Lesson 7: Jesus Is the Way, the Truth and the Life

We have been painting the portrait of Jesus with descriptions Jesus used for Himself to those listening to Him. Remember these truths about who Jesus Christ is and what He does for you.

• Jesus is the “I Am.” He is the answer to the spiritual needs of every person.
• Jesus is the Bread of Life. His abundant love satisfies our hunger for a relationship with God.
• Jesus is the Light of the World. His light directs us to follow Him.
• Jesus is the Gate for the Sheep. There is safety in following Jesus and doing life His way.
• Jesus is the Good Shepherd. You can enjoy a forever relationship with Him.
• Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life. To His followers, He gives eternal spiritual life now and eternal physical life in a new body after death.

In this lesson, we will paint Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life.

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV)

Paint Color #7: Red

Our color for today is red. Many people like red as a favorite color. It’s a bright color. Red is also the color that alerts you to danger. Flashing red lights at railroad crossings, red stoplights, and red stop signs all signal that the setting could be dangerous if you don’t watch out. You need to stop whatever you are doing to avoid the danger. Sometimes in the Bible, red is used for the color of sin. That’s God’s way of saying sin is dangerous.

Red has some positive meanings, too. It is the color of love. Around Valentines’ Day, red hearts are everywhere because red hearts represent love. Red is also the color of life. Blood is red; blood represents life. Without blood, we die. The American Red Cross is an organization that helps people during disasters. In fact, it is the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States. Its symbol is a red cross that represents blood as the gift of life.

In the Bible, the color red often connects love and life as it represents God’s promise to His people to forgive their sins when a blood sacrifice was made. God made the promise because He loves us and wants to give us spiritual life that lasts forever.

Red is also the color of celebration. Sometimes a red carpet is rolled out on special occasions so the people walking along it feel special and important.

So, we’ll say that red represents love, life, and celebration. Knowing how much we are embraced by God’s love for us and receiving Jesus’ life given to us now is certainly cause for celebration, isn’t it? Anticipating our life in heaven one day is also a cause for celebration.

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10 NET)

1. Read John 14:1-6.

• Jesus spent some time talking with His disciples about heaven. What did Jesus tell His disciples about where He was going (verse 2)?
• What did He promise (verse 3)?

2. Jesus told them that He was going there soon, and they could follow because they knew the way to get there. But Thomas wasn’t so sure about this.

• What did Thomas ask Jesus?
• What was Jesus’ answer to Thomas and everyone else?

In this “I Am” statement, Jesus said He was three things—the way, the truth, and the life.

3. Based upon what you have already learned, what do you think Jesus means by that statement?

We can confidently say this: Jesus is the way to know God as Father because He shows us the Truth about God in His life, and He gives His life to anyone who believes in Him. Knowing Jesus is the only way to have a relationship with God. That’s the way to heaven. Let’s look at each one of those words—Way, Truth, and Life.

Jesus is the Way

Jesus is the way. The question to ask is, “What way?”

4. Reread John 14:6. Jesus is the way to what?

Jesus says He is the only way for any person to have a relationship with God the Heavenly Father. How? By believing in Jesus.

5. Read Acts 4:12. What did Jesus’ disciple Peter say about Jesus as the way to know God?

The first Christians were so convinced of Jesus being the only Way to know God and taught this truth everywhere so they were called “Followers of the Way.” As a “Follower of the Way,” the apostle Paul traveled all over his world preaching that Jesus is the Way to know God, the Way to receive forgiveness for your sins, and the Way to live a life that pleases God. Anyone who asked him, “How can I know God?” Paul would answer, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.” He’s the Way.

6. Based on this understanding, would you identify yourself as a “Follower of the Way?”

Other people may try to tell you that there are many ways to get to heaven. Not just one way. Or, they might say there are other gods out there besides the God of the Bible.

But, you can tell them only one man died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus. Only one man was ever resurrected from the dead with a new body that will never die again. Jesus. Only Jesus was truly God. Anyone who believes in Jesus can now have forgiveness of their sins and a relationship with God.

No other religious leader has ever been resurrected from the dead. They are all in their graves. Jesus is not in His grave. He was resurrected from the grave, given a new body, and is sitting in heaven on His throne as king of planet Earth ready to welcome you and me when we trust in Him.

Jesus is the only way for any person to have a relationship with God. You have to start with that and believe that. Jesus said He is the way. Jesus also said He is the truth.

Jesus is the Truth

After Jesus told His disciples that He was the way, the truth, and the life, the very next thing He said was very important.

7. Read John 14:7.

• What did Jesus tell the disciples?
• Who is His Father?

Jesus goes on to say that anyone who has seen Him (Jesus) has seen God the Father. When Jesus was on earth, He showed everyone what God was like. Jesus was loving and kind, showing us God is loving and kind. Jesus was always good showing us that God is always good. Jesus showed us that God answers prayer and that God hates sin. Jesus was the living truth of God.

Because Jesus is God, believing in Him is the way to have a relationship with God. You can’t believe in any other famous name or any other religious person to have a relationship with the God of the Bible, the one true God. Only through believing in Jesus.

8. Read John 8:31-32. What did Jesus tell those who were listening to Him?

Jesus was the truth of God back then and is still the truth of God. Truth never changes. Jesus is the truth. Jesus is also the life.

Jesus is the Life

Anyone who believes in Jesus not only has a relationship with God but also receives eternal life. Remember that we said eternal life starts the moment you believe in Jesus and lasts forever. It can never end, and no one can take it away from you. Great news!

9. Read Romans 8:11. What is the promise?

Even though your body dies, your soul lives on in heaven where you will one day receive a brand new body just like Jesus’ new body, one that will never ever die again. That’s eternal life. But, when Jesus said He is the life, He meant even more than that.

10. Read Galatians 2:20. How is Jesus your life today?

As part of God’s family, God’s Spirit comes to live inside you. God’s Holy Spirit gives to you the joyful life of Jesus.

God’s Spirit enables you to live a life that pleases God your Father. He changes the way you think and feel to be more like the way Jesus thought and felt when He was on earth.

It’s as though Jesus’ life just bubbles up from inside of you so that everyone can see that you love Him.

You have become a child of God the Father, completely loved and accepted by Him. Isn’t it a great thing to be so very loved and accepted by the God who made you?

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. Jesus gives us His life so that we are completely loved and accepted by God our Father. Celebrate!

Following Jesus

1) Bible verse to learn:

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV)

2) Response in prayer & praise:

Use any creative means to express your celebration of Jesus’ life in you—drawing, painting, prose, poetry, song, or prayer. Or, you can pray the prayer below that celebrates Jesus as the Way, the Truth, and the Life:

How absolutely amazing is your loving plan, oh God, that takes care of my need to know you! Help me to hold onto the truth that Jesus is the only way to have a relationship with God as my Father. Help me to believe that I am truly your child, completely loved and accepted by you the moment I trusted in Jesus. Fill my heart with joy and celebration because Jesus’ life is inside me.

3) Filling in the portrait of Jesus:

Christianity is Christ so spend a few minutes each day reading the verses and reflecting on Jesus—His life, His relationships, and His teaching. Get to know Him well—this One who loves you dearly.

• Read John 13:1-17. Reflect on what you read.
• Read John 13:18-38. Reflect on what you read.
• Read John 14:1-14. Reflect on what you read.
• Read John 14:15-31. Reflect on what you read.