READING THE BOOK OF JOHN REGULARLY IS A GOOD IDEA

Summary: The Book of John is often considered a great starting point for studying the Bible because it explicitly emphasizes Jesus’ divinity. It presents Him as the Son of God and focuses on His identity and teachings in a clear and personal way, making it easier to understand the core message of Christianity.

The Bible can seem like a big, overwhelming, sometimes highly confusing book. So, people who are reading the Bible wonder where to start. Do they start in Genesis? Is it something they can open and dive into from any page? Do I go for the Old Testament first or the New Testament? What is the best order to read the gospels?

While there is no one way to read the Bible, the book of John is a good place to start if you are new to the faith or to regularly reread if you have been a Christian for years. The book of John points to Jesus. From the very first verse we are left in no doubt that Jesus is the divine Son, sent from God, sharing the nature of God.

John had a special relationship with Jesus and is known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved. “ John was one of Jesus’ closest disciples and a witness to many of Jesus’s most important events. John sat close to Jesus at the Last Supper. He was at the foot of the cross when Jesus died, ran to the tomb after Jesus’s resurrection to confirm that it was empty, and saw the resurrected Jesus.

John has a purpose and an agenda when writing the book. It’s not hidden, but he buries the lead: he tells you at the end of the book. John’s explicit purpose for writing is “…so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name” (John 20:31).

The Gospel of John is not an information dump. It is meant to be more than just a string of events or a Biblical textbook. It’s intended to make you look inward at your heart, challenge your assumptions, and draw you into a relationship with a living God. The book is meant to motivate you and direct you to God. John wants you to find Jesus so compelling that you don’t want to let go.

We all have best friends. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend is always loyal…” The story of David and Jonathan is an example of deep, enduring friendship; highlighting the responsibility to be a good friend by listening, encouraging, and being present in times of need, while also recognizing that our ultimate best friend is God who is always with us.

Read the gospel of John from the perspective of a best friend who desperately wants you to know how amazing their person is and to join them in a relationship that will lead you to a better life. Jesus left you the words of one of His closest friends so you could get to know Him… and believe.

Discussion Questions:

Have you read the book of John? How can this book help you be more like Jesus?