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Jesus 4 you, 4 me, 4 now

This pathway explores who it is we are waiting for, with a focus on how contemporary people might live a life inspired by Jesus. It includes discussions on the death and resurrection of Jesus, so we get a whole picture of the impact of this life that Christians celebrate at Christmas. Full of Biblical references and stories, it will appeal to children and adults alike.

WEEK ONE Questions about Jesus

Q: How do we know Jesus existed?

Discussion Questions

  1. How do we know Jesus existed?

  2. If Jesus were to turn up in your neighbourhood, what would he have to
    look like/do/say to convince you that he is part of God?

  3. The Jesus story is still being told – where have you heard it recently?

Q: How can we trust the Gospels in this regard?

Discussion Questions

  1. How can we trust the Gospels in this regard?

  2. In what ways do you rely on the Gospel accounts of Jesus?

  3. What other evidence do you have for the existence of Jesus? What do you rely on? The Gospels? The writing of Paul? The other letters in the
    New Testament? Your own experience of Jesus? Your experience of Christian Community?

Q: Over the years, various holy people have said holy things. Why do Christians believe Jesus is different?

Discussion Questions

  1. Over the years, various holy people have said holy things. Why do Christians believe Jesus is different?

  2. What makes Jesus different from other holy people? Most Christians believe that the resurrection is the resounding point of difference for Jesus.
    What is your response to this statement? Identify other things about Jesus’ life and ministry that make him a standout for you.

  3. The disciples looked back and said, “This was God”. Describe times in your life when you have stood back and thought that same thing. Perhaps it was about a person’s interaction with you, something that happened, a thing you read. What were the clues that led you to decide that God was at work

WEEK TWO - Jesus and his people

Q: Jesus taught people that loving their neighbour was important. Not judging others is a part of that love, right?

Discussion Questions

  1. Jesus taught people that loving their neighbour was important. Not judging others is a part of that love, right?

  2. What is judging really about?

  3. What does it take for someone to be able to drive away or ignore fear, insecurity and pain and welcome others?

Q: Jesus taught in the community and related to individuals. Tell us about that dynamic...

Discussion Questions

  1. Jesus taught in the community and related to individuals. Tell us about that dynamic...

  2. Think of a time that Jesus’ teaching turned something on its head for you, or when a Jesus story spoke particularly to your needs.

Q: Why was what Jesus taught and how he taught such a big deal to people?

Discussion Questions

  1. Why was what Jesus taught and how he taught such a big deal to people?

  2. When and where have you experienced people who thought Jesus was a big deal.

  3. How do you react to the statement that “what you’ve done wrong is not as important as God’s grace and love”?

Q: What was the community that Jesus formed like?

Discussion Questions

  1. What was the community that Jesus formed like?

  2. Imagine you were part of this first century community. What would draw you to Jesus? What is it about you that would catch Jesus’ eye? What strengths do you have that could be useful to Jesus as he builds his community?

  3. Imagine that Jesus was someone you met at work. What would Jesus have to say to you to convince you to leave your current job and follow him as he preached and taught around the area?

  4. Then there is Zacchaeus (Luke 19: 1-10) who was a collaborator with the Romans, a Jew who worked collecting taxes from his own people, to pass on to the occupying force. He kept a cut for himself. Why would Zacchaeus respond to Jesus?

  5. What was it about Jesus that appealed to those who already were well off and comfortable?

Q: Tell us more about the role of women in this community.

Discussion Questions

  1. Tell us more about the role of women in this community.

  2. We can accept that women in that time and place were not in the position to write their impressions of Jesus in ways that were valued or preserved. We can guess that they talked about Jesus!  What might the women have said about Jesus? His teaching? His lifestyle?

  3. Mary Magdalene was the first witness of the resurrection and the first who spoke of it to others. In what ways is this significant?

