Weekly Discussion Guide

1. Open with prayer. (2-5 min)
2. Read John 18:38.
3. Discuss these questions with your group. (20-45 min)

MY STORY | Vulnerability
How has your answer to the question “Why did Jesus come?” changed over the course of your life? If your personal journey had clearly defined “before Jesus” and “after Jesus” phases, how did you answer that question before experiencing saving faith?

DIGGING DEEPER | Practical Biblical Application
And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:27–29)

In this passage in Mark, the disciples tell Jesus some of the rumors buzzing about His identity. If Jesus were to ask “Who do people say that I am?” today, what are some of the answers you think you would hear?

In Mark 8:28, some of the rumors about Jesus—for instance, that he is a prophet—carry some truth, but they did not tell the whole story. How do the possible answers we might hear today carry some truth, but not the whole truth?

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 18:37–38)

How does Pilate’s response—the question “What is truth?”—resonate with the way people might respond to Jesus today? How would some of those people answer that question? What’s your answer to Pilate’s question?

GROWING TOGETHER | Spiritual Friendship
Sometimes, it is possible for us to place what is true about Jesus in a “special” or “spiritual” category of truth. As in, the truth that the sky is blue or that stubbing your toe hurts is “solid” truth, but truth about Jesus sometimes feels more “squishy” or subjective. What might it mean to take more seriously the idea that truth about Jesus is solid truth?

How can we, as a community, talk about Jesus in a way that treats what is true about Christ as solid truth?

MOVING OUTWARD | Faith in Action
Sometimes, the best way to build a bridge to sharing about Jesus is simply to listen with openness and curiosity. Find a friend, neighbor, or co-worker who would not self-identify as a believer, and ask his or her opinion about who Jesus is. Take the time to listen patiently.