Illuminate: Shining a Light on a Better Way of Living Part 2

Transcription

1 Part 2

2

3 Illuminate: Shining a Light on a Better Way of Living Part 2 In the first half of our study, we read through a large part of Jesus life and ministry. Hopefully, you are getting a clear picture of who Jesus is and the life that he offers us. In week 6, we came across Jesus claim that he had come to give us abundant life (John 10:10). This life is the everlasting life promised in John 3:16. It is the life that comes from drinking the living water and eating the bread of life. It is a life of love, peace, goodness, and joy. In every way, it is a better and more satisfying life. We now come to the second half of our study which covers half of John s Gospel, but only about a small part of Jesus life. We will sit with him at the Last Supper, walk with Jesus to the cross, and listen in as Jesus speaks to his disciples after the his resurrection. While you may know the story well, this part of Jesus life shows us just how far he went to give us life. He sacrificed himself for us, so that we could have life with God. It s our prayer that these next six weeks will help you better understand how Jesus death, burial, and resurrection opens up the chance you to have a new life now. These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. - John 20:31 2

4 How to use this Study Guide This guide is broken up into 6 weeks and covers the second half of our John Series. Don't feel the need to hurry through the guide. Take as long as you need to study John and let it sink in. There are three passages each week to read. We won t be covering every passage in the book of John, but we encourage you to go back and read the passages we don t cover. Before you read each passage, find some space where you can focus and spend a few moments in prayer. When you read, read each passage slowly a couple times through. Chew on it for a while and reflect on the devotional thought. Talk to God about what you ve read and use the questions to think about how you are going to live it out. You also might want to find a journal to write down your thoughts. In addition to this guide, make a point to be in weekend worship for each part of this series. Worshiping together and hearing God's word together gives God another opportunity to shape your soul and prepare you to follow Jesus. So we encourage you, even if it is just for this series, make a commitment to gather with us as much as you can this summer. Finally, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Let us know how your study is going and look for our posts throughout the week. Special Thanks to We want to offer special thanks to Stan Washington, Marc Fry, Caleb Trimble, Jonathan Rosado, Mike Miller, and Peter Stevens who all contributed to the study guide you re about to read. We also want to thank Daisy Saldana who helped to translate this guide into Spanish. 3

5 Background of John In this series, we will be studying passages from the book of John. John is the fourth Gospel in the New Testament. It is different from other three Gospels. Many of the stories and teachings found in the book of John differ from those found in the other three Gospels. In spite of those differences, John clearly tells the same Good News shared in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. What is a Gospel? The word gospel means "Good News" or "Glad Tidings". In the time of the Romans, a gospel message was often good news of victory or a pronouncement about the Emperor. In the context of scripture, the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are the news about Jesus and his life. In the first century, the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus was counter cultural to the "gospel" proclamation that Caesar was Lord. The Gospel of John is an announcement of the Good News that Jesus is Lord. Who wrote this book? Although the author is not clearly named in the book, it is traditionally held that the John was written by the Apostle John, brother of James and son of Zebedee. In addition he is also believed to be the author of 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. When? Most scholars believe that John was written between around AD 90, after all the other Gospels had been written and before John died. Why? John himself wrote in 20:30-31, Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. What should I look for? In our study of John the focus is on Jesus, the life He lived, and the life that He gives to us. As you read the book of John, pay close attention for the ways that John emphasizes who Jesus is as the Son of God and Savior of the World and for the ways that faith in Jesus and following Him gives us access to eternal life. Also look for the ways that John emphasizes the relationship of the Father, Son, and Spirit and how he makes it clear that Jesus shows us what God is like. 4

6 Key Verses: Let these verses be your guide over the next few weeks. If you can memorize them, that s great. If not, write them on a note card or sticky note and put it where you can see it often. Our prayer is that these words will simmer in you over the next few months. Week 7: A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13:34 35 Week 8: The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. John 14:26 Week 9: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 Week 10: I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one I in them and you in me so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. John 17:22 23 Week 11: Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me. John 18:37 Week 12: These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:31 5

