What Do Christians Really Believe?
Week 4 | About Jesus
Oct 31 – Nov 6, 2021
Big Idea
We believe Jesus is King, and we are called to follow him as his Kingdom Community of apprentices.
Scripture
John 1:14 & 18, Mark 1:14-15, 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 20-28
Ice Breaker and Opening Thought
- What is your favorite show to binge-watch? Which is your favorite character?
- When Jesus said to his 1st Century audience, “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”, He was calling them away from the social, religious, and political ideologies that were leading to pain, division, violence, destruction, and war. He was calling them to turn around and come back to a true allegiance to God, to live as his people in the ways of his Kingdom. How does that message strike you in the 21st century?
Bible Discussion
- Read John 1:14 & 18. What is your understanding of what these verses are saying to us?
- Read Mark 1:14-15. What is significant about Jesus’ arrival in Galilee at this time? What does repentance look like to you?
- Read 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 20-28. What do you think Paul is clarifying in these passages?
Life Application
- The story of Jesus tells us that God is for us, and God has restored us to his community. He rose from the dead, opening up the path for a whole new way of life, an eternal way of life in his Kingdom. We will still get off-track at times. In what ways do you get off track? How do you recognize it? What do you do to get back on track?
- Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus ushered in the Kingdom of God and assumed His rightful place as King. The Kingdom is here; it’s a reality, but one look at the brokenness in our world tells us that the Kingdom has not yet been fully restored. What are some ways Jesus calls us to follow him that are different from how our society tells us to live?
- When you look at the brokenness of the world around us, what breaks your heart? What could you (we) do about it?
- We live in a culture that tells us that life is found in some form of the American dream. We chase it, and for a time, it can feel like it’s working. But ultimately, it will leave us wanting because we were made for so much more. Over the past couple of years, it’s been so easy for us to get sucked into the culture wars and the partisan politics that are raging all around us and lose sight of King Jesus and what truly matters in his Kingdom. The good news is that you can turn around and follow Jesus. Wherever you find yourself right now, may we all hear Jesus saying, “Come, follow me.” How can you follow Jesus more closely this week?