Title of Message: Jesus the Messiah, Worthy of Our Trust
Sermon Notes:
1. It is possible to believe in Jesus for what you can get, not for who He is.
2. It is possible to believe in Jesus but place limits and conditions on what you trust Him for.
3. Jesus will test your faith to see if you believe in Him as miracle worker, or as God.
4. Jesus will test your faith because He wants you to grow.
5. When your faith is real, God will use you to bring others to Him.
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Getting to Know You:
What is the most difficult trial or testing you have ever gone through? Please share.
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or caught your attention, or challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
1. Read Mark 1: 21-34. At the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, He performed many miracles starting in the town of Capernaum. The royal official already knew about Jesus either from personal witness or from the townsfolk, but now he needs the power of Jesus in a very personal matter. In your spiritual journey, what were the circumstances that prompted you to seek out Jesus in a personal way? Please share.
2. Read John 4:46-49. Imagine the Royal Official’s struggle. If you were the royal official, how would you have responded to Jesus knowing He was your son’s only hope and He refused to come with you? What areas of your life do you find it easy to trust in Jesus? What areas do you find it difficult? Why the difference?
3. Read John 4:50. Someone has said, “Trust but verify.” How true is that statement? What would it take for you to trust a person “at his word?” What qualities and characteristics would you be looking for in that person? If you made a list of people that you have learned to “take at their word,” who would be in that list and why?
4. Read John 4:51-53. Can you remember a time in your life when you were desperate and you trusted in Jesus and He answered your prayer? Or perhaps He answered your prayer in a manner you did not expect? How did you feel about it? How did it affect your spiritual life and the spiritual lives of those around you? Please share.
5. It’s been said that all prayers are answered, but they fall under 1 of 3 answers: Yes, no, and wait. Do you think this is true? Why or why not?
Taking it Home:
What is one thing you can apply to your life from this message and how can this group remember you in prayer this week?