Notes
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.
So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’”
From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.
John 1:1-18
Transitions are great times to lay foundations. It’s a time to let the seeds of God’s Word take root and begin to work through you. Jesus came to illuminate the path of life so that we don’t have to walk in the dark. He reveals the Creator to us so that through Him, we can be revived.
To have revival in your heart, understand these three things about our Creator:
1) God Has A Plan
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Colossians 3:23
The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it … So the Lord God formed from the ground all the wild animals and all the birds of the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would call them, and the man chose a name for each one. He gave names to all the livestock, all the birds of the sky, and all the wild animals. But still there was no helper just right for him.
Genesis 2:15, 19-20
God breathed life into you physically, and Jesus came to breathe life into you spiritually. He has a plan, and that plan involves us - we’re here to manage and multiply what God has given to us, and manage and multiply it for His glory.
2) God Has Not Given Up On Us
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
Ephesians 2:1-5
God is bigger than our sin. He is bigger than any darkness the enemy creates. Our disobedience may have separated us from God, but God sent Jesus to bring us back into His love and His family. His desire is to bring light into your life.
3) God Prevails
The generous will prosper; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
Our Creator is a conqueror. When we participate with what God created us to do and refresh others, we will also be refreshed. Nothing the enemy does can ever overtake the light of God.
Group Questions
- How does Jesus illuminate the path of life?
- What is God’s plan for His people?
- Why did God send Jesus to live as a human?
- How can you refresh others this week?
Prayer
God, start a revival in our lives. Make our spirits come alive and help us to be people who live by faith in who you are and what you have done.