Jesus is Distinct

Welcome to our brand-new series, Distinct, where we'll be looking at some things that are different, unique, and . . . well, distinct. Let's see how good you are at noticing the differences between things — like sounds.

INSTRUCTIONS: For this new spin on Musical Chairs, you'll need some chairs, music, and sound effects. To play, bring a few students to the front or play with your whole group if you can. Make sure you have one more player than you have chairs. Like you would in a typical game of Musical Chairs, have students walk around while music is playing, but instead of simply having them sit when the music stops, give them a few sound effects with different actions associated with them. Call the players out if they fail to (or are the last to) pair the right action with the sound effect, like . . .

COWBELL: Sit on a chair.

DUCK CALL: Sit on the floor.

BULLHORN: Keep walking.

POLL | Distinct Senses

INSTRUCTIONS: Have your students respond to the following poll by raising their hands or responding out loud if they can relate.

Some of you detail-oriented people are better than others at noticing the distinctions between things a little more quickly than others, but we're all capable of identifying things that are different, unique, or don't belong.

Does this sound like you? Maybe you . . .

Can identify your favorite songs from one-second audio clips.

Are great at that Spot the Difference game where you compare two pictures that are almost the same.

Always notice the distinct smells of the rooms you walk into — and you always let people know when they smell weird.

Are really particular about textures, so when you find the perfect t-shirt or pair of socks, you never go back.

Are a macaroni and cheese connoisseur. You've tasted them all and know exactly which brand is best.

The official definition of "distinct" is when something is "recognizably different" or "distinguishable by the senses." We use our senses (and brains) to determine when something is a little different from everything else.

QUESTION | "Who is Jesus to you?"

For the next few weeks, we're going to be talking about some of the things that make you and me "distinct." But before we talk about how you and I are uniquely created, I want to talk about the Person who created us that way. Many people think Jesus was simply a good man who lived, died, and that’s it. Some think He taught and did some great things. Some don't believe He existed at all. But others believe Jesus not only existed, but He was distinct from any person who has ever lived. So who is Jesus to you? Not just what you've heard from your family or at church. What do you think?

INSTRUCTIONS: Give a few students a chance to respond.

There were a lot of unique things about Jesus, but the most distinct thing about Him is this: He claims to be God.

He forgave sins only God could forgive. He claimed to be the Son of God. He performed miracles. He said He was the Savior God had promised. So is it true? Is Jesus fully God and fully human like the Bible says? And if He is, what difference does it make for us and for the world?

SO WHAT? Why does it matter to God and to us?

STORY | Talk about a time you realized Jesus was distinct.

INSTRUCTIONS: Tell a story from your own life (or ask a volunteer or student to tell a story) about a time when you were struck by the way Jesus was different from anyone else. This could be the first time you realized Jesus was God, or a time an aspect of Jesus' character stood out to you or transformed your faith.

When I accepted Christ into my life, I immediately realized how distinct He is by the way that He changed me.

I went from depressed to full of joy.

From constantly being angry to loving others.

From no direction in life to a clear purpose and calling that was straight from Christ.

There's a lot about Jesus that's distinct, but knowing Jesus isn't about learning facts about Jesus. It's about knowing Him. The things that make Jesus who He is aren't just interesting facts. They actually have the power to change us.

REFLECTION | Jesus is . . . (Part 1)

As we talk today, I want to invite you to write down who Jesus is to you. It can be one word or lots of words. You might think of more words to describe Jesus as we read, talk, or discuss. As you do, write down anything that sticks out to you. By the time we're done, none of our pages will look the same and that's okay, because we've all encountered Jesus in different ways.

SCRIPTURE | John 1:1-18

One person who encountered Jesus in a distinct way was John, was one of the earliest followers of Jesus. John hung out with Jesus, saw what Jesus did, heard what Jesus said, and was one of Jesus' closest friends.

The Gospel of John is a book in the Bible written by John. In it, he says his primary reason for writing the book of John was so that everyone who reads it later (that's us!) would believe Jesus is who He said He is. There were other people who saw the things Jesus did and heard the things Jesus said — that's why we have four similar books in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). But the book of John captures his unique perspective on Jesus. Let's look at the very beginning of John’s writings. It's his introduction to the whole story of Jesus, so you know he's going to put some of the most important ideas first. What does John want us to know about who Jesus is? Let's find out!

INSTRUCTIONS: John 1:1-18

John 1:1–18 NIV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

This first statement alone is distinct from any other description of Jesus in Scripture. Jesus as described as "the Word." In Greek, the word "word" is logos, which means "divine reason."

"Divine," means, "God, being like God, or having God-like powers." "Reason" means, "having the ability to think, make decisions, and form thoughts." So "divine reason" means Jesus was "one with the ability to think and act like God." John is making it pretty clear how he views Jesus, isn't he? From the get-go, he makes sure his readers know Jesus is God!

He wasn't just a normal man. He wasn't just a good teacher. He wasn't just someone who did great things. He was indeed God!

IMAGE | The Trinity

Jesus equals God. So does God equal Jesus? Well . . . yes? And no. This is a difficult concept to grasp, let alone explain, so let's see what we can do.

