DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Choose the questions for your group; no pressure to use all of them.
- What do you typically do after attending a church service, whether in-person or online? Do you have a tradition or routine?
- From the perspective of those who are not Christians, what are some of the “weird” things that Christians do?
- Read John 14:6 and John 3:16-18. Some on Reddit point out that Jesus is portrayed in the Bible as inclusive and accepting of everyone, unlike the religious leaders that were exclusive and judgmental. Considering this, is it incongruent for Christians to say their way is the only way?
- Read John 3:16, Titus 3:5, and Acts 2:21. Considering Jeff’s mountaintop analogy, where the divine is at the top and there are many paths to get to the top, how do these verses explain how the Christian path is different than others?
- Re-read Titus 3:5. While other religions are based on “DO” (what we must do to reach God), Christianity is about “DONE” (what God has done to reach out to us). Considering all the ways we might try to earn God’s love, how is understanding God’s grace as “done” a gift to Christians?
- Jeff describes the dilemma of sin as the barrier that separates us from God. To call ourselves a Christian, do we have to believe that Jesus eliminated that barrier through his crucifixion? Why or why not?
- Before his crucifixion, Jesus pleaded with God in the garden to “…take this cup, this job from me. If there is another way…” How does this align with the Christian belief that there is only one way to God?
- Jeff mentioned a Japanese girl who balked at the idea that she was happy with Buddhism. Similarly, let’s not assume everyone of a different faith is happy with their belief system. As a group, brainstorm some ways we can effectively share the message of Christianity with others.
- Pray for one another and thank God for the merciful gift of salvation gained through his beloved Son, Jesus Christ.
VERSE TO MEDITATE ON AND MEMORIZE
God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (Ephesians 2:8)
PUT IT INTO PRACTICE
(Between Meetings)
- Spend some time thanking and praising God for what he has given us, as described in John 3:16.
- How would you answer the following two questions?
- What is the gospel or “good news”?
- How does someone become a Jesus-follower?
- Think about someone you could share the gospel with, and pray about an opportunity to do so.
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