John 1:1-8

The first eighteen verses of the Gospel of John are unlike anything else in the New Testament. This section is certainly much different than the introductory sentences in the other gospels. It serves both as an introduction to many of the key ideas John will present regarding Jesus, and, therefore, is like a summary of the Gospel, and it is also a poetic, spiritually rich introduction to some very profound, deep ideas about Jesus, God, creation and our experience of God as believers in the Word.

As you read John 1:1-18, reflect on who Jesus is in relation to the word, "Word." What is the relation between the Word and God? What is the relation between the Word and creation? What does "light" reference in these verses; and "true light"? What does it mean to receive Him and believe in Him? Where in these verses do you see the ideas of witness and testifying? What are grace and truth all about? Look at several different translations of John 1:18, and look at the footnotes that often accompany this verse. What do you learn by looking at these different translations?