MISSION GROUP QUESTIONS JOHN: 7 WORDS & 7 SIGNS - 15/11/09

Continuing our series in John we looked at the next 'word' of Jesus - I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE John 14:1-11

The disciples are scared and confused.  Jesus knows this and so offers two things
1) A Promise
2) A Claim

1) The Promise
Jesus understands the real issues behind the disciples worry and anxiety is that they don’t believe him and his reasons for going. He explains in verse 2 (my paraphrase)  ‘if I go it can only work out better for you.  I have an important job to do while I’m gone but I’m definitely coming back.’ 
The cause for concern is the Departure
but the promise is the Return
The more we trust in Jesus’ return the more we can thrive in this waiting period.

2) The Claim
(6) ““I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

i) I am
Prophets and teachers all point away from themselves. They say follow this route, attain this goal, look to this god,
Jesus is completely humble (gentle, loves the meek, special attention to the shunned in society) but completely realistic when he says – “I am”.  All truth points to him!
In ancient times, ancient wisdom literature talked about wisdom having a yoke. All sorts of different places that said “put the yoke of wisdom on you.”
Yet Jesus says Matt 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…”
Jesus says “I don’t point to wisdom -I am wisdom”.
If you have any integrity. You cannot say Jesus is a nice guy. You cannot respond to him apathetically.
Reject him or accept him
If false – worst thing ever to step foot on this planet
If true – best thing to walk the earth.

ii) The Way
It’s interesting when Jesus says that he is the way, he isn’t just talking about choosing the correct path to take, but he is also saying something of the nature of the path. 

Jesus claims the way to know God involves intimacy.
“I am the way”
the way to what?
Look at verse 7 “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”
“I’m the only way to KNOW the father.”

Jesus’ claim is so wonderful.
Jesus is the only way to turn our relationship with God from a finger wagging dictator to an open armed loving father.

Because it’s the only way, it must be true.
It would make no sense for Jesus to lie to you given his sacrifice
Jesus is the way to God because he is the truth of God.
If true it is also life giving. 
Everything we know about Christ, his life, his care for the poor, marginalised and sick. Raising the dead, befriending the outcasts, every miracle –all of it points to him only offering goodness and life.

iii) ‘No one comes to the Father except through me.
Many people try to earn God’s favour by attempting to live as a Christians before becoming one.  This is unwise.
Jesus earns our salvation on the cross. Salvation is found in him alone, not our best efforts!
This means God’s grace doesn’t go to people who are nicer, better behaved than others, but to those who acknowledge their failure to be good enough and acknowledge their need for a saviour.
Christians who get this, should actually expect to find non believers who are much nicer, kinder, fairer, greater integrity than they are.

Why? Because Christians admit they’re not accepted by God because of their goodness but Jesus work on their behalf.

Questions:
Are you or your family and friends going through a difficult time at the moment.  Talk about it together as a group.
Jesus offers a promise of his return to bring comfort to his disciples - how does this work out in reality?
Meditate on Revelation 21 together and talk about what the new creation will be like. 
Jesus then makes some outrageous claims.
Talk together about your experiences of trying to communicate about the exclusivity of the gospel.  What do you say when someone asks you whether or not you believe Jesus is the only way to God?
Jesus promises intimacy. How is your relationship with God?  What is he saying to you? Are you growing in your understanding of his love for you?
If Jesus’ way is full of truth and life have you looked to others things to fill the void in our hearts that can only be filled by God?
Discuss the statement ‘Christians who understand grace, should actually expect to find non believers who are much nicer, kinder, fairer, greater integrity than they are.’