1.Welcome to this beautiful and life-changing book! Arguably the greatest book in the Bible! These studies will be amazing with such rich and profound material! I'm excited! The Gospel of John is carefully structured around a number of major theological themes rather than simply presenting a chronological biography of Jesus. These themes interweave throughout the book and build towards John's stated purpose: "These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." (John 20 v 31). In the next few days we will look at those major overarching themes with some verses in John to help focus our minds:

1. Jesus is the Son of God This is John's central theme. John presents Jesus not merely as a prophet or teacher but as the eternal Son of God who shares the Father's nature. John 1 v 1–18; John 5 v 18–23; John 8 v 58; John 10 v 30- (Jesus stated): ‘’I and the Father are one.’’; John 20 v 28–31

2. Belief (Faith) The word "believe" appears almost 100 times. John continually asks readers whether they will trust Jesus. Examples: Nicodemus (John 3); the Samaritan woman (John 4); the man born blind (John 9); Martha (John 11); Thomas (John 20): ‘Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

Faith is presented as a relationship of trust rather than simply intellectual agreement. God bless you in these studies! David