Each Monday this summer we’ll be highlighting our weekly verse from Hiding Classics in My Heart. Please join the conversation in the comments about what these verses mean to YOU.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:16 (KJV)
{June 3 – June 9}
Of all Bible verses, John 3:16 tops the list of most read. (See list of Top 100 here.) It also shows up on almost every list of important verses to memorize.
And for good reason. It sums up who we are (the beloved), who God is (the ultimate Giver and Lover), what He did (sacrificed His Son), and why He did it (out of love for our lives).
It’s no wonder this is one of our favorite scriptures. If you haven’t already memorized it, what better time than now?
And if you do already know it, use it this week to meditate on how greatly you’re loved by God!
Do you already know John 3:16? When did you first learn it? What does it mean to you now? Please leave a comment below. Also join our daily conversation on Facebook.
Do you already know John 3:16? When did you first learn it? What does it mean to you now? Yes, I already know John 3:16 as a child I learned the verse and recited it in Vacation Bible School. As a adult and a child that has a deeper understanding of the word through daily time in the word. This verse now shows me just how deep the Love the father has for us his children. He doesn’t want us to perish but have ever lasting life If we believe in his perfect sinless son who willing did what the father said & shed his blood for us.
Such beautiful love!
Definitely a popular verse for VBS, yes? :-) I probably first learned it there, too. But yes, as an adult, the meaning goes much deeper. Yet it’s still more than I can fathom that “His perfect sinless Son” willingly did what He did. May we all have more faith and love–and life!–because of that. Thanks for sharing this, Novella.
Loved this verse…the first one I ever learned as a child.
Sweet memories. Such a blessing to have known this Truth from an early age.
I know John 3:16, but looking at some of the conversations in the FB group, I would love to read it in different versions/translations throughout the week. :)
That’s what I decided to do, too, Joyce! Gives me an extra feel for it when I see the words phrased a little differently in each version.
Love this verse. It Feels like I have always known it so I guess I learned it as a child. As I have gotten older the verse has come to mean so much more. A verse with such incredible love shown to us all.
I know–it feels like an old friend, yes? :-) It just continues to add layers of meaning to me, too. Thanks for stopping in!
I have begun and feel so blessed to be a part of this community for such a rich journey…into the Word of God. I look forward to the summer as we plant the Word right where it belongs. I posted my reflections of this verse over @ Being Woven… http://beingwoven.org/2013/06/03/into-my-heart/
Praising God for each new day when I can feel His Presence through His Word. I am praising Him for each of you as you encourage me along this path.
Caring through Christ, ~ linda
We’re very glad you’re with us on this journey, Linda. You’ve already been an encouragement for us to seek the Lord through these scriptures. If you’d like, I hope you’ll add your post to our link-up on Wednesday!
Thanks, Lisa. And I will be more than delighted to link-up tomorrow. May your day be blessed as you are such a blessing to us.
I am just now memorizing this verse……….until I married, I never really read the Bible despite the fact that I went to a parochial school, first grade through graduation!
I love how God uses life to show us His Way for us. All those years in a parochial school! I was raised in a Presbyterian home, went to church, Sunday school, summer Bible school, and am now (these past twenty years) REALLY reading the Word of God with some understanding through the Holy Spirit. I memorized way back then but understood very little, if anything!! Praising God for His patience with us!! May your day be blessed, Vickie.
So glad you’re joining us, Vickie. It amazes me too how close we can hover around God’s things yet still not really connect with God Himself. But thankfully He keeps pressing in until we do see His glory and then we can’t get enough of Him.
And Linda–amen! The Holy Spirit is the best guide through the scriptures. I’m very thankful too that God is so patient with me. Where would we be otherwise? Blessings to you.
When I was in grade school in rural Oklahoma, a couple would come by once a month or so. If I would memorize John 3:16, they would give me a copy of the gospel of John. There were other prizes for other memorization, but the gospel of John was a high as I got. I also remember them because they drove a white Volkswagen beetle, which was rare, it always fascinated us.
What a fun memory, Marquis. I wonder if you still have that copy of the gospel of John. :-) And I wonder if that couple realized the impact they made… We often know what happens to the seeds we plant. Maybe even because of our car. ha. God can use even Volkswagen beetles.
John 3:16 is a very very familiar verse in the Bible.. but there is 4 Truths that we can see in this verse.(1) For God so loved (speaks about the love of God, we know that God is Love); (2) the world (speaks about Mission, Jesus Christ is the Author of Mission.. He left the splendor of heaven just to save us.) (3)that He gave His only begotten Son (speaks about Giving, we cannot out smart God through giving, because He gave/sacrifice His begotten Son for us) (4) for whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (speaks about Promise.. Titus 1:2, God cannot lie concerning His promises.)
Thanks for delineating the four truths. All amazing, yes. Love how you phrased this: ” we cannot out smart God through giving, because He gave/sacrifice His begotten Son for us”. Glad you shared.