Learn in Community
Small Group Study
Volume Overview
Who is Jesus?
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
If you asked your friends and family to name one of the most influential people in history who also claimed to be God, one name would likely come up the most—Jesus. When you consider Jesus’ unquestionable impact on history and the radical claim He made about himself, it becomes crystal clear: Jesus is not a person you can just overlook. Every person must have an informed opinion of this Man.
So, who is Jesus? In the classic book Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis reasoned that those who refuse to believe His claim to be God are left with the option of labeling Him as a lunatic or the devil. Jesus asked His closest followers who people thought He was (Matthew 16:13). The disciples responded with far-ranging opinions. But then, in verse 15, Jesus turned the question on them: “Who do you say I am?” Two thousand years later, there may not be a more important question for any of us to answer. Who is Jesus?
Maybe you’ve wondered if Jesus really is who He said He is. Are the historical claims about Him true? Maybe you’ve wondered if Jesus really can be your Savior.
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Engage
QUESTION Describe a time when someone came to your rescue.
Needing to be rescued and being rescued may be just minutes apart in time—but they couldn’t be further apart in emotion. In our moment of need, all seems lost. Then suddenly, a friendly face or a helping hand changes our situation completely. Despair melts away. We’re saved!
The same is true about eternity too. The Bible depicts eternity with God as a place with no crying, no sorrow, no pain, and no sin. Sounds amazing, right? But if living eternally with God is perfect, where do imperfect people fit in? That poses a serious problem since none of us is perfect.
We all desperately need to be rescued from an eternity apart from God. In His mercy, God came to earth as a baby—as Jesus. He lived a perfect life and then died as a sacrifice for our sins. Jesus’ blood covers sin and redeems His followers. He is our Savior. But to access that redemption, we must first recognize our need for a Savior.
Watch
As we watch this video, think about your answer to this question: Was it easy to recognize your need for Jesus as your Savior? Why or why not?
QUESTION Was it easy to recognize your need for Jesus as your Savior? Why or why not?
Consider What the Bible Says
The night before Jesus was crucified, He told His closest followers that they would all abandon Him. Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends, boldly insisted he would rather die. Just a few hours later, Jesus was arrested. Throughout the night, Peter had three chances to admit he was a follower of Jesus. All three times, Peter denied it (Luke 22:31–61).
Peter failed miserably and betrayed his Friend. Even worse, he didn’t have the chance to make it right before Jesus died. Thankfully, Peter’s story wasn’t over. After Jesus rose from the dead, He appeared to the disciples. This was Peter’s chance to be restored.
Jesus Meets Us Where We Are Read John 21:1–6.
Jesus appeared where He knew the disciples would be fishing. But the disciples didn’t recognize Jesus or His voice. Interestingly, when the Master spoke—the One they had followed and learned from for three years—they didn’t know it was Him. Maybe it was the distance. Maybe it was because they weren’t expecting Him to be where they were. But Jesus isn’t limited to connecting with His followers in the usual places. Jesus knows right where you and I are. He appears and calls out to us even when we don’t recognize Him in our daily life.
QUESTION What are some practical ways Jesus appears in our life?
QUESTION Why do you think we sometimes fail to recognize Him?
Did You Know?
Peter’s state of undress while fishing may have been purposeful. John’s Gospel notes that Peter needed to put on his outer clothing (tunic) before rushing to Jesus on the shore. This could be due to the way they fished in those days. Fishing in antiquity required the fisherman to be in and out of the water. So, a significant amount of clothing would make getting back in the boat pretty difficult. Performing this duty in less than the normal amount of clothing would have made movement much more efficient.
Salvation Requires Faith in Jesus Read John 21:7–14.
When he realized it was Jesus, Peter put on his tunic, jumped out of the boat, and hurried to shore. Once everyone was there, they ate together around the fire. It sounds simple, but before the disciples could experience relationship with Jesus, they had to recognize who He was. When Peter heard from John that it was the Lord, he immediately put on his tunic and headed toward the shore in Jesus’ direction. This illustrates an important truth about making Jesus our Savior. To receive salvation, we must recognize Jesus as Lord, too. Then, we begin the lifelong process of moving closer to Him.
QUESTION When did you first recognize who Jesus is and how much He could mean to you?
QUESTION How might this passage demonstrate the connection between God’s blessings and our obedience?
Jesus Forgives Those Who Love Him Read John 21:15–19.
Around the fire that morning, Jesus gave Peter three chances to declare his love. Many Bible teachers believe this was Jesus’ way of giving Peter a chance to make amends for his three denials the night Jesus was arrested. Jesus forgave Peter and told him He still had a purpose for him. Peter’s story shows that no matter what we’ve done, Jesus can forgive us and use us.
QUESTION How does this passage show the extent of Jesus’ forgiveness?
QUESTION Why do you think many people have trouble believing Jesus forgives those who love and accept Him, no matter what they’ve done?
Reflect
Jesus Is My Savior
Salvation through Jesus is God’s gift to each of us. It’s a gift because there’s nothing we could ever do to earn or deserve it. All we can do is recognize our need for forgiveness, and then receive Jesus as our Savior. But it doesn’t end there. Christianity isn’t just about joining a religion. It’s about having a relationship with God. He wants you to know Him personally. Jesus makes a life-changing relationship possible.
Listen to God
Let’s pause and listen to what God might want to say to us about what we have read and shared. Be silent for a few moments and reflect on the following questions. Respond to the one that most resonates with what God is saying to you now. Then complete the others during Day 1 of your devotion time this week.
