1. Who Jesus is and what He does
- Scripture Reference: John 15:13, 1 Peter 2:9-10
- Leader Notes
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- Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah promised throughout Scripture. Jesus is the faithful witness who brings the testimony of who God is. Jesus is the firstborn of the dead, blazing the train of resurrection for us. Jesus is the Ruler over all rulers and the King of Kings.
- Jesus is the one who loves us and washes us clean from our sins in his own blood. He loves us all so much that he died the death we deserved in order to offer us forgiveness and restore us to God.
- Jesus has made believers part of a royal priesthood, and gives us the opportunity to be that bridge between God and man as we minister to and serve others.
- Questions for Reflection:
- What has Jesus done for me?
- How does that affect my life everyday?
2. Prepare for His return
- Scripture Reference: Matthew 24:30-31
- Leader Notes
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- Jesus is coming in the clouds, and his return is imminent. He is going to return and set right everything that is broken in this world.
- We can prepare to endure through struggle and suffering while also praying that God would remove that suffering. The people of God are a people of perseverance and hope, praying for steadfast faith and resiliency.
- Questions for Reflection:
- How can I better prepare for Jesus’ return?
3. God leverages our context
- Scripture Reference: James 1:2-4
- Leader Notes
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- God wants to use your situation in the same way that God uses John’s difficult situation to accomplish his work. He can use these things, even if they are difficult as a lever to move us closer to Christ-likeness, producing perseverance and transformation.
- Circumstances can make you better, or they can make you bitter. It’s important to ask God to show you how your current context can transform you into the person God wants you to be.
- Questions for reflection:
- How is Jesus seeking to use my current circumstances to do His work?