Text Study for Sunday, January 11, 2026

Series Theme: The Word Became Flesh

Reading: John 1:25-34

CONNECTING QUESTIONS

Google Country singer Kenny Chesney’s song, “Baptism.” What lyric stands out?

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

Happy New Year! 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 an interesting version of the baptism story. What do you know about your baptism story?
Who is someone who pointed you to Jesus—intentionally or unintentionally?
This passage makes John the Baptist front and center in chapter 1. What do you know about him?
Like Jesus will experience, the religious leaders of the day did not understand what John was doing and were sent to question him. What are they asking?
Baptism is not a uniquely Christian tradition. Other communities used “baptism” to signify other things. What do you think makes Christian baptism unique? Think about baptisms you have witnessed at Easter.
How does John answer their question in verse 26-27?
Open a Bible map to find Bethany. What do you notice about its geography where John was baptizing?
The second scene in the passage has Jesus arriving center stage. What does John call him? What do you think that term means? (Google, “scapegoat”)
In verse 32, what is John doing? (What is the first verb in your translation?)
We don’t get a full explantion of Jesus’ baptism; we get a testimony from John about Jesus’ baptism. This makes John unique from the other three gospels.
Who is present that John notes first during Jesus’s baptism?
We, like John the Baptist, are here to point to Jesus with our lives. How does the Easter community help point people to Jesus?
Baptism is about our identity as a beloved child of God and connects us to Jesus’s life, death and resurrection. When might we be needed to be reminded of this core truth?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

TAKING IT HOME

Thank someone who points you to Jesus. If someone is struggling, what words of support can you show up with to encourage them?

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 | Jan 11, 2026