Guided Study · Foundations
Who Is Jesus?
A foundational Bible study of John 1:1–18
Begin here
Christian faith does not begin with a list of principles. It begins with a Person. John opens his Gospel by telling us who Jesus is before explaining what Jesus does.
Read John 1:1–18 before continuing. Notice the names, actions, and claims John connects to Jesus. Let the text establish His identity rather than beginning with assumptions about Him.
What does God say?
The eternal Word came near
John identifies Jesus as the Word who was with God and was God. The Son did not begin to exist at Bethlehem. He is eternal, personal, divine, and active in creation.
The Word became flesh without ceasing to be God. Jesus entered the world He made and lived among us. The gospel is grounded in this historical, astonishing act of divine humility.
Which claims in these verses could not truthfully describe a merely human teacher?
What does the phrase “became flesh” protect us from misunderstanding about Jesus?
What does it mean?
Life and light are found in Him
John presents Jesus as the source of life and the true Light. Humanity’s deepest problem is not lack of information but darkness, alienation, and sin. We need God to reveal Himself and give life.
Some rejected Jesus, but those who received Him and believed in His name were given the right to become children of God. This new birth is not produced by ancestry, human effort, or personal resolve. It is God’s gracious work.
How does John distinguish receiving Christ from merely knowing facts about Him?
Where are you tempted to trust heritage, morality, or effort instead of God’s grace?
How should I live?
Receive Him and follow in the light
The proper response to Jesus is faith—receiving Him for who He truly is and entrusting yourself to Him. Faith is not vague optimism; it rests in the Son who makes the Father known.
Following Jesus begins with grace and continues by grace. A disciple learns to bring sin into His light, listen to His Word, trust His character, and obey His commands.
Who can I help?
Help someone look at Jesus
John’s opening chapter soon shows people inviting others to meet Jesus. You do not need to answer every question before helping someone take a first look at Christ.
A simple invitation to read John’s Gospel together can create room for honest questions and faithful witness.
Faithful response
Take the next step.
Write a one-paragraph answer to the question “Who is Jesus?” using only truths you observed in John 1:1–18.
Tell God honestly where you believe, doubt, resist, or need understanding.
Read the rest of John 1 and identify one next step of faith or obedience.
Help another man
Pass it on.
Invite one man to read John 1 with you this week.
Ask what the passage says about Jesus before offering your own explanation.
Pray together for God to give understanding and faith.
Continue the journey
Begin with the Gospel
Walk through the good news of Jesus Christ: who He is, why we need Him, what He accomplished, and how we respond with repentance and faith.