God Comes Near | John 1:1-18
I C E B R E A K E R
What’s something you were really looking forward to that turned out to be even better than you expected?
OR
Who is someone whose presence makes a difficult situation easier, even if they can’t change the circumstances?
S M A L L G R O U P W E E K 6 V I D E O ( 5 : 1 7 )
Watch this week’s small group video by visiting the Fairhaven app – Make Way tab. Before beginning the rest of your discussion, take time as a group to respond to the question in the video.
I N T R O D U C T I O N
Throughout Scripture, we see God’s desire to dwell with His people—from the Garden of Eden to the Tabernacle and Temple. In John 1, we discover that everything God’s people longed for has arrived in a Person: Jesus Christ. The greatest gift of the gospel isn’t simply forgiveness of our sins, but the restoration of God’s presence with us.
What stood out to you most from this week’s message?
I N T O T H E W O R D
Read John 1:1–5, Colossians 1:15–17, and Psalm 16:11.
John introduces Jesus as the eternal Word through whom all things were created and the source of life and light. How does understanding who Jesus is change the way we think about what we need most from God?
Read John 1:9–13, Revelation 3:20, and John 14:1–3.
John tells us that Jesus came into the world He created, yet many did not receive Him. Why do you think people sometimes resist a relationship with God, even when they recognize their need for Him? Jesus describes preparing a place for us in heaven, but His ultimate promise is that we will be with Him. How does understanding that heaven is about a Person, not just a place, change the way we think about our relationship with Jesus today?
Read John 1:14 and Hebrews 4:14-16.
Why is it significant that God chose to come personally rather than simply send a message or provide a solution? How should knowing that Jesus is both fully God and someone who understands our human experiences influence the way we approach Him?
Read John 1:15–17 and John 15:4–5.
John describes receiving “grace upon grace” through Jesus, while Jesus later invites His followers to abide in Him. How is living in an ongoing relationship with Jesus different from trying to earn God’s approval? What does it look like to depend on His presence in everyday life?
E M B R A C E A N D E M B O D Y
Throughout Make Way, we’ve seen that God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people and have a relationship with us. From the beginning of creation, His plan has been to draw us into His presence. Jesus was not God’s “emergency plan” to rescue us from sin; He is eternal and central to God’s plan from the beginning. Through Jesus, God made the ultimate move toward us, restoring the relationship sin had broken. We don’t have to earn His presence or prove ourselves worthy of His love. We are invited to receive Him and make Him central to our lives.
How might our daily lives look different if we approached each day with a greater awareness that God is with us, rather than simply looking to Him when we need something?
Take Your Next Right Step — Seek God Daily:
Set aside intentional time each day to enjoy God’s presence without bringing a list of requests. Read a portion of John 1, reflect on who Jesus is, and thank Him for coming near. Ask God to help you treasure your relationship with Him above what He can do for you.
P R A Y E R
Close by praying for one another, especially in areas where group members shared a tendency to rely on themselves or seek God’s help more than His presence. Thank God for coming near through Jesus and ask Him to deepen each person’s desire to know Him, trust Him, and live in the reality of His presence.
A N N O U N C E M E N T S
Check out the Make Way tab in the Fairhaven app to access helpful resources including prayer guides, reflection questions, the weekly Participant Guide (like this one) based on the sermon, and small group videos.
