- Insight from Butler’s Daily Bible Reading: John 1—Word. •Prologue of the Word: the first five verses of John are the greatest introduction of Christ found in Scripture. They tell of the relationship of Christ (the Word) to God (He is God), to the galaxies (He created them), and to the Gospel (He is the Savior). •Proclamation of the Word: the work of John the Baptist which included his calling (“sent to bear witness of that light”); his clarification (he was not the Christ but was inferior to Him); his communication (Christ is the Lamb of God). •Pursuit of the Word: by early disciples. It involved the inspiring of the pursuit (the preaching of John the Baptist), inquiry in the pursuit (Christ was asked where He lived), instructing of the pursuers (Christ showed them where He lived and convinced them He was the Messiah), and increase in pursuers (first disciples win others to Christ).
Jack Gutknecht — Edited
SECTION OUTLINE ONE (JOHN 1) John begins his Gospel by talking about the deity of Christ, then describes the ministry of John the Baptist. Jesus is baptized and calls his first disciples. I. FACTS CONCERNING THE PREINCARNATE CHRIST (John 1:1-5) A. His relationship to the Father (John 1:1-2) 1. Christ's eternality is declared (John 1:1a, 2): He already existed in the beginning. 2. Christ's deity is declared (John 1:1b): He is God. B. His relationship to the world (John 1:3-5) 1. He is the sole creator (John 1:3): Nothing exists that he didn't make. 2. He is light and life (John 1:4-5): His life gives light to everyone, and the darkness cannot extinguish it. II. FACTS CONCERNING THE INCARNATE CHRIST (John 1:6-51) A. The miracle (John 1:14): God became human and lived on earth among us! B. The mission (John 1:10-13): He came to save sinners. 1. Some rejected him (John 1:10-11): The world and even the people in his own country did not understand him. 2. Some received him (John 1:12-13): Those who believed him became children of God. C. The men (John 1:6-9, 15-51) 1. Christ's faithful forerunner (John 1:6-9, 15-34) a. John the Baptist and the crowds (John 1:6-9, 15-18): John makes three key statements to the people. (1) He is to serve as a witness to Christ (John 1:6-9). (2) Christ is greater than John or Moses (John 1:15-17). b. John the Baptist and the critics (John 1:19-28): John speaks to the Pharisees who are sent to cross-examine him. (1) John says that he is not the Messiah (John 1:19-20). (2) John says that he is not Elijah (John 1:21). (3) John says that he has been sent to prepare the way for the Lord (John 1:22-28). c. John the Baptist and the Christ (John 1:29-34) (1) He introduces the Savior (John 1:29-31). (2) He baptizes the Savior (John 1:32-34). 2. Christ's first five followers (John 1:35-51) a. Andrew and John the apostle (John 1:35-39) b. Peter (John 1:40-42) c. Philip (John 1:43) d. Nathanael (John 1:44-51) ~Harold Wilmington The Chapters of John