StoneBridge Community Church
Senior Pastor Jon Saur
In this series, Jesus' interactions with different characters in the Gospel of John will be examined. By doing so, we can better understand how Jesus interacts with us and be empowered to better interact with others.
John 18:33-38 NRSV
John 14:6 NRSV
It may be weird to think of "truth" being a person, but that is the claim of the gospel. What changes for us when we embrace the fact that Jesus is the truth? Three possibilities are:
1. The way we read scripture - When we acknowledge the Jesus is the truth, we read scripture to understand Jesus' character and learn more about him, rather than reading scripture to try and support arguments.
2. We reflect on, if what we hold to be true, makes us more like Jesus or less like Jesus. If we believe Jesus is the truth, then what we profess to be true should reflect Jesus' character and our behavior will align with Jesus'.
3. We are open to those who would challenge our idea of truth - If Jesus is the truth, then "truth" doesn't rest on our ability (or inability) to defend it. It rests on who Jesus is. So, we can be witnesses to Jesus, the truth, and we can point people to Jesus, trusting that the truth will stand. This takes a burden off of us and allows us to fill our role as witnesses to the truth.
What else do you think might change if we embrace the fact that Jesus is the truth?
GROWTH GROUP / PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS
1. How do you define truth?
2. How do you think our culture defines truth?
3. How has the church defined truth?
4. What do you think changes about our understanding of truth when we realize that Jesus, a person, is the truth, rather than any sort of proposition or idea we affirm?
QUESTIONS FOR FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN
1. What does it mean when something is "true?"
2. What is something you believe is "true?"
3. The Bible says Jesus is "the truth." When you are uncertain about whether or not something is "true," how can who Jesus is, help you figure it out?
