Use this space to take your general notes during the message.

What is your typical response when the messiness of the world feels overwhelming? Do you choose to ignore the mess, try to fix it, embrace it? Other?

Jesus chose the messy, middle way. He challenged extremes- we see political, social, and religious examples of this. Jesus also came to reach people from all extremes/sides. He didn't come to bring people to a side, but to Himself. What examples come to your mind?

The middle way of Jesus is described as "Grace and Truth". With this lens, how do you see grace and truth explained in the following passages?

Grace and truth together create healthy tension. However, we typically lean towards one or the other. When we lean toward truth, we are more likely to see the bible as black and white, right vs. wrong. When we lean toward grace, we can see sin as no big deal. Where do you typically find yourself leaning? What/Who has been your greatest influence for this lean?

Why is it a mistake to define the middle as the "easy way out"? In other words, how is it more difficult at times to live in the "grey"?

Jesus chose the messy middle. He took the mess upon Himself all the way to the cross. This means that following Jesus is messy, too.

Pastor Jonathan described this messiness in several ways. How have you seen or perhaps already experienced these?

-more questions

-conversations (What about...?)

-uncomfortable tensions

-yes AND no

-being misunderstood, rejected, disregarded

-uncertainty, risk, sacrifice

-Ultimately: love, goodness, reward, purpose, meaning

In light of this message and discussion, what is your next step?