First Principles · Pilot Edition · Study 2 of 11
A self-guided Bible study. Read the passages for yourself, then write down your own answers, questions and conclusions.
Day 1
• John 1:1 - Read NIV on YouVersion
• John 1:14 - Read NIV on YouVersion
1. What claims does John make about Jesus?
2. What does it mean that 'the Word became flesh'?
3. How is Jesus described in verse 14?
4. What questions do these verses raise for you?
Who do I currently think Jesus is? Why?
Day 2
• John 2:13-17 - Read NIV on YouVersion
1. What does Jesus see happening?
2. How does He respond?
3. What appears to matter deeply to Him?
4. Does anything in this picture of Jesus surprise you?
What does this passage add to my picture of Jesus?
Day 3
• John 3:1-16 - Read NIV on YouVersion
• John 7:50-51 - Read NIV on YouVersion
• John 19:38-39 - Read NIV on YouVersion
1. What do you learn about Nicodemus when he first meets Jesus?
2. What does Jesus challenge him to understand?
3. How does Nicodemus appear later in John's Gospel?
4. What seems to have changed?
What might cause someone's view of Jesus to change over time?
What questions about Jesus would I like to keep exploring, and how could I investigate them?
Day 4
• John 6:35 - Read NIV on YouVersion
• John 8:12 - Read NIV on YouVersion
• John 10:11 - Read NIV on YouVersion
• John 11:25 - Read NIV on YouVersion
1. What images does Jesus use to describe Himself?
2. What does each image suggest?
3. Are these ordinary claims for a religious teacher to make?
4. What do you think Jesus wanted His listeners to conclude?
Which of Jesus' descriptions of Himself speaks most directly to a need in my life? How might I respond?
Day 5
• John 14:1-6 - Read NIV on YouVersion
1. What does Jesus tell His followers not to do?
2. What hope does He give them?
3. What does Jesus say about Himself in verse 6?
4. What do you think that claim means?
If Jesus' claims are true, what difference would that make?
What would trusting Jesus as the way to the Father mean for my own choices?
Day 6
• John 4:1-42 - Read NIV on YouVersion
1. How does Jesus treat the woman?
2. What does He know about her?
3. What difficult subjects does He discuss honestly?
4. Why does she eventually tell other people about Him?
5. How do their attitudes towards Jesus change?
What could I learn from the way Jesus treats this woman, and how could I put that into practice?
Day 7
• Hebrews 2:17-18 - Read NIV on YouVersion
• Hebrews 4:15-16 - Read NIV on YouVersion
• 1 John 2:5-6 - Read NIV on YouVersion
1. What have you learned about Jesus this week?
2. What do you admire?
3. What troubles or puzzles you?
4. Do you want to know Him better? Why or why not?
What is one way I could follow Jesus' example this week? What help might I need?