What if it's true?ናሙና

WEEK 1 (John 1:1 – 3:21)

This reading plan is designed to help you to read through the book of John during Lent (Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday), but can be enjoyed any time of the year. 

Each week day and Saturday, you’ll read a section of the book of John and interact with four recurring questions to help  you reflect on what you’ve read, considering  what it reveals about Jesus and what He is asking of you.

Each Sunday will be a day to rest and worship God, catch up on what you may have missed throughout the week, and read a short overview of what is coming in the next week of readings. 

You may want to use a journal to make note of your thoughts and write out prayers to Jesus about what He is speaking to your heart. Enjoy discovering and trusting Jesus as you read John's account of His life and ministry!

Bible Project video about the book of John (part 1)

Take a few minutes to watch the Bible Project video about the book of John (part 1), which acts as a map laying out the structure and themes of the book of John. 

ASH WEDNESDAY (John 1:1-28)

Today we begin an adventure in God’s Word shared through the gospel of John. The book of John was written by John, one of Jesus' disciples. Toward the end of the book in chapter 20 verse 31, John gives us the reason he wrote it: “so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing, you may have life in His name.” Then he fills his book with eyewitness accounts of Jesus' teaching and proof that Jesus is who He said He is.

John starts with the words “In the beginning,” echoing the opening words of Genesis. Jesus was present at creation and now appears as the Word of God, the light in the darkness of the world, the Son of God, and the one who came to make those who would believe children of God. What a power-packed first 13 verses!

A quick note: John, referred to in verse 1:15 is John the Baptist, not John the disciple, who was the author of the book of John. John the Baptist preached repentance and the coming of one greater that himself - Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As Jesus is introduced to John the Baptist's followers He begins to call His disciples and start His public ministry with a miracle at a wedding in Cana. 

When you get to chapter 3, take notice of the interaction between Jesus and Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This whole conversation sums up the reason for Jesus being here: to tell us all how we must be born again of the Spirit in order to enter God’s kingdom. 

This week’s reading ends with a section containing one of the most quoted verses in scripture: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” 

I love that this priest and Jewish leader came to Jesus with his questions. Jesus left him to choose: would he believe IN Jesus? John uses this phrase over and over. One by one, people would believe or put faith IN Jesus. This goes beyond just belief of something; it goes all the way to total trust, surrender, and close alignment. As you read, watch for all the reasons God has given you to believe IN Him. 

Four questions to engage with each day:

What stood out to me in today’s passage? 

What does it mean or tell me about Jesus?

What does it say to me about how I view myself?

What choice is God placing before me today in response?