The Gospel of John: Abide and Believe
Welcome to Inscribe the Word, the Gospel of John. This year, we are slowly and intentionally writing through John’s Gospel, and we invite you to join us.
Inscribe the Word is a spiritual practice rooted in the discipline of Scripture writing—taking time to handwrite passages of the Bible as a way to slow down, reflect, and meditate on God’s Word. By writing Scripture, we engage our minds and hearts in a deeper way, noticing the richness of each word and allowing the truths of the Bible to sink more deeply into our souls. It’s not about how much we write but how intentionally we engage, creating space for the Holy Spirit to speak, teach, and transform us through the living Word of God.
This year, we invite you to slow down and savor the Gospel of John. The Gospel was written to reveal Jesus in a way that invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. John doesn’t just tell us what Jesus did—he shows us who Jesus is: the Word made flesh, the Light of the world, and the Bread of life. By inscribing this Gospel, we’re creating space to meditate on each verse, letting its truths settle in our hearts and minds.
We’re not rushing.
From January to November, we’ll focus on one section of John each month, with a new theme that highlights the richness of this Gospel. December will be a time of reflection, journaling through how these Scriptures have spoken to us.
If you prefer to Inscribe another topic or theme this year, CLICK HERE for our ITW Collection.
This January, we inscribed John 1:1-John 2:11, and we saw Jesus as The Light of the World.
This February, we inscribed John 2:12-4:6, and we went from the cleansing waters of baptism to new creation and being born again.
This March, we inscribed John 4:7-5:14, and we went from broken to whole in the hands of Jesus.
This April, we inscribed John 5:15-6:27, and we saw Jesus as the Bread of Life and our total sustenance.
This May, we inscribed John 6:48-7:46, and we saw Jesus as the giver of Living Water and having the words of life.
This June, we inscribed John 7:47-9:24, and we saw Jesus as the Light of the World
This July, we inscribed John 9:25-11:34.
This August, we inscribed John 11:35-13:20
Now, we come to the beauty of September, as we are invited to Abide and Believe.
In the Scriptures we are inscribing this month, we enter the heart of Jesus’ final night with His disciples. These are not casual teachings. These are His parting words spoken with urgency, tenderness, and unwavering love. John 13–17 is often called “The Upper Room Discourse” or “The Farewell Discourse.”
Why “Upper Room”?
These words were spoken in a home’s upper room in Jerusalem, where Jesus shared His last Passover meal, the Last Supper, with His disciples. This sacred, intimate setting allowed Jesus to speak deeply and personally with the men who had closely walked with Him for three years.
Why “Farewell”?
Because Jesus knew His time had come. The cross was near. He was preparing to leave them, not just in death, but also through His return to the Father. So, like a loving father giving final instructions to his children, Jesus pours out His heart. He teaches, comforts, warns, promises, and prays for His disciples.
Unlike the public teachings found in the earlier chapters of John, these words are quiet and personal. They are full of love, weight, and urgency. Jesus speaks not to the crowds, but to His friends, those who would carry His message to the world.
The Farewell Discourse is a treasure. In it, we find the roots of abiding, the gift of the Spirit, the command to love, and the assurance that we are not left alone. Even in goodbye, Jesus is preparing the way for eternal communion. Even in parting, His love does not end.
This month, we walk with Jesus as:
He Predicts His Betrayal – The room is heavy with emotion. Jesus is deeply troubled in spirit. He breaks the silence: one of the Twelve will betray Him. It’s a moment that shocks the table, but Jesus is not surprised. He knows what’s coming. And still, He chooses love. Still, He breaks bread with Judas. Still, He washes his feet. We begin this section with the ache of a love that is rejected and yet still offered.
He gives a New Commandment – Once Judas departs, Jesus turns to those who remain. What does He leave with them? Not a battle plan or a strategy, but a command: Love one another as I have loved you. This is the mark of true discipleship. It is not power, not knowledge, but love. A love that reflects the self-giving, sacrificial heart of Jesus.
