Urban Legends 01: There Are Many Ways To God

KEY POINTS:

1) Test the claims of Jesus. 

2) Test the credibility of Jesus.

• Examine what people said. 

• Examine what Jesus did. 

• Examine what God did (resurrection).

3) Test the character of Jesus. 

THREE OPTIONS: 

JESUS is either a liar, a lunatic or LORD.

BREAKING THE ICE:

• Has anyone ever accused you of being narrow- minded in your spiritual beliefs? How did you respond?

• What are some reasons people have for believing that Jesus is NOT the only way to God?

CONNECTING:

1. Some believe that all religions are just different paths that lead to the same God. How do we know if what we believe is right? When you were first confronted with the claims of Christ, what questions did you have about Him? How did you overcome your doubts about His deity? What convinced you that Jesus is the Son of God?

2. Share a time when you were asked a difficult spiritual question by a non–believer. What was the question and how did you respond? What can you take from this week’s message that will better prepare you in the future?

3. Some people refuse to believe in a God who would send people to Hell. How would you explain the difference between a God who is fair and a God who is holy and just? Why did Jesus have to die in order for us to be forgiven and receive eternal life? What is the one thing that God asks of us? (see Ro- mans 10:9) How difficult would it be to believe in a holy, but loving God who became human, took our punishment for sin and died in our place so that we could live forever with Him?

4. Why do people today fail to realize that Jesus is God? How would you share Christ with someone who struggles with believing Jesus is the only way to God? What misunderstandings might they have about the gospel? About Jesus? What are your favourite verses to share regarding the claims of Christ?

TAKE IT HOME:

1. What will you do to be prepare yourself to share the claims of Christ? (Example: study the verses below to become better equipped to share your faith).

2. Do you believe the spiritual myth that there are other ways than trusting in Jesus to be saved? If so, what truth about Jesus are you failing to believe? For example, the truth that he is God, his death was necessary, his resurrection or something else? If your faith is weak, take the time to examine the claims and character of Jesus.

3. How will you demonstrate with your life that Jesus rose from the dead and is the only way to the Father?

DISCOVERY QUESTIONS:

1. Read John 1:1-5, 12-14; 10:30-33,37-38; 14:6-11.

• Who is the Word? What is the relationship between the Word and God? What did the Word do? Who did Jesus claim to be? What did he say that he came to do? What was his relationship with the Father? What is the benefit of believing the Word? Whose glory did the Word reveal? (1:1-5, 12-14)

• What does Jesus mean when he says he is one with the Father? What proof does he give? Why did Jesus’ claims enrage the Jews? Who today is offended by this claim? (10:30-33, 37-38)

• How does Jesus describe himself? What one way did Jesus say we could come to the Father? How did Jesus characterize his relationship with the Father? How can we know what Father God is like? (14:6-11)

2. Read Phil. 2:5-9; Col. 1:15-20; Heb. 1:1-3.

• Who and where was Christ before he became a man? How did Jesus limit himself? For what purpose did he come? In the end, who will bow their knee and confess that Jesus is Lord? (Phil. 2:5-9)

• What is Christ’s relationship to God? To Creation? To the church? What is the significance of Jesus’ resurrection? What did God achieve through the work of His Son? What does the work of Christ on your behalf mean to you? (Col. 1:15-20)

• How did God speak to people in the past? How does He speak to us today? How is Jesus different from other prophets? What does Jesus reveal to us about the nature of God? What did Jesus do after completing his ministry on earth? What difference should it make to us that Jesus is heir of all things and the creator of the world? (Heb. 1:1-3)

VERSES FOR FURTHER STUDY:

Matt.10:32-33; 27:54; 

Mark 6:2-3; 

John 8:46, 58; 14:6-1; 16:15-16; 18:38-39; 

Acts 3:15-16; 

Rom. 2:11-16;10:9; 

Phil. 2:9-11; 

Col. 2:9.

g-ram