Focusing On God’s Plan of Salvation (Small Group Study)
Jesus is the only Way.
A while back I decided to occasionally update my website with lesson plans from our small group sessions. This past week, we spent some time talking about God’s ultimate plan and purpose for our lives.
Now, typically when we discuss God’s plan, we immediately think of the Jeremiah 29:11 route.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jere. 29:11)
Don’t get me wrong; conversations about the plans God has for us personally make for great small-group discussions. This week, however, we were focusing specifically on God’s Plan of salvation.
God’s plan is through Jesus.
Jesus Christ is the only Way for us to receive eternal salvation. As an introduction to this core principle, we viewed Jeremy Camp‘s music video, “The Way” and gave them a copy of the song lyrics (see below video clip).
“All creation cried out with longing,
With groans only You could comprehend.
And with wisdom, You always answer,
And give the words of life so unfailing.And Your glory shines all around us,
Your faithfulness shown for all to see.
When we think of all of Your wonders,
The beauty of Your plan that’s been revealed
We walk in Your light, we walk in it.Shine, bright, Let Your glory fill this land,
Lift high, the King of Kings and great I am.
Jesus, You are the wayWe can see the works of Your loving hands,
With a hope and peace not made by man.
When You poured out Your grace and Your mercy,
And You held out Your arms so we could see.
You bled for all mankind and set the captives freeShine, bright, Let Your glory fill this land,
Lift high, the King of Kings and great I am.
Jesus, You are the way, Na na na na na na, Jesus““The Way”, Jeremy Camp, 2015
Small Group Discussion:
Following the video, we broke up into small groups for some discussion and Bible study. Here are the discussion questions and core Scripture passage.
- Was there something in the video that caught your attention a little more than anything else? Explain.
- What do you think most people are looking for in life?
- What does it mean to call Jesus “the Way”? How would you explain it to someone who’s never been to church?
- Read John 14:1-14. What verse jumps out at you and why?
- After reading this passage, would you describe “the Way” any differently to that friend who has never been to church? Explain.
- If no one can get to heaven except through Jesus, how do we relate to Mormon’s and Jehovah Witnesses who claim to reach heaven through alternate means? Is it our responsibility to show them this passage?
- How have you acknowledged Jesus as “the Way” in every area of your life this week?
- How have you reflecting His light and presence to the people around you this week?
- Do you desire to re-connect with Jesus tonight and commit to truly making Him “the Way”? (Spend some time praying for each other.)
Join the Conversation, Leave Your Thoughts
- How would you explain God’s ultimate plan and purpose to a friend or neighbour?
- How would you explain Jesus and His place in God’s plan for salvation?
If we really believe John 14:6 then what do we do with John 14:12? It was startling to see the most obvious piece of the map in the video had the country of Spain clearly legible. I don’t know all the reasons God had for arranging it that we ended up in Spain on this trip, but it has been unbelievable so far. Blair
“12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12 (Thanks Blair.)