  4. Who are the people in our own society whose voices are not heard, whose stories we do not record?

  5. Read one of the stories of Jesus’ interaction with women. (See some examples below) Remember that he often crossed boundaries – social, religious, and ethnic –to talk with people. Imagine yourself in conversation with Jesus where he is:
    ·         moved by your pain (John 11:33-37).
    ·         taken off guard by your words (Matthew 15: 21-28)
    ·         overwhelmed with affection for you
    ·         impressed by your faith (Matthew 9:22)
    ·         grateful for your attention (Matthew 26: 6-12)

WEEK THREE Jesus in a first century world

Q: Have you noticed the actions of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels?

Discussion Questions

  1. Have you noticed the actions of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels? Sarah suggested that to know who Jesus is, it helps to see what he did. His actions ‘bring divine love, grace and forgiveness, to build and restore community and relationship’. Choose a Gospel and read through it with this focus: what is Jesus doing here? (PS: the shortest Gospel is Mark!)

  2. Imagine you have the task of communicating who Jesus is to a modern audience. What type of communication would you consider using? Facebook post? Tweet? Bus stop poster? Film advertisement? What would the result look/sound like? What would you like to say to your audience about the Jesus we know through the Gospels?

Q: So why was it a big deal that Jesus didn't fuss about purity linked to righteousness?

Discussion Questions

  1. So why was it a big deal that Jesus didn't fuss about purity linked to righteousness?

  2. Tell of a time when you ignored social barriers. What motivated you? The results?

  3. What advice would you give to a young Christian who wants to be like Jesus to people?

Q: Jesus was accused of hanging out with disreputable types... was this true?

Discussion Questions

  1. Jesus was accused of hanging out with disreputable types... was this true?

  2. Jesus did not turn away from, or turn people away. This inclusion was essential to Jesus.
    ·         What is it to be hospitable?
    ·         Who do we entertain?
    ·         Who entertains us?
    ·         Who do we exclude from our table?

  3. Describe a time when someone was radically hospitable to you.

  4. Describe a situation in modern life where there’s power to be had in deciding who is in and who is out.

  5. Where in your life can you welcome an outsider?

Q: The broader culture seems obsessed with sin, but this didn't bar Jesus from associating with people. In what ways did this approach threaten authority?

Discussion Questions

  1. The broader culture seems obsessed with sin, but this didn't bar Jesus from associating with people. In what ways did this approach threaten authority?

  2. In what circumstances do you find yourself judging others?

  3. What is your response to the idea that Jesus did not judge others? Can you do the same?

WEEK FOUR  The end of one story and the beginning of another

Q: Why was Jesus sentenced to die?

Discussion Questions 

  1. Why was Jesus sentenced to die?

  2. Many sources of evidence support the claim that Jesus died. Try to think about Jesus’ death without thinking of the resurrection. 

  3. In what ways is the death of Jesus significant to you, and your community? 

  4. Jesus suffered a humiliating and painful, yet “ordinary” death for the crimes of blasphemy and sedition. What is the equivalent in our society today? Imagine God suffering a contemporary “ordinary” criminal death and place God there.  How does that illuminate our mission? 

 

Q: Why is the resurrection such a big deal to Christians?

Discussion Questions

  1. Why is the resurrection such a big deal to Christians?

  2. “I love you so much that this extraordinary life is yours: greater than life and greater than death! There is no need to be afraid of life or death, as Jesus is beyond life and beyond death.”  Explore what this means to you in your current situation, your hopes and plans, your ideas about your purpose. 

  3. What do you need in order to trust this claim? 


Q: Why is the resurrection a big deal to you, personally?

Discussion Questions

  1. Why is the resurrection a big deal to you, personally? 

  2. What impact would a community of radically transformed, loving, welcoming, courageous people have on your suburb? 

    ·         Who would benefit? 

    ·         Who would be offended? 

    ·         What challenges would they face? 

    ·         Where would they meet? 

    ·         What would they do? 

 

Q: What’s appealing to you about the Christian story? 

Discussion questions 

  1. What’s appealing to you about the Christian story? 

  2. What do you find attractive about the person of Jesus? 

  3. Identify stories of transformation which have had an impact on you. Consider the stories of the apostles, the disciples after the appearance of Jesus, the faithful through the ages and people in your own life. 

  4. How appealing is the Christian story to those around us in our communities? Why? 

  5. In what ways would you say that you (try to) live the Christian story? Why is it good to do this? 

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