Unit 1, lesson 1 Study Guide PDF

NAVI G AT E • U N IT 1 , L E S S O N 1 Read & Observe | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: John 1:1–5 and John 20:30–31 The book of John, the fourth book in a collection called “the Gospels,” is a faithful account of the life and words of Jesus Christ. The first three Gospels in the Bible...

NAVI G AT E • U N IT 1 , L E S S O N 1 Read & Observe | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: John 1:1–5 and John 20:30–31 The book of John, the fourth book in a collection called “the Gospels,” is a faithful account of the life and words of Jesus Christ. The first three Gospels in the Bible—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—are known as the “Synoptic Gospels” because they record the life and ministry of Jesus from a similar perspective and share a large amount of common material. John’s Gospel is vastly different, and much of what he records is not found in the others. Church tradition dates this final Gospel to late in the first century, perhaps around AD 90, and likely puts John in Ephesus at the time of writing. The Believe Discovery Journal guides us in a study of the first six chapters of the Gospel of John. In Unit 1, Lessons 1 and 2, we will Read & Observe our study passage, John 1:1–18. Starting with the Navigate lesson, our objective is to employ the Read & Observe study method by reading the assigned Scripture passages, marking the keywords, completing the word studies, and using other observation tools to understand the text. The Explore lesson takes a more indepth look into the Word of God. Read John chapter 1 and mark the keywords Word, believe, and life. Mark your key verse, John 1:1, in your Bible. Using your word study tools, look up the following keyword, which is the title of the Discovery Journal. Remarkably, this Greek word is used a total of one hundred times in John’s Gospel. believe (John 1:7) Strong’s #: G4100      Greek word: pisteuō Strong’s Definition: to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well-being to Christ) Using simple language that is easily understood, the author communicates truths that are deeply profound on a spiritual level. His purpose is both apologetic and evangelistic as he wants the reader to understand who Jesus is and why this knowledge is so important. The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms defines “apologetics” as the endeavor to provide a reasoned account for the grounds of believing in the Christian faith. Mark the key passage for the Believe study, John 20:30–31, which records John’s clear purpose for writing his Gospel. Answer the following questions. 1. What were the things Jesus did that John wrote about? The signs 2. Why did John say these were written? So that you may/ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ/Messiah, the Son of God 3. What did John say those who believe will have? Life in/through His name Knowing John’s purpose for writing will be critical for your understanding as you study his Gospel. Reminder: The unit study passage and the Navigate memory passage are in the heading of each Navigate lesson. Read the study passage and study the memory passage daily. 4 Jesus, the Word • Unit 1, Lesson 1 EXP LOR E • U N I T 1 , L E S S O N 1 Read & Observe | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: Philippians 2:5–8 Reread your study passage, John 1:1–18, and mark all references to deity: God, Light, Jesus Christ (Son), and Father. John begins his Gospel with a prologue that introduces and includes elements found throughout the entire book. The first eighteen verses have a chiastic structure. A chiasmus (pronounced kī-’az-m s) is a literary device with two series of words, phrases, or concepts. The first series serves as an introduction to a climax followed by a second series that is basically a mirror image of the first series. In the excerpt below, observe how the first series (A, B, C, and D) builds to a climax and the second series (D’, C’, B’, and A’) reflects or “mirrors” the ideas in the first series. Notice how verses A and A’ have similar themes, as do B and B’, C and C’, and D and D’. e 1. Complete the chiasmus by filling in the missing words. A (v. 1) In the beginning was the   Word  , and the Word was with   God  , and the Word was God. B (v. 3) All   things   were made through    Him   . C (vv. 6–7) A witness,    John   , came to testify about the   Light  . D (v. 9) The true   Light   came into the    world   . X (v. 12) Those who   received   Him and believed in His    name   were given the right to be children of   God  . D’ (v. 14) The   Word   became    flesh   and dwelt    among   us. C’ (v. 15)    John   testified about    Him   . B’ (v. 17)   Grace   and   truth   came through    Jesus Christ   . A’ (v. 18) God the only Son, at the    Father’s   side, has made    Him   known. 2. Write a title or a summary for the three divisions of John 1:1–18. a. vv. 1–5 AWV. The Word was with God and was God in the beginning. b. vv. 6–13 AWV. The Witness of John the Baptist c. vv. 14–18 AWV. