PURPOSE

  • To understand who Jesus is and the amazing life he lived

TEACHER’S GUIDE (tap to view)

MATTHEW 16:13-16 | WHO IS JESUS?

Q: Who do you say Jesus is?

JOHN 1:1-4, 1 JOHN 1:1-4 | JESUS WAS BOTH HUMAN AND DIVINE

  • John is speaking of Jesus as “the Word.” Jesus was with God in the beginning, but more than that – he “was God”. Through him all things were made, and he brought the light of God into the darkness. Jesus spoke the very words of God.
  • Jesus was also fully human! He could be heard, seen and touched. His followers walked with him, and their message was about all they experienced of his very human life.

Note: Jesus’ teaching and his miracles speak to his divinity (Matthew 4:23-25).

MARK 1:1-8 | JESUS WAS EXPECTED

  • Many scriptures written long before the time of Christ looked forward to his coming (Isaiah 40:3 is referenced here). God’s people had expected and looked forward to a messiah for many generations!
  • John’s God-given role was to prepare the way for Jesus. Imagine hearing the teaching of John – the Messiah was about to arrive!

Q: After generations of waiting, how might it have felt to know that the Messiah was about to arrive? 

MATTHEW 7:24-29 | JESUS WAS A REVOLUTIONARY TEACHER

  • Jesus’ teachings set him apart, and those who heard him were often amazed! He taught unlike anyone else because he taught with authority.

Let’s look at some of what he taught:

His teaching on purity (Matthew 5:27-30)

His teaching on loving your enemies (Matthew 5:43-45)

His teaching on the love of money (Matthew 6:24)

Q: How are Jesus’ teachings still revolutionary for our world today?

JOHN 4:4-9 | JESUS DREW ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE TO HIMSELF

  • According to the prejudices of his day, Jesus shouldn’t even have been in Samaria, and he certainly shouldn’t have been talking to a Samaritan woman!
  • Jesus welcomed and spent his time with children, lepers and social outcasts such as the Samaritans and tax collectors. He loved those who many considered unlovable. He was often ridiculed for the time he spent with “sinners.” Jesus drew all kinds of people to himself, and he is drawing you!

Q: How do you feel about the idea that Jesus is drawing you to himself?

JOHN 13:1-5, 34-35 | JESUS LOVED BEYOND MEASURE

  • Washing feet was a humble act of service, a dirty job reserved for lowly household servants. Jesus humbled himself greatly by doing this for his disciples.
  • Jesus taught a new standard of love by his actions and called us to that same love.

Q: How is this kind of love different than what we see in the world around us?

MATTHEW 4:18-25 | JESUS CALLED PEOPLE TO FOLLOW HIM

  • Jesus called people to follow him, to walk with him, to learn from him and to imitate his life. People of all walks of life and lifestyles followed him. His calling is no different for people today.
  • Jesus’ life and teachings inspired people to leave everything else behind and follow him.

CLOSING QUESTIONS

  • What strikes you the most about the life of Jesus and who he is?
  • Going back to Jesus’ question in Matthew 16, who do you say Jesus is? Do you believe in him?

    Note: Encourage the person you are studying with to read the Sermon on the Mount in its entirety

FURTHER READINGS

  • Matthew 5-7 Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount

  • John 3:14-17 Jesus came to save the world through his death
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18 Jesus will come back for his followers
  • Hebrews 4:14-16 Jesus was tempted as we are

  • Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus offers rest for the weary and burdened

  • John 7:37-38 Jesus offers to quench our spiritual thirst

  • Colossians 1:15-20 Jesus was and is supreme in every way