SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
John 1:1-5
From D.A.Carson:
“The prologue summarizes how the ‘Word’ which was with God in the very beginning came into the sphere of time, history, tangibility – in other words, how the Son of God was sent into the world to become the Jesus of history, so that the glory and grace of God might be uniquely and perfectly disclosed. And the rest of the book, is nothing more than an expansion on this theme.”
Three important truths about the Word:
-He has always existed with the Father
-He is Creator of all things
-He is the Source of Light and Life
1. Why do you think John chooses the word “Logos” to describe the second person of the Trinity? (Consider how it might have resonated with Greeks and with Jews. Consider also the importance of God’s speech throughout the OT).
2. Why does it matter that the Son has always existed with the Father? How might you attempt to describe the nature of their relationship? (Consider the example of a couple who have been married for many years or Tim Keller’s illustration of a loved one laying on your chest with complete comfort and safety).
3. As an expression of their eternal love and joy, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit create all that exists. Why is it important for us to know that the Logos is the creator of all things? How should that affect our daily actions and the ways in which we treat one another?
4. Isaiah 42:1 shows us that God’s own soul delights in his beloved Son. The Father and Son have been delighting in each other for all eternity. The message of the gospel is that Jesus was stonewalled or rejected by the father and crucified on the cross to take our place, so that the Father now looks at us and says, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” In what ways are you struggling to remember and relish in this beautiful truth? How do these opening verses of John chapter 1 give you a greater appreciation for the magnitude of what Christ has done and of the suffering He endured?
5. Jesus is the Light of the world, the perfect self disclosure of God who has pierced through the ceiling of human history and entered our world in the form of a baby. Consider those in your life who are walking in darkness – how do we need to be praying for them, speaking to them, asking them questions that point them to the Logos? Why is it such a tragedy to go through life thinking the “author” has no relevance for the “novel” so to speak?
6. John chapter 11 portrays the true story of Jesus bringing his dead friend Lazarus back to life as an affirmation that He is the Source of Life. Spend some time in prayer that as the reality of God‘s love for you moves deeper into your own heart, He will use you to reflect the Light of the savior in this Advent Season.
7. Take some time also to repent of the ways in which our affections for Jesus have been dulled by cares for other things. Pray that we, along with John the Baptist, will see more and more of his glory, power, authority, love and grace.