Jesus: The Series

Take this series to learn about the mission of Jesus through his actual encounters on earth.

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The Baptism of Jesus

Posted: April 3, 2015
The baptism of Jesus marks the beginning of Jesus's public ministry. In this incredible account, we see begin to understand Jesus' mission and purpose on the earth.

Talking Points:

  • Baptism was a sign of human sinfulness and the need to be reconnected to God. This explains why John protested when Jesus came to be baptized. Jesus was sinless. He didn’t need to get baptized. Matthew 3:13-15
  • Jesus didn’t need to be baptized for his owns sins because he had none. He was baptized in order to identify with the people he came to save. 2 Corinthians 5:21
  • As Christians, we get baptized as an act of obedience to Jesus who commands us to get baptized as a demonstration of our commitment to him. Matthew 28:18-20
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. As a group, list some of the main events from the life of Jesus.
  3. Read Matthew 3:13-15. Why was John hesitant to baptize Jesus? What do you think Jesus meant that it needed to be done to carry out God’s requirements?
  4. What is repentance? Why is repentance important to become a Christian? Why is an attitude of repentance important once you are a Christian?
  5. Read Hebrews 4:15. How is the baptism of Jesus different than every other baptism that John performed?
  6. If you have been baptized, why did you get baptized? How old were you? Where were you baptized? If you are a Christian and you haven’t been baptized, what prevents you from being baptized?
  7. Read 2 Corinthians 5:21. What does it mean that Jesus took on our sin and gave us his righteousness? How does this fulfill God’s requirement of perfect righteousness?
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

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The 3 Temptations of Jesus

Posted: April 2, 2015
At the very beginning of his public ministry, Jesus went into the desert for an extended time of preparation. There he was tempted by Satan in three significant ways. How Jesus handled those temptations teaches us some helpful lessons about honoring God.

Talking Points:

  • Satan tempted Jesus in three main ways:
    • The physical temptation: do what feels right. Matthew 4:3-4
    • The emotional temptation: question God’s love. Matthew 4:5-7
    • The control temptation: take over the throne. Matthew 4:8-10
  • Five lessons for today: (1) No one is exempt from temptation. (2) Temptation is not the same as sin. (3) Respond to temptation with God’s word. (4) Resist the devil in the power of the Spirit. (5) Pursue the will of God.
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Give some examples in today’s world of the attitude, “do what feels right”. Why is it such a temptation for most people? How can we respond to the temptation?
  3. Read Matthew 4:3-4. Jesus was fasting so being tempted by food was real at that time. What were the conditions that set you up to be tempted by Satan in the past?
  4. Read Matthew 4:5-7. How have you been tempted to question God’s love for you? What are some scripture verses that can help you overcome that lie?
  5. Read Matthew 4:8-10. What are some ways we are tempted to control our own lives? Make a list. Why is this attitude so dangerous for us?
  6. Read James 1:14-15. Do you agree that temptation is not a sin? When does it become sinful?
  7. Read James 4:7-10. Talk about some of the steps for choking out temptation in your life.
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

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Jesus and Zacchaeus

Posted: April 1, 2015
To fulfill his mission, Jesus actively extends life-changing grace to people others would reject.

Talking Points:

  • Jesus initiated the conversation with Zacchaeus. He could have passed on by to find someone more suitable. But Jesus called him by name. He entered his’ life and invited himself over to his house. Luke 19:1-5
  • Zacchaeus was an evil man who had become rich oppressing these very people. Jesus knew full well who Zacchaeus was. But he did not see Zacchaeus in those terms. He saw beyond Zacchaeus’ past and his sin to see him as a potential “true son of Abraham”. Galatians 3:26-29
  • Salvation comes by God’s grace, through faith alone. But it results in a life of doing good. This is exactly what we see with Zacchaeus. He became “a true son of Abraham” –  by faith. In response to God’s grace, Zacchaeus’ life was changed. He gave away half of his wealth, and he made four-fold restitution to people he had cheated.  Ephesians 2:8-10
  • Jesus came to offer everyone this free gift of salvation, no matter who we are or what we’ve done. Luke 19:10
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Read Luke 19:1-5. How did Jesus take the initiative to meet Zacchaeus? How do you think Jesus is taking initiative toward people today?
  3. Why were people upset when Jesus decided to go home with Zacchaeus? What kind of people today would invite a similar reaction?
  4. Read Galatians 3:26-29. Jesus declared Zacchaeus to be a “true son of Abraham”. Who are the literal children of Abraham? Based on this passage, who are the true children of Abraham? (See “How Abraham’s Covenant Includes Us”.)
  5. How does Zacchaeus’ response to Jesus demonstrate the qualities of genuine repentance? (See “What Is True Repentance?“)
  6. Read Ephesians 2:8-10. How have you experienced the transforming power of God’s grace in your life?
  7. Are there people in your life who seem to be beyond God’s grace, and why? What do you learn from the story of Zacchaeus that gives you hope?
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

 

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The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes

Posted: October 31, 2021
The miracle of the loaves and the fishes (John 6:1-15) teaches us three lessons about God's power to use even the small stuff in our lives.

