The Word

Sermon Notes December 2, 2018 John 1:1-5 Short Review Review the main points of the message. Focus on: Jesus is Deity incarnate. Why is that important? Some Questions for Discussion: 1. Let’s begin by asking: a. What resonated with you from the Sunday message? b. Did you write down any ideas you want to talk about, questions you have? Were there particular applications to your own life which the Spirit was making? 2. Answer the poll question: Jesus was the first and greatest being created by God the Father. a. Strongly Agree, Agree, disagree, strongly disagree – and explain why you answer as you do. b. What is the cause of confusion? Why did 78% of those who professed to be Christians agree with this statement? 3. What if Jesus were NOT God incarnate: a. What would that mean for knowing we are forgiven? Read Mark 2:7 and comment b. What would it mean for knowing the love of God? c. What would it mean for Christ’s death as payment for our sins – would it be just to punish an innocent being for the guilty? 4. Did you ever struggle with this dramatic claim – that Jesus is God in the flesh? 5. People who grew up in some kind of Christian church grow up knowing this idea. What obstacles to belief might there be for those who were unchurched, or grew up in Muslim or atheist homes? 6. We are made by Jesus and for Jesus: Discuss this in light of our text and Colossians 1:16. What does it mean to be “created for” someone – Jesus? How does this direct our morals, goals, aspirations? 7. What is our job in ‘rescuing’ Christmas? We often decry the secularization and commercialization of Christmas. We can retreat into our own Christian homes. But what obligation do we have to the world which is in darkness? What are ways in which you share Christ during this season? 8. How can we pray for one another in response to the word today?