ONE: One God. One Way. One Family. One Mission

ONE: One God. One Way. One Family. One Mission. OVERVIEW

Session 2: One Way

What We Want Students to Learn: The absolute truth that eternal life in heaven and meaningful life on earth is available to all who confess Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Main Scripture: John 14:2-7

Supporting Scripture: Luke 9:18-20, John 3:16

Session Snapshot: It’s considered offensive today to subscribe to the belief that there’s only one way to eternal life. In our world of political correctness and “tolerance,” it’s difficult to navigate the absolute truth of the Gospel. But the Bible is 100% clear on the subject: Jesus Himself says no one can come to the Father except through Him. The way that Jesus lays this out during His time on earth is so simple, yet even as adults we struggle with it. God loved the world so much that He sent Jesus to die and defeat death, that we might be reunited with Him in eternal life. This is a life-changing, universe-altering message for anyone, and your students will encounter what it means that Jesus wants to take our burdens and share eternal life with us. PREP WORK

Bible Background The Bible Background is a focused, brief overview of some of the background info for the main passage you will be teaching.

Teacher Prep Video Each Small Group Leader’s Guide comes with a Teacher Prep Video. These are simply short videos designed to help you grasp the main point of the lesson as you prepare to teach.

To access your ONE lesson 2 Teacher Prep Video, login to your account, navigate to your Small Group lesson 2, and click on the “Background” tab in your Lesson Manager. You’ll notice the Teacher Prep Video at the top of the Lesson Manager window.

The Details Who wrote this book? The Gospel of John was written by the apostle John, one of Jesus’s disciples. John described himself as ‘the disciple whom Jesus loved’ throughout the book, a powerful nickname that must have served to remind him of his true identity in Christ. John, his brother James, and Simon Peter formed a core group of intimate friends of Jesus, and they alone saw Jesus heal Jarius’s daughter and witnessed the transfiguration. John sat next to Jesus during the Last Supper, and after his resurrection and his appearance to the women, John and Peter were the first disciples to see Jesus raised from the dead.

When was it written? While it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact date, the ESV Study Bible notes the writing as likely between AD 70 and AD 100, towards the end of John’s life on earth. What was the purpose for its writing? John wrote his gospel for a mixed audience of Jews and Gentiles, to help them understand why Jesus is the Messiah. He keeps both groups in mind as he writes, explaining Jewish traditions to Gentiles who would not understand immediately, and laying out a schematic that shows how Jesus is the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophesies, something that would have been very important to Jews.

The Main Point The main point for this session is that God has given us a way to Him through the person of Jesus Christ. While we were still sinners, Christ lived a perfect life, and died on the cross as a sacrifice for us, so that we could be in communion with God again. We cannot approach God in His holiness apart from Jesus, and there is no other way to Him outside of Christ.

The Takeaway The takeaway here is two-fold. Students will receive the problem and its remedy in this session: first, we want students to understand their sin nature, and how it separates us from God. Then, come to comprehend how God has given us a way to be reunited with Him: Jesus. Students who are already believers will have their faith reaffirmed and those who have never heard the Gospel will have it presented to them by the end of this session.

LESSON PLAN The Lesson Plan contains three elements: an introductory activity called Getting Started; the Bible study section called Digging In; and an application-focused segment called Wrapping Up.

OPENER: Getting Started  Student Book Pages o This lesson will utilize pages 13-17 in the ONE Student Book. o This activity will use page 14.

 Additional Instructions o Make sure students have something to write with.

FIRST, have a volunteer read the Session 2 intro on page 13 of their Student Books.

NEXT, explain that you’d like to start off your time today playing a game called Two Truths and a Lie. Tell students to turn to page 14 in the student book. Their goal is to write down two truths about themselves, as well as one lie that sounds like it could possibly be the truth. Explain that the better they finesse their lies and truths, the harder it will be.

