2. The Focus of Your New Life – Christ

TOGETHER LESSON

You heard the good news of the gospel and believed that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, who gave himself for your sins so that you could have eternal life just by believing in him—your Savior. But more than salvation, Jesus Christ calls you into a relationship with himself!

Christianity is Christ! It is not a lifestyle, rules of conduct, or a society whose members were initiated by the sprinkling or covering of water. It is about knowing him personally.

1. Jesus Christ – The Promised Messiah

Over 1500 years, Israel’s prophets had foretold the coming of the Messiah, God’s anointed one, who would be both savior and ruler. Nearly 300 specific Old Testament references were made to his coming. The following are just a few. Read them and notice the specific prophecy fulfilled.

Old Testament		New Testament Fulfillment
Micah 5:2	Matthew 2:1
Isaiah 9:6-7	Luke 1:31-33
Isaiah 7:14	Luke 1:35
Psalm 22:16	John 20:25
Psalm 22:18	Mark 15:24

The odds against one person fulfilling merely eight of these prophecies would be the same as a blindfolded person picking one special silver dollar from a two-foot high stack of silver dollars over an area the size of Texas. Jesus fulfilled over 200 of them…exactly! The rest will be fulfilled when he returns. And, his sinless life qualified him as the perfect sacrifice for all of our sins.

Key Question: Jesus lived as a man, died as a man and rose again with a new human body. You heard the good news about Jesus and believed. How much do you really know about Jesus?

Discover truths about your new Savior… 

2. Confidence in the Reality of Jesus

Jesus Is Fully Human

What is revealed about Jesus’ humanity in these verses?

• Luke 2:52
• John 11:35
• Matthew 4:2
• John 19:28

“For we do not have a high priest incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)

Jesus Is Fully God

What is revealed about Jesus in these verses?

• John 1:1-3, 14              
• Colossians 2:9
• John 10:30              
• Philippians 2:6-11

All the evidence points clearly to the fact that Jesus Christ is fully God!

Key Question: How confident are you that Jesus (as man) understands how you feel but is powerful enough (as God) to take care of your every need?

Jesus Conquered Death

The religious leaders accused Jesus of making statements that only God can legitimately make and convicted him of doing so. He was beaten, crucified, and buried in a heavily guarded tomb. All hope seemed to be lost. But…

He rose from the dead on the third day…just as he had promised his followers (Matthew 16:21). Jesus was seen alive by over 500 people as historical eyewitness records testify (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). Other religious founders (Buddha, Mohammed, Confucius) are dead. Jesus Christ is alive! You can enjoy a relationship with him—now and forever!

“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Key Question: Besides salvation, what do you think are the relationship benefits of knowing Christ? Discover these next…

3. Jesus Is The Answer To Every Spiritual Need

Like Matthew, Mark, and Luke, the gospel of John contains the good news about Jesus—who he is, why he came, and what he offers to those who trust in him. Jesus used specific phrases as word pictures to describe himself to those who were listening and to describe the difference he could make in their lives when they trusted in him. Discovering these truths will make a difference in your life as well. As John wrote,

“But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)

Jesus is the bread of life. Read John 6:35. Jesus’ abundant love satisfies our hunger for a relationship with God. God creates every human being with a hunger for a relationship with him. How have you tried to satisfy this hunger in the past? What invitation does Jesus give in this verse?

Jesus is the light of the world. Read John 8:12. Jesus’ light directs us to follow him. What is the promise to those who follow Jesus?

Jesus is the gate for the sheep. Read John 10:9-10. Just as the shepherd provided safety for the grazing sheep, there is safety in following Jesus and doing life his way. What does Jesus promise to anyone who enters through him as the gate?

Jesus is the good shepherd. Read John 10:11, 27-30. As a shepherd knows each of his sheep by name, you can enjoy a forever relationship with Jesus as your shepherd. Once you trust in Jesus to take away your sin and become one of his followers (“sheep”), is there anything you can do to make yourself not belong to God any longer?

