Johns Daily Study Guide
12/16 - 1 John 1 & Read the Introductions
Look at the vocabulary list on the “introduction to the Johns” page and mark those words you see in 1 John 1. What do these images make you think about / feel?
What does it mean to “confess”? Why do you think it’s so significant in verse 9 that we “confess our sins”?
In verse 10, John says that to “say we have not sinned” is to misrepresent who God is. Verse 5 implies that God is perfect. Take a moment to reflect and think about where/when in your life you misrepresent God, by thinking or acting contrary to his character. Pray and confess that sin to God.
Optional extra content: Listen to John 1:1-5 by The Corner Room
12/17 - John 13
The reading plan is structured in this way (starting at the beginning of John’s letters but in the middle of his Gospel) to help us see the themes which pervade all of John’s writings, and especially the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17) which is part of the climax of his Gospel just before Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Look through 1 John 1 again. What words or ideas can you see in both today’s reading and yesterday’s? How does one chapter’s usage of a word clarify the other’s usage?
It is remarkable that Jesus knows that he is about to be betrayed, and to suffer so extremely, and yet still takes time to serve his disciples. He places a very high priority on serving others, even above his own interests. Wherever you are, what are some ways in which you can humbly serve others over this break? Make a plan/resolve to do some of those things.
What do you think it means when Jesus says in verse 31, “the Son of Man [is] glorified, and God is glorified in him”? That is, what does God’s glory have to do with the things he has told his disciples and the crucifixion about to take place?
Optional extra content: Read Philippians 2:1-13 for the apostle Paul’s explanation of Jesus’s humility and service to others.
12/18 - 1 John 2
The word “antichrist” is a combination of two Greek words simply meaning “against [Jesus] Christ.” Sometimes the “antichrist” is spoken of as one historical person, but John (also in chapter 4) just means a generic person who “denies the Father and the Son” (2:22).
After reading chapter 2, glance back at chapter 1 again and look for similar terms. 1 John is very hard to outline because he often returns to previous terms/arguments to develop them further, and doesn’t write in a very linear way. What new information does he say about those terms in this chapter? (e.g., truth/lying, light/darkness)
Chapter 1 said “God is light” (v. 5) and is “in the light” (v. 7); how does that inform our understanding of this chapter, i.e. verses 8-11?
1:8 already said that, even among Christians, all are sinful. What then does 2:5 mean, when it says that “whoever keeps [God’s] word, in him truly the love of God is perfected?”
Optional extra content: Piper Verse Lab - Who are the antichrists?Optional extra content: Piper Verse Lab - Can a true Christian Fall Away From God?
12/19 - John 14 & 15
Much of chapter 14 is Jesus reassuring his disciples that he will guide and protect them, even though they clearly don’t understand what’s going on or what he’s saying. Have you ever felt lost or confused as the disciples seem to in this chapter? What do you turn to for guidance or protection?
The Holy Spirit is a big part of Jesus’ guarantee to guide and be with us. He is mentioned at the end of both chapters 14 (v. 26) and 15 (v. 26). What is the role of the Holy Spirit as Jesus describes him in these chapters?
In 15:15, Jesus says, “no longer do I call you servants, … but I have called you friends.” What is the difference between being a servant and being a friend? How should our relationship and interactions with Jesus change based on the fact that we who believe in him are his friends?
Optional extra content: If you haven’t before, take some time to start memorizing John 14:6 and/or John 15:5. These are important statements about Jesus’ identity and our relation to him, but also short and memorable. A helpful (free!) tool for beginning Bible memorization is biblememory.com
12/20 - 1 John 3
Yesterday we read that Jesus called his disciples “friends.” Today we read that we are called “children of God” the Father (v. 1-2). What are the differences and similarities between these relationships? What about these relationships can you be grateful to God for? (Also, this relates to the Holy Spirit -- read Romans 8:12-17!)
The middle portion of this chapter is about the “practice of sinning”--it does not say that the Christian never sins at all, but that he or she repents from sin and does not make a consistent, recurring practice of it. What is a sin (or sins) that you need to repent of? Pray to God and confess those, and plan to turn from them.
