Prayer
Because the primary goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for or anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together?
Opening Question
As a young child, what was one of your favorite cartoons, books, comics, or movies?
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”– John 14:1-7
Five reasons the claim Jesus is the only way to God is not only reasonable, but desirable.
1. Because beauty exists
Beauty reminds us that humanity is meant to care for the world, and make things flourish.
Beauty reminds us that Jesus came to make sad things untrue and reveal God’s eternal plan. This enables us to do justice and love sacrificially.
In your experience, has beauty acted as a doorway to divine awareness or belief in something beyond this world?
What are some examples of beauty that open your understanding/awareness to something beyond the natural world?
What role do you think art plays in God’s story in the world? How can art help build our personal and collective faith?
2. Because fairy tales are real
Fairy tales bypass our modern cynicism and skepticism to allow us to feel things like hope, joy, love.
What are some examples of fairy tales that have been meaningful to you throughout your life? What do they make you feel when you encounter them?
How do fairy tales point us to the gospel? Do you find their perspective helps you understand the gospel better?
If you had to tell some version of your faith story as a fairy tale, what characters, setting, or basic plot line would you use?
3. Because truth is absolute
To claim that absolute truth does not exist is itself an absolute truth claim, which implies that there are truths that exist and apply to all of humanity. In the sermon, we heard that to know which truth claims are legitimate, we must inspect truth claims to see what’s inside them.
Have you ever believed some big or small thing was true, but later realized it was not true? What was that like for you?
When you consider your own faith, what truth do you find at its center? How has that shaped your mind, heart, and actions?
What is one absolute truth you think our society needs to hear most of all?
4. Because mercy is transformative
Forgiveness can be difficult for us to ask for and nearly impossible to offer others. However God’s mercy provides forgiveness that has the power to transform us.
Why do you think we generally have a difficult time asking for forgiveness and forgiving others?
Do you find it more challenging to ask for forgiveness from God or from other people?
How has God’s forgiveness impacted your life?
5. Because the Resurrection really happened
In many passages, the New Testament names specific people who could confirm that the resurrection happened. Some of Jesus’s followers who claimed they had seen him resurrected later died because they refused to relinquish that belief.
In the sermon, we heard that some objections to the resurrection involve the claim that early Christians lied about seeing Jesus resurrected. When you consider the sheer volume of Jewish and Roman citizens involved in the crucifixion of Jesus, how do you imagine they could have achieved this? Do you think his followers would be willing to martyr themselves if they didn’t really see him raised from death to life? Why or why not?
If you are a Christian who believes in the resurrection, how did you arrive at that belief? What comfort, encouragement, or peace does the resurrection of Jesus offer you?
Closing Thought
In your final time together, share any prayer requests you may have, and then offer those requests to God.