Dialogue with the World: Jesus God's Son?

Series: Dialogue with the World
Is Jesus God's Son? by Ted Beasley May 25, 2008
Note: Because John was very sick this Sunday, this message is a repeat of a message from 2006 in the “Letters from a Skeptic” series. You can think of this topic as a continuation of last week’s message on “Jesus for the World” because the message speaks to why belief in Jesus is credible.

In the message, Ted directs us to the day that Jesus was crucified and to the others who were crucified with him, in particular, the one who changed his mind about who Jesus is. You can read the story snippet below – from Matthew and from Luke… but the essence is that the “robber” went from ridicule to trust. He made a decision to trust Jesus for who He is.

1. Ted talked about the non-Christian historical record that supports the Bible, the credibility of the Biblical story tellers, and the (very low) probability of the prophecies about Jesus being coincidence. Which of these do you think is most credible? Go around the group and talk about a type of evidence that is most convincing for you and explain how it fits into your own beliefs. (10 minutes)

2. Next, think about why we change our minds. First, take a look at your own experience: Think of someone or some situation that you changed your mind about – either from positive to negative or vice versa? What made the difference? Spend some time sharing different people’s stories and try to identify what types of things cause beliefs to change. (10 minutes)

3. Ted said there are decisions that are made “with the head” and decisions that are made “with the heart” . And what we all know is that many important decisions involve both. Think back over the last year: have you had to made any decisions that were somewhat important? (i.e., My most recent one was what kind of stove to buy when mine died: Important to me because it’s a chunk of change and I’ll have to live with it for quite awhile). So, fix a decision in your mind. How did you go about making the decision? Was there a “head” part to your decision? What was one part of your decision process that was mostly “head” related. Now what about the “heart” side? What was one thing in making the decision that talked to your “heart”? As you talk about these things, have someone keep a list of the types of things that appeal to the head and to the heart. (15 - 20 minutes)

4. Next, try to apply all this to a belief in Jesus: Do you or did you have any “issues” with the basics of “Christianity” (i.e., that Jesus was the promised “Christ”, who died in payment for peoples’ rebellion, and that accepting/believing in Him is THE route to have a good relationship with God.) ? If in the past you didn’t believe in the basics of this, but you do now, … think back to any key changes in belief you had: What made you change your mind about that? Do these relate to any of the types of things you discussed in the previous questions? Talk about the things that caused a change of mind and/or heart about Jesus and draw in parallel to the other factors that came up in other questions. Now, what about if you DON’T believe in all the basics of Christianity now: What are the points you have the most questions/issues with? Which are “head” issues and which are “heart issues? Can you identify any things you want to know more about? (Please, everyone remember that Gateway is ALL about being honest about where we are and learning/growing…. And NOT about twisting arms.). If you don’t believe, and have any specific idea about what you’d like to learn more about check out the resources below. Also you can ask others in the group if they can suggest anything directly relevant to your questions to read/hear/watch/study. (15 - 20 minutes)

5. End with some individual time to nail down what you thought about today: Is there some resource or information about Jesus you plan to follow up on? Have you had any changes in head or heart from the message or the discussion? If so, what are they? Or maybe you have decided that you have enough information and you want to decide about Jesus. If so, take time to talk to God, and be sure to tell someone else in the group who can pray with you too. (5 minutes)

Don’t forget that in the coming weeks you’ll have a chance to ask questions about Christianity as well as other religions. If something came up today that you want to know more about – be sure to text it in to:Myquestion@gatewaychurch.com.

Bible verses from the message:
Two robbers were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, "You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!"
In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
Matt 27:38 – 40, 44

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"
But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom. Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."
Luke 23: 39 - 43

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
1 Corinthians 15: 3 – 8

Want to get more/go farther?

• Want to work on the “mind” part of whether the story of Jesus is true? Check out the following readings:
  - The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel
  - Evidence for Christianity by Josh McDowell
  - The Verdict of History by Gary R. Habermas (at Amazon.com)
  - Science Speaks by Peter Stoner (at Amazon.com)
• You can listen to this message - and other ones too at Gateway Messages.
• Get an idea of where you are in your spiritual journey and customize your own next steps at Gateway's Discover, Develop, Deepen website.
• Search for other topics you want to know more about Gateway's online Bookstore. or go to the virtual Bookstore on the second level of the auditorum at Gateway's main campus.