Jesus is the resurrection and the life. Read John 11:25. To his followers, Jesus gives eternal spiritual life now and eternal physical life in a new body after death. What does Jesus promise to anyone who believes in him? Do you feel confident that death for a believer is like going to sleep on earth and waking up in heaven with Jesus nearby?

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Read John 14:6. Jesus is the way for us to be totally loved and accepted by God our Father. What does Jesus declare about himself?

Jesus is the vine. Read John 15:5. Jesus nourishes us with his life so we bear fruit in our own lives that represents our connection with him. How significant is it for us to maintain a trusting relationship with Jesus?

4. Christianity is Christ!

Jesus Christ calls us into a close relationship with him. He offers a new life that is joyful and fruitful. Through faith in him, you are totally accepted and loved by God your Father. All the awesome treasures we have are through our faith in Jesus.

Why not spend the rest of your life getting to know this Jesus who lived a trusting life with God so you would know how to do the same and died for you so that you could have a new life?!

Discover more treasure: Work through your Personal Discovery Guide to review what you learned in today’s “Together Session” and discover more of the riches that are yours in your relationship with Christ.

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PERSONAL DISCOVERY GUIDE

In this lesson, you learned that Christianity is Christ – it is all about him! The following quote says it well. 

“Jesus Christ gave his life for you so he could give his life to you so he could live his life through you.” (Ian Thomas, 20th century teacher)

As fully God and fully man, you can be confident that Jesus understands how you feel  (Hebrews 4:15) but is powerful enough (as God) to take care of your every need (Ephesians 3:20). Through faith in him, you are totally accepted and loved by God your Father. And, you enjoy awesome treasures God promises to you.

Jesus offers you a new life that is joyful and fruitful. You can enjoy a relationship with him—now and forever!

Renewing Your Mind with Truth

Continue putting truth in your mind through memorizing Bible verses that are relevant to what you are learning.

• Review Memory Verse 1 – Ephesians 2:8-9.
• Begin working on this week’s verse – John 20:31.

Memory Verse 2

“But these are recorded so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” (John 20:31)

Day 1 Discovery – Review “The Focus of Your New Life – Christ”

Review these five truths. Make them part of your life as you grow in Christ. Find and read the verses listed beside each truth. Write observations of what you see and how you feel about the truth in the space given.

• Jesus satisfies your hunger for a relationship with God: John 6:35; Matthew 11:28-29.
• Jesus gives you direction and safety as you follow him: John 8:12; John 10:9-10.
• Jesus tenderly loves you and cares for you: John 10:11, 27-30.
• Jesus gives you his life so you can enjoy your relationship with God and bear purposeful fruit in your life: John 14:6; 15:5.
• Jesus gives you eternal spiritual life now and eternal physical life in a new body after death: John 11:25; Romans 8:11; 1 Corinthians 15: 51-54.

Getting to Know Christ

Continue to focus on the life of Jesus as told in the gospel of Mark. Spend a few minutes each day reading the verses and reflecting on Jesus—his life, his relationships, and his teaching. As you do so, you will get to know and understand him better—this One who loves you dearly.

Day 2 Discover Jesus

Read: Mark 2:18-27. Reflect on what you read—

Day 3 Discover Jesus

Read: Mark 3:1-19. Reflect on what you read—

Day 4 Discover Jesus

Read: Mark 3:20-35. Reflect on what you read—

Day 5 Discover Jesus

Read: Mark 4:1-20. Reflect on what you read—

Days 6 & 7 Review and Ask Questions

Spend time reviewing what you have learned this week about your new life in Christ. Bring these to your Graceful Beginnings leader so she will know how  to help you grow.

• What discoveries have you made?
• What questions do you have?

NEXT LESSON: Graceful Beginnings, Lesson 3. “Your New Power Source — God’s Spirit.”