Life Group Resources: I Am The Way The Truth and The Life
Life Group Guide: "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life"
Opening Prayer: Begin your session with a prayer, asking God to guide your discussion and help you understand and apply the teachings from the sermon.
Key Scripture: John 14:1-14
Discussion Questions:
The sermon describes Jesus' words as intimate and urgent, like a farewell speech. How does this context change your understanding of Jesus saying, "I am the way, the truth, and the life"?
How do you typically respond when someone tells you to "just trust me"? Why might trusting Jesus be different from trusting other people?
The pastor suggests that Jesus' statement is not meant to exclude people, but to "fling the gate wide open." How does this perspective challenge or affirm your previous understanding of this verse?
Reflect on the two conversion stories shared (the man in the kitchen and C.S. Lewis). How do these different experiences demonstrate God's diverse ways of reaching people?
The sermon emphasizes that following Jesus is about a relationship, not a system. How might this change the way we approach our faith and share it with others?
In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to trust Jesus as "the way"? Why?
Key Takeaways:
Jesus' words about being "the way, the truth, and the life" are meant to reassure and anchor his followers in his love, not to create division.
Trusting Jesus means following a person, not just adhering to a system of beliefs.
God works in diverse ways to reach people, and our experiences of faith may look different from others'.
Knowing God is more about a relationship of trust than mastering information or following rules.
Living out Jesus' way means actively loving others and bringing hope, even when it seems impractical.
Practical Applications:
This week, focus on one area of your life where you struggle to trust God. Pray daily, asking Jesus to help you trust Him more in this area.
Identify one person in your life who might need to experience God's love. Think of a practical way to show them kindness or support this week.
Reflect on your own faith journey. Write down key moments where you've experienced God's presence or guidance, even if they weren't dramatic.
Challenge yourself to approach a difficult situation or relationship this week with the mindset of "What would it look like to follow Jesus' way here?" rather than relying on your usual approach.
As a group, brainstorm ways your small group could serve others in your community, embodying Jesus' way of love and compassion.
Closing Prayer: Close your session by thanking God for being our way, truth, and life. Ask for His guidance in living out these truths in the coming week.
5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide
Day 1: The Way of Trust Reading: John 14:1-6
Devotional: Jesus begins His farewell discourse with words of comfort: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." In times of uncertainty and fear, Christ calls us to trust Him as the Way. This isn't about having all the answers or a clear roadmap for life. Instead, it's an invitation to place our hand in His and follow, even when the path ahead seems unclear.
Today, reflect on areas of your life where you're seeking certainty or control. How might Jesus be inviting you to trust Him more deeply? Remember, following the Way isn't about perfect understanding, but about relationship with a perfect Savior.
Day 2: Seeing the Father's Heart Reading: John 14:7-11
Devotional: Philip's request to "show us the Father" reveals a common human desire - we want clear, tangible proof of God. Yet Jesus gently redirects this desire, pointing to Himself as the fullest revelation of God's character. In Christ, we see a God who washes feet, weeps with the grieving, and embraces the outcast.
Consider how your view of God might be limited or distorted. How does Jesus' life and ministry challenge or expand your understanding of God's nature? Spend time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal more of the Father's heart to you through Christ.
Day 3: Love in Action Reading: John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7-12
Devotional: The way of Jesus is fundamentally about love - not as an abstract concept, but as concrete action. Christ's love was demonstrated through healing, feeding, forgiving, and ultimately laying down His life. As His followers, we're called to make this love tangible in our world.
Today, look for practical ways to embody Christ's love. This might mean offering forgiveness, showing kindness to a difficult person, or serving someone in need. Remember, it's through our love that others catch a glimpse of God's heart.
Day 4: Trusting in Uncertainty Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-6
Devotional: Faith isn't about having all the answers; it's about trusting the One who does. Like C.S. Lewis, whose belief "snuck up on him," our journey with God often involves moments of quiet realization rather than dramatic revelation. The Christian walk is one of continual trust, even (and especially) when the way forward isn't clear.
Reflect on your own faith journey. Where has God met you in unexpected ways? How can you cultivate a posture of trust, even in the face of doubt or uncertainty? Consider writing a prayer of surrender, entrusting your path to the God who knows the way.
Day 5: Living the Kingdom Now Reading: Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 17:20-21
Devotional: Jesus teaches us to pray "Your kingdom come," yet also declares that the kingdom of God is already among us. As followers of Christ, we're called to live out kingdom values in the here and now - even when they seem impractical or counter-cultural.
Where do you see opportunities to bring glimpses of God's kingdom into your daily life? This might involve choosing forgiveness over revenge, generosity over self-interest, or peace-making in the face of conflict. Ask God to give you eyes to see these kingdom opportunities and the courage to act on them.
Remember, the Way of Christ isn't about perfection, but about faithfully taking the next step, hand-in-hand with our Savior. May this week's reflections deepen your trust in Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Opening Prayer: Begin your session with a prayer, asking God to guide your discussion and help you understand and apply the teachings from the sermon.
