The Gospel of John: From Broken to Whole.
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.
Now, we go into March with Jesus firmly beginning his ministry and making the broken whole.
From Broken To Whole . . .
In the Scriptures we are inscribing this month, we walk through beautiful moments with Jesus:
His meeting with the Samaritan Woman at the well.
The healing of the officials son.
The healing of the man at the Pool of Bethesda.
The Woman at the Well: A Thirst Deeper Than Water (John 4:7-42).
A Samaritan woman comes to the well at noon carrying more than just an empty water jar—she carries a broken and empty heart. Jesus found her amid a lifetime of shame, isolation, and broken relationships. When He speaks to her, He isn’t just offering water; He’s offering living water—a source of eternal salvation for her soul.
What’s remarkable about this encounter is how Jesus speaks directly to her in the middle of her pain. She has been searching for fulfillment in human relationships, but each one has left her empty. Yet Jesus doesn’t turn away. Instead, He offers her something greater than she could have imagined—true worship and a relationship with the Messiah.
The moment she realizes who Jesus is, her heart is transformed.
The woman who once avoided people now runs into town, proclaiming His name, the first evangelist in the Gospel story.
Her shame is gone, her heart is full, and she is no longer defined by her past.
The fact that John told her story with such clarity, depth, and grace is remarkable in itself. Jews and Samaritans had a long history of hostility, dating back to the time of the Kings. In Luke 9:54-56, John and his brother James, in their zeal, asked Jesus to call down fire from heaven to destroy a Samaritan village. Yet, in John’s Gospel, when he recounts her story, we see the transformation in his heart—a heart softened and shaped by walking closely with Jesus.
In the story of The Samaritan Woman, we see Jesus who takes our emptiness and fills us with living water.
He meets us in the places of shame and turns them into testimonies of grace.
The Man at Bethesda: A Healing Beyond the Physical (John 5:1-13).
By the pool of Bethesda lies a man who has been sick for thirty-eight years. He has waited, hoped, and watched others receive healing, but he remains unchanged. When Jesus approaches him, He asks a simple yet profound question:
“Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6)
At first, the man offers an excuse—he has no one to help him into the water.
But Jesus doesn’t need the pool to heal him.
With just a word, He commands him to rise, take up his mat, and walk.
This man’s healing wasn’t just about regaining physical movement; it was about stepping into a new life. After years of hopelessness, he was given the chance to walk again, both physically and spiritually.
In the Man at the Pool at Bethesda, we see Jesus who takes our helplessness and speaks life over it.
He restores not just our bodies but our very souls.
Archaelogical site of The Pool at Bethesda.
The Story of the Official’s Son (John 4:46-54)
The story begins with brokenness. A royal official, likely a man of status and power working for Herod Antipas, finds himself in a position where none of his influence or wealth can help him. His son is dying, and he is desperate. Despite his position, he humbles himself and travels to Jesus, begging for healing.
Brokenness often brings us to the feet of Christ in ways that comfort and self-sufficiency never do.
Jesus healed the man’s son with a spoken word, “Then Jesus told him, "Go back home. Your son will live!" And the man believed what Jesus said and started home.” - John 4:50
This story reminds us that the journey from broken to whole often requires trusting Jesus before we see the proof.
Healing comes in different forms—sometimes in miraculous moments, sometimes in deepened faith.
But always, Jesus is faithful to restore.
The Sea of Galilee.
From Broken to Whole: A Pattern of Redemption
Both the Samaritan woman and the man at Bethesda show us that Jesus isn’t just in the business of fixing symptoms—He restores the whole person.
The woman at the well was weighed down by past mistakes, but Jesus gave her living water and a new identity.
The man at Bethesda was trapped in sickness and despair, but Jesus gave him strength to walk and a fresh start.
The official’s son was dying, but Jesus spoke a word that gave the offical and his family brand new life.
We have a Savior who doesn’t just see our pain, but sympathizes with our pain, enters into it, and offers us transformation.
“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” - Hebrews 4:15-16
Moving Into The New Month.
As we inscribe these words this month, let’s ask ourselves:
Where have I been looking for satisfaction apart from Jesus?
Are there places in my life where I’ve settled for brokenness instead of receiving His healing?
How can I step into the newness He offers, leaving behind shame, fear, and past wounds?
Jesus is still speaking.
Jesus is still healing.
Jesus is still making broken people whole.
Whether we’re coming to the well thirsty, asking for healing for another, or lying by the pool in need, His invitation is the same:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Let’s continue writing His words, allowing them to shape us from the inside out.
Community
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this daily study, grow in your understanding of Scripture, and access exclusive weekly teachings and resources, join our Substack community for just $7 a month. You will receive:
Inscribe the Word Resources: Each week, we will provide you with a full list of resources to accompany your daily Inscribe the Word Scripture writing passages. Resources can include videos, articles, commentaries, maps, and charts.
A Weekly Post: Each week, we will bring together all of the Inscribe the Wordthemes for the week ahead in a simple and straightforward post.
Exclusive Community Conversations: Join Steven, Erika, and fellow subscribers in a weekly “Group Text” thread, where we share thoughts on culture and practical tips on building a life of worship.
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We hope to see you there!