7 Week 7: Reading 1 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Take a moment to think about all the people you know who serve others and reflect on the ways in which you have served others. As you read the following passage observe what it means to serve. Read: John 13:1-17 What does it mean to serve others? In this passage, Jesus gives us some clear examples of what it means to serve others. It doesn t begin with the desire to get acclamations, awards, or certificates. It begins with a pure heart of love for those you serve. In John 13:1, it is made clear that Jesus loved those he served and loved them to the end. The people we serve may not always accept us, but our love for them is never wavering whether they are willing to receive us or not. Jesus humbled himself to follow a tradition for those who had traveled long distances to have their feet washed by their host. He poured water into the basin and wrapped a towel around his waist. Jesus knelt down to wash away the dirt of the long journey that had brought them to these final moments with him. All of the disciples received this gesture, except for Peter. Peter felt that Jesus, as Lord and teacher, should not reduce himself to wash dirt off of his feet. He did not understand that Jesus in his love for Peter and everyone did not come to rule over them, but to serve them. For Peter to reject Jesus act of serving was to reject the purpose for which God had sent him. Jesus made it clear that none of us are higher than the other in God s sight and that our love for God is experienced in how we serve one another. Through our serving of one another, we share in the life and work of Jesus Christ together. Peter allowed Jesus to wash his feet. How have you served others with a pure heart of love? How have you allowed others to serve you? Reflect on what your motives have been in serving others. Have you always served others out of a genuine heart of love for them? Pray for God to give you a heart of love for all those you serve. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Lord, You kneel down daily and wash away the dirt of our journey and cleanse us in Your presence. There are those in our midst who need to know how much you love them. There are those who stand in the places of need that I once stood in. Give me a pure heart of love to serve my brothers and sisters. Give me a heart to receive the love from those who seek to serve me. In all I give and receive let it be done to Your glory. Amen. Live: How will you serve others this week out of a pure heart this week? 6

8 Week 7: Reading 2 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Meditate over the following passage and reflect on the importance of relationships. Our relationships offer a reflection of the kind of person we are and give insight to our values and what we believe. Read: John 13:31-38 Reflection: Jesus is preparing for his time to return to the Father. He leaves the disciples with a new command. He tells them to love one another, just as he has loved them. This is how the world will know that they are his disciples; they will be known by the way in which they love one another. While they did not know at the time how far Jesus love would go, Jesus set a high goal for them. The world will know their values, their beliefs, and their faith by how they love one another. Their life becomes a living testimony to the God they love and the Lord they serve. The disciples prove to be the biggest examples of what it means to be a real follower of Jesus Christ. They have their moments of epiphany, of doubt, and of uncertainty. Yet, through all these moments they continue to follow Jesus. Through every moment, good and bad, even at times of unbelief Jesus loves them. Jesus never states that there is some special act they must do to receive his love. He offers his love unconditionally. This is the community that he charges them to build a community of love. This community of love will be the living witness of the resurrected Christ. One of the hardest and easiest things to do is to love someone. What makes it easy or difficult for you to love someone? How do you express love in your community of faith? Can people on the outside of your community of faith see how you love one another? In order to be a living testimony to the witness of Christ, what are two things that would help you love more deeply? Prayer: Pray for strength to love like Jesus. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Lord, You have called me to love my brothers and sisters the same as You have loved me. There are days when this is easy and other days when it is a struggle. I need Your strength to love unconditionally. I want my love for those within my community to be a beacon of light and hope to those who are watching. Lord, let my life be a living testimony of Your love and grace in all that I say and do. Amen. Live: In your efforts to let your life be a living testimony to the love and power of Christ, what changes will you make this week to love more like Christ? 7

9 Week 7: Reading 3 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. The apostle James wrote that faith without works is dead. Jesus told the disciples to believe in the evidence of the works he performed, even if they could not believe who he was. Then he tells his followers that they will do greater works than he did. Read: John 14:1-14 Reflection: Thomas and Philip want to know the way to God. Jesus clarifies that he is the life and the truth and the way. Jesus is the path to God. If you know Jesus, then you know God. The evidence of who Jesus is as a person is found in his words. However, Jesus states to the disciples that they don t have to believe his words; they just need to believe the evidence of all that he has done. Jesus works and miracles speak for themselves. His works led many people to debate who he was. At one point in Matthew 16:15-16 Jesus asks Peter, Who do you say I am? Peter responds, You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Jesus declares that it is upon this revelation that he will build his church. Jesus is very clear that once he goes to be with the Father, the work will continue here on earth. Jesus followers will continue to perform the same works that Jesus did and some of those works will be greater. Their faith will come alive and their testimony will be validated by the evidence of the works people witness. The power of their faith will be found in the mirror reflection of how they live their lives as Christ lived his. People will always be watching the followers of Christ. Most importantly, they will come to know Christ by what they see in his followers. Have you ever thought of yourself as a living testimony to the power of Christ? How often have you thought about how your actions draw people closer or farther away from God? Does your life show the evidence of God at work through you? Prayer: Pray to be a living testimony to the truth of who Jesus is. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Lord, I want to serve you with my whole heart and with my whole life. Let my life be a living witness to the evidence of Your salvation, of Your grace, and of Your mercy. Give me the faith to perform miracles in the lives of others so they will come to know You as Lord and Savior. When people choose not to believe the words I say, let the evidence of the works You have done through me be enough for them to believe. Amen. Live: What are three simple things you can do this week in the lives of others that will let them know that God is thinking of them? 8

