Signs and Belief Plan
Preach the signs as invitations to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Text Block Plan for John
Preach the signs as invitations to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
- Series Type
- Text Block Plan preaching approach
- Sermons
- 6 planned movements
- Outlines
- 6 preparation guides
- Formation
- 6 pastoral aims
Formation Thread
- Sermon 1 John 1:1-2:25
The Word, Glory, and First Signs
Behold Christ before beginning with self: John starts with who Jesus is, not with human need alone.
- Sermon 2 John 3:1-4:54
New Birth, Living Water, and Faith
Move from respectful religious interest to Spirit-given life and faith in Christ.
- Sermon 3 John 5:1-8:59
Conflict, Witness, and the I Am Claims
Recognize helplessness before Christ rather than trusting human means of self-restoration.
- Sermon 4 John 9:1-12:50
Sight, Shepherding, and the Hour
Reject shallow explanations of others' suffering.
- Sermon 5 John 13:1-17:26
Upper Room, Love, and Prayer
Receive Jesus' love as love that goes to the end, not merely affection in easy moments.
- Sermon 6 John 18:1-21:25
Cross, Resurrection, and Restoration
See Jesus’ passion as sovereign obedience, not tragic helplessness.
Sermon Sequence
- 1Sermon 1 John 1:1-2:25
The Word, Glory, and First Signs
John opens with incarnation, witness, and signs that reveal the glory of the Son.
FormationBehold Christ before beginning with self: John starts with who Jesus is, not with human need alone.
Prayer for this passage
Father, we stand amazed that the Word who spoke all things into existence humbled himself to become flesh and dwell among us, revealing your glory and character in ways we could finally comprehend. We confess our desperate need for the grace and truth that only Jesus brings, the life-giving light that dispels our darkness and makes us children of God. Grant us eyes to behold his fullness day by day, and transform us by the truth we have received from him, grace upon grace. We surrender ourselves to follow this eternal Word made flesh, trusting that in him we have received everything necessary for life and godliness.
- 2Sermon 2 John 3:1-4:54
New Birth, Living Water, and Faith
Jesus' conversations with Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman show that life comes through believing in the Son.
FormationMove from respectful religious interest to Spirit-given life and faith in Christ.
Prayer for this passage
Father, I confess that my religious efforts and moral accomplishments cannot bring me into your kingdom—only the new birth you work through your Spirit can transform me from within. I believe that you lifted up your Son as you lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, and that faith in Him grants me eternal life rather than condemnation. Grant me the grace to trust not in my own righteousness but in Christ's redemptive work, and help me turn from darkness to this light so that my deeds may be exposed and healed by your truth.
- 3Sermon 3 John 5:1-8:59
Conflict, Witness, and the I Am Claims
The signs, disputes, and I Am sayings reveal Jesus' identity in sharp confrontation with unbelief.
FormationRecognize helplessness before Christ rather than trusting human means of self-restoration.
Prayer for this passage
Lord, as I witness Jesus healing the paralyzed man on the Sabbath, I see Your divine authority breaking through human tradition and revealing that mercy toward the suffering supersedes rigid law-keeping. Forgive me for the ways I have bound others—and myself—with rules that obscure Your compassionate power rather than display it. Grant me eyes to recognize Jesus' claim to equality with You not as blasphemy but as the very foundation of my salvation, and help me surrender my resistance to His lordship in every area of my life.
- 4Sermon 4 John 9:1-12:50
Sight, Shepherding, and the Hour
Healing, shepherding, and the approach of Jesus' hour gather the gospel's public turning point.
FormationReject shallow explanations of others' suffering.
Prayer for this passage
Lord, just as You opened the eyes of the man born blind through the power of Christ, open the eyes of my heart to see Your glory manifested in Jesus, the Light of the world. Grant me to recognize that You work in my darkness and limitations not for my shame, but so that Your works might be displayed in and through my life. I surrender my blindness—my spiritual dullness, my limited understanding, my resistance to Your truth—to the transforming touch of Christ, trusting that You desire to give me sight for Your name's sake.
- 5Sermon 5 John 13:1-17:26
Upper Room, Love, and Prayer
The farewell discourse and high priestly prayer reveal the Son's love, mission, and covenant care.
FormationReceive Jesus' love as love that goes to the end, not merely affection in easy moments.
Prayer for this passage
Lord, You have shown us that true greatness belongs to the one who serves, and You Yourself took the towel and basin to wash the feet of Your disciples. Forgive us for seeking honor and position when You call us to humble ourselves in the service of others. Give us courage to follow Your example by laying down our comfort and pride at the feet of those around us, knowing that in serving them, we serve You. We surrender our pursuit of greatness on the world's terms and commit ourselves to the redemptive love You have demonstrated, becoming disciples who wash the feet of others.
- 6Sermon 6 John 18:1-21:25
Cross, Resurrection, and Restoration
The arrest, trial, crucifixion, empty tomb, and restoration of Peter complete John's gospel of glory through the cross.
FormationSee Jesus’ passion as sovereign obedience, not tragic helplessness.
Prayer for this passage
Father, I stand amazed that Your Son willingly drank the cup You appointed, surrendering Himself to arrest not as a victim but as the sovereign King who commands legions of angels. Give me grace to recognize His authority displayed in that very submission, to see how His voluntary sacrifice accomplishes what no force could compel. As Christ yielded to Your redemptive plan in that garden hour, I too offer myself to drink whatever cup You set before me, trusting that Your sovereignty works through my obedience as it worked through His.
About This Series
Preach the signs as invitations to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.