The Word Became Flesh
(John 1:1-18)
Before the sky, before the seas, before the very first star, someone was already there. John calls Him the Word. Keep listening, because John is talking about Jesus. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." Everything that has ever been made was made through Him. Without Him, not one thing was made.
"In him was life, and the life was the light of men." The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Cup one hand like a flame as you say "light." No matter how dark it gets, the darkness cannot put that light out.
God sent a man named John to tell everyone about the light. This is John the Baptist. He came as a witness, which means someone who tells what he knows is true. John was not the light himself. He came to point to the light, so that everyone might believe.
The true light, the one who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him. He came to His own people, and they did not receive Him. But some did. "To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." These children were "born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." In other words, God Himself makes us His children when we receive His Son.
Then comes the most amazing sentence of all. Slow down here. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us." Flesh means a real human body. The Word, who was with God from the very beginning, became a real person and lived right here with us. John says, "We have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." Glory is shining greatness. Grace is kindness we could never earn.
John the Baptist cried out about Him, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.'" That means Jesus is greater than John, because Jesus was there first. "From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace," which means one gift of kindness after another. The law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But Jesus, who is at the Father's side, has made God known to us.
A Curious Question
The light shines in the dark, and the dark has never once put it out. Why do you think darkness can never win against light?
Old Testament Connection
Open your Bible to Genesis 1 and listen to how it begins: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." Then God spoke, and light shone in the darkness. John starts his Gospel with those same words, "In the beginning," because he wants us to know that the Word who spoke light into the dark is the Word who became flesh in John 1. The same voice that said, "Let there be light," came to shine in our darkness. John also says that grace and truth came through Jesus. In Exodus 34, God told Moses that He is "abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness." Jesus is that love and faithfulness in person.
Discussion Questions
- John says the Word was with God and the Word was God. What does that tell us about who Jesus is?
- Jesus made the world, yet the world did not know Him when He came. Why do you think so many people missed him?
- John says Jesus is full of grace, kindness we do not earn. What is one way someone has shown you kindness you did not deserve?
So What? What Can I Do?
- This week, when you switch on a light or see the sun, whisper, "Jesus is the true light," and thank Him for shining into your life.
- Tell one person at home or at school one thing you learned about Jesus today, the way John the Baptist pointed people to the light.
- When you do something wrong, do not hide it. Tell Jesus and tell a parent, because Jesus is full of grace and truth.
- Each morning this week, say, "I am a child of God," and then ask Jesus to help you act like it at home and at school.
Memorize God's Word
John 1:12: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God."
- But to all who did receive him hold both hands out in front of you with palms up, as if receiving a gift.
- who believed in his name place one hand over your heart and nod your head.
- he gave the right stretch both hands forward as if handing something precious to a friend.
- to become children of God wrap your arms around yourself in a hug, then point up to heaven.
Praying with Kids
Dear Father, thank You for sending Your Son, the Word who was with You in the beginning. Thank You that He became flesh and lived among us, full of grace and truth. Help us believe in His name and live as Your children today. Amen.
Craft or Activity
Shine the Light Lantern
Kids make a simple glowing lantern that reminds them the true light shines in the darkness and the darkness has never overcome it.
Materials Checklist:
- Flip the cup: Give each child a clear plastic cup and turn it upside down so the opening faces the table.
- Prepare the tissue paper: Let kids tear or cut yellow and orange tissue paper into small squares.
- Glue on the glow: Glue the squares all around the outside of the cup until it glows with warm color.
- Add the verse: Add a few gold star stickers and write "John 1:5" on the rim with a marker.
- Light it up: Turn the cup right side up and set a battery tea light inside. Turn it on and let the lantern shine in a dimmed room.
Effective Teaching Techniques
- For Younger Children: Keep the words simple and say "The Word is Jesus" out loud together. Hold up a flashlight each time you say "light," and let the children repeat "Jesus is the light" with you.
- Prep Shortcut: Pre-cut the tissue paper squares and test the battery tea lights before class so every lantern lights up right away.
- Classroom Management: Dim the lights only for the final lantern moment, and set the tea lights aside until the end so kids stay focused.
- For Older Kids: Ask them to find "In the beginning" in Genesis 1 and in John 1, then compare the two verses side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is the Word?
- The Word is Jesus. John says the Word was with God and was God, and that the Word became flesh and lived among us. Jesus is God's own Son, full of grace and truth.
- What does it mean that the Word became flesh?
- Flesh means a real human body. The Word, who was with God from the very beginning, became a real person and lived among us, and John says we have seen His glory.
- How do people become children of God?
- John 1:12 says that everyone who receives Jesus and believes in His name is given the right to become a child of God. It is a gift from God, and it is for all who believe.