GROUP GUIDE
Leading a group through these questions? Here’s a simple guide for 1.5-2 hour GROUP meeting.
Welcome and Opening Prayer. (5 minutes)
Read the passage aloud. (5 minutes)
Guide the group through the questions. (30-60 minutes)
Take time to share prayer requests and pray for each other. (15-30 minutes)
TEACHING RECAP
Summary: What does it mean to actually follow Jesus? In one his most intense conversations in the gospels, Jesus calls the religious people of his time liars and murderers, and identifies three features that are a part of actually following him.
Main Points:
1. Following Jesus means loving, listening to and actually obeying Jesus.
2. Following Jesus results in true freedom and eternal life.
3. Following Jesus starts with believing that he is God and trusting your life to him.
On-Ramps:
- Surrender your life to Jesus Christ.
- Read the Bible daily and ask for God’s help to live it out over the long haul.
- Invite God to heal and restore areas in your life that have been wrecked by sin.
- Seek to grow a deepening and personal friendship with Jesus.
- Live with joy and share Jesus, because God has come to save us!
Discussion
What stands out to you from this passage? How does this passage most challenge or encourage you?
Compare the claims that the Jews make about themselves versus what Jesus says about them. What claims does Jesus make about Himself? In contrast, what do the Jews call Jesus?
How does the way that Jesus describes the devil in this passage relate to Genesis 3?
What are some realities that are a result of sin that you observe in a frequent or significant way as you experience this fallen world? What evidence do you see around you that the world is enslaved to sin?
What do the people in your life who have not chosen to follow Jesus say about His claims? Why do you think they have this perspective?
Is something holding you back from surrendering to Jesus or pursuing Him more deeply? What is it?
How have you experienced the wreckage of sin in your life? What continues to be a struggle for you in the area of sin?
How do you want to respond to this passage in your daily life?
PRAYER
Pray for each other:
against those things which are holding you back from Jesus.
for healing for the areas in your lives that have been wrecked by sin.
for freedom from the sin that continues to be a struggle.
Next week: Matthew 5:13-16