Personal Reflection Questions
Record your answers to the following questions in the space provided or in your personal journal.
QUESTION Make a list of things Jesus has rescued you from. Then, spend a few minutes thanking God for His goodness.
QUESTION
Reflect on your journey to salvation. In what ways did Jesus appear along the way—perhaps long before you recognized it was Him?
QUESTION How has following Jesus led you into a life of greater purpose?
Activate
Our testimonies are a powerful ministry tool. Think about your own personal story of recognizing your need for Jesus and how He has changed your life.
Challenge
Write down your salvation story. Keep it short, like something you would only have time to tell someone during a single elevator ride. Then practice saying it. Ask the Lord to give you an opportunity to share it with someone soon. Determine to obey as He prompts you.
Prayer Requests
Note any requests from the group and remember to pray for them during the week.
Before next time, continue to spend time in God’s Word with the personal devotions.
What We Believe
Jesus Is My Savior Salvation is deliverance from spiritual death and enslavement by sin. God provides salvation for all who believe and accept His free offer of forgiveness. Humankind’s only hope of redemption from the fallen sinful state is through the blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son—blood Jesus shed as He died on the Cross. The account of the crucifixion of Jesus is recounted by four of His contemporaries: Matthew (chapter 27), Mark (chapter 15), Luke (chapter 23), and John (chapter 19). The Experience of Salvation. Salvation is received as a person (1) repents before God for their sins and sinful nature or inclinations, and (2) believes or has faith in the fact that the death and resurrection (supernatural restoration to life) of Jesus Christ removes and brings forgiveness for their sin. In response to placing faith in God’s love and freely given salvation, one experiences the washing of regeneration (or spiritual rebirth), the renewing work of the Holy Spirit, and is declared righteous (right with God). Regeneration, renewal, and justification (justified, or made right with God) are words describing what happens at salvation. At the moment of salvation, a person becomes heir to God’s promised hope of eternal or everlasting life (Luke 24:47; John 3:3; Romans 10:13–15; Ephesians 2:8; Titus 2:11; 3:5–7).
The Significance of This Doctrine The restoration of relationship between God and fallen humankind is the central message of the Bible. The entire story from Genesis through Revelation points to a God who loves fallen humankind so much that He gave His Son to die so those who believe in Jesus Christ and His work of providing salvation might have never-ending spiritual life. Every true Christian experiences salvation and becomes a new person in Christ. Without this doctrinal truth, all other doctrinal statements are empty and without meaning. More importantly, without this experience, one’s life is empty and without real meaning.
Learn on Your Own
Before you begin each devotion, pray and ask God to speak to you through His Word. Record your answers to the following questions in the space provided or in your personal journal.
Day 1: Jesus Is My Savior Read John 21:1–19.
Look back over Learn in Community and complete your responses to the Personal Reflection Questions. Plan how to complete the Activate component if you haven’t already done so. If time permits, reread the Scripture too.
QUESTION What is God saying to you about Jesus as your Savior?
Learn on Your Own
Day 2: We All Need a Savior Read Romans 3:21–28.
In this passage, the apostle Paul is clear—we are all in need of a Savior. All of us have made bad choices that separate us from God. At the same time, Paul points out that we all have the opportunity to receive Jesus and be forgiven.
QUESTION Reread verse 22. What must a person do to be made right with God?
QUESTION According to verse 27, why can’t any of us brag about being saved?
Learn on Your Own
Day 3: It’s Never Too Late Read Luke 23:32–43.
Two criminals were crucified with Jesus. One of them joined the crowd in mocking Jesus, but the other recognized Jesus as Someone who could bring him into His Kingdom that exists beyond death. By requesting for Jesus to remember him, he confessed his need to be saved and his faith in Jesus to do it. In an amazing display of mercy and grace, Jesus granted the criminal’s request. The same mercy and grace is available for you and those around you.
QUESTION What can you learn about God’s character in this passage?
QUESTION Even though it’s never too late to receive Jesus in this life, what are some rewards a lifelong follower of Jesus can enjoy?
Learn on Your Own
Day 4: No One Is Too Lost for Jesus to Save Read Luke 19:1–10.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector, which made him one of the most hated people in the Roman Empire. Tax collectors often got rich by overcharging people and then keeping the extra money for themselves. He was about the last person you’d expect to recognize Jesus as the Savior, the one the prophets talked about in the Old Testament. The change Zacchaeus experienced after recognizing Jesus points to the kind of change each of us should experience when we recognize Jesus in our own life.
QUESTION Who do you consider to be too lost for Jesus to save? Write their name(s) down, and then pray for their salvation.
QUESTION Why do you think salvation is often followed by some sort of action, like Zacchaeus’s gifts to the poor and to those he had wronged?
Learn on Your Own
Day 5: Jesus Will Use You Read Acts 16:16–34.
It’s unclear what exactly pushed the jailer toward salvation. Was it Paul and Silas’s worship and prayer? Was it the earthquake? Or was it because none of the prisoners escaped when they could have? Most likely, it was a mix of all three and possibly other reasons Paul couldn’t have known. God is always working. It’s up to us to be ready to share about Him when we get the chance.
QUESTION Describe a time when God used someone else to make an unforgettable impact in your life.
QUESTION Have you told the person how God used them, and then thanked them for being obedient? If not, contact them to let them know what it meant to you.
QUESTION Describe a time when God used you to make an impact in someone else’s life.