The Word Became Flesh

John 1:14           2005 Christmas

                                 Lesson 3

1. John 1:14 can be viewed as the key verse for the gospel of John. Read verse 14 and think about the meaning of the Word (with a capital "W"). Compare the point of this verse with what John says in verses 1-4, especially the statement, "the Word was God". What does this comparison indicate about Jesus? 

2. Compare John 1:14 with John 1:18. What does this comparison tell us about Jesus born in a manger? (Hebrews 1:3) Why is this knowledge of Jesus important? (John 1:12; 6:44-45)

3. Of all the points Jesus came to teach, the Apostle John emphasizes (in his gospel and epistles) the importance of knowing and relying on the kind of "love" God has for all people on earth. [Read for example the following Bible verses: John 3:16; 14:23; 15:9,13; 21:15-17.] [You also may wish to read 1Jo 3:16-4:21.] Compare this point with what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." What does the word "demonstrate" mean? Why should God "demonstrate" his own love for us? What does this analysis suggest about the reason why the Word became flesh?

4. The Apostle John describes in his gospel how Jesus served (or loved) many. Yet, John 21 (the last chapter) indicates that Jesus focused on helping one person Simon Peter to the end. What can we learn from Jesus who helped Simon Peter even after rising from the dead? 

** Write a Bible testimony on one thing you learned from John 1:14, especially what the birth of Jesus (the Word who became flesh) means to you.

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