1Start
Jesus came to the world he had made, and many people turned him away (John 1:10–11).
2Read Together
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11). His own were the people of Israel, who had waited centuries for the Messiah. Some did receive him, and John tells what he gave them.
John 1:11–13 · King James Version
11He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
3What It Teaches
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12). We are already spirit children of Heavenly Father. Through Jesus Christ we can become his heirs, sons and daughters who receive all he has (Romans 8:16–17; Doctrine and Covenants 84:38).
Sin separates us from God, and none of us can close that distance alone. Jesus gives the power. When we receive him by faith, repentance, baptism, and keeping our covenants, he brings us into his family. King Benjamin told his people that their covenant made them the children of Christ (Mosiah 5:7).
Paul wrote, “The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16).
John says this new birth comes “of God,” and family background has nothing to do with it (John 1:13). Anyone who receives him can become part of his family.
4Talk About It
John says those who receive Jesus get power to become sons and daughters of God. What does it look like to receive him in everyday life?