Talking Points:

  • Lesson #1: Never judge your problems in the light of your own resources. John 6:8-9
  • Lesson #2: Put yourself in a position for God to do something big. Matthew 6:33
  • Lesson #3: Accept God’s invitation to participate. 
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Read John 6:1-15. Have you ever judged your problems in the light of your own resources? Describe what happened. How would you deal with it differently today?
  3. Read John 6:8-9. How do you think you would have responded to Andrew if you were in Jesus’ shoes? Explain.
  4. Read Matthew 6:33. Have you ever put yourself in a position for God to do something big in your life? Describe what happened.
  5. Imagine this young boy 20 years later. How do you think this miracle impacted him later in life? Do you think everyone in that crowd was impacted in the same way? Why or why not?
  6. Talk about prayer. How does God invite us to participate with him through prayer? Share an example from your own life.
  7. What are some other ways God invites us to participate with him in his work? Make a list. Do you need to take action on any of those items?
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

 

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Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

Posted: March 26, 2015
Jesus challenged the thinking of the religious establishment. In doing this, Jesus showed that God cares more about people than the rules.

Talking Points:

  • Jesus had special compassion for those who were rejected by society, and those who had experienced great suffering and loss. Luke 13:10-13
  • You might think that a healing caused a celebration and a worship service in the synagogue, but it did not. Instead, the traditionally religious people in the crowd were offended. Luke 13:14
  • Jesus argues with the synagogue leader by showing him the hypocritical nature of his attitude. Their devotion to heartless religious practice caused them to care more for animals than people; this is the opposite of God’s heart. Luke 13:15-16, Micah 6:8
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What is a hypocrite? Give an example of a modern-day hypocrite.
  3. Read Luke 13:10-13. How did Jesus show compassion to this woman? How have you shown compassion to someone in the past?
  4. Read Luke 13:14. Why do you think the synagogue leader responded this way? What did he stand to lose by letting this healing go? Why do people often think and act like the synagogue leader in the story?
  5. Read Micah 6:8. According to this verse, what is important to God? How would you rate yourself in each of these areas?
  6. How well do you think Christians do in caring for those on the margins of society? How can you improve this?
  7. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

 

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The Resurrection of Jesus

Posted: March 16, 2015
The resurrection of Jesus teaches us that Jesus is who he claimed to be. He really did die for our sins, and opens the way for us to experience a relationship with God.

Talking Points:

  • Jesus came to bring us a full, rich, satisfying, abundant life. Yet, many people don’t experience this life that Jesus offers. Many think it’s because they lack the right knowledge, or they just need better circumstances, or they just need to try harder to please God. John 10:10
  • What is more life-stealing than slavery? Sin brings negative consequences into our lives, it ruins the world, it separates us from God and ultimately causes physical and spiritual death. John 8:34
  • The only solution to the consequences of sin is Jesus Christ. Through His death, He took the punishment we deserve for our sin and provided forgiveness for our sin. And through His resurrection, He proved that sin was dealt with and the consequence of death was removed. John 11:25-26, John 3:14-16
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What’s your favorite thing about Jesus? What about Jesus initially drew you to him?
  3. Read John 10:10. Jesus said he came to bring us life “to the full.” What do you think he meant by the fullness of life? Give some examples of a time you experienced this.
  4. Read John 8:34. Jesus said that it is sin that stops us from experiencing the life he came to give. Describe some of the ways that sin robs of us of a full life. If these are true, why is sin so enticing?
  5. Read John 3:14-16. Why did Jesus have to die to provide forgiveness of sin? Why couldn’t God just ignore our sin? Why was the resurrection necessary for our salvation? What hope does the resurrection bring to us in this life?
  6. Read Ephesians 2:8-9. Describe the type of belief it requires to be saved from sin? Why do people tend to feel like they need to earn their salvation?
  7. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

 

 

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