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Reminder: The unit study passage and the Explore memory passage are in the heading of each Explore lesson. Read the study passage and study the memory passage daily. Unit 1, Lesson 1 • Jesus, the Word 5 NAVI G AT E • U N IT 1 , L E S S O N 2 Read & Observe | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: John 1:1–5 and John 20:30–31 BACKGROUND STUDY History: Life and Ministry of John Although the writer of the Gospel of John does not identify himself by name, church tradition and most scholars generally agree that the apostle John was the author. He was native to the region of Galilee where he was a successful fisherman by trade, along with his father, Zebedee, and brother James. His mother was Salome, a devoted follower of Jesus. • Originally a disciple of John the Baptist, John became a disciple of Jesus and was an eyewitness during His three years of public ministry. John enjoyed a close relationship with the Lord as one of His inner circle and referred to himself as “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Supplying insight into John’s character and personality, Jesus gave him and his brother James the name Boanerges, which means “Sons of Thunder.” When Jesus was on the cross, He entrusted His mother to John. Read Luke 6:13–16 and complete the following word study to give you understanding into the function of an apostle. apostle (Luke 6:13) Strong’s #: G652      Greek word: apostolos Strong’s Definition: a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”) (with miraculous powers) Read the following references and unscramble the words that describe important events in John’s life. Matthew 17:1–8 He witnessed the ronaittrnasgiuf    transfiguration   Matthew 26:36–38 He was with Jesus in the Garden of egshetname    Gethsemane   . Mark 5:35–43 He witnessed the raising of a young lirg    girl   who had died. John 19:16, 25–27 He witnessed the xucirifionc    crucifixion   of Jesus. John 20:1–8 He saw the empty btmo    tomb   . Acts 4:1–13 He and Peter were setarder   arrested   because they spoke the truth. Revelation 1:1–2 He received the levetraion    Revelation   of Jesus. of Jesus Christ. John was described as a pillar of the early Jerusalem church. He eventually moved to Ephesus where he wrote the three epistles that bear his name, the first of which confronted an early church heresy called Gnosticism. This heresy denied the truth that Christ had come in the flesh, as the Gnostics believed all physical matter was evil. History records that John was tortured and exiled to the island of Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation. Living to a very advanced age, he was the only apostle to die a natural death. Go to page 14 and follow the instructions to complete the map work. 6 Jesus, the Word • Unit 1, Lesson 2 EXP LOR E • U N I T 1 , L E S S O N 2 Read & Observe | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: Philippians 2:5–8 Read the study passage and mark the keywords witness and grace. John uses contrasting ideas and images to communicate his message. Answer the questions to help you learn about these contrasts. 1. What is the contrast in v. 5? Light and darkness 2. What does the light do? Shines/shineth in the darkness 3. What did the darkness not do? Grasp/overcome/comprehended/comprehend the light 4. Who did the true Light give light to? Every person/everyone/every man Light is often used in Scripture to represent moral purity and God’s presence (Ps. 27:1, 119:105). Darkness is dispelled when light appears (Gen. 1:3–5). 5. Who sent John the Baptist to testify about the Light? God 6. What was the purpose of John the Baptist’s testimony? So that all might believe through him 7. What did John the Baptist testify about Jesus’ superiority? He existed/was before me. Complete the following word study to give you insight into John the Baptist’s role as a witness. witness (John 1:7) Strong’s #: G3141      Greek word: martyria Strong’s Definition: evidence given (judicially or genitive case) “Witness,” in its noun form, is a legal term that refers to someone who can give an eyewitness testimony. The Law required that a matter could be confirmed only on the basis of at least two witnesses (Matt. 18:16; 1 Tim. 5:19). John the Baptist was one of many witnesses who confirmed the life and works of Jesus Christ. 