God With Us

Sermon Notes December 15, 2018 John 1:14-18 Short Review Review the main points of the morning message. Focus on: What does the coming of Christ tells us about God and the nature of the world in which we live our lives? 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. Do you think what we believe about who or what controls the world (and our lives) affects how we live? How would belief in the following affect how people handled triumphs, defeats, relationships and their obligations to others, including God? a. Fate/Luck rules b. Time, Chance, Matter, Energy – that’s all there is c. God, the perfect Judge, rules (as in Islam) d. God is a Creator, but not involved in the world now (Deism) e. God accepts and is happy with those who obey His commands 3. If someone asked you to answer in a few words, “What is God like?” how would you answer? [And no fair just using the words of John! How would you have answered before Sunday?] 4. Read Verses 14 and 16. a. Put each verse in your own words. b. Explain the contrast between “we saw” (14) and “no one has seen” in 18. 5. Grace. a. Define Grace. How does the Scripture describe it? b. How have you experienced grace – from people? From God? c. How do we/can we show grace? 6. Suppose someone was experiencing much trouble in their lives, and had trouble understanding how the God who rules everything “abounds in grace.” How would you counsel such a person? What explanations and encouragements would you offer? 7. How can we pray for one another in response to the word today?