PURPOSE

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

WHO IS JESUS?

MATTHEW 16:13-16

Jesus’ identity was hotly debated in his day, and still is to this day! This study will focus on who Jesus is and the amazing life he lived.

Q. Who do you say Jesus is?

JESUS WAS BOTH HUMAN AND DIVINE

JOHN 1:1-5

1 JOHN 1:1-4

  •  John is speaking of Jesus as “the Word.” Jesus was with God in the beginning, but more than that—he “was God.” All of creation was accomplished through him, 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 in his very human life.

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

JESUS WAS EXPECTED

MARK 1:1-8

  • 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?

JESUS WAS A REVOLUTIONARY TEACHER

MATTHEW 7:24-29

  • 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 (Matt 5:43-45)
    • His teaching on the love of money (Matt 6:24)

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

JESUS DREW ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE TO HIMSELF

JOHN 4:4-9

  • 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 loved those who many considered unlovable, and he drew people of all kinds to himself.
  • Jesus welcomed and spent his time with children,
    lepers, and social outcasts such as the Samaritans and tax collectors. 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?

JESUS LOVED BEYOND MEASURE

JOHN 13:1-5, 34-35

  • 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 us a new standard of love through 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?

JESUS CALLED PEOPLE TO FOLLOW HIM

MATTHEW 4:18-22

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

Q. What changes do you think you can make in your life in order to follow Jesus?

JESUS GAVE PEOPLE A NEW START

JOHN 3:1-8

  • Jesus gives us an opportunity to start a new life.

Q. What do you think it means to be born again?

Q. What does that involve?

Q. Have you ever had a born-again experience like the Bible describes? Q. What would it require of you to have a new start?

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.

Additional Scriptures