Over the next six weeks we’ll walk through John together, share what God is speaking to us, and practice imaginative prayer to help the Word become deeply personal. If you’re new to Scripture prayer, welcome. If you’re a study veteran, welcome home. This post captures everything we talked about in Part One and gives practical ways to bring the Gospel of John into your everyday life.
Why the Gospel of John?
John’s Gospel is different—intimate, poetic, and theologically rich. It’s often called the Gospel of the Beloved Disciple, the same voice that gives us Revelation. John dives into big themes quickly: the Word, the Light, the Spirit, and the invitation to relationship that Jesus offers to everyone. It’s not a slow build—it’s a deep plunge. That makes John perfect for both new believers and people who’ve walked with Jesus for years.
When we say John is “different,” we mean it. He’s less focused on chronology and more on identity and meaning. Right from the start we get one of the most comforting lines in all of Scripture: the Word was with God, and the Word was God. This isn’t abstract theology—this is good news. Jesus has always been with the Father; he’s the Light that enters our darkness.
Chapter 1: The Word, the Light, and the Spirit
We spent a lot of time in John 1 because it’s dense with truth. Three things stood out:
- The Word (Logos): Jesus is the Word. In the beginning, He was with the Father and He was God. That means the same life that created the universe is near to you now.
- The Light: John tells us "the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." This line is a promise: even in our hardest seasons, Christ’s light breaks through if we look for it and follow it.
- The Spirit: Early in the Gospel John introduces the Holy Spirit—he’s unpredictable like the wind and intimate like a friend. The Spirit is our advocate, given "without measure" so we can live as children of God.
Those three truths—Word, Light, Spirit—are the scaffolding for everything else John will show us. They invite us to receive, follow, and be transformed.
“Come and See” — An Invitation to Everyone
One of John’s beautiful themes is invitation. The phrase "Come and see" shows up again and again as the hinge of evangelism. Philip tells Nathaniel, Jesus tells the two disciples who follow him, and later the woman at the well echoes this same posture. The whole Gospel moves by invitation, not coercion.
“Come and see.”
This simple phrase moved people from curiosity to encounter. It’s an invitation that’s not ashamed of real life — it expects questions, resistance, and also deep surprise. The posture is crucial: instead of assuming everyone is uninterested or guarded, what if we lived with a "come and see" heart toward everyone we meet?
We shared real-life examples to illustrate this: the surprising hairdresser who was a devout Christian, and those awkward hiking moments where we wanted to start a faith conversation but didn’t know how. Both stories point to the same thing—assume openness, be courageous, and practice a posture of invitation rather than defense.
Hearing God’s Voice: “Follow Me”
The call of Jesus—“Follow me”—is startling in its simplicity and power. Imagine that voice: why did men drop nets, leave family, and follow? The call was compelling. It’s okay if you’re not sure what God’s voice sounds like yet. One practical prayer we recommended is to simply ask: “Lord, what does ‘follow me’ sound like for me?” Then pay attention. His voice often arrives through Scripture, prayer, the Eucharist, nature, and the faithful friends God places in our lives.
Nicodemus, John the Baptist, and the Role of Witnesses
We touched on Nicodemus — the cautious seeker who came by night — and John the Baptist, the bold witness who cried out in the wilderness. Both are essential figures for us: the seeker who represents honest questions and the witness who models unapologetic testimony.
- Nicodemus: He shows us that spiritual curiosity is welcome. He may be cautious, but that doesn’t disqualify him from a deep encounter with Jesus.
- John the Baptist: His life reminds us that sometimes God calls us to be loud and public witnesses. He doesn’t curate a comfortable image—he points straight to Christ.
The Wedding at Cana: The First Sign
Mary’s role in the wedding at Cana is a remarkable model of maternal faith and discipleship. This is Jesus’ first sign and it’s full of symbolic detail: he uses six stone jars—jars used for ritual washing—and turns water into wine. There are layers here about cleansing, sacramental imagery, and the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry.