10 Week 8: Reading 1 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 14:15-21 Jesus was leaving. He had told his disciples earlier, but now he was getting serious. It was becoming pretty clear to the disciples that the time for Jesus to leave was at hand and the disciples weren t ready for Jesus to go. It even appears like Thomas is asking for directions so he can follow Jesus to wherever it is that He is going. There is good news, however. He s not going to abandon His followers. Jesus is not going to leave them to try to figure this out on their own. He is sending the Holy Spirit as a helper. By this, Jesus doesn t simply mean that the Spirit will lend us a hand from time to time. The Spirit is the presence of God living in us and with us at all times. We will never be alone. While the disciples had the blessing of seeing Jesus face to face, now all disciples have the the blessing of the Spirit living in them at all times. We have been focusing on the life that Jesus gives us as we study the book of John. This life flows from the Spirit and is lived in the power of the Spirit. If you have turned over your life to Jesus, He has filled you with the spirit. You are not expected to live this life alone. You have a helper. Not only that, but the world for helper here in Greek has connotations of an advocate, a comforter, and an intercessor. The Spirit is God with you. You are not alone. What stood out to you in this passage? Imagine that you are with the disciples and have been traveling with Jesus. How does it make you feel that Jesus is leaving you? How does it make you feel that the Spirit is coming to help you? Do you need the Spirit to help you, comfort for you, or advocate for you right now? Why? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Father, May the Spirit you promised us long ago take over my life so that He may make me new. May it not be my actions, but His actions that empower me to make Your Kingdom evident in this world. Give me opportunities for the Spirit to guide me and the courage to let Him rule. Amen. Live: How will you remember the power of the Spirit this week? 9

11 Week 8: Reading 2 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 14:22-31 Maybe you don t have this problem, but sometimes people tell me things, and then I get so distracted by another thought that I forget what I just heard. It s so easy to let our thoughts wander, to let the important things go and focus on the trivial matters. As easy as it is to forget, it s no wonder that we are so often reminded throughout scripture to remember. Jesus disciples might have been panicking a little bit when Jesus said that if they loved Him that they would obey His teaching. If they are anything like me, they were probably worried about remembering all of it. Of course they loved him, but could they remember all of it and keep obey it. Thankfully Jesus didn t leave us to figure it all out on our own. He says that the Holy Spirit is coming to remind us of all his words. Again we are reminded that Jesus isn t leaving us alone. He is leaving us with the Holy Spirit and leaving us with His peace. It s easy to forget. It s easy to worry. Instead worrying, we need to trust. We need to trust that the Spirit will remind us, that He will help us. What stood out to you in this passage? When it comes to your faith, what are you worried about? Have you ever been in a situation where the Spirit reminded you of something? What was that like? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Father, May the Spirit you promised us long ago take over my life so that He may make me new. May it not be my actions, but His actions that empower me to make Your Kingdom evident in this world. Give me opportunities for the Spirit to guide me and the courage to let Him rule. Amen. Live: How will you remember the power of the Spirit this week? 10

12 Week 8: Reading 3 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 15:26-16:15 As we wrap up this week thinking about the Spirit, we come to Jesus final description of what the Spirit does. He is our helper, comforter, advocate and intercessor. He is coming to remind us of all of Jesus teaching. There s also one more thing that he does, and it s probably not something that many of us want to talk about. It is His job to expose the sin and injustice in the world. Sin isn t usually something that we want to talk about, but it s the reason why Jesus came into the world to fix the world. Not only did Jesus die to save us from our sins, but He and His followers continue to stand up against the wrongs happening in our world. The world is broken, and Jesus is restoring it. The hard thing is that means facing our sins. As we live our new lives through the power of the Spirit, we will have to make a choice as to whether or not we want to follow through the hard choices of standing against sin, particularly the sins of our own hearts. As we are able to stand against our own sin, however, we are more able to stand up against the brokenness of the world. As we listen to the Spirit and allow him to help us work through the sins of our lives, we will be able to better join in the work of Jesus as He seeks to repair the broken world. What stood out to you in this passage? Has the Spirit convicted you of sin? How did it feel? How did you work through it? Have you ever felt called to stand up against an injustice? How did you work through that? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Father, May the Spirit you promised us long ago take over my life so that He may make me new. May it not be my actions, but His actions that empower me to make Your Kingdom evident in this world. Give me opportunities for the Spirit to guide me and the courage to let Him rule. Amen. Live: How will you remember the power of the Spirit this week? 11

