English Standard Version

John PART 1

THE WORD BECAME FLESH

(CHAPTERS 1–11)

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 PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT®
English Standard Version

JOHN
PART 1
THE WORD BECAME FLESH
(CHAPTERS 1-11)
ISBN 978-1-63687-099-1
© 2022 Precept™. All rights reserved.
This material is published by and is the sole property of Precept
of Chattanooga, Tennessee. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, translated, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage and
retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

Precept, Precept Ministries International, Precept Ministries

International The Inductive Bible Study People,
the Plumb Bob design, Precept Upon Precept, In & Out, Sweeter than Chocolate!,
Cookies on the Lower Shelf, Precepts For Life, Precepts From God’s Word and
Transform Student Ministries are trademarks of Precept.

Scripture taken from ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®).
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.

1st edition
Printed in the United States of America

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 CONTENTS

PAGE LESSONS
1 LESSON ONE: Chapter 1

13 LESSON TWO: Chapters 1 and 2

25 LESSON THREE: Chapters 3 and 4

35 LESSON FOUR: Chapter 5

45 LESSON FIVE: Chapter 6

55 LESSON SIX: Chapter 7

65 LESSON SEVEN: Chapters 8 and 9

77 LESSON EIGHT: Chapter 10

85 LESSON NINE: Chapter 11

APPENDIX
96 Explanations of the English Standard Version Bible Text Format

97 Observation Worksheets

141 John 1–11 at a Glance

143 Jesus

147 Israel in the Time of Christ

148 Map of Jerusalem

150 The Feasts of Israel

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 HELPFUL STUDY TOOLS

HELPFUL STUDY TOOLS

ARTHUR, KAY; ARTHUR, DAVID; DE LACY, PETE
How to Study Your Bible
Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 1994/2010

The New Inductive Study Bible—English Standard Version

Eugene, Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2013

Greek Word Study Tools

RECOMMENDED COMMENTARIES
WALVOORD, JOHN F., ZUCK, ROY B., EDS.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures
Wheaton, Illinois: Victor Books, 1983-c1985

TASKER, R.V.G.
Tyndale New Testament Commentaries: John
Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1960

TENNEY, MERRILL C.
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: John
Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1995

BORCHERT, GERALD
The New American Commentary: Vol. 25A—John 1–11
Nashville, Tennessee: B&H Publishing Group, 1996

RECOMMENDED SOFTWARE
Logos Bible Software
Powerful search engines and up to 4,000 electronic Bible study resources
(commentaries, lexicons, Bible dictionaries etc.) make it fast and easy to do
simple and complex searches of multiple sources, then pull materials together
for orderly presentation—excellent for word and topical studies based on
English or original Hebrew and Greek. Available at www.logos.com.

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 Precept John Part 1
P.O. Box 182218 Lesson 1, Chapter 1
Chattanooga, TN 37422

L ESSON O NE
Chapter One

THIS LESSON The following located in the Appendix:

INCORPORATES Observation Worksheet of John 1
“John 1–11 at a Glance”
“Jesus”
Word studies
Cross-references

“And the Word became flesh . . . and we have seen his glory . . .” (John
1:14). The prayer for this first lesson on the Gospel of John is that Christ
will become more real to us as we behold His glory and in beholding His
glory that we may believe and in believing that we may do the works that
He did and even greater. For the next nine weeks we will saturate our
minds and our hearts with the inerrant truths of John.

Let’s begin!

DAY 1. First, you need to develop the habit of praying for understanding before
you begin to study. So ask the Lord for what you need to know,
ONE understand, and apply from your study.

2. Now let’s begin our study by looking at the author and purpose of the
Gospel of John—why God had the author write it.

a. First, we’ll observe why the Gospel of John was written. Read John 20:30-
31 and record below what you learn about the author’s purpose.

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b. Since the author of this Gospel doesn’t give his name, let’s see what he says
about himself in the book. Read John 21:20-25 and list below how he
identifies himself, along with any insights you want to remember about him.

c. In the Appendix of this workbook you’ll find “John 1–11 at a Glance.”

Record the Author and Purpose in the appropriate spaces. Then keep this
chart out to use again in this lesson.

