Knowing Jesus
8. The True Vine
March 24, 2024 • Scott Mehl • John 15:1–11
Jesus famously calls us to "abide" with him as a branch abides in a vine. But what does that mean? What does it practically look like to live a life of abiding? And how do we know if we're abiding or not? Application Questions: 1. How has the gospel already given you a vital connection with Christ? 2. How does your relationship with your phone (or the internet) inform what it might mean to live a life of "abiding"? 3. What evidence of abiding do you see in your life? 4. What evidence of abiding do you see in the lives of the Christians around you? Share these with them. 5. How have you seen a life of obedience be the life of greatest joy?
7. The Way, Truth, and Life
March 17, 2024 • Matt Kleinhans • John 14:1–7
Everyone is searching for meaning, and purpose, and abundant life. Jesus makes it clear that the only way to the life we were created for is through Him. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life. Application Questions: 1. What answers are you looking for from God that He doesn't promise to give you? 2. What promises can you cling to instead? 3. How does Christ being the "way" speak into your hopes and dreams? 4. How does Christ being "the truth" relate to Him being "the Light of the World"? 5. What life does Christ offer? Are you embracing the abundant life offered in Him?
6. The Good Shepherd
March 10, 2024 • Brian Colmery • John 10:1–18
People in Los Angeles aren’t very familiar with sheep, but Jesus compares himself to a shepherd to help us understand who he wants to be in our lives. Shepherds know their sheep, love their sheep, and lead their sheep. When Jesus is your good shepherd you will follow him more closely than anything else. Application Questions: 1. Jesus knows you even better than a shepherd knows his sheep. How might that encourage you this week? 2. How does Jesus laying down his life for you touch down in the things you are dealing with in your life right now? 3. Where do you think Jesus is calling you to follow him right now?
5. The I Am
March 3, 2024 • Brian Colmery • John 8:48–59
In a passage where people are arguing with Jesus about his identity, we find his strongest claim to be God in the flesh. It leaves us with a radical choice: we must either follow Jesus as God in every area of our lives, or reject him entirely. Only when we understand these high stakes will we see the deep love Jesus shows for us by going to the cross in our place. Application Questions: 1. What are some ways that your thoughts of God are too small? How might that be affecting your life? 2. How does the size of God make Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection for you more incredible? What would your life be like if you meditated on that more? 3. Jesus asks for a radical choice when it comes to his identity—and what it means for your life. How are you grappling with that choice?
4. The Light of the World
February 18, 2024 • Scott Mehl • John 8:12
Jesus is the light. He is the singular means by which we can truly comprehend and understand everything in the world. He allows us to understand ourselves, our lives, and the world around us as they truly are. And as his followers we have been given his light to illuminate the world around us. Application Questions: 1. In what ways does the gospel of Jesus help you understand the world (or yourself) in ways you couldn't otherwise? 2. What do you think it means to follow Jesus and not walk in darkness? 3. How would you view yourself, or your place in the world, differently if you remembered that you possess Jesus' light?
3. The Bread of Life
February 11, 2024 • Brian Colmery • John 6:22–35
A crowd that wants physical bread are met with Jesus, who tells them he is the true bread of life. When we understand what Jesus is saying, we find our deepest hungers exposed, the place those hungers are finally satisfied, and the way we savor Christ in our daily lives. Application Questions: 1. What are the daily desires that occupy your mind the most? 2. How are those desires related to a deeper hunger for eternal life? 3. What are the ways Jesus, broken for you, satisfies that deeper hunger? 4. How can you savor Christ this week, especially in scripture and prayer? How can you turn to him for strength when things are hard?
2. The Living Water
February 4, 2024 • Reggie Austin • John 4:1–26
In our lives, it is far too easy for us to remain focused on our shallow needs. Jesus invites us to see a deeper need that only he can satisfy. Application Questions: 1. Why is Jesus' determination to bring living water such good news? 2. In what ways are you pursuing water that does not truly satisfy? 3. How is Christ crucified for you something that satisfies your deepest thirst?
1. The Bridegroom
January 28, 2024 • Brian Colmery • John 2:1–11
What can we learn from Jesus turning water into wine at a wedding? John tells us that it is a sign, pointing to a greater reality about who Jesus is and what he came to do. This sign shows us that Jesus is the true bridegroom, come to bring joy at a great price, drawing near to those he loves. Application Questions: 1. What can we learn from the connections between the major themes of this passage (wedding, water, wine, marriage) and other parts of scripture? 2. What role does joy play in Christianity and the Christian life? 3. How might Jesus’ love for you as the true Bridegroom shape what you are facing this week?