13 Week 9: Reading 1 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 15:1-8 What John describes in these first few verses John 15 is simple yet profound. Jesus uses the image of a vine and its branches to picture life in Christ. Jesus is painting a picture of God the Father as a vine dresser, Himself as the vine, and us as branches or extensions of the vine. A vine trainer is one who ties the vine and trains it where to grow. When a branch is useless, it drains the vine of energy. The vinedresser has a choice, leave the useless branch alone, or cut it off so that the rest of the branches can be more fruitful. Jesus then says, Abide in Me. This is a simple illustration with a profound meaning. The only way a branch can bear fruit is if it is strongly connected to the vine. Jesus uses the word Abide. The Greek word that we translate as abide is μένω (menō), which is defined as to stay, remain. The takeaway is simple: Abide in Christ and be fruitful. Depart from Christ and be removed from the vine. What stood out to you in this passage? If Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, what does it look like for use to be fruitful? When are you abiding in Christ? Always? Only on Sunday? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Father, Our life flows from You through Jesus. Help us as we seek to abide in Jesus on a daily basis. Fill us with love and strength as we seek to be obedient to His teachings. Teach us to love as You have loved and fill us with Your Spirit that we might go and bear fruit for Your kingdom. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen. Live: Our life is sustained by remaining in Christ. How will you seek to remain in Christ this week? 12

14 Week 9: Reading 2 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 15:9-17 My mother always used to say Delayed obedience is disobedience. In my early pre-teen years, it seemed like it was always said in order to guilt me into doing what she was asking me to do, usually taking out the trash. But as I got older, I started to view obedience to my mother as a way to display my love and respect for her. In this passage, Jesus message is the same. Our love for Jesus and our obedience to him are interconnected. His command is to love one another. But this has a profound effect. When we love with a Christ-like love, we will receive a Christ-like joy. When Jesus described love, He follows it up with action. A Christ-like love loves even when it s not reciprocated. It sacrifices. When we love like this, Christ calls us friends, not servants. It s the difference between obeying a parent out of guilt while muffling words through teeth and obeying as (only a slightly older) adult who seeks to honor the commander, serve out of joy, and reflect a Christ-like love. When you love, what does it look like? Do you only love those who love you back? Have you experienced joy? Was that joy complete, or did your joy eventually run out? Who can you serve today? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Father, Our life flows from You through Jesus. Help us as we seek to abide in Jesus on a daily basis. Fill us with love and strength as we seek to be obedient to His teachings. Teach us to love as You have loved and fill us with Your Spirit that we might go and bear fruit for Your kingdom. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen. Live: Our life is sustained by remaining in Christ. How will you seek to remain in Christ this week? 13

15 Week 9: Reading 3 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 15:18-27 Jesus conversation throughout this chapter has been about the the love we experience with Christ, and now it takes a turn to the hate both Jesus and the disciples have experienced and will continue to experience. Our godless world hated Jesus and His disciples and will now continue to hate us because we are not of this world. We have moved from living by the standards of the world to living by the standards given to us by God, and that is something this godless world won t understand. Hate us something not all of us have experienced or can fully understand, but we know it exists. We see the effects of hate around us, and it is scary. This passage lets us know that WE as followers of Christ WILL be persecuted and hated, but that will not stop true disciples from professing Christ as Messiah. And we will be given the Spirit of God who will confirm who Jesus is as we continue to declare His truth. Do you share the truth of Christ with others? Does fear of persecution or negative consequences stop you from sharing your faith? How has the Spirit testified on behalf of Christ? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Father, Our life flows from You through Jesus. Help us as we seek to abide in Jesus on a daily basis. Fill us with love and strength as we seek to be obedient to His teachings. Teach us to love as You have loved and fill us with Your Spirit that we might go and bear fruit for Your kingdom. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen. Live: Our life is sustained by remaining in Christ. How will you seek to remain in Christ this week? 14

