JESUS SAID IT. DO YOU BELIEVE IT?

MEETING AGENDA

  1. OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
  2. GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
  3. ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
  4. TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
  5. GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
  6. CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.
GROWTH QUESTION #1Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?
GROWTH QUESTION #2What did you learn from this week’s sermon?
GROWTH QUESTION #3What was your most important accomplishment this week?

JESUS SAID IT. DO YOU BELIEVE IT?

TODAY’S PASSAGE: 

John 8:42-51 (NLT) – 42 Jesus told them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. 43 Why can’t you understand what I am saying? It’s because you can’t even hear me! 44 For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don’t believe me! 46 Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don’t listen because you don’t belong to God.” 48 The people retorted, “You Samaritan devil! Didn’t we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?” 49 “No,” Jesus said, “I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. 50 And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. 51 I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!”

INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSWhat stood out to you from this Bible passage?
POINT #1Those who Love God love Jesus! (vs42-43)
  • We cannot say we love God the Father, but don’t love Jesus.
  • Jesus was sent here by the Father, and everything he says comes from the Father.
  • When we accept the words of Jesus, we are accepting the words of God.
  • But when we reject the words of Jesus, we are rejecting the words of God.

1 John 2:23 NLT – Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

  • Jesus came to show us the love of the Father.
  • Some people cannot see this truth because they reject God and his word.
INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSHow can you make sure you’re accepting the words of Jesus and not rejecting them?
POINT #2Jesus speaks God’s truth, but some people reject it (vs 44-47)
  • Every time we hear the word of God, we have a choice to either accept it or reject it.
  • The devil hates the truth, so he deceives many by twisting God’s truth and telling lies.
  • When we listen to Jesus and not the enemy, we prove to be children of God.
  • Who you listen to is who you belong to.

1 John 4:6 (NLT) – 6 But we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.

  • Listening to God’s truth shows that we are children of God.
  • When we listen to God over the enemy, it shows that we are allowing him to lead, guide, and direct out lives.
INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSWhy do you think some people find it hard to believe the truth of Jesus?
POINT #3The words of Jesus give eternal life! (vs.48-51)
  • Jesus was accused of wrong by the religious leaders because they rejected the truth.
  • They couldn’t see that the words of Jesus gave eternal life.
  • He promises that those who obey his teachings will never die (they will inherit eternal life)

John 11:25-26 (NLT) “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. 26 Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.

  • Accepting Jesus means putting our faith in Jesus. And putting our faith in Jesus means obeying Jesus.
  • When we follow and obey Jesus, we receive true life!
  • Without Jesus, we are missing out on true life, power, hope, and the blessings of His word!
INTERACTIVE QUESTIONSHow does obeying Jesus’ teachings change the way you live each day?
CLOSING QUESTIONWhat is one thing you learned from today’s lesson that you will apply this week?

GIVING

When we give our present resources to those in need, we store up eternal treasures that can never be taken away.

Luke 12:33 (NLT)
Sell your possessions and give to those in need. This will store up treasure for you in heaven! And the purses of heaven never get old or develop holes. Your treasure will be safe; no thief can steal it and no moth can destroy it. Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.

PRAY

QUESTION #1Who are you praying for to be saved?
QUESTION #2Who can you invite to the next meeting?
QUESTION #3What are your prayer requests?