Hey sis! Welcome to the John Companion Library, your companion resource designed to help you study the Gospel of John in context and discover the incredible truth of who Jesus is and what it means to believe in Him. Whether you're using the Bible Study Corner™ Guided Bible Companion, studying on your own, or teaching others, you'll find tools here to help you dig deeper into God's Word with confidence.
This page is filled with carefully selected resources to help you understand not only what John says, but why it matters. As you follow Jesus through His signs, teachings, conversations, death, and resurrection, you'll encounter powerful declarations about His identity and His relationship with the Father. You'll discover the seven signs John records, the seven “I AM” statements of Jesus, and countless connections to the Old Testament that reveal Jesus as the promised Messiah and the Son of God. Most importantly, you'll see exactly why John wrote his Gospel: so that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing have life in His name.
My prayer is that these resources encourage you to slow down, open your Bible, and see Jesus more clearly on every page. John isn't simply the story of the life and ministry of Jesus; it's an invitation to see who He truly is, believe in Him, and find life in His name.
If you haven't already purchased the printable Bible Study Corner™ Guided Bible Companion, you can do so by clicking the link below. They're not required to use these resources, but they're filled with thoughtfully organized study tools, historical background, key themes, and beautiful pages that save you time and make a wonderful addition to your Bible study.
But First... Pray
Prayer Before Studying John
Heavenly Father,
As I open the book of John, I ask You to open my heart and my mind to Your truth. Thank You for preserving Your Word so that I can know You more deeply and see Jesus more clearly for who He truly is.
As I read, help me see beyond the familiar stories and recognize what John is revealing about Jesus. Show me His glory, His compassion, His authority, and His perfect unity with You. Help me pay attention to the signs, the “I AM” statements, the conversations, and the details John recorded so that I may understand what they reveal about the identity of Your Son.
Open my eyes to the ways John connects Jesus to the story of Scripture- the Word who was with You in the beginning, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, and the promised Messiah. Give me wisdom to understand these Scriptures in their proper context and a humble heart that is willing to be changed by what I learn.
Help me not to rush through these pages, but to slow down, ask good questions, follow cross references, notice repeated words and themes, and delight in discovering the richness of Your Word. May this study deepen my faith and help me not only know more about Jesus, but know Him more deeply.
Thank You for the gift of eternal life through Your Son. May everything I learn lead me to believe more confidently, love You more deeply, and live in a way that reflects the truth of who Jesus is.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Start Here
Before diving into John, I encourage you to watch the BibleProject overview of the book. In just a few minutes, you'll gain a big-picture understanding of John- its structure, major themes, historical setting, and how it fits into God's plan of redemption. Watching the overview first will help you recognize the purpose behind the signs John records, the significance of Jesus' “I AM” statements, and the repeated themes of belief, life, light, truth, and glory as you work through your Bible Study Corner™ Guided Bible Companion.
Once you've finished the video, open your Bible and begin reading John. Then come back here to explore the companion resources, maps, historical and cultural background, word studies, cross references, and bonus study tools designed to help you dig even deeper into God's Word and see more clearly how John reveals Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and the One who gives eternal life to all who believe.
Begin Reading
Now that you've watched the overview, it's time to dive into God's Word. Before exploring the additional resources below, we are going to start reading the book of John in your Bible. Resist the urge to rush ahead or rely on study notes. Spend time observing the text for yourself, asking questions, and noticing repeated words and themes like belief, life, light, truth, glory, witness, signs, and Jesus' identity.
Start by opening the free commentary linked below, or use a commentary of your choice. As you read, remember that John is more than a collection of familiar stories about Jesus. It is a carefully written Gospel designed to reveal who Jesus is so that we may believe that He is the Messiah, the Son of God, and have life in His name. Pay close attention to the signs John records, the “I AM” statements, and the many Old Testament connections that reveal Jesus as the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.
I personally take notes from the commentary that I feel are important to remember.
Take your time, pray as you read, and allow Scripture to speak before turning to outside resources.
Bible Study Tools
As you continue your study of John, I encourage you to explore some of the free Bible study tools available through Blue Letter Bible. From original Hebrew and Greek word studies to maps, timelines, outlines, cross references, commentaries, and more, these resources can help you better understand the historical, cultural, and linguistic context of Scripture.
Remember, these tools are designed to support your study- not replace it. Always read the biblical text carefully, and allow Scripture to interpret Scripture. Then use these resources to dig deeper and strengthen your understanding of God's Word.
Click below to explore Blue Letter Bible's free study tools.
Frequently Asked Questions About John
As you study John, you're likely to encounter questions you've never considered before- and that's a good thing! Asking thoughtful questions is an important part of studying God's Word. Below you'll find a collection of carefully selected articles from GotQuestions.org that address some of the most common questions people have about the book of John.
While these articles can be helpful study tools, I encourage you to always compare what you read with Scripture. Let God's Word be your final authority, and use these resources to deepen your understanding as you continue to study the Bible in context.
