KNOWING JESUS
Purpose: To highlight the life, character and teachings of Jesus so that an individual can come to faith in him and aspire to know God through him.
JOHN 1:1 , JOHN 1:14
Jesus is God in the flesh. He is the unique Son of God: fully God and fully man! God came to earth as a man in order that we could come to know him. If you were an all-powerful and invisible God, how would you have tried to communicate your love to your creation? Illustration: Imagine trying to talk to an ant.
COLOSSIANS 2:9
All the fullness of God lives in Jesus Christ. This means that every aspect of God's character can be found in Jesus. Reading through any of the Gospels describing Jesus life and words will give you insight into God's character and will for your life. Here are several aspects from a day in the life of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark:
Mark 1:21-22 Jesus was an amazing teacher whose words were spoken with authority.
Mark 1:23-28 Jesus cast out demons, showing that the power of God was present in him.
Mark 1:29-31 Jesus met people's felt needs and healed the sick.
Mark 1:32-34 Jesus focused his attention on others and selflessly gave of himself.
Mark 1:35 Jesus was dependent upon God in prayer for his strength and direction.
Mark 1:36-39 Jesus was consumed with his mission to preach the good news.
Mark 1:40-42 Jesus was filled with compassion for all people.
Mark 10:32-34, Mark 10:45 Jesus came to serve, and gave his perfect life as a ransom for sinners. As predicted, he was rejected by his people and crucified but he rose from the dead three days later.
Choose a Gospel and read more about Jesus for yourself.
1 JOHN 2:3-6
Knowing Jesus is not just an intellectual exercise. The goal of the Christian is to obey his commands and become more and more like him: to think like Jesus, to act like Jesus, to live like Jesus.
JOHN 14:6
Jesus claimed to be the way, not a way. He claimed to be the truth and not one truth among many. He said he was the life, not just a better life. How important is it that we put our faith, our trust, our obedience in Jesus? No one will make it to the Father unless they come to him through Jesus! (Acts 4:12)
ADDITIONAL HELPFUL SCRIPTURES:
Hebrews 1:1-3
Hebrews 2:14-18
Hebrews 4:14-16
If needed, read through an entire Gospel with your friend.