Text Study for Sunday, December 28, 2025

Series Theme: The Word Became Flesh

Reading: John 1:1-14

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

Remember the song, “The 12 Days of Christmas,” write down how many images you can remember.

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Jesus, Jesus, oh, what a wonderful child. Jesus, Jesus, so holy, meek, and mild; new life, new hope the child will bring. Listen to the angels sing: “Glory, glory, glory,” let the heavens ring!

Jesus, What a Wonderful Child (text: African American traditional)

CONTEXT

Our next sermon series digs into three pieces of Jesus' story. The Word Became Flesh, John’s Gospel begins differently from the others, in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. These readings remind us that God’s promises are fulfilled in Jesus and invite us to celebrate this truth during the Christmas season. What does discipleship today mean? How can we show people about Jesus? We will respond to Jesus’ call to “come and see,” sharing faith through our lives and communities. All of these stories reveal God’s love and grace, serving as a foundation of faith and a sign of Jesus’ ongoing presence and mercy for all.

From Dr Craig Koester at EntertheBible.org:

John’s Gospel presents readers with a portrait of Jesus that is at once engaging and profound. By identifying Jesus as the light of the world and good shepherd, the Gospel gives readers accessible ways to begin thinking about who Jesus is, while inviting them to go deeper, so that readers continue growing in their understanding of who Jesus is and what it means to be in relationship with God through him. The purpose of the Gospel is that people might believe, and to believe means to be in a relationship of trust in God and Jesus Christ. People were created for relationship with God, and as the Gospel tells the story of Jesus in compelling ways it helps to bring people into that relationship, which is true life.

LOOK AT THE BOOK

Merry Christmas! How is it with your spirit this week?
What was one take-away from listening to the Carry On Cast podcast that connects with this Grow Guide?
Open to John 1. Name the four gospels. Which gospel is the oldest? (Hint: it’s not John.)
John includes a different order of events from the other gospels (Mark-the oldest, Mathew, and Luke who probably had Mark’s account in hand). Notice how chapter 1 has a different way of telling the Christmas story. Why might that matter?
John 1:1 begins with Genesis in mind. Read Genesis 1:1; compare these verses?
"The Word” or logos was an idea from Greek and Jewish thought about a divine and eternal creative force, we might use the term “God,” was at work. What claim is John making to connect Jesus and logos?
The first four verses read in English like a poem. In verse four, we learn what occurs through this ‘Word.” It is repeated twice! What gift is given?
In verse five, what is another image that is used for Jesus?
How is the image of Jesus being compared to light helpful to you? Why or why not?
Many images are used to speak about Jesus throughout John (the important “I am” statements appear here). What image of Jesus speaks most to you? Why?
Six quick verses in, we meet someone other than Jesus. What do we learn about them? What do you know about this person?
We, like John the Baptist, are here to point to Jesus with our lives. How does the Easter community help point people to Jesus?
Underline verse 12. What is our primary identity in relation to God?
What does it look like to be “empowered” as verse 12 says, to love God and love others?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

TAKING IT HOME

How does Christmas empower you to love others?

Sending Prayer

Good and loving God, we rejoice in the birth of Jesus, who came among the poor to bring the riches of your grace. As you have blessed us with your gifts, let them be a blessing for others. With all of creation, we rejoice at the coming of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grow Guide | December 28, 2025