He foretells Peter’s Denial – Peter protests his loyalty, but Jesus knows the truth. Peter will deny Him three times. But Jesus doesn’t shame him. He simply tells the truth. There is comfort even here: Jesus knows our failures before we make them, and He still claims us as His own.
He Comforts Anxious Hearts – “Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled”. Jesus begins to comfort their anxious hearts. He speaks of the Father’s house, of preparing a place, of the way they already know. Thomas, ever honest, says what we all think: We don’t know the way. But Jesus responds with one of the most treasured declarations in all of Scripture: I am the way, the truth, and the life. He doesn’t offer directions. He offers Himself.
“If You’ve Seen Me, You’ve Seen the Father” – Philip asks for a glimpse of God, and Jesus answers with gentle astonishment: Have I been with you so long, and you still don’t know Me? The fullness of the Father is revealed in the Son. If we want to know what God is like, we look at Jesus. His heart, His compassion, His power, His humility—that is what God is like.
He Gives The Promise of the Spirit – Jesus speaks of the Helper, the Spirit of truth, who will come after Him. The world cannot accept Him, but the disciples will know Him. Why? Because the Spirit will not be a stranger. They will recognize Him as the very presence of Jesus, alive within them. This is the great gift of abiding: God with us, even after the cross.
He Gives A Command: “Abide in Me” – Jesus uses the image of the vine and branches. Just as a branch draws its life from the vine, we must remain in Him if we are to bear fruit. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. Abiding is not passive; it is intentional. It’s the choice to dwell, to stay connected, to keep company with Jesus. Through this abiding, love overflows. Joy becomes complete.
He Tells of The World’s Hatred and the Spirit’s Witness – Jesus does not sugarcoat what’s coming. The world will hate them, just as it hated Him. But they are not alone. The Spirit will testify, and they will too. Their lives will bear witness to a Kingdom not of this world, empowered by a presence greater than fear.
“It Is for Your Good That I Go” – This may be the hardest truth of all: that Jesus’ departure is not a loss, but a gift. Because when He goes, the Spirit comes. And the Spirit will convict, guide, comfort, and reveal truth. What feels like an ending is the beginning of something eternal.
Will We Abide and Believe?
Abiding in His Presence:
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you.” (John 15:4)
Abiding isn’t about performance. It’s about presence. Jesus invites us to stay close and to live our days in communion with Him. This is where fruit grows. This is where joy is made full.
Believing Through Uncertainty:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1)
Life is full of trouble. But Jesus does not leave us alone in it. Belief is not denial. It’s choosing to trust that Jesus is with us, even when we can’t see the road ahead.
Living Out His Love:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)
The world is watching. What will mark us? Not our arguments. Not our achievements. But our love. Love that looks like Jesus: humble, patient, self-giving, and true.
Listening to the Spirit:
“When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13)
We are not left to figure it out alone. The Spirit is with us and is teaching, reminding, and guiding. To abide is also to listen. The Spirit is speaking. Will we quiet ourselves to hear?
Receiving His Compassion:
“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)
We do not have a distant Savior. We have One who weeps with us, who is moved by our pain. Jesus doesn’t hurry us past grief. He enters into it. His tears remind us that divine love is not emotionless but deeply present.Receiving His Life:
“I am the resurrection and the life.” (John 11:25)
Jesus does not merely offer solutions; He offers Himself. Resurrection is not an event. It’s a Person. When we are close to Him, life rises. Love raises dead things. Hope breathes again.Receiving His Sacrifice:
“Leave her alone… It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.” (John 12:7)
Mary poured out her love without knowing the full weight of what she was doing, but Jesus knew. He received it as preparation. Love is not always efficient. It’s often extravagant. Can we offer Jesus our worship, even when others don’t understand?Receiving His Humility:
“Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14)
Jesus’ love leads Him to the floor, to the towel, to the dust. He models a way of life where the greatest is the servant. But before we imitate Him, we must first let Him wash us. Can we accept that kind of love that stoops low and gets personal?
This month, as you inscribe the Word, let the words of Jesus settle deep into your heart.
These are His final words before the cross. They are words of comfort, instruction, and unstoppable love.
Let them anchor you.
Let them form you.
Let them lead you to abide … and believe.
