Lesson 1 of 5 — Knowing Christ: A Study

Who Is Jesus Christ?

Purpose of this lesson: To see from Scripture that Jesus Christ is not merely a teacher or prophet, but the One to whom all the Scriptures point — the Word made flesh, the unique Son of God, the One through whom all things were created, who reveals the Father perfectly, saves us from sin, reigns, and calls us to follow Him.

Jesus is not merely someone to study; He is the Son of God we must come to, trust, listen to, love, and follow.

What You Will Learn

  • What the Scriptures teach about who Jesus Christ is
  • How John's Gospel describes Jesus as the eternal Word of God
  • Why Jesus is called the Light of the world
  • How Jesus is fully God and fully human
  • Why knowing who Jesus is matters for faith and life
Before You Begin Take a moment to quiet yourself before God. Ask Him to open your heart to His word. You are not studying facts about a distant figure — you are reading about a living Person who knows you.

Key Scriptures

  • John 1:1–3, 14
  • Colossians 1:15–17
  • Hebrews 1:1–3
  • John 14:6
  • Matthew 17:5
Studying with someone? Read the Scriptures aloud together, move slowly, and leave room for honest questions. The goal is not to rush through material, but to see Christ clearly and respond to Him sincerely.

1. The Scriptures Point to Jesus

Before we ask who Jesus is, we must ask what the Scriptures are for. Jesus Himself answered this:

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me."
John 5:39
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself."
Luke 24:27
"These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled."
Luke 24:44
"The prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating."
1 Peter 1:11
Main idea The Bible is not only a collection of religious information. It leads us to Christ. The whole of Scripture — from Moses to the Prophets to the Psalms — testifies about Him. We study Scripture to see Him, hear Him, trust Him, and come to Him for life.

2. Jesus Is the Word Made Flesh, the Son Through Whom God Created

Genesis begins with God speaking creation into existence. In the beginning was God's Word — the creative power and wisdom of God Himself.

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
Genesis 1:1
"And God said, 'Let there be light,' and there was light."
Genesis 1:3

The Gospel of John opens with a direct echo of Genesis — and identifies this Word as the One who became flesh in Jesus Christ:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made."
John 1:1–3
"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
John 1:14

The author of Hebrews confirms this — God spoke through prophets in the past, but in these last days He has spoken through His Son, through whom He also created all things:

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world."
Hebrews 1:1–2
"You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands; they will perish, but you remain."
Hebrews 1:10–11 (quoting Psalm 102, applied to the Son)

The prophet Isaiah spoke of a child to be born to Israel whose names would include "Mighty God" and "Everlasting Father" — pointing to a person who is more than an ordinary man:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6

The Old Testament is clear: there is one God. Israel confessed this with the Shema:

"Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one."
Deuteronomy 6:4

The New Testament affirms the same oneness of God — and reveals that all things were created through the Son, who is not a creature, but the One through whom all creation came into being:

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities — all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together."
Colossians 1:15–17
On "firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:15):
"Firstborn" does not mean "first created." In biblical usage, "firstborn" denotes supremacy, honour, inheritance, and authority — not temporal origin. Colossians itself makes this clear: the very next verse explains the meaning: "For by him all things were created." A creator cannot be part of his own creation.
"The Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation."
Revelation 3:14
On "beginning of God's creation" (Revelation 3:14):
The Greek word archē can mean beginning, source, origin, or ruler. Read in harmony with John 1:3 ("All things were made through him") and Colossians 1:16 ("by him all things were created"), this phrase does not mean Jesus was created. It means He is the source and ruling origin of God's creation — the One through whom and for whom everything was made.
Main idea God creates by His Word. The Word became flesh in Jesus Christ. There is one true God, and the Son shares in God's divine identity and creative work. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is not part of creation — He is the One through whom creation came into being.

3. Jesus Reveals the Father, Saves Us, Reigns, and Calls Us to Follow Him

Jesus does not merely point us toward God from a distance. He reveals the Father perfectly. To see Jesus is to see the Father:

"Whoever has seen me has seen the Father."
John 14:9
"Whoever sees me sees him who sent me."
John 12:45
"No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known."
John 1:18
"He is the image of the invisible God."
Colossians 1:15
"He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature."
Hebrews 1:3

Jesus is the only way to the Father, and the only name by which we are saved:

"I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
"And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
Acts 4:12
"She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins."
Matthew 1:21
"And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
1 John 5:11–12

The apostles, who witnessed the resurrection, declared Him as both Lord and Christ:

"Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Acts 2:36
Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"
John 20:28
Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am."
John 8:58
"I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades."
Revelation 1:17–18

