(15-20 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will study John 1:1–5, 14, and 5:31–47 to examine how Jesus is identified in Scripture.
Provide a copy of the Student Worksheet and a pen for each student. If desired, download a copy of a first-century map of Israel.
Learning Goal: Students will examine how Scriptures from both the Old and New Testament point to Jesus as the Messiah.
If desired, display a map of Israel, and point out the location of Jerusalem and explain that Jesus often had controversial conversations with Jewish leaders when He was in Jerusalem, as this passage demonstrates. Share that when John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ, he did so prior to Jesus’ public ministry, thus serving as a witness for Jesus as the Messiah.
1. We can trust our lives to Jesus because He is God, Creator, and Savior (John 1:1–5, 14).
Distribute pens and copies of the Student Worksheet. Direct students to look at the list of words on the worksheet. Explain that each word on the list is used or implied in the passage that will be read. Encourage students to circle these words or similar words in their Bibles as the passage is read. Then, call on a volunteer to read John 1:1–5 and 1:14 while other students read along in their Bibles. Discuss the meaning of each word in the context of John’s Gospel. (Answers: beginning—the creation; Word—Jesus, God’s clearest revelation to us; life—abundant (full) and eternal; light—the ability to see clearly, especially spiritual things; darkness—spiritual deceit and sin; overpower—Jesus would overcome the darkness by living a perfect life and then dying for sin; flesh—in this case, human life; glory—the revelation of who God is—God revealing Himself; unique—Jesus is the only One, and there is not another like Him; Father—the first person of the Trinity, God; grace—Jesus gave us undeserved goodness; truth—Jesus made spiritual reality clear.)
Encourage students to think of one word or phrase that describes for them who Jesus is. Call for responses, and instruct students to add their words or phrases to the words listed on the worksheet. Ask: How does this passage emphasize that Jesus is God and Savior? (John focused on the fact that Jesus has always been and always will be. All of Scripture is focused on Him. Through Jesus everything was created, and in Him is the secret to salvation. He is the light in a world of spiritual darkness. He dwelt among us as a human being and then died to take away all of humanity’s sin.) Instruct learners to fill in the blanks on the first statement on their worksheets with “God, Creator, and Savior.”
2. We can trust our lives to Jesus based on the credible testimony of others (John 5:31-47).
Call on a student to read John 5:31–47. Then, ask: What was Jesus trying to prove with the evidence that He presented? (That He was God’s chosen) How did Jesus say that God the Father had testified about Him? (Through the Scriptures) Remind students that the Scriptures at this point did not contain the New Testament. Ask: Based on this information, what part of the Bible did Jesus say was a testimony to Him as the Messiah? (The Old Testament) Emphasize that God’s Word has always testified about Jesus as the Messiah. Encourage students to complete the second statement on their worksheets with “credible testimonies.”
Invite a student to read the quote on the Student Worksheet. Then, ask: Why do you think that people accept Jesus as a teacher but not as God? What was C. S. Lewis trying to tell us? (We can either believe that Jesus is God or that He was a crazy man.) What are the choices that Lewis gave us in his quote? (You can either call Him a fool or bow down and call Him Lord God.) Explain that people today still debate Jesus’ identity and that every person has to personally decide whether to believe Christ or reject Him. Conclude the activity by asking: Who do you say Jesus is?