THE QUESTION THAT OPENS DOORS
Text: Luke 9:18-20 NASB
18 Once when Jesus was praying in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?" 19They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life." 20"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "God's Messiah." Luke 9:18-20 Theme: The Power of Questions to Open Doors, Uncover Solutions, and Spark Change Jesus uses two questions strategically. He uses them to as a tool to accomplish his objectives—to open the door to discernment, discovery, and deeper intimacy with God! Big Idea: A beautiful question is one that sparks action!! (1) The question is an invitation to experience the revelation of God in Christ! (2) The question reveals an opportunity to spark change in my life! Warren Berger, author of “A More Beautiful Question,” says, “A beautiful question is an ambitious yet actionable question that can begin to shift the way we perceive or think about something – and that might serve as a catalyst to bring about change.” Beautiful questions have the power to: • Bring about change, innovation, and new initiatives. • Create a safe environment for us to explore, discover, and imagine. • Force us to think from a new perspective. • Unearth ambiguity and bring clarity, focus, and unity.
How will you respond to Jesus’ questions? Are you going to be led by public consensus or personal conviction?
• Public consensus: Are you basing your relationship on Jesus based on popular opinion?
“Who do the crowds say that I am?”
• Personal conviction: Are you convinced that Jesus is the Messiah—the Savior of the world?
“Who do you say I am?”