What’s True in the Bible?

Four Questions for Every Follower of Jesus

1. Does Jesus’ mission confuse me? (John 4:27–33)

2. Does Jesus’ mission satisfy me? (John 4:34, 36)

3. Does Jesus’ mission include me? (John 4:35–38)

4. Do I own my faith? (John 4:39–42)

What’s Real in my life?

• Do I understand Jesus’ mission in the world? What is my part?

• Is doing God’s will as essential to me as eating? How so?

• Is my faith completely my own, or am I leaning on the faith of others?

What’s Next?

• Ask God to search your heart and reveal your desire and commitment to joining His mission.

• Share your faith with at least two people who may not know Jesus.

What’s True in the Bible?

We pursue the lost by:

1. Overcoming prejudice. (John 4:4–9 / Philippians 2:3)

2. Addressing their needs. (John 4:10–18)

3. Sharing the Truth. (John 4:19–26, 14:6, 17:17 / Ephesians 4:15–29 / 1 Peter 3:15)

What’s Real in my life?

• How often do I share my faith with non-believers? Why?

• In what places am I intentionally looking for lost people to share my faith with?

• What differences are the most difficult to overcome when sharing my faith with others? (political, cultural, etc.)

What’s Next?

• Ask God to bring on person to mind to share your faith with this week.

• Pray for that person each day. If no person comes to mind, pray for God to open opportunities to share your faith in the places you go.

• Begin the interactions with common ground and compassion, then offer “living water.”

If you are in Christ, you have 1) more value, 2) more freedom, and 3) more potential than you can imagine.

1. More Value

a. There is no greater price than what God has paid for you in Jesus.

b. Let your value be determined by Jesus.

2. More Freedom

a. Although sin is possible, it should no longer be normal or expected in our lives.

b. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.

3. More Potential

a. God intends to transform us into the image of Jesus.

b. Our imagination of what is possible in our lives—because Christ is in us—must be expanded.

What’s True in the Bible?

What Christians Need for Ministry

1. We need a collaborative spirit. (John 3:27 / Luke 9:49–50)

2. We need a proper understanding. (John 3:28 / Luke 9:23 / 1 Corinthians 12:5 / 2 Timothy 4:5 / Colossians 4:17)

3. We need a joyful perspective. (John 3:29 / Philippians 4:4 / 1 Thessalonians 5:16)

4. We need a humble attitude. (John 3:30 / Proverbs 22:4 / Luke 14:7–11 / Philippians 2:3 / 1 Peter 5:5–7)

5. We need to believe AND obey. (John 3:31–36 / James 1:22–25, 2:14–20)

What’s Real in my life?

• In what ways have I served in Christian ministry?

• What is my heart attitude while serving and working with others?

• What is my true motivation for serving others?

• How am I weaving ministry into my everyday life and work?

What’s Next?

• How is God calling me to join Jesus’ mission right now?

What’s True in the Bible?

1. Reject unfair treatment. (Acts 10:25–27 / 1 Corinthians 1:10–17 / James 2:1–4)

2. Acknowledge the problem. (Acts 10:28 / James 2:8–9)

3. Give a listening ear. (Acts 10:29–33 / James 1:19–20)

4. Overcome with Gospel living. (Acts 10:34–48)

What’s Real in my life?

• Have I ever been treated unfairly? How did it make me feel?

• How do I address prejudice?

• How do I help the unsafe, unheard, or unwanted?

What’s Next?

• How can I be a godly voice and presence in my circles of influence? How can I personally overcome prejudice?

What’s True in the Bible?

An Interview about Faith and Salvation

1. Believing in Jesus changes you. (John 3:8)

2. Believing in Jesus saves you. (John 3:13–17)

3. We reject the truth because we don’t want to change. (John 3:19)

4. We avoid the truth because we don’t want to be exposed. (John 3:20)

5. We come to the truth because we want to be changed. (John 3:21 / 1 Peter 2:9 / Isaiah 9:2 / 1 John 1:6 / Psalm 139:23–24)

What’s Real in my life?

• How has faith in Jesus influenced or changed the way I live?

• When have the social ramifications or personal implications made it hard for me to follow God’s direction in the Bible?

• When have I been “exposed” and received healing and grace from God?

What’s Next?

• Expose one area of your life that needs to change: confess it before God, then commit to a plan to change it.

1. Peace challenged. (Why we need Peace)

2. Peace contrasted. (Where not to get Peace)

3. Peace confirmed. (Who gives real Peace)

a. Peace with God

b. Peace of God

Why is Mister Rogers having a moment right now?

- We desperately need him and what he stood for.

• Question from Mister Rogers: Who has loved you into being?

• Brilliant question:

- We are NOT self-made!

- Fronts love.

- Being > Doing

• Big Idea: No one has loved you into being more than Jesus.

Colossians 1:15–22

• Jesus...

- Created you into being

- Holds you into being

- Leads you into being

- Reconciles you into being

- ... all because of love.

What’s True in the Bible?

Continue in Prayer (v. 2)

• Being steadfast

• Being watchful

• Being thankful

Share Your Faith (vv. 3–6)

• Pray purposefully
- For open doors (v. 3)
- For gospel clarity (v. 4)

• Walk wisely (v. 5)

• Speak graciously (v. 6)

What’s Real in my life?

• In what ways am I growing in my habit of prayer?

• Do my actions and my words work together to testify to God’s grace? Am I relying too heavily on one or the other (actions or words)?

What’s Next?

• Who will I commit to pray for, asking God for an open door to share my faith?