8. What came into being through Him and yet did not know Him? The world 9. What were the two responses to the true Light that came into the world? AWV. Some did not accept Him; some did receive Him. 10. What was given through Moses? The Law 11. What came through Jesus Christ? Grace and truth The Law was given as a tutor to lead us to Christ and to reveal sin (Gal. 3:24; Rom 3:20). It was never able to ensure an individual’s right standing with God because no man can keep it perfectly. However, through the Lord Jesus Christ, we have received grace upon grace. Complete the following word study to help you understand what we have received in Christ. grace (John 1:16) Strong’s #: G5485      Greek word: charis Strong’s Definition: graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life; including gratitude) The word “theme” is defined in the dictionary as a subject or topic of discourse. Repetitive words often suggest a theme for a Bible passage. Read this sample theme. The Word of God, Jesus Christ, became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory. Unit 1, Lesson 2 • Jesus, the Word 7 NAVI G AT E • U N IT 1 , L E S S O N 3 Interpret | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: John 1:1–5 and John 20:30–31 John begins his Gospel boldly declaring the deity of Jesus Christ, the Word. Read your study passage and complete the following word study to help you understand why he calls Jesus “the Word” to convey this truth. Word (John 1:1) Strong’s #: G3056      Greek word: logos Strong’s Definition: something   said   (including the   thought  ); by implication, a   topic   (subject of discourse), also   reasoning   (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, (with the article in John) the   Divine   Expression (i.e. Christ) The term logos was familiar to both the Jews and Greeks of John’s day. For the Jewish audience, the word conveyed the concept of God revealing Himself in wisdom and power in creation. For the Greeks, logos had the connotation of an impersonal force and wisdom. John used the term to communicate the idea that the Word is God’s message expressed and revealed. The Logos is a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ! 1. Use the Believe cipher (see p. 114) to discover the deity of the Word. John 1:1–2 P r e e x i s t e n t. The Word is John 1:3 The Word is John 1:4–5 The Word is C r e a t o r . - S e l f-E x i s t e n t . 2. Match the statements from John 1:1–18 with the cross-references. a He was in the beginning with God (vv. 1–2).     a. Genesis 1:1 d All things came into being through Him (v. 3).     c     In Him was life, and the life was the light of men (vv. 4–5). e The Word became flesh, and we saw His glory     (v. 14). b No one has seen God. God the Son has     explained Him (v. 18). The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms defines “Trinity” as “the Christian church’s belief that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are three Persons in one Godhead. They share the same essence or substance. Yet they are three ‘Persons.’” By recording the signs (miracles), the testimony of witnesses, and the claims Jesus Himself makes, John gives his readers all the evidence needed in order to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the only Son of God. Eternal life is promised to those who believe in Him. 8 Jesus, the Word • Unit 1, Lesson 3 b. Exodus 33:20 c. John 8:12 d. Colossians 1:16 e. Hebrews 1:3 EXP LOR E • U N I T 1 , L E S S O N 3 Interpret | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: Philippians 2:5–8 WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? The God-Man: Philippians 2:5–8 In the opening verses of his Gospel, John tells the readers that Jesus is God; therefore, He is divine. In every Explore Lesson 3 of the Believe study, we will learn other aspects of who Jesus is and roles He fulfills. In this lesson, we will see an incomprehensible aspect of Jesus’ nature— He was also completely human! • Read Philippians 2:5–8 (NASB) and fill in the blanks of the following paraphrase to show the steps of the condescension of Jesus. He already existed in the form of   God  , but He    emptied      Himself   by taking the form of a bond-servant and being   born   in the likeness of    men   . Being found in appearance as a man, He    humbled   Himself by becoming obedient to the point of   death   on a   cross  . man (Phil. 2:8) Strong’s #: G444      Greek word: anthrōpos Strong’s Definition: man-faced, i.e. a human being Read the cross-references. Then unscramble the words that reveal ways Jesus showed His humanity. Matthew 2:11 Jesus had a human ohetrm    mother   . Luke 4:2 Jesus was emttpde    tempted   . Matthew 21:18 Jesus became grhynu   hungry  . John 19:28 Jesus became rtsytih   thirsty  . Mark 4:38 Jesus got rtide   tired  . 1 Peter 4:1 Jesus rfesfude   suffered  . John 19:30 Jesus idde   died  . No one who was only divine—God—would have the experiences Jesus had during His time on Earth. An additional passage that shows Jesus’ humanity also tells us why He took on human form. Read Hebrews 2:14–16 and answer the questions. 