It’s confusing. What does the Bible mean when it says Jesus is God’s “one and only Son” (John 3:16)? The confusion is because in Bible days “son” could mean more than “descendant.” For instance, “son of King Josiah” meant “successor”—even if the new king was from a different family. To call someone a “son of Israel” was a way of saying “Israelite.” And “sons of the prophets” was a way of saying “prophets.”
So to say Jesus is the “Son of God” is a way of saying “Jesus is God.” To say that Jesus is the “one and only Son” means no other person is God. Christians are adopted into God’s family as sons of God (Ephesians 1:5). But adoption doesn’t make us God. Only Jesus is God.
What’s fascinating is that Jesus often spoke of himself as the “Son of Man.” When he did, Jesus was usually emphasizing the fact that he was a true human being as well as God.
John 1:1–14 sums up what the Bible teaches and what Christians believe. Jesus existed as God with God the Father before the universe was created. And then “the Word [an expression identifying the Son of God before Jesus was born] became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
Jesus, the Son of God—God himself!—was born into our world and became a Son of Man—a true human being. As God and Man, Jesus lived here on our planet. He died on a cross to pay for our sins. Today whoever believes in the one and only Son of God becomes a child of God and is welcomed into God’s family forever.
Maybe the hardest thing a teen can do is witness to family. Especially if it’s to unsaved parents. What can make family witness easier? Look how Andrew witnessed. He met Jesus personally. Then he said to his brother, “We have found the Messiah” (John 1:41). He didn’t argue about the Bible or try to get his brother to go to church. He simply shared his own experience of having met Jesus. You don’t have to convince your family and friends of anything. Just follow Jesus yourself and talk naturally about what he means to you. God the Holy Spirit will do the rest.
If someone asked you if you’re saved, what would you say? Some people say, “I hope I’ll be saved.” Some people say, “I think I’m saved.” And then other people say, “I know I’m saved!”
A verse that is probably the most famous one in the Bible tells you that you can know. Take a minute to read John 3:16. Now read verse 17 also. It’s pretty clear. God sent his Son to give ever-lasting life to whoever believes in him. And whoever believes in him is not condemned.
Try something. Take out that “whoever,” and put your own name there. Read the verse again with your name in it, and think about it. Do you believe in Jesus? Then you have God’s own word that you are saved.
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
What does “believe” mean? First, it doesn’t mean “know the facts about.” We know a lot of facts about Napoleon and George Washington, for instance. But believing those facts—accepting them as true—doesn’t make an eternal difference.
What makes believing in Jesus or any Bible truth different is that little word, “in.” To “believe in” is different from believing information “about.” To “believe in” means we put our trust in Jesus. We rely on Jesus; we count on him and count on truths found in the Bible.
A circus performer was about to walk a tightrope stretched over Niagara Falls. He asked the crowd, “Who believes I can carry a man across on my back?” One man shouted out, “I do! I do!”
The circus performer said, “All right, you’re first.” The man ran away as fast as he could. He believed something about the performer, but he didn’t believe in the performer.
To “believe in” Jesus means trusting ourselves to him completely. To “believe in” what the Bible says means we rely on God’s Word so completely that we build our lives on its teachings.
Check out what Jesus said one day. It’s recorded in Matthew 7:24–27. And then decide to believe in Jesus.
My school has students of different races and religions. I have been taught to treat people of all races with respect. I get that totally. But what about people who believe in other religions? I hear so many different things about that. Should we avoid them?
Kevin
Dear Kevin,
John 4 shows how Jesus treated a Samaritan woman. Samaritans were looked down on by the Jewish people. But Jesus asked her for a drink at a well. She was surprised he would even speak to her. He was respectful and told her about salvation. She was led to faith and brought many people from her town to Jesus as well.
It may surprise you to know that many people think Christians are judgmental and mean to people who believe differently than they do. Jesus teaches us to treat others as we would like to be treated. Sometimes when we are kind to people, we later get the chance to share our faith with them. Even if we don’t, we have shown kindness to another person. Respect and kindness show good manners and show the world that Christians are caring, not judgmental.
Jordan
Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6). That’s the question Jesus asked a man who was paralyzed for 38 years. Why that question? Maybe because he didn’t want to get well. For 38 years he lived by begging. Healed, he’d have to go to work and support himself. How about your prayers? God can answer them. Did you ask God to help you pass that test? If so, you’ll have to study. Did you tell God you want to witness? Then you’ll have to speak up. God can answer your prayers, but you’ll have to do your part too.
Where did God come from? Why doesn’t the Bible say anything about dinosaurs? How could Jesus be born without a human father? There are no easy answers to questions like these. No one created God; he always existed. We don’t know where dinosaurs fit in. And Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived. We can’t explain everything we believe. So what do we do when we don’t understand some teaching of the Bible? Stop following Jesus, like the disciples in this story? No way! Like the Twelve we say, “We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:69). Our hard questions will be answered when Jesus comes again.
