Bible reading (ESV)
Read John 1:14–18; 19–23; 29.
John 1:14–18
14 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.
15 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.’ ”
16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.
17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
John 1:19–23
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
John 1:29
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”
Observation questions (3–4)
- What two descriptions of Jesus does John 1:14 give, and how did the preacher describe those qualities as “100–100” (not 50–50)? What do you notice about how those two traits are linked in the passage? [05:46]
- In John 1:19–23 John states first who he is not, then who he is. What exact role name does he claim from Isaiah, and how does that shape the listener’s expectation of his work? [12:18]
- John 1:29 names Jesus “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” According to the sermon, what problem does that title address that no leader or program can fix? [18:15]
- The passage places John’s ministry in a time of spiritual silence and darkness. What specific elements in the text point to that context, and how did the preacher say that shaped John’s message and location (the wilderness)? [11:46]
Interpretation questions (3–4)
- How should a church or a disciple understand “full of grace and truth” as a standard for speaking into other people’s lives? In what ways does the text suggest these two must be held together rather than traded off? [05:46]
- What does John’s refusal to claim the Messiah (v.20) teach about integrity for someone with influence or a platform? How might that model be applied to leaders today who face pressure to build a following? [13:20]
- The preacher summarized John’s work as “prepare the way, then get out of the way.” What does the text itself imply about responsibility for results—who is responsible for the harvest—and how does that shape a faithful view of calling? [15:01]
- When John calls Jesus “the Lamb of God,” what theological link does the passage make between Jesus’ identity and atonement (sin being removed)? How does that affect the priority of preaching/discipleship as focused on Jesus rather than on moral improvement alone? [25:39]
Application questions (5–7)
- The sermon opened with: “If your life was a commercial, what are you advertising?” Identify three words people in your life would use to describe you. Do those words point to Jesus? If not, what is one concrete change you will make this week to shift that “ad”? [02:04]
- Where in your life are you currently heavy on grace and light on truth, or heavy on truth and light on grace? Pick one relationship (spouse, child, coworker) and name one specific, measurable step you will take this week to make that balance more like “100–100.” [05:46]
- Think of one area where you compare your calling to someone else’s and feel discouraged (ministry, career, family). Name that comparison and then write down one next action you will take this month to recommit to the calling God has given you. [22:13]
- Choose one relationship or context (home, work, small group) where you can “prepare the way” for Jesus. What is one faithful, ordinary act you will do this week (a concrete deed), and how will you practice “getting out of the way” so you do not chase the result? [15:01]
- Name one person in your circle who is curious about faith or far from Jesus. What is a specific, time-bound step you will take to point them to Jesus this week (invite to coffee, tell your story, pray with them, invite to a service)? [28:17]
- The preacher encouraged the prayer: “He must increase; I must decrease.” Pick one tangible area (social media use, speaking time in meetings, budgeted giving) and decide one concrete, measurable change to “decrease” yourself and make space for Jesus to increase over the next 30 days. [32:26]
- John made the core claim that only Jesus “takes away sin.” Are there places you or people you rely on for forgiveness, acceptance, or identity instead of Jesus (pastor, ritual, performance)? Identify one step to re-center that need on the Lamb this week (confession to a friend, reading John 1:29 aloud, asking for prayer). [25:39]