1. Because Jesus shared in flesh and blood/humanity, who did He help? AWV. Descendants/offspring/seed of Abraham 2. What two reasons are given for Jesus’ death? AWV • To destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil • To free those who, through fear of death, were subject to slavery all their lives 3. Why was it necessary for Jesus to be fully man, as well as fully God, in order to redeem mankind? AWV This doctrine was so important that John warned the first-century church that those who did not confess that Jesus had come in the flesh were of the spirit of antichrist (1 John 4:2–3). Unit 1, Lesson 3 • Jesus, the Word 9 NAVI G AT E • U N IT 1 , L E S S O N 4 Apply | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: John 1:1–5 and John 20:30–31 DISCOVERY DESTINATION Believe and Become a Child of God Jesus was the true Light who came into the world He had made. Yet, His own did not receive Him. However, to those who did receive Him, He gave them the right to become children of God. • Read John 1:1–18 and mark the keyword children/sons. 1. What did those who were given this right believe in (vv. 12–13)? His name 2. How were they born? AWV. Not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of a man, but of God To help you understand what children of God look and behave like, read 1 John 3:1–24. 3. Match the reference to the description or behavior. c     v. 2 a. They do not habitually practice sin. e v. 3     b. They love others. d v. 7     c. They will be made like Him when He appears for they will see Him as He is. b v.14     d. They practice righteousness, just as He is righteous. a v. 9     f     v. 24 e. They set their hope on Him. f. They have been given the Spirit. 4. According to verse 10, what is evident about the behavior of those who are not of God, children of the devil? AWV. They do not practice righteousness. They do not love their brother. Read the following verses and record what those who believe in Jesus Christ receive. 5. John 6:40 eternal/everlasting life 6. Acts 10:43 forgiveness/remission of sins 7. Galatians 4:1–5 AWV. Redemption and adoption as sons Spend time in prayer examining yourself, asking the Lord to show you if you have truly believed in Jesus Christ and have become a child of God (Gal. 3:26; 2 Cor. 13:5). Give praise and thanks to the Lord who grants us the right to be His children when we believe in His name! When we have placed our faith in Christ, we can be confident we belong to Him. The Spirit testifies with our spirit that we are children of God (Rom. 8:16). 10 Jesus, the Word • Unit 1, Lesson 4 EXP LOR E • U N I T 1 , L E S S O N 4 Apply | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: Philippians 2:5–8 THEOLOGY IN HYMNS “Hymn 2”: Isaac Watts In the Believe study, we will emphasize hymns that incorporate theology from the Gospel of John along with other parts of Scripture. We will also learn about the importance of hymnody. hymnody • According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary Definitions: 1. Hymn singing 2. Hymn writing 3. The hymns of a time, place, or church Our prayer is that you are also mindful of the theology of the hymns and songs you listen to or sing, either when alone or with the body of Christ. Three stanzas of Watts’ “Hymn 2” are anchored in our study passages from John 1 and Philippians 2. Read each of the “Hymn 2” stanzas below and match the theology with the correct passage, using the highlighted words as clues. a Ere the blue heavens were stretched abroad,     a. John 1:1 From everlasting was the Word: b. John 1:17–18 With God He was; the Word was God, And must as God be here adored. c. Philippians 2:5–8 c     But see, He leaves His home above, A body takes on earth below, That He may show His glorious love, And save us from our guilt and woe. b Mortals with joy beheld His face,     The eternal Father’s only Son; How full of Truth! How full of grace! When through His eyes the Godhead shone! Isaac Watts, the father of English hymnody, was an English Congregational minister, hymn writer, theologian, and logician. The popular and prolific songsmith is credited with over 600 hymns. Isaac’s love of books, rhyme, and verse began in infancy. At seven years old, he wrote an acrostic prayer using the letters of his name. Wash me in Thy blood, O Christ And grace divine impart. Then search and try the corners of my heart That I in all things may be fit to do Service to Thee, and Thy praise too. Isaac Watts (1674-1748) Watts would often complain to his father about the uninspired congregational singing at his church. Finally, his father responded, “Well then, young man, why don’t you give us something better to sing?”1 Young Isaac rose to the challenge by writing his first hymn for the next Sunday and continued to write a new hymn every week for the next two years. That began Watts’ lifelong joy of writing hymns that brought New Testament light to the psalms. Use the letters of your name and write an acrostic prayer to the Lord. Unit 1, Lesson 4 • Jesus, the Word 11 NAVI G AT E • U N IT 1 , L E S S O N 5 Review | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: John 1:1–5 and John 20:30–31 Complete the crossword puzzle to review this unit. ACROSS 3. The doctrine of the church that defines the Godhead as three in one 4. The word which means “to have faith in” 7. The One who became flesh and dwelt among men (two words) 9. The Greek word that John uses for Jesus that means the Divine Expression 10. The things Jesus did that John wrote about 11. The apostle John witnessed the _______ of Jesus. 