MAY 18

GOD IS TRUTH

Truth isn’t merely a concept; it’s a person—Jesus Christ. God’s truth is relational, not just informational. It’s not a set of doctrines to memorize but a life to encounter, and a God to know. To walk in truth is to walk in alignment with Him—His nature, His character, and His revelation through Jesus.

Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own or get together with your group, spiritual running partners, or family to talk through what you are learning.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 

   1.  Describe a time when you lived your life out of a belief you thought was true, only to discover it wasn’t. What happened?

   2.  Read 1 John 5:20.

Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):

• What do you notice and what are you curious about?

Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)

• What do you learn about God in this passage?
• What do you learn about humanity?

Now make some applications (what’s my response?)

• How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
• John consistently uses definitive statements to communicate this truth: The only way to God is through his son, Jesus. How do you see that truth being revealed in this passage?

    3.  When you reflect on your life, what are the things that have helped you “come to know” Jesus? What are the things that tend to distract you from this, or get in your way?

    4.  How has coming to know Jesus more and more led to freedom in your life? If you’ve not experienced this, why do you think that is? (Consider how you answered the second part of the question above—are there things you might need to surrender in order to “come to know” Jesus better than you currently do?)   

KEY SCRIPTURE

1 John 5:20  We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

PRAYER

Jesus, thank you for making a way to know God, to receive forgiveness for my sins, and to be brought back   into God’s family. Just as I am—not who I was, and not who I want to be someday—would you show me what it means to “come to know” you more and more. Show me what it means to want the same kinds of things you  want, and give me the courage to surrender the parts of my life that don’t align with your will for me.  

PRACTICE

We say it often around here: We believe life happens best when it happens in community. Coming to know Jesus (better than we currently do) happens when we go on the journey with others. If you’re not in a group, or signed-up for a class, or engaged in serving with us, take a brave step into community! If you’re already engaged in this way, invite someone to coffee or lunch this week and ask in what ways recently that person is coming to know Jesus better.