JESUS EQUALS GOD. How is that possible? Well, by human standards, it's not. But Jesus isn't just human, and that's the point. Jesus is fully human and fully God at the exact same time. GOD EQUALS THE TRINITY. Jesus is fully God, but God isn't fully Jesus. I know, I know — this is kind of mind-bending. There is only one God, but God is actually three "persons." There is God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit. Together, they are God. Separately, they are also God. And there is only one God.

INSTRUCTIONS: Show the image provided in your Week 1 folder as you teach.

It's okay if you can't wrap your brain around this. We humans have been trying to do it for ages. It's difficult to explain because God is so much bigger than our minds and imaginations.

SCRIPTURE | John 1:3

INSTRUCTIONS: Re-read John 1:3

John 1:3 NIV

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

Jesus is God, but not only that — Jesus was there in the very beginning of all creation, when only God existed! Jesus is God and Jesus is also our Creator! Through Him, everything was made that we can see and touch.

Yes, Jesus was born just like you and me, but Jesus also existed before He was born. How? Well, God kind of invented time, so it makes sense that Jesus can exist eternally outside of time. He always has existed and will always exist, with no beginning and no end.

Mind . . . blown.

SCRIPTURE | I Corinthians 8:5-6

There is no one like Jesus. Other gods, ideas, people, and even objects have been worshiped over time, but there is only One who has stood the test of time. Besides John, there's another follower of Jesus named Paul wrote a letter to a local church about who Jesus is. In this letter, he laid out some truth about Jesus and some other "so-called gods."

1 Corinthians 8:5–6 NIV

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

Paul made it very clear that, even though some people will try and worship fake "gods," there is only one God who is different from them all — Jesus.

Paul wrote letters like this one to teach and help early followers of Jesus understand all of the new ideas and thoughts that were circulating about Jesus' identity. When this was written, the Roman empire was in charge. In Rome, they believed their emperor was divine — a "son of God." That's why Paul wanted to make this clear: "Look, there may seem like there are many 'so-called-gods' out there, but Jesus is the only God." Both John and Paul proclaimed and trust this truth: there is no one like Jesus. He's fully God, fully human, and fully capable of changing our lives. Jesus is distinct. He's in a class of His own. There is no one like Him.

NOW WHAT? What does God want us to do about it?

OBJECT LESSON | Charging Cables

Because Jesus is distinct from anyone else, He has the distinct ability to change our lives in distinct ways.

INSTRUCTIONS: Show students a variety of phone charging cables, like an Apple charger and an Android charger, as well as any other charging cables you have laying around. Just make sure one of them is actually compatible with your phone. As you teach, attempt to plug the cables into your phone until you find the one that fits.

Isn't it funny how whenever you need a charger, you're offered one that doesn't match your phone? No? Just me? Cool. Well, these charging cables are all distinct and serve distinct purposes. You can't charge an iPhone with an Android charger, and you can't charge an Android phone with the charger for video game controllers. This is how Jesus is for us. Because there is only one Creator, you and I are created with only one source of life, power, and purpose. When we're "plugged into" our one and only source, things change.

Our relationship with God changes.

The way we see ourselves changes.

The way we see others changes.

The way we see our lives changes.

The way we get through our lives changes.

We were created by Jesus to know Jesus. Our distinct Creator created us distinctly and with a distinct purpose — to know Him.

MUSIC | "Forever Reign" (Hillsong United)

We began our time together today by using our ears to identify some distinct sounds. Let's use that same sense of hearing to identify some of the distinct characteristics of who Jesus is. While we're singing, you might want to . . .

Add a few more words to that page of reflections. Ask this question: "If this is true about Jesus, what should I do about it?" INSTRUCTIONS: Play the song “Forever Reign” (Hillsong United)

REFLECTION | Jesus is . . . (Part 2)

So we've talked about how Jesus is distinct from anyone else who has ever lived, but what do we do about this claim? We can . . .

Be honest about any doubts we may have about who Jesus says He is.

Ask God for help trusting Jesus is who He says He is.

Choose to receive, believe, and trust that Jesus is everything He says He is and more.

Let Jesus change us from the inside out.

So if Jesus is God, what do you need to do about it? What's your next step? Do you need to be honest about your doubts? Ask for help? Choose to trust? Let Jesus change you or your relationship with God?

INSTRUCTIONS: Have students return to their handout and find a space to write down one action step they need to take.

Who is Jesus to you? And what are you going to do about it?

If you don't already know Jesus or you've never really made a decision to trust Him before, maybe today is the day you start. Jesus said He came to save us, and His salvation is kind of like receiving a gift you didn't ask for or expect. The gift is undeserved, but it's yours anyway. We didn't earn God's love through Jesus, but we have it — just because. If you already know Jesus, but your relationship with God isn't what you wish it could be, maybe today is the day you start again. Maybe today's the day you decide to come back to that love. And if you're following Jesus and have a faith that's growing, that's great! Maybe your next step can be to reflect on what makes Jesus distinct to you so you can better share who He is to you. Or maybe you wrote down an observation about who Jesus is, but there's something you could do to respond more intentionally to that truth. If Jesus is a healer, what do you need Him to heal? If He's your friend, how can you spend more time with Him? Jesus wasn't just a good man or a good teacher. He was, and still is, so much more than that. As God, He's impossible for us to fully understand. But as a human, He understands us perfectly. Who Jesus is to you is a question only you can answer, but I'll tell you this — there's no one like Him.