16 Week 10: Reading 1 Christ uses language about His relationship with God to give us an understanding of how we are supposed to live. As you prepare for this study, spend a few moments in silence to focus, pray, and then slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 17:1-12 John, writing at a highly philosophical level, has Jesus describe His relationship to the Father. John has been the one to use the language that the only way to God is through the Son. Once again, this theme comes out as Jesus is saying that eternal life can only be found in God, through Christ. Then, Christ moves into a prayer for His disciples and prays that they will be unified through what is about to occur. The intriguing thing is that Jesus prays that they will be united just like how Christ is united to the Father. The disciples should know what this looks like, since Christ affirms in this prayer that all the knowledge has been passed on to the disciples from Him. What is difficult is understanding what our relationship with others should look like, since Christ wants us to be united in the same way as He is to the Father. Remembering the philosophical nature of John, Christ is saying that the basis of truth can be found in how our relationship with others reflects His relationship to the Father. If that seems confusing, it should be. Trying to break it down a little bit more: without living in relationship with others, we will never know the relationship of Jesus and the Father. Jesus prays that we will be united in this way because He knew that some turbulent times were ahead. Jesus was considered a revolutionist. Anytime a revolutionist was arrested and killed, everyone connected with that revolutionist would have been killed too. Christ is praying that they will be protected from this and will remain unified no matter what terrible things occur. Because in remaining united, they will know what the relationship between Christ and the Father was. How might your relationship with others impacts your knowledge of the relationship between God the Father and God the Son? If unity is of utmost importance to Christ, then why do we divide ourselves so often? What relationships in your life need to begin reflecting Christ s relationship with the Father? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Lord, help me to live with others in a way that glorifies you. May I not seek division, but unity and peace. May I come to know you through my relationship with others. May I seek reconciliation in broken relationships. In your Son s name, amen. Live: Find a broken relationship this week and reach out to reconcile that relationship. 15

17 Week 10: Reading 2 Unity is what helps us in our times of trials and will sustain us through any circumstance. As you prepare for this study, spend a few moments in silence to focus, pray, and then slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 17:13-21 In this short, and yet loaded, prayer, Jesus reminds us of the trials that we will face for following Him. Reread the last reflection on what happened to a revolutionary's followers. Undoubtedly, Christ would be thinking of what could happen to His disciples. Oftentimes, we read verses like this and walk away with a disdain for the world. We try to separate ourselves from society and proclaim that the world is sinful and going to hell in a hand basket. However, Christ does not want us to view the world like this. On the contrary, He specifically asks that the disciples not be taken out of this world; but be protected from the evil one. Christ identifies that the "evil one" is the one responsible for the dangers of the world. Once again, John's philosophical writing style is shining through by identifying the source of why evil exists. It exists because of the "evil one." The "evil one" has caused many to be consumed with evil and it makes the world a difficult place. However, God's Kingdom is one that restores the world to what it is supposed to be. The world was tainted by evil but will not remain defined by that. In the current state, though, we undoubtedly face many trials. Unity is what sustains us through all of these trials. It is amusing that when we, as individuals, face trials, we tend to separate ourselves from community. Christ has not taken us out of the world in its evil state, but He also has not left us alone. He has given us a community. Unfortunately, we often choose to live in isolation. We do a great job convincing ourselves that we are not in isolation because we are involved in a local church; but when it comes to transparent community, we must admit that it lacks. Throughout this prayer is strong language that connects sanctification (the process of being made holy) with community. Christ was a sacrifice for them so that they could be made holy. Make them holy. Teach them your word. I am sending them into the world. This isn't coincidental. In fact, this was normal behavior for that society. To move forward as a community. To grow as a community. It is us, in our western culture, who have forgotten this concept. Could it be that in community, we become holy, learn truth, and see the world for what it should be? What connection exists, if any connection, between sanctification and community? Why do we isolate ourselves in times of trial? How could community redeem our view of the world? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Lord, help me to see the world as you see it. Help me to long for community so much that even when it is uncomfortable, I am transparent. Give me wisdom to understand what it means to grow in truth as a community. In your Son's name, amen. Live: Get involved in a Connect Group. Commit to being transparent and growing as a community. 16