Oops. Here it is again. Another one of those stories for little kids. Sheep? And shepherds? How cute, right? Wrong. Little kids see sheep as furry, cuddly things. But in Jesus’ day people saw sheep as wealth. A shepherd often risked his life to protect the sheep under his care. Think about this passage that way, and sheep and shepherds aren’t just for little kids. When Jesus says, “I am the good shepherd,” he’s telling you how valuable you are to God. And he proved that claim by dying for you. Check this passage out. What else do you see that tells you you’re really important to the Lord?
Q: How many people did Jesus raise from the dead?
BONUS: What was special about the raising of Lazarus?
These verses identify three groups of people. Some would not believe even after Jesus “performed so many signs in their presence” (John 12:37). Some believed but didn’t want to tell anyone. Some, like the disciples, believed and were eager to say they were followers of Jesus. Which group do you fit into?
• Unbeliever
• Secret believer
• Open believer
In a way, both unbelievers and open believers are being honest. The secret believer, who doesn’t want anyone to know he or she is a Christian, isn’t being honest. It is great to be an open believer, who cares more about what God thinks than about what people think.
The night before he was crucified, Jesus issued a “new command” that his disciples love one another (John 13:34).
The call to love others isn’t new (Leviticus 19:18, 34). What then is “new” about this commandment?
• A new relationship—Christians are family, not just neighbors.
• A new standard—Christians love as Jesus loved.
• A new outcome—when Christians love each other, people who are not yet believers realize these are Jesus’ followers.
Love isn’t optional for Christians. They are to be people who love. When they love each other in the self-sacrificing way that Jesus loves, non-Christians see how real Jesus is by the difference he makes in their lives.
I’m an honor student, athlete, beautiful inside and out, and have a ton of friends. But some of my friends think I’m conceited. How can I make them understand that I feel good about myself because I’m just naturally good at almost everything? Why should I get down on myself if others can’t keep up with me?
Maya
Dear Maya,
It’s terrific to feel good about yourself. But I think your reasons show a lack of understanding in why we should have good self-esteem. In Genesis 1 God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness . . .” (verse 26). Our value as human beings is not measured by what we succeed in. Instead, when we are born we are given special value because we alone are made in the image and likeness of God.
You said you are naturally good at almost everything. Where did these talents or gifts come from? According to King David, “For [God] created my inmost being; [he] knit me together in my mother’s womb” (Psalm 139:13). God gave each of us different abilities. So you are correct that these things are natural for you.
“Apart from me you can do nothing” Jesus said in John 15:5. He goes on to say that it “is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit” (verse 8). In the future when someone says you’re good at something, try saying, “I’m trying to use the abilities God gave me.” Then perhaps people will think you are godly instead of conceited.
Jordan
My friend’s father died last week. I gave her a big hug and said how depressed she must be. She told me she was very sad and grieving but not depressed. She said she felt joyful her father was with Jesus and no longer suffering. I’m confused. How can someone be sad and grieving but not depressed?
Victoria
Dear Victoria,
Grief and sadness are feelings people have when they have lost someone or something close to their heart. Depression is sadness that doesn’t go away for a long time. It could come after someone dies if grieving continues and the person can’t function. Depression can be feeling down or sad and crying. It’s often a feeling of hopelessness which may not have a known cause. Depression is serious and needs to be treated by a doctor.
It’s normal to feel sad when someone we love has died. We will always remember that person and sometimes we may cry when we think of him or her. But normally our deep sadness begins to pass.
Your friend said she felt joy that her father was no longer suffering. That’s what John 16:20, 22 tells us: “You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy . . . and no one will take away your joy.” The joy of the Lord is a feeling of deep well-being and happiness that comes from God even when we may feel sad or troubled. Because it comes from God, no one else can take it away.
Jordan
Is Jesus’ promise in John 16:23, “My Father will give you whatever you ask in my name,” sort of like a blank check? You get whatever you want? What will you ask for? First you need to understand the “in my name” part. In Bible times a name wasn’t just a label. Names reflected character. Asking “in Jesus’ name” doesn’t mean tacking those words on at the end of your prayers. It means asking for the kind of thing Jesus himself would ask for. Jesus’ promise means that when you want to glorify God as he did and serve others as he served them, God will gladly answer those prayers!
Jesus prayed that believers would “be one” and “be brought to complete unity.” Ha! That’s one prayer that wasn’t answered! Right? Look at all the different denominations! But read carefully. What Jesus asked was that believers be one with him, be united to him and the Father. This isn’t about denominations at all. And this prayer has been answered: Every Christian is united to Jesus when he or she believes (see Romans 6:1–14).
Q: What two men went to get Jesus’ body after the crucifixion?
BONUS: What was unusual about these men?
Have you ever made a bad choice and felt like you let your parents and God down? Something like Peter’s choice to deny that he knew Jesus (John 18:15–27)? When you make that kind of choice, it’s natural to wonder if the Lord still loves you. The next time Jesus saw Peter he asked him, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15). Peter felt embarrassed and ashamed, but he answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you” (John 21:15). A mistake, even a terribly wrong choice, doesn’t mean that the bond of love you have with Jesus has been broken. If you should make one of those bad choices, picture Christ asking you, “Do you love me?” Then answer yes.
John
God?
Is Jesus really God? Yes, he is the Son of God, who loved you enough to come to earth to be with you and to save you from your sins.