Reread verses 19-20. Following Jesus means believing in him and turning from sin; but it is also true that our salvation depends on God alone, not on ourselves. “God is greater than our hearts.” Is that reassuring to you? Why or why not?
Reread verses 21-24. How does v. 24 relate to Jesus teaching us to “abide” in John 15? “His commandment” is that we “believe” and “love.” Which of these is harder for you? Pray and ask God for help to draw closer to him and others in these ways.
Optional extra content: Listen to The Practice of Sinning by Jay Bauman
12/21 - Corporate Worship & Catch-Up Day
John’s letters and Gospel state lots of fundamental truths about God’s nature, our relationship with God, and our relationships with each other. During each catch-up day, consider choosing a verse from the past week’s readings which is relevant to your life or understanding of God, and begin to memorize it over the next week.
12/22 - John 16
“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.” Why could it be better that the Helper (Holy Spirit) come, rather than Jesus always be with us? Where else in Scripture supports that God’s Spirit with us is “better” than God’s Son?
In v. 25 Jesus says, “I have said these things to you in figures of speech.” Read Matthew 13:10-17. Why does Jesus sometimes speak in unclear terms? What does that imply about his knowledge of people’s hearts?
What does it mean in v. 33 that Jesus “ha[s] overcome the world”? How can that news provide confidence, comfort, assurance?
Optional extra content: John 14-16 give a great explanation of the person of the Holy Spirit. Write down every attribute of the Holy Spirit you see here. Additionally read the following: 2 Corinthians 5:4-5, Romans 8:12-17, 1 Corinthians 2:6-16, 1 Peter 1:10-12
12/23 - 1 John 4
Verses 1-6 describe how to discern between words from God versus words from “the world” (sinful humanity). What does it mean that we who “are from God” “have overcome them”? How is this possible? (Hint: look at the end of verse 4)
Look at this definition for the Greek word translated as “love” in this verse. What then does it mean that “God is love”? How does that apply to you, personally? As in verse 11, how can you practically reflect this love to others?
Optional extra content: C.S. Lewis on “agape” love as adapted from his novel “the four loves”. Follow the links on youtube if you are interested in his explanations of the other three.
12/24 - John 17
Jesus prays that God would “keep them in your name, … that they may be one, even as we are one” (v. 11). We are called by Jesus to be united in his name. What is a way, during this break and going back to school, that you can seek unity with other Christians in Jesus’ name?
He also asks, “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one” (v. 15). Why might it be a good thing that we remain in the world, and still experience difficulties? How can we take confidence that God will ultimately protect us even amidst our troubles?
Starting in v. 20, Jesus prays to the Father not just for his apostles, but also for those who believe because of their testimony. What is written in the Bible is included in “their word”-- meaning we are a part of that group, and Jesus is praying for us! What does it mean to you that there’s record, in the Bible, of Jesus praying for you personally?
Optional extra content: This is one of Jesus’s prayers in scripture. Read Jesus’s other prayers in Mathew 6:9-13, Matthew 26:36-46, Luke 23:34-46, and John 11:41-42.
12/25 - 1 John 5 (Merry Christmas)
Why does John say that God’s “commands are not burdensome” (v. 3)? Does this seem true to you? Why or why not?
The end of the letter has a series of short reminders (13-15, 16-17, 18, 19, and 20-21) about who God is and who we are in him. Which of these stands out the most to you? Which is most encouraging to you?
It is Christmas! Take some time to reflect on the birth of Jesus Christ; if you’d like, read Luke 2. How does Jesus coming into the world relate to the themes we’ve been seeing in John’s letters and Gospel? (Light vs. darkness; life/birth vs. death; law vs. grace)
Optional extra content: Read this Devotional written by a BSMer on themes from 1 John. Compare to 1 John 5:1-5.
12/26 - John 18
Reread verse 11. Jesus asks, “shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?” He is speaking about God’s wrath that he is about to bear on the cross. Why is it important that God is sovereign over Jesus’ death for sin? What does this text say about Jesus’ submission to the Father?