THEN, once everyone has completed this, go around your circle and let students share their three statements. The group will try to guess the lie. If your students are well-acquainted with each other, challenge them to think of things no one would know about them. (Example: “My name is Erin, and here are my two truths and a lie: I was once thrown from a horse, I’m distantly related to the British royal family, and I’ve never had surgery.”) Have prizes for students who correctly decipher the lies, or students who craft their statements well enough to trick their friends. NEXT, when you have finished, lead students in a short discussion. Ask:  How hard was it to figure out the truths vs. the lies? Why? o Answers will vary.  Was it easier/would it be easier if you knew the person? o Answers will vary.  What made you trust or distrust a group member? o Answers will vary.  Have you ever had an experience where you had to decide whether or not someone was telling the truth? o Answers will vary. If students have a difficult time answering or seem hesitant to share, you might offer up your own experience with this issue.

FINALLY, explain that in this session, you’ll be examining a statement that, if true, is the most important statement ever. Ask if anyone has any thoughts or questions, then transition to Digging In.

SCRIPTURE: Digging In  Student Book Pages o This activity will utilize pages 15-16 in the ONE Student Book.  Additional Instructions o You’ll want to make sure students have something to write with, and a Bible or Bible app.

FIRST, tell your group that you’ll be in the Gospel of John. The Gospels are four books of the Bible that teach us about the life of Jesus: who He is, what He did, things He said. The Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) were all written by people who were very close to Jesus. They were His followers (disciples), but also His friends. Explain that Jesus spent a lot of time with them, and they saw and experienced things that no one else did. Say something like:  It’s important that you know WHO wrote this book, so you can understand WHY he wrote it. Just like in school when you read Romeo and Juliet or To Kill A Mockingbird, the author is important in understanding the work. If you’d like, take a moment and remind students who John was by referencing the Bible Background.

THEN, direct students’ attention to page 15. Have them look up John in their Bibles or Bible apps. While they’re searching for it, provide some context for the passage by explaining that it shows up in the middle of the Last Supper. (Ask if anyone can remind the group what the Last Supper is. If not: The Last Supper was a meal that Jesus shared with his disciples before He was crucified. It was one of the last times he was with them before he died.) When they’ve found John, read or have a student read John 14:2-7.

NEXT, lead students through the discussion on page 15 under the “What’s Going On Here?” header. If they choose, they can write their answers down as you go. Ask:  Who is speaking at the beginning of the passage? o Answer: Jesus.  Jesus says, “In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” Who is the Father Jesus is referring to? o Answer: God, the Father.  What does Jesus mean when He talks about preparing a place for the disciples? o Answer: He is telling them that he’ll be leaving them soon to prepare a place for them in heaven.  What do you think the disciples feel when they hear Jesus say He’s going to leave them? What about Thomas’ question gives you the hint that the disciples are confused? o Answers will vary.  When you read Jesus saying, “No one comes to the Father except through me,” is that a statement that is easy to swallow? Why or why not? How does such a bold statement make you feel? o Answers will vary.  Do you have any examples of how the world rejects the statement that Jesus makes here in verse 6? o Answers will vary.  Do you agree with Jesus’ statement that no one can come to the Father except through Him? Why or why not? o Answers will vary.

THEN, when you’ve finished, remind students that this was one of the last opportunities Jesus had to speak to His friends before He would die. Say something like:  Jesus’ time on earth is running out, and He’s being very clear here with His friends. “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” There are people who, when they read this verse, can feel uncomfortable. The world today has a lot of problems with someone using such definitive language. What Jesus is doing here is closing off all other possibilities of there being another way to get to God, to eternal life. He’s sharing truth. Plain and simple. And the reason He’s being truthful is because He loves us and wants to share eternity with us.

NEXT, ask students if they would agree with the statement that Jesus is probably one of the most controversial figures in history. Whether they agree or not, explain that lots of people have strong opinions about who He is and His mission on earth. Instruct students to turn to page 16 in their student books under the “Who Do They Say He Is?” heading. Have students take turns reading each of the quotes out loud. When they have finished, say something like:  Jesus has been labeled a crazy person, a good man, God, a liar . . . the list goes on and on. Not only is He a controversial figure, His teachings are subject to a great deal of opinions. Lots of people, believers or not, haven’t investigated for themselves who Jesus is and what His teachings are. They’ve let misguided notions and speculation answer questions they may have. Maybe you’ve even done something similar.

