Big Idea: What you believe about Jesus is essential to your faith.

            John 14:6

Christ/Messiah = Anointed One

            Genesis 3:15

Anointed One = Prophet, Priest, and King

            Isaiah 9:6-7

Why does this matter?

• Jesus came to bring more than forgiveness.
  John 10:30-33
  John 20:27-28
• Jesus’ divinity proves that God pursues us.
  2 Corinthians 5:21

Message Questions

We are continuing to go through our Essentials series, and this week we are talking about Jesus. Our essential doctrine statement about Jesus says:

Jesus is the Christ, the promised king of the Old Testament who would come to restore all things and rule over all of creation with righteousness and justice. He is the eternal God in human flesh, fully God and fully human at the same time. He was born of a virgin, lived a perfect life, and defeated sin and death by dying on the cross in place of humanity and rising again on the third day. He offers forgiveness to all who will believe in him and provides the only way to restoration of life and relationship with God.

This Sunday, the big idea is: What you believe about Jesus is essential to your faith. Passages include Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23; John 10:30-33; John 14:6; and 2 Corinthians 5:21.

Use these questions to discuss the message from Sunday, focusing on how you can grow as an everyday follower of Jesus and how you can go accomplish what Jesus calls you to do.

1. What are character traits that non-Christians may ascribe to Jesus? List off a few, then have someone read John 14:6 and discuss how Jesus describes himself to his followers according to this verse.
2. Why does it matter that Jesus is the Messiah? How does Jesus’ kingship play any role in our lives? Have someone read Isaiah 9:6-7 and discuss this.
3. Pastor Wyatt shared that “Jesus’ divinity proves that God pursues us.” Have someone read Matthew 1:23 and discuss how this name for Jesus proves that he pursues us.
4. Jesus died on the cross so we can be in relationship with the triune God. How can you grow in your awe of Jesus and your devotion to Jesus, in light of what he has done for you?
5. Who can you go to this week and share the message of Jesus? Take time to pray together about the people in your lives who desperately need to hear the gospel message.