As Christ-followers we get to bear witness about Christ to people lost in the darkness!
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SERMON NOTES:
John 1:6-13
As Christ-followers we get to bear witness about Christ to people lost in the darkness!
The Witness: John was sent by God to bear witness about the Light. (6-8)
The Testimony: The true Light provides the only way to become a child of God. (9-13)
Do you embrace the testimony?
Do you embrace your role as a witness?
study questions:
1. Read John 1:6. The John mentioned here is not the author of this book. Who is this John and how is he related to Jesus (see Luke 1:36, 57-66)? How do the circumstances of John’s birth give us deeper understanding into the fact that John is “sent from God”? Why do you think it is significant that John is “sent from God”?
2. Read John 1:7-8. What was John’s purpose or role in relation to the coming of Jesus? What does it mean to be a “witness” in our culture today? How does the role of a witness in our culture compare to the role of John as a witness? What was the ultimate goal of John being a witness (see vs. 7) and how does this goal compare to the purpose of the Gospel of John (see John 20:31)?
3. Read John 1:9-11. What terms are used to describe Jesus in these verses? How does the world respond to Jesus? Who are “his own people” and how did they respond to Jesus? Why do you think the world and “his own people” responded to Jesus in this way? Do the people in our world today respond to Jesus in a similar way? Why or why not?
4. Read John 1:12-13. According to verse 12 what two things are necessary to become a child of God? Why are both of these things necessary? How can these two things help us to share Christ effectively in our southern culture where many would claim to believe in Jesus? How does the imagery of being born contribute to our understanding of becoming a child of God and a Christian.
5. So what? Take a few minutes and brainstorm (alone and/or as a group) to make a list of all the ways we can be a witness for Christ. Of the list you have made, in which area do you think you are doing best? Where do you have the most room for improvement? What is one thing you can do this week to be a more effective witness for Christ? Take time to pray individually and/or as a group asking God to use you to be a witness for Christ.