have you ever wondered if you would have chosen to follow Jesus if you lived in the 1st Century? What does this passage do to your opinion of yourself?
Read verse 12, what part of this is the most astonishing to you? Why?
Verse 9 hints at the fact that people are always looking for “light,” or people to look up to/worship. Where do you see this in our day? Why are we prone to fall for this temptation?
The temptation to see God as uninterested and uninvolved (John 1:6).
The temptation to see ourselves as self-sufficient and capable (John 1:7).
The temptation to see the world as chiefly about us and our story (John 1:8).
Discussion Questions:
How often do you honestly feel that God is involved in your life? What does forgetting that fact produce in your heart?
When are you most tempted to feel self-reliant? When are you most tempted to see yourself as the center of the universe? How does John the Baptist help us find humility?
How can you bear witness about the Light this season? Be specific!
Understanding the Distance Between God and Us (John 1:1-5)
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Sermon Outline:
We are the furthest thing from God… (John 1:1-3)
…but God is no longer the furthest thing from us (John 1:4-5).
Discussion Questions:
What aspects of the Christmas season personally distract you from Jesus?
What plans do you have to keep Jesus first in your heart this Christmas? Do you have an Advent devotional you are going to do? Who will you process it with?
Where else, besides Jesus, do you look for life? How is that thing time-bound and finite/limited? How is Jesus better?
