You made it all the way to the final session!
Take a moment to think and reflect. Jot down anything you’d like to talk about.
Read John 10:1-30
Take a moment to think and reflect. Jot down anything you’d like to talk about.
What did Jesus most want to impress on the disciples before he left them (first by being crucified and then by returning to God the Father in heaven after being raised back to life)? What we read in chapters 13-17 (inclusive) is the answer to that question. When you read those chapters in one sitting you notice a number of themes being repeated and emphasised. Jesus comforted his friends by reassuring them that what was about to happen (his crucifixion) was all part of his plan. It would look like the ultimate defeat but would actually be the ultimate victory (over sin and death). And it wouldn’t be the end…
The language Jesus selected to describe all who loved him, and the completeness of his care for them, is remarkable, particularly considering two things: 1) he knew the agony that was before him; and 2) he knew that all of the disciples, without exception, were going to abandon him. Yet still he loved and comforted them.
In chapter 14 Jesus comforted them by promising that God the Holy Spirit would be sent to ‘be with you forever’ (14:16). Christians are never alone if the promise of the Holy Spirit really means that ‘we [God the Father and God the Son] will come and make our home with them’ (14:23).
Christians are never alone because of the real, albeit spiritual, presence of the Holy Spirit. They are also never alone because of the real, and physical, presence of other believers. Cue chapter 15…
Read John 15:1-17 then consider these questions:
Jot down observations/questions you have about these verses that you’d like to discuss.
Feedback – click here to provide feedback on The LifeStory Course
Thanks for coming! We hope you’ve enjoyed exploring your own story and discovering some of Jesus’ story.
If you’d like to find out more about Jesus’ life story there are a few things you could do:
Going to anything for the first time can be somewhat anxiety-inducing but we shouldn’t let that stop us doing things. It helps to know what to expect if you went along and you can find that out from most church websites or a Christian friend.
If you’ve enjoyed reading John, why not embark on one of the other accounts of Jesus’ life by reading Matthew, Mark or Luke?
The LifeStory book contains more detail on the things we’ve been thinking about during LifeStory plus a few extra bits. Keep an eye out for it in 2022!
‘Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.’
It’s unlikely you feel like you’ve had every question answered or know everything there is to know about Jesus, the Bible and Christianity. But if you’ve seen enough to believe that ‘Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God’ you can start letting his life story shape your own. If you haven’t already, try speaking to God by praying. God is listening and you don’t have to use any special words or rituals. You could also tell a Christian friend as they’d love to celebrate with you that ‘by believing you…have life in his name’!