Introduction to the Gospel of John

Lesson #1

With this lesson we will begin a new series of lessons from the Gospel of John. We will first look at some high points of the gospel. It was written to help those who read or heard it being read believe who Jesus Christ is and gain eternal life as a result.

From John 15:6, “If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.” we learn of the importance of an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ. And in John 8:31, Jesus said, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”

The Gospel of John was “written so that [we] may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing [we] may have life in his name” (John 20:31). John wants to awaken faith in unbelievers and to sustain faith in believers and thus lead both in the direction of eternal life.

The Gospel of John is an eyewitness account of one who loved Jesus deeply and who lived with him for three years. John, also known as the disciple whom Jesus loved, wrote as a divinely inspired witness to the events of Jesus life and what they meant for our understanding. This inspiration is from the Holy Spirit “whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26). John’s Gospel is therefore the inspired word of God.

Prayer

Father, I pray that this series of lessons from the Gospel of John would be used by the Holy Spirit as a witness of the Gospel to unbelievers and as an encouragement for believers to grow spiritually.