What does it mean to be “of the truth” in verse 37? Consider the ways in your life that you are of the truth and are not of the truth. Praise God for the ways you are, and confess to God the ways you are not.
Reread 1 John 2:20-23 for added context if help is needed.
Jesus states that His kingdom is “not of this world.” Why is this important for us who live in the world? Do you find yourself living in view of an eternal kingdom or not?
This is also mentioned in John 15:18-25. Look back for added context.
Optional extra content: Article - The Tragedy of Judas
12/27 - John 19
Because many Christians know this chapter well, it can be easy to become numb to its realities. Pray to God that the full weight of Jesus’ death would be on your heart. What does it mean to rightly mourn the death of Christ? As you do this, do not lose sight of the hope found in His resurrection.
Read Hebrews 12:1-3 as you consider the resurrection.
In this chapter, Jesus is often referred to and arrayed as a King to mock him. This was done to mock Him, but we who are in Christ know him as the true King. What does it mean to us that Jesus is the true King?
Zechariah 9:9-13 is a great Old Testament passage looking towards the true King.
John quotes directly from Psalm 22 in John 19:24. Go and read Psalm 22. Find the places where Jesus directly fulfills certain events and consider how He fulfills the Psalm as a whole. How does John’s account of His death give further meaning to the Psalm?
Write them in the corner of your journal next to where you see them fulfilled in John 18.
Optional extra content: This chapter references Psalm 34:20, Zechariah 12:10, and Psalm 22:18. Read Psalm 22, Psalm 34:18-22, and Zechariah 12:7-10. How do these forsee Jesus’s death for sin?
12/28 - Corporate Worship & Catch-Up Day
12/29 - John 20-21
In this chapter, John focuses heavily on how people responded to Jesus’ resurrection (John, Peter, Mary, Thomas). They respond in belief that leads to worship. Reflect on when you first believed. What feelings does it bring about? Praise God for bringing you to belief!
Verses 20:30-31 provide a clear thesis statement for the Gospel of John as a whole: “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” Look back on the previous chapters and pick a story that stood out to you. How does this example build out John’s thesis?
How is it perfectly fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus?
In Peter’s conversation with Jesus, Jesus continually asks him, “Do you love me?” to which Peter always answers yes. Jesus then charges Peter to “feed” and “tend” His sheep. The command applies specifically to Peter, but the concept is applicable to us as well. As winter break continues, how can you care for Jesus’ “sheep?”
Is there someone whom God has entrusted you to support/care for at home? At school?
In verse 21:22, Jesus reminds Peter of the importance of trusting in His will and following Him. Why is it often difficult to surrender to Jesus’ will? What aspects of life is this most difficult? Pray that you would not be tempted to trust in yourself in those areas.
Optional extra content: John Newton’s Poem - Lovest Thout Me
12/30 - 2 John
What seems to be the main point John is communicating in this letter?
What does the letter say about God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)? How does that relate to our relationship with God?
Are there any commands or warnings in this letter that can apply to your life today? Take a few minutes to pray and ask God to help you to apply what you learn.
Optional extra content: TBD
12/31 - 3 John
Congrats on reading an entire book of the Bible today! That’s a good way to end the year.
What seems to be the main point John is communicating in this letter?
What does this letter say about the relationships between people in the Church, the body of Christ? How does the letter tie that to our relationship with God?
Much of this letter has to do with submission to (or rejection of) authority in a local church. What does it look like in your life to respect and honor pastors, elders, and other authority in your church?
Reread verses 13-14. Have you ever felt this way about Christian community? In what ways is the community you are part of based on Christ? Pray and thank God for his guidance toward Jesus in that group.
Optional extra content:
1/1 - John 1
John 1 is notoriously hard to read and understand. Hopefully after reading about similar themes in 1 John and in the latter half of John, John 1 will feel intuitive. I’d encourage you to flip to 1 John as you read things that are familiar.