18 Week 10: Reading 3 When Christendom is united, then the world will know the truth about Jesus. As you prepare for this study, spend a few moments in silence to focus, pray, and then slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 17:22-26 As we finish Christ's prayer before His crucifixion, we should not miss a key point: it all builds up to unity being the reason the world will know. Most of us see different denominations and wonder: what happened there? What's the difference between Baptists and Methodists? Episcopal and Anglican? Roman Catholic and Presbyterian? Pentecostal and Lutheran? We can even begin to break down some of those denominations: Southern Baptist, American Baptist Association, American Baptist Churches, Missionary Baptist, and my favorite, Old Regular Baptist. It's a bit ridiculous, isn't it? What stops denominations from getting along? Well, we all think that we have it right. It gets so bad that some people even think that Catholics are not Christians. "I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me." (John NLT) It seems pretty straightforward, right? Our unity will display something to the world: God's love for them. It's no wonder, then, that the world seems to think that God is an angry/malevolent/masochistic/seditious God who hates everything. Just look at how splintered the Church is. Take a look at our own country and see the division. To assume that division is not reflected in the church would be ignorant. It is here. Christ is so filled with joy that the world will see God's love through the unity of the believers. It will be the tangible to something they could have only imagined. In Matthew's Gospel, Christ warned the people that a divided kingdom could not stand. Even though He was alluding to the fact that Jerusalem would divide and fall to the Romans, it is an everlasting principle. Instead of getting frustrated at the world when they say terrible things about God, perhaps we should look at tens of thousands of denominations and ask, "What can be done to unite us?" Once again, John in his philosophical writing causes us to look outside of ourselves to understand truth. It isn't about us, it is about Christ and the Kingdom of God. What experience do you have with other denominations? Good? Bad? Why? If unity shows God's love for Christ, then what does our current state of Christendom show the world now? What can we do to begin the long work of reconciliation between churches? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer: Lord, may the world see the love you have for your Son and for the world through the church. Help our community reflect that love. Give us wisdom and courage to do the hard work of uniting division. In your Son's name, amen. Live: Set up a time to meet with someone of a denomination with which you nothing. Listen to them talk about what they believe and practice. Are the disagreements you might have really worth dividing over? 17

19 Week 11: Reading 1 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 18:28-40 Whether you ve seen the movie or not, you probably know the scene from A Few Good Men when Tom Cruise says I want the truth. Jack Nicholson s character replies, You can t handle the truth! The scene here in John 18 also plays out in somewhat of a courtroom fashion. Pilate is questioning Jesus about his identity and Jesus tells him that he came to testify to the truth. Pilate s reply is What is truth? Jesus probably could have used Nicholson s line here and told Pilate that he couldn t handle the truth. Pilate probably wasn t ready for the truth Jesus to which came to testify. Jesus came to reveal to us the reality of our situation and to restore truth to the world. He came to show us that the world, which was created as good by God, was now broken by sin. It needed to be fixed and Jesus came to fix it. Pilate s way of fixing the world was different, however. Pilate was a part of the Roman government which sought to conquer and spread the Pax Romana (latin for Roman Peace) by the sword. The pharisees who turned Jesus over were seeking to fix the world through rules and regulations. Jesus came as the Lamb of God to take away the sin through sacrifice. He came to give life to us by surrendering His. He didn t come to conquer by the sword or to rule by the law. Instead, he brought the truth of our brokenness and offered us grace. Can you handle that truth? Are you willing to acknowledge the brokenness in order to receive the life that Jesus came to give us? What stood out to you in this passage? If someone asked you how Jesus way is different, what would you say to them? What truth do you live by? Do you live by the truth of Jesus (a broken world in need of grace) or do you try to fix the world by some other way? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer for this week: Jesus, you came to save us through Your sacrifice. Even though the world that You made was broken and rejected You, You chose to come and give up Your life for us. Forgive us for the times that we turn our back on this great gift You offered to us. Help us, instead, to take up our crosses daily and follow You into sacrificial love. Teach us to love the world the way that you do. We pray this in Your holy name. Amen. Live: Jesus gave His life that we might have new life. How can you share Jesus with someone this week? 18

20 Week 11: Reading 2 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 19:1-16 The Jewish people hated the Romans. They were being oppressed by the Romans and their promised land had been stolen by the Romans. The Jewish people were waiting for a Messiah to free them from this oppression. In a strange turn of events, however, when the Messiah actually turns up, they end up declaring allegiance to the Romans instead of the King over all Creation. Much like the Israelites declaring it was better in Egypt, the Jews choose to bow down before the powers of Rome. Even though is mostly a political move, I believe it shows the true motives of their heart. Instead of turning to God and his ways, they choose to follow the ways of this world. The Jewish leaders refused to acknowledge the Messiah because they were blinded by the expectations they had of him. The wanted freedom from the Romans and to continue living in the way that they wanted. The Jewish leaders thought they had it figured out and Jesus didn t fit into their paradigm. Jesus came, instead, to give them freedom from sin by sacrificing himself. Those who should have seen it were too wrapped up in their own power and their own ways to see what Jesus was trying to teach them about God and new life. What stood out to you in this passage? While we may claim to love and worship God, what are some things that we do that might tell people that we have put someone or something in the place of king of our lives? Jesus had the authority to keep any of this from happening, instead He was willing to submit himself to God s plan. How can you follow Jesus s example this week and submit yourself to God s plan? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer for this week: Jesus, you came to save us through Your sacrifice. Even though the world that You made was broken and rejected You, You chose to come and give up Your life for us. Forgive us for the times that we turn our back on this great gift You offered to us. Help us, instead, to take up our crosses daily and follow You into sacrificial love. Teach us to love the world the way that you do. We pray this in Your holy name. Amen. Live: Jesus gave His life that we might have new life. How can you share Jesus with someone this week? 19