He is Head of the Church, High Priest, reigning King, and coming Judge:

"And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent."
Colossians 1:18
"Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."
Hebrews 4:14
"He is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them."
Hebrews 7:25
"On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords."
Revelation 19:16
"And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead."
Acts 10:42
"I am he who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works."
Revelation 2:23

He poured out the Holy Spirit, as the Father promised:

"But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me."
John 15:26
"Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing."
Acts 2:33
"He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you."
John 16:14

He is worthy of honour, worship, and the obedient love of all:

"…that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him."
John 5:23
"And behold, Jesus met them and said, 'Greetings!' And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him."
Matthew 28:9
"And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, 'Let all God's angels worship him.'"
Hebrews 1:6
"…and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
Philippians 2:10–11
"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"
Revelation 5:13

And He calls us personally — not only to admire Him, but to come to Him, rest in Him, listen to Him, love Him, and follow Him:

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?"
Luke 6:46
"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28
Main idea Jesus reveals the Father perfectly and brings us to Him. He saves us from sin. Eternal life is in Him alone. He is Head, High Priest, King, Judge, and the giver of the Holy Spirit. He is worthy of honour and worship. Therefore He is not merely someone to admire or study from a distance — He is the One we must come to, trust, listen to, love, obey, and follow.

Key Truth

The Scriptures point to Jesus Christ.

He is the Word made flesh.

He is the unique Son of God.

All things were created through Him and for Him.

He reveals the Father perfectly and brings us to Him.

He is Lord, Savior, Life, Head, High Priest, King, Judge, and the giver of the Holy Spirit.

He is worthy of honour and worship.

Therefore, Jesus is not only someone to admire or study.

He is the One we must come to, trust, listen to, love, obey, and follow.

"This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him."
— Matthew 17:5

Check Your Understanding

  1. Multiple choice: According to John 1:1–3, the Word (Jesus) was with God in the beginning and:

    • A. Was created by God before all things
    • B. Was God, and all things were made through Him
    • C. Became God at His baptism
    • D. Was a great prophet sent from heaven
    Show suggested answer

    B. John 1:1–3 says "the Word was God" and "all things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made." The Word is not a created being but the eternal God through whom creation came.

  2. True or false: "The Word becoming flesh" (John 1:14) means Jesus only appeared to be human but was not truly a physical person.

    Show suggested answer

    False. John 1:14 says the Word "became flesh and dwelt among us." This means Jesus truly became human — born of a woman, living a physical life, suffering real death. He is fully God and fully human, not merely the appearance of a man.

  3. Scripture connection: In John 8:12, Jesus says "I am the light of the world." What does this title mean for those who follow Him?

    Show suggested answer

    Jesus promises that those who follow Him "will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." He is not just a teacher who points to truth — He is the light itself. To follow Jesus is to walk in truth, life, and the knowledge of God.

  4. In your own words: Why is it significant that Peter said "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16)?

    Show suggested answer

    Peter's confession is significant because it recognises that Jesus is not merely a teacher or prophet but the promised Christ — the anointed one — and the Son of the living God. This is the foundation of Christian faith: that Jesus is who He claimed to be.

  5. Personal response: At the Transfiguration, the Father said "This is my beloved Son — listen to him." What does it mean for you, personally, to listen to Jesus?

    Show suggested answer

    There is no single correct answer. This question invites honest reflection: Am I bringing my questions, doubts, and decisions to Jesus and His word? Listening to Him means more than hearing — it means trusting His voice above all others.

Review

  1. According to John 1:1–3, what does the Scripture say about the Word?
  2. What does it mean that "the Word became flesh" (John 1:14)?
  3. What title does Jesus give Himself in John 8:12, and what does He promise to those who follow Him?
  4. What do Peter's words in Matthew 16:16 confess about Jesus?
  5. Why is it important that Jesus is both fully God and fully human?

Reflection Questions

  1. What did Jesus mean when He said the Scriptures testify about Him? How does this change the way you read the Old Testament?
  2. Why is it important that Jesus is not part of creation, but the One through whom creation came into being?
  3. What does Jesus reveal about the Father? What does this tell us about what God is like?
  4. What does it mean personally to "listen to Him" — as the Father commanded at the transfiguration?
  5. Is there any area of your life where you call Jesus "Lord" but still need to trust His word more fully and obey more sincerely?

After This Lesson

Read John 1:1–18 slowly and write one sentence beginning: "Jesus is…"

Before moving on, pause. Pray. Ask the Father, in the name of Jesus, to make these truths alive in your heart — not as religious information, but as the foundation of a life that truly knows, loves, and follows Jesus Christ.

"Father, open my eyes to see who Jesus truly is."