GOD: JESUS - is God

Digging into the Essentials of the Bible, or the doctrines (foundational beliefs) that make up our faith as Christians isn’t easy, but it is worth our time. We’ve seen that it helps prepare us for the job God has called us to (as we share the gospel and make disciples) and gives us deep roots, or a firm foundation, for our faith. We see this in our theme verses: 

Colossians 2:6-7a |  And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught…

So far, we’ve looked at the following Essentials:

Essential #1 - The Bible is Inspired (authored by God), Inerrant (free from errors), Infallible (will not fail/is trustworthy), and Authoritative (our ultimate guide).

Essential #2 - God is the perfect, loving Creator who is three-in-one: Father, Son, and Spirit. He is all powerful, all knowing, and all present.

As we looked at God last week, we saw that although there is one God, He has three distinct persons or parts - the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This week, we’ll explore the role of God the Son, who is Jesus. As we do, consider some of the following questions: 

• How is Jesus different than God the Father? How is He the same? 
• Are Jesus and God equal? Does God have authority over Jesus?
• What was Jesus doing before He was born as a human? 
• Can someone believe in God and not believe in Jesus? 
• What role does Jesus play in salvation? Is there any route to Heaven that doesn’t include Jesus as Lord? 
• Because Jesus lived a human life, what can you learn from His example? 

Stick with us all week as we investigate the answers to these questions and better understand:

Essential #3- Jesus is fully God and was fully man. Although tempted in every way, He chose not to sin and willingly laid down His own life to be the sacrifice for our sin. His example should be our benchmark for godly living.



SCRIPTURES
John 1:1-5 & 14-19 | In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. John testified about him when he shouted to the crowds, “This is the one I was talking about when I said, ‘Someone is coming after me who is far greater than I am, for he existed long before me.’” From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses, but God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. But the unique One, who is himself God, is near to the Father’s heart. He has revealed God to us.


DISCUSSION

1. Who is ‘the Word’ in John 1? 
2. Did Jesus exist before his birth as a baby in Bethlehem? How do you know? 
3. Before the Word became flesh (or before Jesus was born as a baby), what was He doing? 
4. John 1 shows us that Jesus is not just equal with God, He is God- part of the Trinity  (God 3 in 1). We can’t see God the Father, but verse 19 says Jesus revealed God to us. What did Jesus’ life teach us about God?