This week’s readings: John 1
Don’t forget to record your impressions and read the ideas and outline in the new Come, Follow Me manuals on lds.org.
Bible Video
Scripture Insight
This week’s scriptural insight comes from Verse by Verse: Volume 1by Andrew C. Skinner and D. Kelly Ogden.
In the Gospel of John, the name "John" always refers to John the Baptist. Though we do not refer to John the Baptist as an apostle, he is one who was sent, which is the meaning of the Greek apostolos. His mission was to bear witness of the Light, so that all men would turn to that Light for salvation. Interestingly, John the apostle, who quotes John the Baptist extensively in the prologue to his Gospel (John 1), never refers to himself by name in his Gospel.
Study Ideas
These ideas and topics are compiled from Come, Follow Me and have been adapted for specific situations. Check out the manuals online for more ideas, or come up with your own as you study!
For couples:
Consider studying John 1:35-51 together. Each of you can then share a story of a time that you introduced someone to the gospel of Jesus Christ and discuss what you learn from Andrew and Philip in these verses. You might even make a plan as a couple to invite someone to “come and see” in the upcoming weeks.
For singles:
Because John 1:1–14 is written symbolically, you may find it helpful by yourself or with a study group to make a list of the repeated words and phrases in these verses. As you ponder what they mean and how they influence your understanding of who Christ is, you might consider picking a few phrases to write down and place around your house to remind you of the Light of the World this week.
For families with young children:
John 1:3 teaches that Jesus Christ created the world. To get some wiggles out and engage your younger children, you might consider taking your family for a walk and letting your children take turns describing a creation they see. As family members try to guess what is being described, you can use it as an opportunity to reinforce to them that all things are made by Jesus Christ. You could even have them pick one creation they can take care of that week, such as a seed or a pet.
For families with teens:
After studying John 1:4–10with your family during the week, you might consider holding a family home evening where you ask each person to bring one object that could represent Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. You can then take turns sharing why each person picked the object that they did and give each family member an opportunity to bear their testimony or list one way that they will share the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ that week. You might close by singing “The Lord Is My Light” (Hymns, no. 89) or another song about gospel light together.
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