Key Scripture: John 14:1-14
Discussion Questions:
The sermon describes Jesus' words as intimate and urgent, like a farewell speech. How does this context change your understanding of Jesus saying, "I am the way, the truth, and the life"?
How do you typically respond when someone tells you to "just trust me"? Why might trusting Jesus be different from trusting other people?
The pastor suggests that Jesus' statement is not meant to exclude people, but to "fling the gate wide open." How does this perspective challenge or affirm your previous understanding of this verse?
Reflect on the two conversion stories shared (the man in the kitchen and C.S. Lewis). How do these different experiences demonstrate God's diverse ways of reaching people?
The sermon emphasizes that following Jesus is about a relationship, not a system. How might this change the way we approach our faith and share it with others?
In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to trust Jesus as "the way"? Why?
Key Takeaways:
Jesus' words about being "the way, the truth, and the life" are meant to reassure and anchor his followers in his love, not to create division.
Trusting Jesus means following a person, not just adhering to a system of beliefs.
God works in diverse ways to reach people, and our experiences of faith may look different from others'.
Knowing God is more about a relationship of trust than mastering information or following rules.
Living out Jesus' way means actively loving others and bringing hope, even when it seems impractical.
Practical Applications:
This week, focus on one area of your life where you struggle to trust God. Pray daily, asking Jesus to help you trust Him more in this area.
Identify one person in your life who might need to experience God's love. Think of a practical way to show them kindness or support this week.
Reflect on your own faith journey. Write down key moments where you've experienced God's presence or guidance, even if they weren't dramatic.
Challenge yourself to approach a difficult situation or relationship this week with the mindset of "What would it look like to follow Jesus' way here?" rather than relying on your usual approach.
As a group, brainstorm ways your small group could serve others in your community, embodying Jesus' way of love and compassion.
Closing Prayer: Close your session by thanking God for being our way, truth, and life. Ask for His guidance in living out these truths in the coming week.
5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide
Day 1: The Way of Trust Reading: John 14:1-6
Devotional: Jesus begins His farewell discourse with words of comfort: "Do not let your hearts be troubled." In times of uncertainty and fear, Christ calls us to trust Him as the Way. This isn't about having all the answers or a clear roadmap for life. Instead, it's an invitation to place our hand in His and follow, even when the path ahead seems unclear.
Today, reflect on areas of your life where you're seeking certainty or control. How might Jesus be inviting you to trust Him more deeply? Remember, following the Way isn't about perfect understanding, but about relationship with a perfect Savior.
Day 2: Seeing the Father's Heart Reading: John 14:7-11
Devotional: Philip's request to "show us the Father" reveals a common human desire - we want clear, tangible proof of God. Yet Jesus gently redirects this desire, pointing to Himself as the fullest revelation of God's character. In Christ, we see a God who washes feet, weeps with the grieving, and embraces the outcast.
Consider how your view of God might be limited or distorted. How does Jesus' life and ministry challenge or expand your understanding of God's nature? Spend time in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal more of the Father's heart to you through Christ.
Day 3: Love in Action Reading: John 13:34-35, 1 John 4:7-12
Devotional: The way of Jesus is fundamentally about love - not as an abstract concept, but as concrete action. Christ's love was demonstrated through healing, feeding, forgiving, and ultimately laying down His life. As His followers, we're called to make this love tangible in our world.
Today, look for practical ways to embody Christ's love. This might mean offering forgiveness, showing kindness to a difficult person, or serving someone in need. Remember, it's through our love that others catch a glimpse of God's heart.
Day 4: Trusting in Uncertainty Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6, Hebrews 11:1-6
Devotional: Faith isn't about having all the answers; it's about trusting the One who does. Like C.S. Lewis, whose belief "snuck up on him," our journey with God often involves moments of quiet realization rather than dramatic revelation. The Christian walk is one of continual trust, even (and especially) when the way forward isn't clear.
Reflect on your own faith journey. Where has God met you in unexpected ways? How can you cultivate a posture of trust, even in the face of doubt or uncertainty? Consider writing a prayer of surrender, entrusting your path to the God who knows the way.
Day 5: Living the Kingdom Now Reading: Matthew 6:9-13, Luke 17:20-21
Devotional: Jesus teaches us to pray "Your kingdom come," yet also declares that the kingdom of God is already among us. As followers of Christ, we're called to live out kingdom values in the here and now - even when they seem impractical or counter-cultural.
Where do you see opportunities to bring glimpses of God's kingdom into your daily life? This might involve choosing forgiveness over revenge, generosity over self-interest, or peace-making in the face of conflict. Ask God to give you eyes to see these kingdom opportunities and the courage to act on them.
Remember, the Way of Christ isn't about perfection, but about faithfully taking the next step, hand-in-hand with our Savior. May this week's reflections deepen your trust in Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Recent
Archive
2025
March
No Comments