Bible Reading
John 1:1-18 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'") For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.”
[02:01]1 John 3:10-18 “By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
[31:59]Luke 15:11-32 “And he said, "There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate. Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!' And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.”
[23:55]Observation questions
- In John 1:1–18, what contrasts stand out between Jesus’ relationship to creation and the way people responded to him? [06:42]
- In John 1:12–13, what distinguishes becoming God’s child from belonging to an earthly family? What does John say about receiving Jesus and believing in him? [12:16]
- In Luke 15:11–32, how does the father respond differently to each son, and what do his actions toward both sons have in common? [26:24]
- In 1 John 3:10–18, what attitudes and actions distinguish love from hatred? What practical needs does John draw attention to?
Interpretation questions
- John 1:14–18 connects Jesus becoming human with making the Father known. Why does Jesus’ life give a clearer picture of God’s character than someone’s experience of an earthly father? [10:05]
- John 1:12–13 places belief in Jesus alongside birth that begins with God. How does holding these truths together challenge someone who relies on a Christian family background for their relationship with God? [13:58]
- In Luke 15:11–32, how does the older brother’s response reveal a misunderstanding of his father’s heart? What happens when someone treats faithful obedience as a reason another person should receive less mercy? [25:12]
- In 1 John 3:14–18, love is evidence of new life rather than simply a feeling. How does Jesus’ sacrifice explain why ignoring a fellow believer’s needs is more serious than a difference in personality? [34:28]
Application questions
- God’s fatherhood is not a repetition of an earthly father’s failures. As much as you feel comfortable sharing, what experience has made it easier or harder for you to trust him? What part of his character do you need to hold onto in a situation you face now? [41:31]
- The father welcomed the returning son rather than turning him away in shame. Is there something you have been reluctant to bring honestly to God? How might his grace help you take a step toward confession and repentance? [23:55]
- When have you found yourself reacting like the older brother—resenting kindness shown to someone whose choices have hurt others? What might it look like to bring that resentment to the Father rather than let it shape how you treat that person? [25:12]
- Think of a brother or sister in Christ you find difficult to love. Without naming them, what tends to become your reason for keeping your distance? What practical act of care could you offer this week, and where would you need God’s help? [42:28]
- God’s forgiveness is grace, not something earned. Is there a hurt where you find yourself waiting for someone to deserve your forgiveness? How might remembering God’s mercy toward you help you take a step toward forgiveness, while still being honest about the harm? [43:44]
- What is one specific step you sense God inviting you to take toward loving one of his children? What support would help, and is there someone you trust who could pray for you and check in with you this week? Share only what you feel comfortable sharing. [49:37]
