DAY ONE-Chap 1 & 2 Engaging the Bible: 10 Days Through The Gospel of John.

A Little Background Info

The Gospel of John focuses on the miraculous works and nature of Jesus surrounding his ministry.  John is very intentional in retelling the events of Jesus' ministry and of all the miracles Jesus performed, he hand-picked seven of them to prove his point.  You will, or have read the first miracle in chapter 2.  What was his point in selecting seven specific miracles?  He tells us in John 20:30-31,

John 20:30-31 NLT  The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book.  (31)  But these are written 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.

As you read through the Gospel of John keep in mind his overall purpose "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."  

Remember I said John specifically records seven miracles of Jesus.  I'll give you the chapters where they are found.  Number them in the margins of your Bible when you come across them in chapters 2,4,5,6 (two miracles), 9, and 11.  

When you come across each miracle it is important to ask yourself:

    "Why did John pick this miracle to include?"  

    "What is its significance?"  

    "How is this miracle different from the others?"

    "How does it give evidence that Jesus is God?"  

    "In what ways does this miracle increase my faith to believe in Christ as my Savior and Lord?" 

Ponder these questions often. Don't read past the miracles and miss out on the significance.

Next I will give a little insight to each chapter you have read.  I do not intend to comment on everything in every chapter, just highlights and points of significance. 

Chapter One

John makes it clear from the beginning that Jesus was more than a great prophet that performed mighty miracles on behalf of God.  Jesus was God and with God from the very beginning. To capture this point read 1:1-3 and then 1:14 together.  

Chapter Two

The first of seven miracles of Jesus.  Ponder the questions above when you read of a miracle.