Remind students that this happened in Scripture, too. Peter, one of Jesus’s closest friends and His disciple, had to make a decision about who Jesus was. Have a student read Luke 9:18-20. When he or she has finished, explain that Jesus was asking Peter who the world was saying He was. Say something like:  Of course, Jesus already knew what people were saying about Him, but He asked for Peter’s own benefit. He was giving Peter and the disciples an opportunity to confess who they believe Him to be. The world had a lot of opinions about who He is. And then Jesus asks, “But who do you say I am?” and Peter answers, “The Christ of God.”

THEN, lead students in a brief discussion. Ask:  Peter identified Jesus as the Son of God. If we were to look at Peter’s life, what’s a big factor that might have also helped Peter come to this conclusion? o Answer: He spent a lot of time with Jesus! Peter had the benefit of spending physical time with Jesus.  We can’t physically spend time with Jesus. But what is God’s plan for us to get to know Jesus? o Answer: We can get to know Jesus personally by spending time in the Word and praying.  Why is knowing Jesus so important? o Allow students to answer, but respond to this question by reading aloud John 3:16.

When you’ve finished reading aloud John 3:16, ask for a volunteer to summarize what Jesus is saying here. Keep the discussion going until you feel like the truth behind the verse has been covered thoroughly. Then, explain to your group that the interesting thing is that because Jesus made the claims He made, we have to respond to Him. We have to decide for ourselves who we think He is. It’s not enough to ignore Him. (In fact, you might say that ignoring Jesus is simply a negative response.) Ask your students if they have come to a conclusion about who they say Jesus is. Direct students’ attention to the bottom of page 16 where they will see a blank space. Instruct students to take a few moments and consider their own response. Then, have them write who they think Jesus is in the space provided. When they have finished, lead them in a short discussion. Ask something like:  Does anyone want to share what they wrote? o Answers will vary.  Why is this question so important? What does it matter if you believe in Jesus or not? o Answers will vary. Help students see that it all boils down to John 3:16. Our sin separates us from God. We can’t do anything to save ourselves. Only by faith in Christ can we have eternal life. Apart from Christ, we die in our sins.

FINALLY, explain to students that you’re going to give them a chance to respond to Jesus.

APPLICATION: Wrapping Up  Student Book Pages o This activity will utilize page 17 in the ONE Student Book.

 Additional Instructions o Make sure students have something to write with.

FIRST, say something like:  We’ve talked a lot about Jesus and who is He within our culture and world. But just as Jesus asked Peter, He’s saying to us: “Don’t tell me who the world says I am, tell me who you say I am.” We have to respond to Jesus. Our very life depends on it. So the question for you tonight is what response do you need to make to Jesus?

THEN, tell students to turn to page 17 in their Student Books. Explain that this activity is simply a way to guide their responses to God. Encourage them to take a few moments of time alone to read through the prompts and to follow their instructions. Allow students a few minutes to do this.

(Depending on your exact set-up, you’ll want to make sure that you are able to engage with students who are making first time decisions for Christ, or have interest in having follow-up discussions afterward. Make sure you have adults ready and able to lead students in these types of discussions.)

FINALLY, once students have had a chance to respond to Christ, leave them with a word of encouragement. Remind them that a new life in Christ means a new purpose and a new mission. Say something like:  When we come to faith in Christ, we are transformed. Paul says we are new creations! No matter if you’re where you need to be with Jesus, or have some work to do to draw closer to Him, the good news is that God empowers us to live as Christ-followers. Our lives reflect the hope of the Gospel to the world. Make sure you allow for a final word for those who may have made a first-time decision, or who are willing to engage in further conversation.

Ask students if they have any questions or additional comments. Inform students of the devotions located on pages 35-41 in their Student Books. Provide them with a schedule or some structure as to when you would like for them to work through them.

If there are no more questions, close in prayer for your group.

PRAY TOGETHER