making the connection

 

WEEKENd of april 27, 2008

 

If you’ve been around small children before, you know that they like options.  They would rather pick out their own clothes, even if the shirt and pants don’t match, than wear the outfit you laid out for them. They want to choose their bedtime story instead of having one picked for them. Do we ever really grow out of this? As teenagers, we beg our parents to let us make our own decisions. As students, we ask our teachers to give us room in assignments for creativity and individual interests. And as adults, we want a wide menu selection, alternative driving routes, and different radio stations should a song come on that we don’t like. Perhaps that is why relativism is so popular today. People don’t want to be told, “This is what you have to do.” We want to be able to choose for ourselves. When it comes to eternity, some people want to choose which religion to follow, believing all of them lead to the same place. But that isn’t true. We have only one choice to make: Jesus or no Jesus? No one else invites us to heaven. No one else can. Jesus is THE way to eternal life. What do you choose?   – Kari Lee

 

Don’t All Roads Lead to Heaven? (1)

 

•          As you prepare to spend time with God, just take a few minutes to rest in His presence.

 

•          Why is it so difficult for us to be told what to do? Or to be limited in our options?

 

•          Read Joshua 24:14-15. What question does Joshua ask the Israelites? What answer would you give?

 

•          Read 1 John 5:11-12 and 1 John 4:9-10. How has God given us eternal life? Why did He do this?

 

•          This week, prayerfully consider what you believe. Do you believe what God’s Word says, that Jesus is the ONLY way to eternal life? You can also take time to pray for your family and friends who may be struggling with this question.

 

 

Don’t All Roads Lead to Heaven? (2)

 

 

We aren’t the first ones to struggle with this concept of having only one road to eternal life. In John 6, Jesus expresses this same idea to a crowd of people: “All who seek his Son and believe in him should have eternal life” (v. 40). These people had been following Jesus. They sat on the hill and listened to His teaching; they ate the fish and loaves of bread that He had multiplied. And now, as He teaches them more, some begin to complain. They are offended when Jesus says He was the only way to eternal life. In fact, many of these disciples walk away in disbelief. They desert Christ and return to their old way of living – just like many people do today. After this, Jesus turns to the Twelve disciples and gives them the same choice: “Are you also going to leave?” Peter responds, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe” (John 6:67-69). Which group are you most like: the disciples who walked away, or the ones who chose to believe? Can you say with Peter, “I believe”? If not, what is standing in the way?  – Kari Lee

 

 

•          Ask God to use this time to reveal your true beliefs.

 

•          Consider what we’ve learned this week. What is the hardest thing to believe?

 

•          Read John 6:22-51. What metaphor does Christ use to describe Himself? What does it mean?

 

•          Read 2 Kings 18:1-6. How did King Hezekiah show his belief in God? Are there any “pillars” you need to tear down?

 

•          Remember that beliefs aren’t passive; they’re active. They reveal themselves through your actions. Does your behavior show that you believe Jesus is the ONLY way to eternal life? It might help to talk through this with a trusted friend or mentor.