21 Week 11: Reading 3 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 19:17-30 It s a good feeling to be finished. I remember when I graduated from college. Getting the degree and knowing that I was done with my studies, that I had accomplished my mission, was a wonderful feeling. There was no need for me to go back and do another assignment, take another test, or write another paper. I m sure that there s something you can think about in your life that you were thankful to be done with. Whether it was a project at work, a remodeling project at your house, or something else, it s usually a joy or a relief to be finished with a big task or project. Jesus came to earth with a purpose and a mission. There were many teachings, miracles, and relationships and all of it lead up to His sacrifice for us. He came to bring us new life. He came to restore our relationship with God and to free us from sin. On the cross, He finished that mission. He made a way for us to receive a new life. There s nothing more that needs to be done; Jesus accomplished it for you. What stood out to you in this passage? Are you still working to accomplish what Jesus has accomplished for you? How does it make you feel to know that Jesus did all the work for you? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer for this week: Jesus, you came to save us through Your sacrifice. Even though the world that You made was broken and rejected You, You chose to come and give up Your life for us. Forgive us for the times that we turn our back on this great gift You offered to us. Help us, instead, to take up our crosses daily and follow You into sacrificial love. Teach us to love the world the way that you do. We pray this in Your holy name. Amen. Live: Jesus gave His life that we might have new life. How can you share Jesus with someone this week? 20

22 Week 12: Reading 1 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 20:1-18 Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness. Desmond Tutu I often try to put myself in the story and in the place of the characters of the story. This is especially helpful to me when reading Bible passages I have read and heard many times before. It is so easy to skim over the story, knowing what is coming before I read it. But I miss so much when I do that. Place yourself in the story and read it as if it were the first time. The followers of Jesus are going through the darkest time of their lives. They have, in many cases, left all to follow this Rabbi, this teacher. Now, in the midst of their grief, they find the body of Jesus missing adding insult to injury. They certainly must have wondered if it could get any worse. Then, it almost feels as if the angels and Jesus are toying with Mary as they ask why she is crying; for they know that this darkest of moments is soon to become one of the most illuminating. Consider the change that takes place in Mary in the short time between recognizing Jesus when she cries out Teacher, to the time she finds the disciples and calls him Lord. Notice Mary s initial reaction, Jesus words to her, Mary thinking through all that is happening, and her response to the disciples. Mary has been enlightened! She now sees that this teacher, Jesus is so much more. He is Messiah. He is Lord. What stood out to you in this passage? Put yourself in Mary s place. How would you have felt at the beginning of the passage, and then what do you feel as Jesus calls your name and you realize that He is alive? Mary ran off to tell the disciples the great news. What is your reaction to the news that Jesus is alive? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer for this week: God of our salvation, You have restored us to life, You have brought us back again into Your love by the triumphant death and resurrection of Christ: continue to heal us as we go to live and work in the power of your Spirit, to Your praise and glory. Amen. 1 Live: The story of Jesus resurrection is a reminder of the hope of eternal life that we have. How will you life full of hope this week? 1 From The Worship Sourcebook (Grand Rapids, MI; Baker, 2004),