3. We know why the Gospel of John was written, so let’s begin with chapter 1
to study it.

a. Begin by reading John 1:14, 17. Who is the Word?

b. Now read John 1:1-18, marking references to Jesus.*

An asterisk [*] indicates a suggested marking on the Key Word

Bookmark, which you’ll find on the back cover of this workbook.

c. List what the text says about Him on the “Jesus” pages in the Appendix.

4. Before going further, let’s make a bookmark to use throughout our study.

Cut out the Key Word Bookmark mentioned above, and on the blank side
write the words listed below and mark them the way you’ll mark them
throughout the Gospel of John. Use symbols and/or colors.

a. time references,* such as in the beginning and after

b. believe*
c. life (see eternal life*)
d. witness

As we continue our study, there will be other key repeated words and phrases
to mark in John. Add them to your list on the bookmark when instructed.

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5. Observe John 1:1-18 by marking the words you listed on the Key Word
Bookmark, along with other key repeated words you see in those verses.

6. How do verses 1-18 fit with John’s purpose for writing?

O Beloved, do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God? Do you
have life in His name? Are there people in your life who don’t believe?

Before you continue, stop and pray. If you believe, pray that God will use
this book to prepare you to share with those you know who don’t believe. If
you don’t believe, ask God to show you truth. His Word is life!

7. You may have noticed that some verse numbers are bold. This is the way
the translators show paragraph divisions.

Read verses 1-18 again paragraph by paragraph. Below or in the margin of

your Observation Worksheet, summarize each paragraph using a few words
from the text.

a. 1-5

b. 6-8

c. 9-13

d. 14-18

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8. Finally, use a few words from the text to summarize what verses 1-18 are
about. Record this theme under “Chapter Themes” on “John 1–11 at a
Glance.” You can do this in pencil in case you want to adjust your theme
later.

As you finish today’s assignments, bow before the Father and thank Him for
Jesus—the Word, the Light, the glory of the Father. Worship Him!

DAY 1. Remember to begin today with prayer and then we’ll look more at John
TWO 1:1-18.

2. Read John 1:1, 14, and let’s get a better understanding of “Word.” Use
word study tools to look up the Greek word translated “Word.” Record the
English transliteration1 and definition.

For assistance in doing word studies, read the chapter entitled “It’s All
Greek to Me!” and “How to Use Word Study Tools” in How to Study Your
Bible.

3. Now look at Hebrews 1:1-3. Why do you think Jesus is referred to as “the
Word”?

1
The transliteration of a Greek word is that word written out in English letters.

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4. John 1:1 says, “the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John
1:14 says “the Word became flesh,” and 1:18 speaks of “the only God, who
is at the Father’s side.” Check out the following cross-references and then
ask yourself if you believe Jesus is God.

a. John 10:30-33

b. Philippians 2:6-11

c. Colossians 2:9

5. You observed that Jesus, the Word, created all things. Read the following
passages and compare them with John 1:1-3, 10. Note your insights:

a. Genesis 1:1-2, 26—The Hebrew word for “God” in these verses transliterated
into English is Elohim. The im ending is plural in Hebrew. In agreement
with this plural, verse 26 uses the plural pronouns “us” and “our.”

b. Colossians 1:13-17

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c. Hebrews 1:1-3 (We know you just read this, but we’re looking at another
aspect.)

d. Hebrews 1:8, 10

e. 1 Corinthians 8:6

Why do you exist? Who are you living for?

DAY 1. Today we continue our study of John 1. So after prayer read John 1:1-18
THREE again.

2. Mark light in verses 4-9. List what these verses say about the light.

3. Why do you think Jesus, the Word, is also referred to as “the light”?

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4. Now, we’re going to move on to examine verses 11-13 more closely. (Next
week we’ll look more at the John named in verses 6-8 and 15.) What do
you learn about the Word—Jesus, God’s Son—in verses 11-13? What’s the
contrast?

5. At this point in your study, do you have an idea of who “his own” refers to
in verse 11? If not, look for a possible answer as you continue to study
John.

