You don’t waste nails on “Gentle Jesus Meek and Mild”
This pathway winds through ideas of Jesus as saviour – focusing on the counter-cultural life and ministry of Jesus, the community formed around him, and ideas about identity. This is full of Bible references and stories about the hero of our faith.
WEEK ONE Jesus is different
Q: How do we know Jesus existed?
Discussion Questions
How do we know Jesus existed?
If Jesus were to turn up in your neighbourhood, what would he have to
look like/do/say to convince you that he is part of God?The Jesus story is still being told – where have you heard it recently?
Q: Over the years, various holy people have said holy things. Why do Christians believe Jesus is different?
Discussion Questions
Over the years, various holy people have said holy things. Why do Christians believe Jesus is different?
What makes Jesus different from other holy people? Most Christians believe that the resurrection is the resounding point of difference for Jesus. What is your response to this statement? Identify other things about Jesus’ life and ministry that make him a standout for you
The disciples looked back and said, “This was God”. Describe times in your life when you have stood back and thought that same thing. Perhaps it was about a person’s interaction with you, something that happened, a thing you read. What were the clues that led you to decide that God was at work?
WEEK TWO Jesus is surprising
Q: So what did Jesus teach?
Discussion Questions
So what did Jesus teach?
If you were going to summarise Jesus’ teaching, what kinds of things would you include?
What is your greatest challenge about loving your neighbour?
Q: Why was what Jesus taught surprising to people?
Discussion Questions
Why was what Jesus taught surprising to people?
See if you can think of anything missing from this list. Identify the ideas that you have found most profound in your life.
The Major Teachings of Jesus include:
a) God loves you. Love God! Make God #1. God has a plan so don’t stress.
b) Look forward to the Kingdom of God and live as if it’s already here, by...
Keeping in touch with God
Loving your neighbour by -
Serving others.
Not judging others.
Forgiving others.
Living with the understanding that our life influences others: that we can live a positive impactful life. If you mess up, ask for forgiveness from God.
Being countercultural – Living God's way even if it is unpopular or against the rules.
Telling others about the Kingdom.
Q: What was the community that Jesus formed like?
Discussion Questions
What was the community that Jesus formed like?
Imagine you were part of this first century community. What would draw you to Jesus?
What is it about you that would catch Jesus’ eye? What strengths do you have that could be useful to Jesus as he builds his community?Imagine that Jesus was someone you met at work. What would Jesus have to say to you to convince you to leave your current job and follow him as he preached and taught around the area?
Then there is Zacchaeus (Luke 19: 1-10) who was a collaborator with the Romans, a Jew who worked collecting taxes from his own people, to pass on to the occupying force. He kept a cut for himself. Why would Zacchaeus respond to Jesus?
What was it about Jesus that appealed to those who already were well off and comfortable?
WEEK THREE Jesus is radical
Q: Jesus was accused of hanging out with disreputable types... was this true?
Discussion Questions
Jesus was accused of hanging out with disreputable types... was this true?
Jesus did not turn away from, or turn people away. This inclusion was essential to Jesus.
· What is it to be hospitable?
· Who do we entertain?
· Who entertains us?
· Who do we exclude from our tableDescribe a time when someone was radically hospitable to you.
Describe a situation in modern life where there’s power to be had in deciding who is in and who is out.
Where in your life can you welcome an outsider?
Q: Why did Jesus hang out with those of lower status?
Discussion Questions
Why did Jesus hang out with those of lower status?
Penny talks enthusiastically about Jesus as someone who just assumed others would engage, one who sees every person as a fellow human. What would it take for you to be a bit more like that? Is it too much to ask?
What is your greatest challenge when it comes to accepting others like Jesus did.
Q: What questions did people have about Jesus during his ministry?
Discussion Questions
What questions did people have about Jesus during his ministry?
“Who do you say I am?” This question arises during Jesus’ life and ministry. He asks the disciples, people ask it of him. One interpretation of Jesus’ story is that he grew into his own understanding of the role and his identity. Read the interaction between Jesus and the Canaanite woman. (Matthew 15:21-28) What a bold (or desperate!) woman!
What would it take for you to answer Jesus back demanding you have the right to petition him?
What do you think about the fact that people interpret the Gospel texts in a variety of ways? Does that sit well with you?
Identify the titles and descriptions you have heard or read about Jesus.
Explore the term “Son of Man” that appears to be Jesus’ choice descriptor. Look up some of the times Jesus referred to himself as “Son of Man”
· Matthew 24:34-44
· Mark 10:40-50
WEEK FOUR Jesus, mystery and majesty
Q: Who did Jesus believe he was?
Discussion Questions
Who did Jesus believe he was?
Why is it important to Christians that Jesus was fully human?
Bishop Jonathan tells this story in a way that makes the people come alive. What do you think Jesus felt at the time of John the Baptist’s death?
Q: What struggles did the early Church have in trying to work out who Jesus was?
Discussion Questions
What struggles did the early Church have in trying to work out who Jesus was?
Over the years, Christology has struggled to define Jesus, and there have been some different interpretations of his God-ness along the way.
Take a moment to play with a description of Jesus that you might be happy to give a friend who asks “Who is Jesus?”
Q: Who does the Bible say Jesus is?
Discussion Questions
Who does the Bible say Jesus is?
Have you noticed the actions of Jesus as recorded in the Gospels? Sarah suggested that to know who Jesus is, it helps to see what he did. His actions ‘bring divine love, grace and forgiveness, to build and restore community and relationship’. Choose a Gospel and read through it with this focus: what is Jesus doing here? (PS: the shortest Gospel is Mark!)
Imagine you have the task of communicating who Jesus is to a modern audience. What type of communication would you consider using? Facebook post? Tweet? Bus stop poster? Film advertisement? What would the result look/sound like? What would you like to say to your audience about the Jesus we know through the Gospels?