Home-Town Jesus: SERMON STUDY GUIDE

Icebreaker: Have you ever experienced a total solar eclipse? What are your plans for the April 8th eclipse?

Sermon Title: The Path of Totality – Home-Town Jesus – Luke 4:14-30

Group Discussion:

Read John 1:1-5 & John 8:12 – Let’s consider the totality of Jesus, as He eclipses everything and brings light into the darkness. How can the truth that Jesus is the eternal source of light help us embrace hope, purpose, and life transformation? How can we communicate this truth to skeptics, nonbelievers, and new believers?

Read Mark 8:34-35 – A personal totality of surrender to Jesus: Encountering the totality of Jesus should produce in us a totality of surrender. Can you share examples from your life when surrendering to Jesus helped you, or a loved one, to experience a deeper connection with the Lord? Why might the call for total surrender intimidate or frighten some people, and how can we overcome such hesitation?

Read John 14:2-3 & 1 Peter 1:3-4 – Your promised future is here; Jesus is the fulfillment of it all. How can these promises influence our identity in Jesus and purpose as disciples? And how can we effectively nurture this hope among both believers and nonbelievers?

Read Luke 4:18-19 & Luke 7:21-22 – Here is what it’s going to look like; this is our Savior. As once slaves to sin and blinded by Satan’s lies, what should our attitude be as recipients of such grace descried in these verses? Once we accept Jesus as Savior, what are some practical ways we can actively participate in carrying out these acts as disciples committed to Jesus’ mission (e.g., acting as the hands and feet of Jesus)?

Read Luke 4:28-30 – Jesus will not be deterred or manipulated. How can Jesus’ steadfast devotion to His mission influence our perseverance and resilience as disciples when we face challenges? What are practical ways we can resist external and internal pressures that may halt or disrupt our mission as disciples?

Spiritual Discipline: Take time this week to begin studying these scriptures concerning The Totality of Jesus https://www.openbible.info/topics/the_deity_of_jesus

Action Steps: Take steps this week to help people find hope and build their lives in Jesus, such as (1) sharing the gospel, (2) cultivating authentic connections with people, (3) demonstrating unconditional love, (4) offering prayer and spiritual support, and (5) addressing needs by offering practical assistance.