48
Discussion Guide
Section #16: MINISTRY OF JESUS
Read to the Group: Jesus performed hundreds of
miracles in public places, but still many said that they had
to see more in order to believe.
Group Questions:
1. Why do you think people ask for more miracles after
they have already seen some?
2. Can you remind us what might happen to our faith if it
is only based on a miracle rather than on genuine trust Show the Following Segment
in God? from the God’s Story video:
Begin with “Jesus revealed himself
Leader Information: Some people really are not as the Promised Savior” (side shot
seeking truth. They only want personal benefits without of Jesus teaching with His hand
any personal commitment or change. Once again, this is out)... through... “neither shall any
an opportunity to see where your class members stand in man snatch them out of my hand”
terms of faith. You can use this section to once more (close-up of lamb in shepherd's
point them to prayer and trust of God's Word as their hands). 7 min 26 sec
foundation. Remind them to find a confirmation of the
truth through prayer and the words of the Bible.
Encourage them to pray, “Lord, please help me believe
that what you say is true.”
Read this Scripture to the Group:
“And Jesus went about all the cities and villages,
teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the
gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness
and every disease among the people” (Matthew
9:35).
Group Questions:
1. How do you see Jesus Christ demonstrating God’s love to the people?
2. If He was walking in the world today, how could He reveal His love?
3. How would you want him to show love to you?
4. If you could speak to him what would you like to ask Him or say to Him?
a free lesson plan from ChristianAnswers.Net
49
Leader Information: Their answers, about what happened and what they would want, will
probably be the same as what the people of Jesus day wanted. Members of your class will want
what Jesus said and did for the people in the New Testament times; healing, speaking in
kindness and touching places in the heart that hurt. Perhaps mention that the deepest needs of
all people, in all countries for all times, have been very much the same as the needs you feel.
Group Questions:
1. Nicodemus struggled with what Jesus said about being born again. How did Jesus explain
the term ‘born again’?
2. What does ‘being born again’ mean to you?
Read this Scripture to the Group:
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to
them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the
flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).
Read to the Group: Although most of the religious leaders
did reject Jesus, some such as Nicodemus chose to follow Him.
That is still happening today as well. In our days groups of
Jewish Rabbis (religious leaders) still read the scripture
prophecies together. Some of them, as they read, hear God
speak to them clearly through the prophecies and their eyes
open to the truth. They allow God to work in their hearts and
make the choice to trust in Jesus Christ as the promised Savior.
Group Question:
1. After people had read the prophecies about Jesus and then saw Him fulfill every one, why do
you think they did not all believe?
Leader Information: Let the group give their own thoughts here. Show agreement with the
responses that reflect understanding of what God's Story has revealed up until now. Hopefully
they will figure out why people still rejected Jesus even after they had heard and seen many
miraculous things done by Him. They might recognize that:
The rejection of Jesus stemmed from:
— Wanting to do their own will instead of God's
— Being prideful
— Wanting to have power over others instead of allowing God to be the highest power
— Not admitting to being a sinner
a free lesson plan from ChristianAnswers.Net
50
Trusting Jesus as Savior came from:
— Wanting to please God
— Admitting their sinfulness
— Recognizing the impossibility of covering ones own sin
— Having a desire to know the truth
Read to the Group: I am going to read a list of some of the many phrases Jesus used to
describe Himself and His work. After I read it, I will then hand a copy to each of you.
Leader Information: Read list (Handout #3) then give each person a copy of Handout #3.
Give them a moment to glance at the list and then ask the next question. Only use question
number three if you want to encourage the members to go into more detail than they did in their
responses to question number two.
Group Questions:
1. How important to our existence are these words that Jesus uses to describe Himself to us?
2. Which of these phrases speaks to you most clearly?
3. Would any of you like to say why you liked a particular description of Jesus?
Transition Statement: Now (or next time when we meet) we will find out in the next segment
how people responded to the kind deeds, miracles and teachings of Jesus.
a free lesson plan from ChristianAnswers.Net