6. What happens to those who receive, believe in His name?

7. Compare the following references with John 1:11-13.

a. Galatians 3:26

b. Philippians 2:14-16

c. 1 John 3:1

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8. According to John 21:24, the author bore witness about the truth of the
things in this book.

a. Compare John 21:24 with John 1:14.

b. Did God become flesh, a man? How do you know?

c. John the apostle also wrote the letter 1 John. What does 1 John 1:1-3 say?

9. Finally, we want to look at how the Word became flesh. Read Matthew
1:1, 18-25 and note what you learn.

Press on, Beloved! God wrote this for you to know who His Son is and believe
in Him. Finish the course!

DAY We observed in John 1:1-18 that John bore witness about Jesus.
FOUR 1. After prayer, read John 1:1, 14-15.
AND
DAY 2. Look up the Greek word translated “only.” How does this help you
FIVE understand what verse 14 means?

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3. How does Luke 1:5-36 help you understand John 1:15?

4. Have you observed the repeated use of grace* in John 1:14-17?

a. If you don’t know what “grace” means look it up.

b. Mark it if you haven’t and list what these verses say about grace.

5. What does verse 17 say about the law?

6. Let’s read Matthew 5:17-19, another account of what Jesus said about His
relationship to the Law.

7. Now let’s look at God the Father in John 1:14-18. What do these verses say
about Him?

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8. How has studying what John 1:1-18 says about His only Son helped you
understand the Father? Read these verses again carefully and note any
insights.

9. Now for some application questions from verses 1-18. Spend time with the
Father seeking answers to these questions.

a. Do you know the only Son of the Father, the Word who became flesh?
Have you received Him? Believed in His name? How do you know?

b. According to verses 6-7, the Father sent John to bear witness. Are you
bearing witness to the truth about Jesus so others can believe? How?

c. Ask the Father how you can explain Him by presenting Jesus to people.

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d. How relevant is grace to your life? How do you show grace to others?

10. It’s always a good idea to check out what other godly people have
discovered in their study of God’s Word. But do this after you have done
your own study. You can now read what commentaries say about the
author and the purpose in the introductory remarks and what they say about
the first eighteen verses of the Gospel of John. You might want to record
any insights that help you better understand John 1:1-18.

How we thank God for each and every one of you taking this course. You are
enabling us to fulfill 2 Timothy 2:2 as we commit to you faithful men and
women the things which God has taught us.

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JOHN 1
Observation Worksheet

Chapter Theme _________________________________________________________________

IN the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the
Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing
made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might
believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the
world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the
world did not know him.
11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will
of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his
glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
15 (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I
said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before
me.’ ”)
16 For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.

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17 For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through
Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he
has made him known.
19 And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and
Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.”
22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those
who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make
straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.”
24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.)
25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the
Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”
26 John answered them, “I baptize with water, but among you stands one
you do not know,
27 even he who comes after me, the strap of whose sandal I am not worthy
to untie.”
28 These things took place in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was
baptizing.
29 The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
30 “This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before
me, because he was before me.’
31 “I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with
water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”
32 And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a
dove, and it remained on him.

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33 “I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water
said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is
he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’
34 “And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God.”
35 The next day again John was standing with two of his disciples,
36 and he looked at Jesus as he walked by and said, “Behold, the Lamb of
God!”
37 The two disciples heard him say this, and they followed Jesus.
38 Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you
seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher),
“where are you staying?”
39 He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw
where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was
about the tenth hour.
40 One of the two who heard John speak and followed Jesus was Andrew,
Simon Peter’s brother.
41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found
the Messiah” (which means Christ).
42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon
the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which means Peter).
43 The next day Jesus decided to go to Galilee. He found Philip and said to
him, “Follow me.”
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, “We have found him of whom
Moses in the Law and also the prophets wrote, Jesus of Nazareth, the
son of Joseph.”
46 Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an
Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”

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48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him,
“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw
you.”
49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the
King of Israel!”
50 Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig
tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”
51 And he said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will see heaven
opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of
Man.”

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John 1–11 at a Glance

JOHN 1–11 AT A GLANCE

Book Theme:

Segment Divisions
Ministry
Signs “I am” to
Chapter Themes
Author 1:1-18

1:19-51
When written

Purpose 3

Key Words
5

10

11

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Jesus

JESUS

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Jesus

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