The Lamb of God

Sermon Notes January 6, 2019 John 1:29-34 Short Review Review the main points of the morning message. Focus on: Why Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Some Questions for Discussion: 1. Let’s begin by asking: a. Are there things you’d like us to discuss? Or things which struck you this morning which you’d like to share? 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. [Background question: Read the text again looking for references to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Also in Matthew 3:13-17). Do you have questions about the Trinity? Do you think anyone fully understands the Trinity? Do you think something can be true and beautiful but not fully understood by us?] 3. Let’s talk about the words ‘sin’ and ‘sinner’. a. What do these words mean to your unbelieving friends and family? b. Which of the following words do people use most often to describe wrong behavior – inappropriate, illegal, insensitive, immoral? [others?] What does each mean? c. Discuss how each of those words is different from “sin” as understood in the bible. d. Why is “sin” a difficult or uncomfortable word to use for many people in our culture? 4. Read John 1:29 and Revelation 13:8 (and Isaiah 53:7). a. What is the image of the Lamb intended to convey to us? b. How did the sacrificial system prepare us to understand what Jesus came to do? [see Hebrews 10:1-10] c. Why does God require any sacrifice – any payment? Why can’t He just forgive us? 5. Can you think of a time when you accepted a sacrificial gift from someone (besides Jesus!) because you needed it so much? a. Share an example. b. Was it hard to accept? Did you feel like you had to pay it back? How did it change your relationship to the gift giver? 6. We use certain words a lot in our worship songs: Lamb (Agnus Dei e.g.), Blood, Cross, Calvary. What does each mean and why do we sing about them so much? 7. Do you agree that sinners end up as the best worshippers? Why? Read and discuss Luke 7:36-50. 8. Does ‘counting our sins’ depress and discourage us, or fill us with praise and gratitude? Why? What’s the difference? 9. How can we pray for one another in response to the word today?