Read Genesis 1:1-5 & 1 John 1:1-10. How do these compare to John 1:1-18? Write similar ideas to John 1 in the margins of your scripture journal.
John introduces Jesus through Jesus’s forerunner John the Baptist (not the same as the writer of the book - John the disciple). What specifically do you learn about Jesus from John’s testimony?
Andrew invites his brother Peter to meet Jesus and Phillip urges Nathanael to meet Jesus. Who is a family member or friend of yours that needs to know Jesus? Pray for them. Pray you would have the opportunity to talk to them about Jesus.
Jesus quotes a dream that the Patriarch Jacob had in Genesis 28:10-17, of angels ascending and descending on a staircase to heaven. Jesus replaces the word stairway with “Son of Man”, referring to himself. What do you think this implies about who Jesus is?
Optional extra content: Listen to “in the Beginning was Love” by John Guerra
Optional extra content: Bible Project Visual Breakdown of John 1:1-18
1/2 - John 2
The wedding of Cana is the first of Jesus’s signs, meant to manifest his glory and help people believe in him. How does this sign reveal some part of Jesus’s death and resurrection to forgive sins? (think about the purification jars and what wine could symbolize.)
Jesus refers to his hour as “not yet come” many times (John 2:4, 4:21, 5:28, 7:6, 7:30, 8:20, 12:23, 16:2, 16:25), until he says that “the hour has come” (John 17:1, 19:27). What do you think Jesus means when he says, “My hour has not yet come.”?
Jesus has a zeal for his Father’s house (the temple), but also refers to the temple as his own body. What does it mean that it will be destroyed and raised up three days later?
Optional extra content: “The Wedding at Cana” by Paolo Veronese. This painting is from 1563 and the clothing and setting are “updated” by the painter so that they will not look totally foreign to its viewers. Many in this era were illiterate, so some of their primary exposure to Biblical stories was through art, which was often adapted from the Bible to make it more understandable for their context. This painting is displayed in the Louvre in Paris, opposite the Mona Lisa.
1/3 - John 3
What does it mean to be born of the water and the Spirit? This reflects what is said by John the baptist in John 1:26 and what is later expounded on in 1 John 5:1-8. What do water, Spirit, and blood symbolize?
Jesus references Moses healing with a raised bronze serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4-9), and the figure of the son of man descending from heaven (Daniel 7:13). Why do you think Jesus would use these old testament references with the Pharisee Nicodemus?
Verse 19 states that people love the darkness because they do not want their works to be exposed, but whoever does what is true comes into the light. Today is the best day to begin exposing those parts of your life you have tried to hide. Spend some time today confessing your sins to God. Consider if there is another person in your life you could confess to in order to secure in your own conscience that you have stepped into the light.
John the baptist says “He must increase, but I must decrease”. What are some specific ways you can magnify Jesus’s greatness by humbling yourself?
What does someone have to do to have eternal life according to John 3?
Optional extra content: TBD
1/4 - Corporate Worship & Catch-Up Day
Jesus makes seven “I AM” statements in the book of John.
“I AM the bread of life” (John 6:35, 47-51)
“I AM the light of the world” (John 8:12,9:45)
“I AM the door” (John 10:7-10)
“I AM the good shepherd” (John 10:11-18)
“I AM the resurrection and the life” (John 11:21-27, 41-44)
“I AM the way the truth and the life” (John 14:1-7)
“I AM the true vine” (John 15:1-11)
In John 8:56-59 Jesus answers a group of Jews, “Before Abarahm was born I AM!” At this the Jews were violent towards Jesus, intending to kill him by stoning, because they clearly understood that Jesus was attributing to himself the holy name of God, given to Moses in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14). This is the name “YHWH”, “Yahweh”, or “Jehovah”, that is often written “LORD” in English translations. These are transliterations of the Hebrew phrase that literally means “I am who I am” (Exodus 3:14). The seven statements above reveal something about Jesus’s divine nature. Pick your favorite I AM statement and spend time meditating on it. One good way to do this is by drawing the image Jesus gives.
