Jesus -- "The Way, the Truth, and the Life"

Scripture References

• John 14:1-6
• Exodus 13:21-22
• Exodus 14:19-20
• Numbers 9:15-23
• Exodus 40:34-38
• 1 Kings 8:10-12

Introduction

• Opened with an invitation to serve in North Dallas (Friday or Saturday options, car-pooling encouraged, lunch/hang-out afterward).
• Leader affirmed how much he learns from the group’s dialogue; encouraged honest reactions to the sermon on hell and the exclusivity of Christ.
• Tonight’s “I AM” focus: Jesus’ claim, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), explored through the lens of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.”

I Am the Gate / I Am the Good Shepherd

Scripture References

• John 10:7-15
• Ezekiel 34:1-24
• Zechariah 13:7
• Matthew 26:31
• Luke 15:4-6
• John 21:15-17
• Matthew 9:35-36
• Genesis 1

Introduction

• Third session of a six-week series on the seven “I Am” statements in John.
• Setting: Men’s life-group Bible study; Leader: Mark.
• Ice-breaker: “If you were important enough to have a posse/entourage, who would be in it?”–led to discussion about bodyguards, counselors, hype-men, moral friends, etc.
• Transitional point: Our choice of “posse” reveals who we are; likewise, Israel’s leaders revealed their hearts. Jesus contrasts Himself with every false leader by declaring, “I am the Gate” and “I am the Good Shepherd.”

Seven I AM Statements of Jesus

Scripture References

• Exodus 3:13-14
• John 8:58-59
• John 6:35
• John 6:47-51
• Matthew 6:33

Introduction

• New spring series: the seven “I AM” statements in John, running through Easter. Leader: Caleb.
• Ice-breaker: each man completed “I am ___” (e.g., “cool dude,” “loved,” “so grateful,” “duck-hunter,” etc.).
• Purpose: last summer’s seven signs revealed Jesus’ divinity; the seven “I AMs” show how that divinity meets human need.

No Acceptable Loss in Jesus Economy

Scripture References

• Luke 15:1-7

Introduction

The leader opened with real-life examples of “acceptable loss”–a 2% inventory shrinkage in his retail business, underperforming investments, parental advice that “goes in one ear and out the other,” errant golf shots, jokes that fall flat, and time that slips away. He asked:

1. Where do you personally allow loss?
2. At what point does a loss stop bothering you?

Group members suggested thresholds based on profit margins, emotional investment, or right intentions, but admitted the standards are usually arbitrary.

Stewardship and the Parable of the Minas

Scripture References

• Luke 19:11-27

Introduction

The group listened to the same passage that was preached in Sunday service and revisited it for deeper discussion. Conversation opened with a light-hearted “button” exercise about risk versus guarantee, which served as a bridge into Jesus’ parable on stewardship, trust, and faithfulness while the Kingdom is “delayed but not denied.”

The Call to Humble Service: Discipleship Boot Camp Week 5

Gathering Information

• Leader: Charles (teaching); Mark (will lead closing prayer)
• Time note: Charles needed to leave by 6:20 p.m. for the opening of “Rooted.”

Scripture References

• Luke 22:24–30

Introduction

• Opening reminder that the 10-week “Rooted” discipleship course begins tonight; next session begins in ~18 weeks.
• Session aim: expose our default instinct to protect personal status and contrast it with Jesus’ call to humble service.
• Warm-up: rapid-fire everyday scenarios (potluck line, last slice of pizza, four-way stop, credit for work, etc.) to surface personal instincts.

Trust, Obedience & Submission in the Wilderness

Scripture References

• Luke 4:1-13
• Exodus 16:2-3
• Exodus 17:2-4, 7
• Exodus 32 (Golden Calf episode)

Introduction

• Ice-breaker on favorite fast-food chains (Whataburger, Burger King, Portillo’s, Raising Canes, In-N-Out, Steak ’n Shake, etc.) highlighted convenience, taste, speed, and affordability—setting up the contrast between quick satisfaction and long-term health.
• Theme: believers often feed on “spiritual fast food.” Luke 4 shows Jesus choosing the harder, healthier way of trust, obedience, and submission in the wilderness immediately after His baptism.

Baptism: From God; For God

Scripture References

• Matthew 28:19–20
• Luke 3:21–22
• Romans 6:3–4
• Ephesians 1:13

Introduction

The group launched week 2 of an eight-week discipleship series that parallels Sunday sermons at Lake Pointe. Tonight’s focus: baptism—Is it something we do for God, or something God does for us?

It is finished: Trusting the Completed Work of Christ

Scripture References

• Luke 1:1–4
• Luke 2:21
• John 19:30
• James 1:5 (alluded to in the “ask for wisdom” discussion)

Introduction

The group mirrored Sunday’s sermon on John 19:30 (“It is finished”), asking: “If Jesus really finished the work, is my life showing that I believe it?” Big idea: “If Jesus truly finished the work, trusting Him isn’t optional; it is simply what belief looks like.”

Confronting Hubris

Scripture References

• James 4:14–15
• James 5:1–12
• Matthew 5:3–12
• Job (general allusions)

Full Texts of Every Passage Read Aloud

James 5:1–6

1. Look here, you rich people. Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
2. Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.
3. Your gold and silver are corroded. The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire. This corroded treasure you have hoarded will testify against you on the day of judgment.
4. Listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay. The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
5. You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.
6. You have condemned and killed innocent people who do not resist you.

James 4:14–15

14. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.
15. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.”

James 5:7–12

7. Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord to return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen.
8. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.
9. Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!
10. For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy.
12. But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath—by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.

Matthew 5:3–12 (Beatitudes)

3. God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
4. God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
5. God blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.
6. God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice, for they will be satisfied.
7. God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
8. God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.
9. God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
10. God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
11. God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers.
12. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Introduction

• The facilitator has spent the entire week burdened by the word “hubris,” convinced it sits at the root of fear.
• Tonight’s aim: let James 5:1-6 expose hubris in both material and spiritual “wealth,” then learn patience from 5:7-12.
• Context: Last week Mark covered James 4; the class is now in the penultimate session of the letter.