23 Week 12: Reading 2 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 20:19-29 The apostles were moved, not so much by an intellectual apprehension, as by a spiritual illumination. Roland Allen The time after Jesus resurrection was filled with significant events in which his followers, and many other would-be followers, encounter illumination far beyond what they could ever have imagined. Many had followed Jesus as a revolutionary Rabbi, one that was willing to take on the establishment and bring about change. They had no clue, however, that the change he was to bring, the change he was destined to bring, was far beyond a physical or political revolution. It was a spiritual revolution and renewal. Never again would man s relationship with God be the same. Jesus brought light. However, he not only brought light, he proclaimed, I am the light in John 8:12. In this passage, we see that the disciples continue to gain a clearer vision of who Jesus truly was and is. My favorite part of this passage is in John 20:20. It says, They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! They see not just the one they have been following for the past 3 years, they now see him as the Lord sent by the Father to bring peace; peace that only Jesus brings. They see him as Lord on a whole new level. Thomas s exclamation is all that need be said. My Lord and my God! Revelation, clarification, enlightenment, illumination. What stood out to you in this passage? When you think of Jesus, how do you see him? How has this study changed the way that you see Jesus? Over the last 12 weeks of this study, have you received any revelation, clarification, enlightenment, or illumination in to Jesus and the life that He gives us? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer for this week: God of our salvation, You have restored us to life, You have brought us back again into Your love by the triumphant death and resurrection of Christ: continue to heal us as we go to live and work in the power of your Spirit, to Your praise and glory. Amen. Live: The story of Jesus resurrection is a reminder of the hope of eternal life that we have. How will you life full of hope this week? 22

24 Week 12: Reading 3 slowly read the following passage a couple of times. Read: John 21 Give light and people will find the way. Ella Baker The epilogue. That s what my Bible labels John 21. A conclusion, a summation, a final poignant statement. It s striking how Jesus addresses Peter. Three times Jesus asks if Peter loves him, three times Peter says yes (increasingly upset at the question), and three times Jesus tells Peter, Then feed/take care of my lambs/sheep. This is restoration for Peter coming off his denial of Jesus those three times. It is not simply restoration however; it is restoration with a calling. Feed my lambs. What a blessing Jesus has bestowed on Peter. Yet most remarkable is what Jesus says in his final command to Peter, Follow me. Two words that take us back to early days in the Gospels when Jesus, the rebel Rabbi, calls them to follow him. However, they now understand Jesus in a whole new light. They see him completely differently from when they first heard the word, Follow me issue forth from this man, this teacher, this Rabbi. They now hear these words issue forth from their Lord, their Messiah, their God. Illumination has come. We are invited to live in the truth of this calling as well. Feed my lambs. Take care of my sheep. Follow me. Our calling is clear now that the light that leads to life (John 8:12) has come. Now that illumination has come. What stood out to you in this passage? We like Peter, have all failed Jesus. How does feel to come face to face with Jesus after our failure? How then does it feel to be restored after that failure? Jesus always restores us to life when we mess up. He also calls us to follow him. Where is he calling you to follow Him? Spend some time in prayer. Consider using the prayer below as a focusing prayer for this week: God of our salvation, You have restored us to life, You have brought us back again into Your love by the triumphant death and resurrection of Christ: continue to heal us as we go to live and work in the power of your Spirit, to Your praise and glory. Amen. Live: The story of Jesus resurrection is a reminder of the hope of eternal life that we have. How will you life full of hope this week? 23

25 Part 2 Conclusion We ve come to the end of our series, but our journey in learning to be like Jesus continues. It s our prayer that this study has helped you see and experience the better life that Jesus offers. At Westbrook, we truly believe that Jesus offers the best life possible and that life comes from following Jesus on a regular basis. We want to challenge you to continue on in your journey in following Jesus. There are a lot of different ways that you can continue on in this journey. One great way is to sign up for the Discipleship Pathway. This is a great way to get to know Westbrook better and learn about our four markers. Speaking of our Markers, here are a few other suggestions that will help you in your journey to know Christ fully and make Him known at Westbrook: Worship: At the beginning of this study we challenged you to be at Westbrook every Sunday during this series. Keep up that commitment. We believe that there is great value in encountering God each week with fellow believers through worship. Practice: Make a commitment to ask yourself how you can live like Jesus each morning. Maybe you can even write this down in a journal. Each day, or once a week, before you go to bed ask yourself how your day went and whether or not you were able to live like Jesus that day. Spend some time talking with God about it, and seek out His help to continue this journey. Connection: Find a Connect Group. We have groups for men, women, couples, and young adults. Go to westbrookchurch.org/groups and get connected to God and others through one of our Connect Groups. We also want to encourage you to find a place to serve at Westbrook on the weekends and share your gifts with the body of Jesus. Action: Think about your friends, family, and co-workers. Who needs to hear about the good news that Jesus gives us a better life. Make a list of those people and commit to praying for them and looking for opportunities to show and share the love of Jesus with them. 24

26

27

28 1175 Lily Cache Lane Bolingbrook, IL westbrookchurch.org