REALLIFE STUDY GROUP
"I
Was Born Again This Way 2"
ICEBREAKER:
Name one invention that you use every day and wouldn't want to live without.
(You can't say something that has already been said.)
INTRODUCTION:
John 3 tells a story about a man named Nicodemas who
came to see Jesus at night. I like to call the story Nic
at Night! Nic came to Jesus in hot pursuit of truth.
So Jesus told him that he had to be born again in order to see the Kingdom of
God. There are just some revelations you cannot understand, grasp or even see
if you have not been born again into the family of God. In the book of John,
Jesus makes at least seven claims that have incredible revelatory
ramifications. Let's take a look at them in our outline.
CONFESSION:
·
Because Jesus is the Bread of
life, I can say, I am fulfilled and satisfied!
·
Because Jesus is the Light of
the world, I can say, I am enlightened and illuminated!
·
Because Jesus is the Door of
the sheep, I can say, I am accepted and have full access to God!
·
Because Jesus is the Good
Shepherd, I can say, I am protected and safe!
·
Because Jesus is the
Resurrection and the Life, I can say, I am alive and well!
·
Because Jesus is the Way, the
Truth and the Life, I can say, I am on track and have no lack!
·
Because Jesus is the True Vine,
I can say, I am fruitful and flourishing!
DEFINITIONS: Born Again: to be regenerated, to be brought
into a new and more vigorous way of life, to be given a new and higher
spiritual nature.
OUTLINE:
Seven
"I am" statements of Jesus Christ in the Gospel of John:
1.
"I am the bread of
life." John 6:35, 41, 48-51.
(Provision)
2.
"I am the light of the
world." John 8:12; 9:5 (Vision)
3.
"I am the door of the
sheep." John 10:7, 9 (Access)
4.
"I am the good shepherd;
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep."
John 10:11, 14 (Protection)
5.
"I am the resurrection and
the life." John 11:25 (Abundant Life)
6.
"I am the way, the truth,
and the life." John 14:6 (Direction)
7.
"I am the true vine."
John 15:1, 5 (Fruitfulness)
TEXT: John 3:1-21; John 8:42-47
STUDY
GROUP QUESTIONS:
1. How
should a person's life change when he/she gets born again?
2. In
what way do you need Jesus to be bread or provision for you?
3. John
8:12 reminds us that Jesus is our light, as in, he is our revelation or our
vision. What Christian principle or revelation at first was or is the hardest
for you to grasp or apply? (Sowing & reaping, forgiveness & mercy,
obedience, discipline...)
4. John
10:11 reminds us that as our shepherd, Jesus is our protector. Describe a time
in your life when you needed God to protect you in some way.
a. Protect
your reputation
b. Protect
your investments
c. Protect
your life
d. Protect
your family
e. Protect
your integrity
f. Protect
your health
g. Protect
your ideas or inventions
5. John
15:1 reminds us that Jesus is the true vine and we must stay connected if we
want to bear fruit. In what area of your life do you need to be more fruitful
and what needs to change for you to be more fruitful?
6. Read
1 John 3:1-9. How does verse 6 say we keep from sinning? How do you define sin?
PRAISE
REPORTS & PRAYER REQUESTS:
ACTION
POINT: This week I will apply these seven
attributes of Jesus Christ to every area of my life.