I AM: Discovering the Nature of Jesus!
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
My Prayer Today
Dear Jesus, I thank you that you are my example. It is through your example that I have way to God the Father. If it were not for your willingness to suffer on the cross, I would not have any purpose or hope for my life. I have found the way, because I have found You. Help me today to show forth your love to others by my lifestyle. I want to be an example for others so that they too may find the way to God. I ask for your grace today in doing this. In Your name I pray, Amen.
God's Word Today
John 14:1-7
1 "Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me. 2 There are many rooms in my Father's home, and I am going to prepare a place for you. If this were not so, I would tell you plainly. 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know where I am going and how to get there." 5 "No, we don't, Lord," Thomas said. "We haven't any idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?" 6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him and have seen him!"
Reflecting on God's Word
In verse 6, what phrase does Jesus use to describe himself?
What does it mean when Jesus says "I am the way?"
Who is Jesus the "way" to?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
Read 1 Peter 2:2. How is Jesus the "way" for us to come before God in this verse?
Why is Jesus' example our way to God?
How has Jesus secured a way for us through his example?
Understanding God's Purpose
How is Jesus our example?
According to 1 Peter 2:21, why has God called us to suffering?
How has the "way" to God come through suffering?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
Is Jesus' example easy to follow? Why or why not?
Who is one person you can be an example to today?
In what way can you show this person the love of Jesus? If they reject this, will you be identified with the suffering of Jesus?
Thoughts
There is something so important about having a good example. Whether we are talking about a person that has a skill in an area we are interested in or seeing a character trait that we desire to have ourselves, having a person to admire and emulate is very helpful. When we have a person to look up to, it provides for us a visible goal for us to reach and follow. Although we may think of several persons that we would like to follow, the most important example for us is Jesus Christ. He is the person who shows us how to live and how we should love others. The credibility of those you follow is dependent upon their willingness to follow the way of Jesus.
It says in 1 Peter 2:21, "This suffering is all part of what God has called you to. Christ, who suffered for you, is your example." Suffering is something that most of us will try to avoid at all costs. Jesus, however, states that if we want to be his followers that we should expect suffering. It is not that we should enjoy suffering, but rather that we should know that if we are suffering for the cause of Jesus then we are following his example. When Jesus says "I am the way," he was saying that his example of love and sacrifice provides for us an example in how to live. We will never be able to earn our way to God, however, when we identify with the cross of Jesus, new life begins within us.
Back to the I AM Bible studies