The Source of Change

Verses used: John 1:1-5, John 1:9-14, John 1:16-18, Psalm 139:13-14, John 8:56-58, Acts 17:28b.

When you read the Gospel of John you will read about the lives of people meeting Jesus and their lives changing. Join us as this series opens and together we explore how Jesus changes lives, then and now.

KEY VERSES:

John 1:1-5 New International Version (NIV)

(1) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.(2) He was with God in the beginning.(3) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.(4) In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.(5) The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:9-14 New International Version (NIV)

(9) The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.(10) He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.(11) He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.(12) Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—(13) children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.(14) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:16-18 New International Version (NIV)

(16) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.(17) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.(18) No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

1.The Word of God is Jesus .

2.Jesus Christ shares God the Father’s eternity .

3.There never was when He was not.

4.He is the Creator and Source of all life, physical, emotional, and especially spiritual!

SOME QUESTIONS TO PONDER THIS WEEK:

1.What was something you learned or what stood out to you from the sermon on Sunday?

2.Why do you think the Gospel of John begins with “in the beginning” instead of with the birth of Jesus?

3.Of these titles for Jesus (the Word, the Light, the Christ, the Son of God), which holds the most meaning for you? Which ones connect with you the most?

4.Through belief in Jesus and receiving Him into our lives we’ve been given the right to become children of God. How does this amazing relationship with your Creator influence the way you view yourself? How do you think it should?

5.Can you identify some of the most significant ways this “agent/source of Change” has impacted your life? Share one or two of these with your group.

6.Who has Jesus used to help affect this change in your life?

7.How can we be “stirring in” these verses into our lives this week?