1 John 1:1–4 | John 1:1–5 | Colossians 1:15–20

1. Read 1 John 1:1–4 and John 1:1–5. Notice the striking similarity between the way John opens his letter in 1 John 1:1–4 and how he opens his Gospel account in John 1:1–5. What key words or themes do these passages share with one another? Why do you think John begins this way?
2. Read 1 John 1:3–4 again. How does seeing Jesus rightly enable what John speaks to in these two verses? In other words, how does a right view of who He is create fellowship with the Father and each other, and how does that lead to a more complete joy?
3. John uses an abundance of sensory language in 1 John 1:1–4: seen, heard, looked upon, touched. Though we’ll look more deeply later at why John may be doing this, make some initial theories: Why do you think John is using distinctly human actions to describe Jesus? What is significant about that?
4. Many people today describe themselves as "spiritual but not religious." Based on what John is saying in these verses, what is missing from that kind of spirituality? What can it not give you that the incarnation can?
5. Read Colossians 1:15–20. Both Colossians 1 and 1 John 1 center everything on Christ. What practical changes might happen in your life this week if Christ’s supremacy and holiness were more central in your thinking each day?
6. Spend a few moments in prayer together. Praise Jesus for who He is and what He has done. Ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to more fully see your Savior through your study of these letters.