Who is Jesus and why is this question important for our lives?
Scripture
Read the following stories about Jesus and note down anything that stands out about who Jesus is.
Matt 16:13-20 (Jesus asks ‘Who do you say I am?’) John 10:30-33 (The Jews try to kill Jesus for saying who he is.) John 20:24-29 (Thomas doubts then believes.)
- Who did Jesus say he was? Who did other people believe Jesus was?
- What do you sense God speaking to you about through these verses?
- Who do you believe Jesus is? Why do you believe this?
Story
Bible teacher and preacher John Ortberg, compared our submission to Jesus with driving a car: ‘A lot of people find Jesus handy to have in the car as long as he’s in the passenger seat, because something may come up where they require his services. Jesus, I have a health problem, and I need some help…. I want you in the car, but I’m not so sure I want you driving. If Jesus is driving, I’m not in charge of my life anymore. If he’s driving, I’m not in charge of my wallet anymore. If I put him in control then it’s no longer a matter of giving some money now and then when I’m feeling generous or when more of it is coming into my life. Now, it’s his wallet. It’s scary. If Jesus is driving, I’m not in charge of my ego anymore. I no longer have the right to satisfy every self-centered ambition. No, it’s his agenda. It’s his life. Now, I’m not in charge of my mouth anymore. I don’t get to gossip, flatter, cajole, deceive, rage, intimidate, manipulate, exaggerate. I get out of the driver’s seat and hand the keys over to him. I’m fully engaged. In fact, I’m more alive than I’ve ever been before, but it’s not my life anymore. It’s his life.’
John Ortberg, ‘True Freedom,’ sermon.
According to the story, where is Jesus in your car? How do you feel about Jesus being in the driving seat and why?
So What?
Split down into groups of 2-3 people, discuss the following questions and pray for each other:
- What do you sense God speaking to you about through this study?
- Have you made Jesus the King of your life?
- If you have, in what ways have you experienced Jesus bringing order to your life?
- Are there certain areas of your life where Jesus is Lord but other areas where you are still the one in charge?
- If you have not, what do you think is stopping you from accepting him as Lord of your life?
Perhaps take some time to pray and surrender yourselves to Jesus. Or as a whole community, spend some time worshiping Jesus as King.
Grow Further
Memory Verse: John 6:68-69 ‘Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and to know that you are the Holy One of God.”’ Other Bible passages: Mark 14:61-62 John 1:1-18 John 6:66-69 John 8:56-58 John 14:6 Colossians 1:15-23