12. The word which means “the endeavor to provide a reasoned account for the grounds of believing in the Christian faith” 4 6 B E L I 7 A 5 E T H 1 3 T R E 2 L I N S S A N S E H T T E W O R D 9 I G N L S F I G U R A T I O O Y 8 E L E I G U R R F E 10 O T 1. Those who believe in Jesus Christ are promised eternal _______. 2. What the children of God practice 5. The place where John likely wrote his Gospel 6. A word that means a delegate or an ambassador 8. The children of God _______ one another. P P 11 V DOWN G L O U V S E N E 12 A P O L O G E T I C S S KNOW GOD’S WORD AND MAKE HIM KNOWN Recite your memory passage, John 1:1–5 and John 20:30–31. Have you truly believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and become a child of God? No I don’t know Yes Does your life reflect that you belong to Christ? No Sometimes Wholeheartedly Are you sharing Christ with those around you? No Sometimes Wholeheartedly 12 Jesus, the Word • Unit 1, Lesson 5 S EXP LOR E • U N I T 1 , L E S S O N 5 Review | Study Passage: John 1:1–18 | Memory Passage: Philippians 2:5–8 Review the study passage, memory passages, lessons, word studies, and definitions and then answer these questions. True or False T     1. John’s purpose for writing his Gospel was so that you would believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing have life in His name. F     2. John began his Gospel writing about the birth of Jesus Christ. F     3. John the Baptist was the Light. T     4. Jesus Christ is both fully God and fully man. T     5. The apostle John witnessed Jesus’ death. Matching b     6. Those who believe in Jesus Christ are promised eternal life. a. Genesis 1:1 b. John 6:40 c     7. Jesus emptied Himself by being made in the likeness of man. c. Philippians 2:7 d. Colossians 1:16 d     8. All things came into being through Him. e. 1 John 3:24 e     9. The children of God have been given the Spirit. a 10. In the beginning God created the heavens and     the earth. Fill in the Blank 11. The word “hymnody” means hymn   singing  , hymn   writing  , and the hymns of a time, place, or church. 12. The English meaning of the Greek word anthrōpos is    man   . 13. Isaac   Watts   was the “Father of English Hymnody.” 14. The   Law   was given through Moses. 15. The   darkness   did not overcome the light. KNOW GOD’S WORD AND MAKE HIM KNOWN Recite your memory passage, Philippians 2:5–8. The Word, the Lord Jesus Christ, became flesh in order to redeem us. How can you share Christ in your love for others? Unit 1, Lesson 5 • Jesus, the Word 13 History and Geography: Footprints of Apostle John Although we have little information about John’s whereabouts between the time he left Jerusalem and when he arrived in Ephesus, historical accounts and writings of early church fathers give us insight. Eusebius wrote that when the Roman armies descended on Jerusalem in AD 66 to quell a Jewish uprising, Christians fled northeast across the Jordan River to the city of Pella. Because Scripture tells us that John held a prominent place in the church of Jerusalem, it is likely that he joined those who went to Pella. The writings of Irenaeus, a disciple of Polycarp, who was a disciple of John, verify John’s residence in Ephesus. He stated that, after Paul founded the church in Ephesus, John came and resided there, presumably after Paul’s death. Another father, Clemens Alexandrinus, says that, from Ephesus, John visited neighboring churches, appointing bishops and setting churches in order. John’s epistles speak of his travels. Between AD 81 and 96, Roman emperor Domitian often banished Christians to the island of Patmos for their Christian testimony. Both Scripture (Rev. 1:9) and Eusebius confirm that was John’s fate. Although John died a natural death, it is not certain whether he died on Patmos or was released and returned to Ephesus before his death. Using the information on page 6 (Background Study) and in the article above, complete the following activities. 1. Put a square around the city to where Christians, probably including John, fled from Jerusalem at the beginning of the Jewish uprising? Pella 2. Draw a circle around the place where John was sent for his Christian testimony and where he wrote the book of Revelation. Patmos 3. Read Revelation 1:11 to learn the names of the cities with churches where John may have ministered when he lived in Ephesus. Then fill in the blanks on the map to complete the names of those cities. Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, Laodicea 4. What direction is Ephesus, the city where John pastored, from Jerusalem? Northwest myrna 14 Jesus, the Word • Unit 1, Footprints of Apostle John rgamos hyatira rdis iladelphia phesus aodicea