Just Looking
Just Looking Groups
The Purpose
These have been set up so that people may investigate the claims about Jesus in an informal and relaxed setting. The hope is that for the believer, they may reassure them about the facts of their faith, and for the enquirer, that the information gained would help and encourage them in making their minds about Jesus.
The Format
The course spans 6 meetings. These last 30 mins – 1 hour and are arranged at the convenience of the participants. Two or three members of the congregation, who are not experts (!) will visit a home and bring set material dealing with a different topic each week. After a cup of tea and general discussion, they will lead in the reading of some relevant parts of the Bible and discuss questions if any are raised.
The Topics
1. Jesus – the Bible as the key to understanding
2. Who was Jesus?
3. What Jesus did
4. The resurrection of Jesus
5. What it involves to follow Jesus
6. Becoming a follower of Jesus
At the end of the course, we would hope that you would be in a position to make an informed response to Jesus claims, and having given you the information would leave you to do so.
Our hope is that the studies will be both useful and enjoyable. If for any reason you would like to stop at any point, we would understand and respect your decision.
If you would like further information or might like to pursue this contacts us at office@tpc.org.uk
Session 1
Jesus – the key to understanding
The key to understanding the Christian faith is Jesus Christ. Most of the reliable information we have about Jesus is to be found in the Bible.
1. To learn about Jesus we must read the Bible
Luke tells us why he wrote Luke 1 verses 1 – 4
Those who saw
Orderly account
Carefully studied
The full truth
2. The Bible helps us to believe in Jesus
Knowing about Jesus, important though it is, is only the first step. John explains why he wrote his Gospel John 20 verses 30 and 31.
3. How trustworthy and reliable do you think the Bible is?
(see Bible society video – “Message from the memory banks”)
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Preparation for the next session
“Who was Jesus?”
a good man?………………………. an astronaut?………………………………….
a perfect man?……………………. a great religious leader?…………………
a religious maniac?……………… God?……………………………………………..
a holy man?…………………………
How do you know?……………………………………………………………………………
Session 2
Who was Jesus?
1. What people said about Him
Luke 11: 14 -15
Luke 4 : 41
John 8 : 48
John 9 : 30-33
Luke 23: 13-16
John 1 : 43-49
2. What Jesus said about Himself
John 5 : 16-21
John 8 :58
John 14 : 1 -11
3. What His disciples said about Him
Before His death – John 6 : 66-69
After His death – John 20 : 26-28
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Preparation for the next session
What would you say were the most important things Jesus did?
1. Taught people about God
2. Performed miracles
3. Died on the cross
4. Lived a perfect life as an example for us
How would you arrange these in order of importance?
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Session 3
What Jesus did
1. Jesus did miracles
Luke 7 : 18 – 23
2. Jesus taught
Matthew 7 : 24 – 26
Matthew 7 : 28,29
John 7 : 14 – 16
3. Jesus lived a perfect life
Hebrews 4 : 14 – 16
Hebrews 7 : 26,27
1 Peter 2 : 22 – 24
4. Jesus died on the cross
a) What did Jesus regard as His life’s work?
John 6 : 39 – 40
John 10 : 10b
Mark 10 : 45
b) He knew he had to die
Mark 8 : 31 – 33
Mark 9 : 30 – 32
John 12 : 32 – 33
c) What did His death achieve?
Romans 5 : 6 – 11
2 Corinthians 5 : 14 – 15
Colossians 1 : 20 – 22
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Preparation for the next session
1. Is it true? Do you believe his claims?
2. Did he prove his own power over death?
Read Luke 23 and 24, John 20 and 21 : 1 – 14
Session 4
Jesus was raised from the dead
1. His tomb was empty
Luke 24 : 1 – 3
John 20 : 1 – 10
How can it be explained?
Body stolen?
Matthew 27 :62 – 66
Matthew 28 : 11 – 15
Not really dead?
John 19 : 31 – 34
Mark 15 : 42 – 45
2. His disciples were changed
Before
Luke 22 : 54 – 62
Luke 24 : 13 – 21
John 20 : 19
After
Acts 4 : 13
Acts 5 : 27 – 33
3. He was seen alive
Luke 24 : 17, 31, 36 – 43
1 Corinthians 15 : 3 – 8
4. His resurrection confirms his claims
John 2 : 18 – 22
1 Corinthians 15 : 12 – 20
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Preparation for the next session
a) Consider – Do you believe this? Are you ready to act on it?
b) What does following Jesus involve?
Read Luke 14 : 25 – 33
Session 5
What does following Jesus involve?
1. Putting Him first
Mark 8 : 34 – 38
Luke 14 :25 – 27
2 Corinthians 5 : 14 – 15
2. Obeying His teaching
John 14 : 23, 24
Matthew 7 : 21 – 23
3. Owning His name
Matthew 10 : 32,33
John 15 : 20,21
Matthew 5 : 11, 12
4. Loving His people
John 13 : 34,35
1 John 4 : 19 – 21
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Preparation for the next session
True or False?
A person becomes a Christian / follower of Jesus by
1. doing good………………………………………………………………
2. keeping the commandments………………………………………..
3. believing the facts about God……………………………………….
4. being baptised…………………………………………………………..
5. receiving Jesus as Saviour and Lord…………………………………
(Check your answers against the following verses)
Titus 3:5 , Ephesians 2:8, Galatians 2:16, James 2:19, Philippians 3:3, Revelations 3:20, Romans 10:9, John1:11,12
Session 6
How does one become a Christian?
1. Who qualifies?
1 Tim 2 : 3 – 6
John 3 : 16
John 6 : 37
2. What is offered?
Eternal Life
John 17 : 1 -3
John 10 : 9,10
3. How do you come into this new life?
Acts 2 : 37,38
1 John 1 : 8,9
Romans 6 : 23
Romans 3 : 22 – 26
Ephesians 2 : 8,9
4. Why can we be certain?
1 John 2 : 25
John 5 : 21 – 24
John 6 : 37, 40
John 6 : 47
John 10 : 27 – 30
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Way Ahead
1. Do you understand?
What Jesus is offering you?
What the cost may be to you?
2. How much do you want eternal life?
Luke 18 : 18 – 23
3. Would you like to / have already received the gift of eternal life which Jesus is offering you?
4. If not, are you willing to commit yourself to Him and ask?
Luke 11 : 9 – 13
Extra Session
Holy Spirit
1. Promised by Jesus
John 16 : 5,6
Acts 1 : 4,5,8
2. Given at Pentecost
Acts 2 : 1 – 4, 13 – 18, 32 – 33
3. Given to all believers
Acts 8 : 14 – 17
Acts 10 : 44 – 48
Ephesians 1 : 13
Romans 8 : 14 – 16
4. Received by faith, when we believe
Luke 11 : 9 – 13
Galatians 3 : 2
5. He equips us to witness
Mark 13 : 11, Acts 4 : 8 – 13
John 14 : 26
John 15 : 26, 27
Acts 1 : 8
6. He assures us of our relationship to God
Galatians 4 : 6
2 Corinthians 1 : 21 – 22
7. He binds us to other Christians
1 Corinthians 12 : 4 – 27
8. He changes us
Galatians 5 : 16 – 25
9. He is given to those who ask
Luke 11 : 9 – 13
