I Am Jesus

• Session 1: The Bread of Life

  Watch: The Bread of Life (12 minutes)

  Discuss:

  1. If you had to choose one meal to eat every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
  2. In the video, Kyle Welch discussed being sustained by God. Go around your group and share what stood out to you from the video.
  3. Read John 6:35-40
     • Briefly describe Jesus’ response in your own words. What is your understanding of what He is saying?
     • Explain the significance of the statement, “I am the bread of life.” How do you think these verses in John 6 are a pivotal statement for Jesus and His audience?
  4. Read John 6:41-59
     • How do you think Jesus is connecting himself to the manna that came down from heaven for the Israelites to eat in Exodus 16? Compare and contrast the manna and Jesus as “the bread of life.”
     • Into what kind of life is Jesus inviting us? Why do you think the Jews grumbled so vehemently against the message Jesus was teaching? Why do you think His message is so difficult to accept for even some of us today?
  5. Share how you have experienced both physical (manna) and spiritual (Jesus) provision for you from God. How can you share your experience with others so that they will share in God’s provision for their lives?

• Session 2: The Light of the World

  Watch: The Light of the World (11 minutes)

  Discuss:

  1. How is light useful? What are we able to do in light that we are not able to do in the dark?
  2. What are some things that are intentionally done in the dark? Why do you think that these things want to remain in darkness?
  3. Read John 8:1-11
     • What did the “angry mob” want to do with this woman? How did Jesus respond to her?
     • The woman’s darkness in this story was revealed by Jesus’ light. What do you think were some of her fears as she faced His light? How did Jesus completely remove all of her fears with His response to her?
  4. How does Jesus’ response to this woman match up with His statement in Matthew 11:30 about His burdens and yoke on our lives?
  5. How has Jesus shed light in your life to help remove the darkness? How does this story help you to understand the love and grace where Jesus wants us to live?

• Session 3: The Door

  Watch: The Door (11 minutes)

  Discuss:

  1. What do you think is the purpose of a sheep pen and its door?
  2. Read John 10:1-10. How does Jesus describe Himself in this passage? What is His purpose, and how does it benefit the sheep?
  3. Read Ephesians 6:10-12 and 1 Peter 5:8. What is the goal of the enemy/thief/devil? How do we even begin to combat this problem?
  4. According to the above passages, what happens to a sheep that is not in the protection of the door? What does the sheep need to do in order to receive the benefit of the door?
  5. How might we, as Jesus’ sheep, learn to be more attentive to His voice and less easily deceived by those who seek to harm us?
  6. Describe how you understand God’s protection for you. What is something that you can do to better trust in God’s protection?

• Session 4: The Good Shepherd

  Watch: The Good Shepherd (12 minutes)

  Discuss:

  1. Share about a teacher or youth leader who really made a difference in your life.
  2. Read John 10:11-21. Make a list of the qualities of “the Good Shepherd” and another list of the “hired hand.”
     • How is the concept of “the Good Shepherd” the foundation of Jesus being the door for the sheep (John 10:1-10)?
  3. Read Psalm 23, Isaiah 40:10-11, and Ezekiel 34:11-16. In John 10, Jesus basically describes Himself as the Shepherd in fulfillment of the Psalms, Isaiah, and Ezekiel passages. What do you think that meant for the Jews at that time? What do you think it means for the world? What does it mean for you?
  4. Read Romans 8:35-39 and 1 Peter 2:25. According to these passages, what can separate us from God’s love? How would you describe the strength of God’s love for you?
  5. What are some things from your past that you think are just too much for God to handle or to love? What steps do you think you need to take to better trust and depend on Jesus, as “the Good Shepherd,” and allow Him to shepherd you in ways only He can?

• Session 5: The Way, The Truth, and The Life

  Watch: The Way and the Truth and the Life (14 minutes)

  Discuss:

  1. Read John 13:18-14:1. According to this passage, what three things have the disciples troubled? What impact do you think these issues would have on the disciples?
  2. Read John 14:1-4. Who is it that Jesus is actually saying His disciples can trust? How does this change your perspective of God’s purpose for you?
  3. Read John 14:6-7. Define each term Jesus uses for Himself in John 14:6, and explain in what sense the word accurately describes Him.
     • Way
     • Truth
     • Life
  4. What are the astounding claims made by Jesus in this passage? Why do you think many people take issue or feel uncomfortable with these claims?
  5. What might the next step be to build on your trust in God? How can your group pray for you and your next steps?

• Session 6: The True Vine

  Watch: The True Vine (13 minutes)

  Discuss:

  1. Read John 15:1-7. What are the four components of the metaphor that Jesus uses in these verses? Write a definition of what those four components mean. How do each of the components work with and affect one another?
  2. How does this metaphor help us to better understand fruit-bearing in the kingdom of God?
  3. What are some things that hinder us from connecting to the vine?
  4. Read Matthew 7:16-20 and Galatians 5:22-23. According to these passages, what are some of the aspects of a life that is connected to God?
  5. Read James 2:14-26. According to this passage, if a believer is truly connected to the vine, what sort of “fruit” manifests in their life?
  6. What are some steps you can take to be more connected to God? How would being more connected to other believers help you in this process?

• Session 7: The Resurrection

  Watch: The Resurrection (12 minutes)

  Discuss:

  1. What amazes you most about the resurrection of Jesus?
  2. Read John 11:11-37. What is the emotion of the people in this scenario? Why do you think we mourn when someone dies? Why is death such a sad and scary thing to most people?
  3. Read John 11:33-35. Why do you think Jesus responded to the people by weeping? What is different about Jesus’ emotion versus the emotion of the people?
  4. Read John 11:23-26. What is Jesus saying to His listeners in this passage? Describe His statement in your own words. Share how the power of Jesus brings comfort and hope to you.
  5. Read Romans 6:11-14. What is the connection between Jesus’ statement in John 11:25-26 and Paul’s statements in Romans 6? How does this impact your perspective on life and death?
  6. How are you experiencing the death and the resurrection with Jesus? What step in your life can you take with confidence that you have been raised to live a new Christ-centered life?