Read: John 1:1-18
Chiastic Structure of the prologue
a.1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
b.1 There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
c.1 The true light was coming into the world that gives light to every man
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
- d. Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
c2 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
b2 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, This was he of whom I said,
‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’
a2 From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No-one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father’s side,
has made him known.
Q1. Considering this structure, what are some of John’s major points of emphasis in his prologue?
Q2. How do verses 12,13 (“d”) fit with his stated purpose in John 20:31?
Q3. What are some of the bad “guesses” you have heard regarding humanities purpose, problem, and solution?
Q4. When you guess wrong about the problem, you guess wrong about the solution. What are some consequences in this life, not in eternity, of guessing wrong?
Q5. Do you struggle with dividing the world/your life into component parts? Do you sometimes see certain things you do as being more “spiritual” or “meaningful” than others? Talk about this? Is this a biblical view or not? (Your perspective on this will to a degree depend on how you define terms, so make sure you are using the same definitions.)
Q6. Do you have trouble reading the Bible as a “real” book? Do you read it as actual history and actual people or do you tend to go into a different mental mode when reading Scripture? Talk about this. How does reading the Bible as other than “real” impact how you apply it to actual circumstances in your life?
Read: Exodus 40:24-38
Q7: Jesus “tabernacled” among us. How does the Exodus story of the tabernacle “prefigure” or look forward to Christ. This is a very special historical reality with very important realities for our lives now. Talk about this.
Q8: Following Jesus means going at his pace and with his priorities. Just as Israel camped when the Lord’s glory descended and moved when the Lord’s glory moved. Are you currently impatient with God’s pace and priorities? Have you been in the past?
Q9: If you have learned contentment and have had some success in dealing with the demanding nature of your heart what has been helpful? If you are not dealing well with a demanding heart what can you do differently or better? How can we help?
Q10: Have you believed the gospel and received Christ as Lord and Savior? (ask this question if you are unsure about anyone in your group’s relationship with Christ).