The Story of John

John’s Testimony

Sermon Notes:

1. John came from a family of wealth and privilege. (Mk 1:20,Jn 18:15-16)
2. John was a young man searching for something more.
3. John and his brother had explosive personalities. (Mk 3:13-17)
4. John was prejudiced. (Lk 9:52-54)
5. John was ambitious at the expense of others.
6. John had a lack of genuine love for people.

Later in his life:

7. John was known as the “apostle of love”.
8. John’s identity was wrapped up in the love of Christ.

Follow-up questions from Sunday:

Icebreaker: Has there ever been a time in your life when you ignored signs and it got you into trouble?  Please share.

1. Read 1 John 1:1-4. John wrote this letter later in his life and in the first 4 verses he talks about what he heard and saw as he followed Jesus.  From your memory of Scripture, list some of the things that John heard or saw Jesus do.  Which ones do you wish you witnessed or heard?  How have you recently seen Jesus move or speak into a person’s life?
2. Early in John’s life, he had a spiritual hunger that led him to the ministry of John the Baptist and later Jesus. In your personal story, when did you first begin to have a spiritual hunger for the deeper things in life?  How did you go about filling this thirst?  How has Jesus met your needs?  Why do you think people seek Jesus at different times in their lives?
3. Read Mark 3:13-17, Lk 9:52-56. Apparently John and his brother had a reputation of an explosive temperament and a prejudice toward non-Jews.  In time, Jesus took this away from John and replaced it with a love for all people.  How has Jesus transformed your life in these areas?
4. Read John 21:6-7,20-22,24. Later in the life of John, he was so taken by the love of Jesus that he wouldn’t even use his name in his Gospel, but would only identify himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.”  How does this speak into your life?  Can you think of any better way of describing our identity as followers of Jesus?  How far are you on your journey of making this Biblical identity a reality in your life?

End your time praying for each other.