When God Moves In - Week 1
Each Gospel presents Christ with a distinct and beautiful emphasis.
In Matthew, His Kingship stands in majesty.
In Mark, His Servanthood moves in tireless action.
In Luke, His Humanity shines in compassion.
In John, His Deity rises in unmatched glory.
It is something like Lucy’s experience with Aslan in C. S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia.
After meeting him again she says in wonder, “Aslan, you’re bigger.”
He replies, “That is because you are older, little one… every year you grow, you will find me bigger.”
His grace greater, His power stronger, His love deeper, His comfort sweeter, His mercy wider, His truth brighter, His peace richer, His wisdom higher, and His presence nearer.
Week One: Who is Jesus? (John 1:1-3)
1) Christ Is Eternally Pre-existent — “In the beginning was the Word” (John 1:1a)
- As Pastor Kent Hughes said, “Jesus always was wasing”
- 2 Corinthians 8:9; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 1:17;
- Because Christ existed before all things, He stands above time, change, and uncertainty—we can trust Him with our past, present, and future.
2) Christ Is Eternally in Relationship — “And the Word was with God” (John 1:1b)
- Genesis 1:26; John 17:24; 1 John 1:1–2
3) Christ Is Eternally God — “And the Word was God” (John 1:1c)
- John 8:58; John 10:30–33; Titus 2:13
- Because Jesus is truly God, His words carry divine authority, His promises carry divine certainty, and His salvation carries divine sufficiency—He is enough for every need.
4) Christ Is Eternally Creator — “All things were made through Him…” (John 1:3)
Scripture consistently affirms this:
Colossians 1:16–17
Hebrews 1:2–3
Revelation 4:11
1 Corinthians 8:6
Tinkering: $10
Knowing where to tinker: $9,990.
Verse 4 “What Christ brings” - 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
John has shown us who Jesus is:
Eternally pre-existent.
Eternally in relationship.
Eternally God.
Eternally Creator.
And John tells us in verse 4: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
The One who has always been—
The One who has forever been face-to-face with the Father—
The One who is truly God—
The One who created galaxies and atoms—
That One stepped into our world to give life and to shine light.
Takeaway 1: Only the Eternal Christ Can Give Eternal Life
Takeaway 2: Christ’s Life Brings Light Into Our Darkness
Takeaway 3: Christ Did Not Just Come Near—He Came to Transform
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. John describes Jesus as eternally pre-existent—He “always was.”
How does Christ’s eternal nature affect the way you think about trusting Him with your past, present, and future?
2. John says the Word was “with God”—face-to-face, in eternal relationship.
What does it mean for your walk with Jesus that you are invited into that same fellowship? How does this challenge or encourage you?
3. “And the Word was God.” John leaves no room for Jesus to be merely a teacher, guru, or prophet.
What are some practical ways believers sometimes treat Jesus as less than fully God in everyday life?
4. John 1:3 declares Jesus the Creator of all things—galaxies and atoms.
Where in your life do you most need to trust that the One who created you also knows exactly where to “tinker”—to bring healing, growth, or direction?
5. In verse 4, John says Jesus brings life and light.
Where do you sense Jesus bringing life or light into your life right now? And where do you feel you need more of His life-giving light?
3-DAY DEVOTIONAL: “When God Moves In”
DAY 1 — The Eternal Christ (John 1:1)
Scripture: “In the beginning was the Word.”
Before anything existed—before time, stars, angels, atoms—Christ was. He is the One without beginning and without end. Your life has limits, but His power does not. Your understanding has boundaries, but His wisdom is infinite. Whatever feels uncertain or out of control to you today is not uncertain to Him. He stands outside of time and sees the full story.
Reflection: Where do you feel anxious about the future or ashamed about the past? How does Christ’s eternal nature speak into that?
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, You are the One who always was. Remind me today that my life rests not on my strength but on Your eternal stability. Help me trust You with every moment.”
DAY 2 — The Light That Reveals (John 1:4)
Scripture: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.”
Jesus does not merely give life—He is life. And His life shines as light into the world, exposing what is false and revealing what is true. His presence brings clarity where there is confusion, direction where there is wandering, and hope where there is darkness.
Reflection: Where do you need Christ’s light to shine in your life right now—your thoughts, decisions, relationships, or private struggles?
Prayer: “Lord, shine Your light into the hidden places of my heart. Reveal what is true, expose what is false, and lead me by Your light. Help me walk in the clarity only You can give.”
DAY 3 — The God Who Knows Where to Tinker (John 1:3)
Scripture: “All things were made through Him.”
Because Christ made you, He understands you better than you understand yourself. He knows every wound, every fear, every desire, every weakness. Like Steinmetz with Ford’s machinery, Christ knows the exact place that needs attention, adjustment, healing, or strengthening. He never guesses; He knows.
Reflection: What area of your life do you sense Jesus gently placing His hand on right now? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him?
Prayer: “Lord Jesus, You know every part of me. I invite You to work in the places that need Your careful touch. I trust You to adjust, restore, and strengthen me in ways only my Creator can.”