Theme:   Elevate: Next Level Spiritual Growth - Getting A Grip On Your Bible

This eDevotional was written by a volunteer from Timberlake Church.

READ: John 1

THINK: I once heard that the difference between Bible reading and Bible study is a pencil. When we engage another sense to our reading, like highlighting, underlining, taking notes, we tend to go deeper, we remember more and we are better able to integrate into our lives what we learn from reading. So grab a writing tool and take notes in your Bible or journal.

"Jesus is the Son of God" states the theme of the Gospel of John and has been referred to as "the Gospel of belief…….98 times we will find the word believe. John records seven names and titles of Jesus in his attempt to convince the Jews and Gentiles that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah and one and only Savior of mankind.

The author, John, is often referred to as the "beloved" disciple or the "one whom Jesus loved." His father's name was Zebedee. John and his brother, James, were fishermen in Galilee and known to have fiery tempers thus nicknamed, "sons of thunder." John was believed to be the youngest of the apostles and in the inner circle of Jesus. When Jesus died on the cross he entrusted his mother to the care of John. John lived mainly in Jerusalem and it is believed that his last years were spent in Ephesus where he lived to an old age. Besides his Gospel it is believed that he wrote three of the New Testament letters and the Book of Revelation. The Gospel of John is thought to have been written about A.D. 90.

The first chapter of the Gospel of John is an introduction to Jesus. Verses 1-3 speak to his eternity and Deity. He is distinct from God, the Father and he has always existed. In verses 4-13 Jesus is referred to as the light of the world. As such he makes clear the meaning of human existence and guides us on the path of life. In verse 6, he makes reference to a man named John. This is John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus who came to prepare the way for Jesus as a witness . (All references to John in this Gospel refer to John the Baptist and not the author.) Verses 14-18 speak to the mystery of the ages, God, became a man….flesh and blood, in a human form….incarnation. Verses 19-34 gives the testimony of John the Baptist regarding who he was and who he was not. He then explains to the leading Jewish religious authorities that Jesus is the Deity, the Messiah and that he also is the Lamb that would be sacrificed to atone for the sins of the world. Verses 35-51 contain the testimonies of the first five disciples of Jesus, John, Andrew, Simon, Phillip, Nathaniel who all became Apostles.

'The true qualities of people sent by God are that they exalt the One who sent them, and they diminish the one who is sent. " Charles Swindoll

DO: What do you believe about Jesus? Who do you say He is? If the authorities called you in to testify

would they find enough evidence to prove that you are a follower of His?

PRAY: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for becoming a human to communicate your plan of salvation.

Guide me through a daily time of studying your Word, the Bible. May I choose to live my life in such a way that I will be recognized as a true believer. AMEN