“Do whatever he tells you.”
Mary’s line to the servants is a life hack. It’s practical spirituality. When she hears Jesus’ word, she moves from concern to trust, and instructs others to obey. The servants’ obedience leads to abundance. When Jesus reveals his glory, the disciples believed—yet even those closest to him still struggled at the hour of his passion. Seeing his signs helps our faith, but the work of believing is ongoing.
Reclaiming John 3:16 and the Promise of Eternal Life
John 3:16 often gets reduced to a bumper-sticker sentiment, but it’s the beating heart of the Gospel: God loved the world so much he gave his only Son so that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. We don’t water this down—the paradox of cross and life is the center of Christian hope.
We also talked about the children’s question—“Are we mortal or immortal?”—and how the Gospel answers by promising that our bodies are temporal but our souls are destined for glory. John points us to a story that keeps going, beyond this life, into fullness with God.
Practical Ways to Stay in the Word and Pray with Scripture
We gave lots of practical tips during the study. These are the small habits that make Scripture living and memorable:
- Use an audio Bible: If you’re in the car or running errands, the Bible app and Ascension app have excellent audio narrations. Letting Scripture wash over you by ear is a simple, powerful practice.
- Journal your takeaways: Keep a notebook or notes app handy during the study. Write one sentence of what God said to you and one action step.
- Practice imaginative prayer: Place yourself in the Gospel scenes—notice smells, weather, people, and your emotions. Start small: “Who am I standing next to? What does the air feel like?”
- Invite a friend: You don’t have to do this alone. Bring a sister-in-law, a coworker, or a neighbor—say, “Come and see with me.”
- Lean into the sacraments: Reading Scripture should lead us to Eucharist and confession; both deepen what the Word has begun.
How to Do Imaginative Prayer — A Mini Guide
Here’s a short, practical way to enter imaginative prayer based on our guided meditation from the study:
- Begin with the sign of the cross and a simple breath prayer: “Come, Holy Spirit.”
- Read a short passage slowly (one or two verses). Let a single image stick in your mind—wine jars, a fig tree, a wedding table.
- Place yourself into the scene as a character—a servant, a guest, a disciple. Notice senses: sight, smell, touch, taste.
- Listen for a movement of the heart. What does Jesus say to you? How do you respond?
- End by thanking Jesus and asking for one grace to carry into the day.
This practice is not mystical gymnastic; it’s simply a faithful way of letting the Word speak to your heart.
Final Encouragements and Next Steps
So where do you start? Pick one small thing:
- Download an audio Bible and listen during your commute.
- Try one imaginative prayer scene this week—maybe the Wedding at Cana.
- Text one friend and invite them to "come and see" John with you.
- Write one sentence after your prayer: “Today, Jesus asked me to ______.”
We’ll read chapters 4–6 next week, same time, same place. Bring your takeaways, your questions, and one friend. Keep a journal and keep saying yes to the little invitations—“Do whatever he tells you.”
Remember: the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it. God is near. He’s calling you to “come and see.”
We’re so glad you joined us. See you next week.
Resources & Next Steps
Here are a few practical resources and small next steps to help you stay in the Word this week. If you’d like, these items can be linked later for quick access.
- Download an audio Bible and listen during your commute or chores.
- Try the Ascension app for daily readings and meditations.
- Keep a simple journal: one sentence of what God said and one action step.
- Practice one imaginative prayer this week—start with the Wedding at Cana scene.
- Text a friend and invite them to “come and see” John with you this week.
Small practices, repeated, build a life of prayer. Come back next week with your takeaways and one question to share. We’re so glad you’re on this journey.
Jenna Guizar is a wife and mama in sunny AZ. She pretends to love football for her husband, reads lots of books to her seven lovely babes, and tries not to burn mac n cheese on the daily. In between football games, reading books, and [not] burning mac n cheese, she is the Founder + Creative Director of Blessed is She women’s ministry + community. Find out more about her here.
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