1/5 - John 4
How can
1/6 - John 5-6
While the firsrs with a true love from God?
Optional Extra Content: Poem - John Newton’s The Disciples at Sea
1/7 - John 7-8
While Romans 13:8-10
1/8 - John 9-10
JOHN 9 QUESTIONS TBD
In verse 7, Jesus calls Himself the “gate for the sheep” and in verse 11 “the good shepherd.” What does He mean when He gives Himself these titles? What does this mean about how we relate to Him as “sheep”?
Reread verse 16. What do you think Jesus means when He talks about the “other sheep that are not of this fold”? (Hint: Galatians 3:26-29) As gentiles we were all at one time outside of Christ’s fold. Who in your life doesn’t believe in Jesus or feels far from Jesus? Pray for them.
Reread verses 25-30. Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” What does it mean to hear Jesus’ voice? (You can look other passages in scripture like Psalm 119:9-116). In what ways have you struggled with this (past or present)? In what ways can you be more attentive to what Jesus is saying to you? Pray over this.
Optional Extra Content: TBD
1/9 - John 11-12
In verses 11:9-10, Jesus says, “If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” What do you think Jesus means when he talks about walking in the daytime, and what does it mean for you to walk in the light in your own life? (See 1 John 1:5-10)
Reread verses 10:32-37. This section describes Jesus being “deeply moved” by the sorrow of His friends. What does this tell us about Jesus’ nature as a human although he is also the Son of God? What can passage this tell us about the way Jesus sees us and the sorrows in our lives?
Jesus brings Lazarus back from the dead. Earlier, in verses 10:25-26 of this passage, Jesus says “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.” In the same way that Jesus has brought Lazarus back from his physical death, He also has brought us back from our spiritual death. What can this passage and other parts of scripture (such as John 3) tell us about this? Pray and thank God for his power over death!
Reread verses 11:1-8, specifically with a focus on verses 7 and 8. What do you think Jesus means when he talks about the “day of my burial”? In what ways can we give up what is valuable to us to Jesus in the way that Mary did?
In verse 11:25, Jesus says, “Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.” Based on this passage and other things we know from scripture, what does this verse mean for us in our walk with Jesus? Pray about this.
In verse 11:46, Jesus says, “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.” In what areas has Jesus brought light into your world after following? (John 1:1-14) In what ways is it still tempting to stay in the darkness? (John 3:19) Pray over these things and thank God for the light he provides us.
Optional extra content: TBD
1/10 - Catch-Up Day (+ Reflection Questions)
For the next few questions, you may want a blank piece of paper and something to write with.
Look back at Jesus’ “I am” statements in the Gospel of John (6:35; 8:12; 10:7, 11; 11:25; 14:6; 15:1). Which of these statements is most memorable to you? Which seems most important in your life right now?
Refresh yourself on the last two chapters of John’s Gospel. The disciple Thomas’ story is a good pointer toward belief; Peter’s story, at the end, is a good pointer toward repentance. 1 John 1:9 says, “if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” What do you need to repent from, to turn to God in belief? If you’re able, pray to him now for those things.
John’s Gospel has shown Jesus’ ability to heal diseases, cure spiritual sickness, defeat demons, and even raise from the dead. When people saw these things, the right response was to go away rejoicing and praising God. What has God done in your life, over the last semester or during winter break, which you can thank/praise him for?
Look back at the examples Jesus gives of prayer to the Father (namely in ch. 17). Of course we cannot follow Jesus’ example perfectly in all things, since he is perfect and is God. Nonetheless, which parts of his example could you follow today?
Take some time to pray to God about all of these things. Praise him for his righteous character; thank him for his mercy on us despite our sinfulness; repent / ask for forgiveness for your shortcomings; and ask him to help you going into this next semester.
We will likewise be praying for you, as we all kick off Spring 2027 at UT! See you soon! :)
1/11 - Corporate Worship & Catch-Up Day
1/12 - First day of Class!
Have a good semester! Pray today and commit your semester to the Lord.
“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” (Psalm 37:4-6 ESV)