The Word Became Flesh and Moved in Next Door

John 1:1-18

Sermon Notes:

1) Creation through the Word, 1-5

2) Illumination by the Word, 4-13

3) Glorification from the Word, 14-18

Reflection Questions:

1. John says that Jesus came to his own, and his own received him not (v11). Why is this? Why would anyone reject a gracious savior like Jesus? What does this savior say about them? See also John 1:5; 3:19.

2. While John does not tell you about the Savior’s birth (and His miraculous conception), how does he tell you that Jesus was Divine, the Son of God? How many different ways do you see evidence of Jesus’s divinity in John 1:1-18?

3. John emphasizes the grace that is found in Christ several times in vv. 14-18. How would Jesus manifest that grace to the world? For one clue, see John 1:29.

Empowered Servants

John 17

Sermon Notes

1) Jesus Prayed … For our Belief, 3

2) Jesus Prayed …  For our Protection, 15

3) Jesus Prayed … For our Sanctification, 17

4) Jesus Prayed … For our Effective Witness, 20

5) Jesus Prayed … For our Unity, 11, 20-23, 26

Reflection questions:

1) Why does Jesus command us to “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12-13) when He also assures us that He will preserve us until the end (John 17:15; Philippians 1:6)? Do you think it’s because Jesus knew that we would not be able to keep those commands perfectly, even after we’re born again? (I John 2:1)

2) If Jesus prayed that we would sanctified in the Truth, then what can you be doing to see that you are sanctified by the Truth? See 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Romans 12:1-2.

3) Is unity opposed to an emphasis on sound doctrine, proper teaching? Consider what Paul writes in Titus 1:9 about elders. (Also see Titus 3:8-11) Is an emphasis on sound doctrine (and the possible need to rebuke which Titus mentions) opposed to patience? See what Paul writes in 2 Timothy 2:24-26.

Jesus is Our Good Shepherd

John 10:11–18

Sermon Notes

  1. Jesus is our protector (v.11–13)
  2. Jesus knows and loves us (v.14–15)
    Side point: We are all needy sheep (v.16)
  3. Jesus gave his life for us (v.17–18)

Questions for Reflection

  1. What are some of the points of imagery you remember from the sermon about sheep and shepherds?
  2. How are you like the sheep? How is Jesus like the good shepherd?
  3. How does being on our own make us more vulnerable to hurts and pains in this life?
  4. Do you feel positive or negative when you think about being known deeply by God? What hesitations might you have to being fully known?
  5. How might understanding your own identity as a sheep, make you more likely to accept "outsiders" inside the church?
  6. Jesus has "snatched us from the jaws of death" by his work on the cross. How does that change your life today? How might you be willing to live differently this week, in light of that truth?

A Third Time

John 21:15–25

Sermon Notes

  1. The Message of Resurrection and Restoration, vv. 15–17
  2. The Message of Remaining Sin, vv. 18–22
  3. The Reliable Message, vv. 23–25

Discussion Questions

  1. Does God save us by giving us a second chance, or does He save us by grace? What’s the difference? Consider Eph 2:8–9
  2. After God saves someone, would you expect them to notice more sin or less sin in their life? Consider Romans 7:15–25.
  3. Does Biblical faith mean believing in spite of the evidence or believing because of the evidence? Consider Luke 1:1–4