Journey through the encounters.

• He is the Word- John’s thesis statement and summary.
  • The breath of God.
  • The words of God.
  • The Living Word where every action is speaking and revealing God.

• He is the Messiah.
  • The one who will explain all things.
  • The one who brings life to all people- Jew, Gentile, male, female, slave, and free.
  • The one who will be the living water.

• He is the Bread of Life.
  • The daily provision of sustaining life.
  • The essence of God’s provision.

• He is the light of the world.
  • When life provides so many confusing messages and paths, he provides light.
  • As challenges can cloud the mind, he provides light.
  • When hope and purpose seems fleeting, he provides light to our souls and light to our paths.

• He is and always was before any covenant between God and man.
  • Adam, Abraham, Moses, and David

• He is the exclusive door or gate by which one can enter into relationship with God.
• He is the Good Shepherd that will not run from danger but will run into it even at the cost of his own life to save his sheep.
• He is the Resurrection and life eternal that every human being hopes for beyond death.
  • He not only provides the hope of that which is seemingly impossible, he IS that which is impossible.

• He is the exclusive way to the Father, and he provides the truth for how to live to that end where life eternal is realized.
• He is the True Vine, the real deal, by which one experiences the lifeblood of God. There is no other source by which we can live daily life and remain and abide in God.
• Due to your sin, there are consequences to your decision as to whether or not you believe that Jesus is who he says he is.
  • Eternal wrath.
  • Eternal life.

The purpose of sharing these Jesus encounters—that you may believe.  John 20:30-31

• Many miracles and stories were not written about. (30)
• These encounters were chosen to help you believe. (31)
  • He was an eyewitness, first person testimony.
  • This was written when there were plenty of people who could have debunked his account.
  • He suffered greatly due to his testimony, yet he still wrote this book and others.

Jesus asks two questions—one that guides and one that is life critical. Matthew 16:13-17

1. A guiding question—"Who do people say that Jesus is?” (13)
   • Gets the mind engaged and in the proper context.
   • Guiding people to more important questions requires starting simple and less disarming.
   • It is easier to answer for others than for yourself.
   • Peter’s answer reveals that “we can never make a true decision about Jesus Christ by taking a poll of the people.” BEC
   • Even today the various public views of Jesus are at best respectful, but far from being accurate.

2. The question that your life depends on—“Who do you say that Jesus is?” (15)
   • Majority opinion of who Jesus is will not mean a hill of beans for you when you stand before God and give an account for your decision concerning his Son Jesus.
   • Who do you say that he is?
   • Is he the door? The Bread? The truth? The life?  The very Word of God?

If you answer as Peter and like Peter submit your life and will to him, you have been blessed to by God!  (17)

Invitation—Who do you say Jesus is? 

Discussion Guide:

1. Who do people in your oikos say that Jesus is? What do you think is the prevailing idea of who Jesus is in American society?
2. Who do you say that Jesus is? How would you explain the identity of Jesus to someone who knows little to nothing about him?
3. How has knowing who he is affected your life?
4. Of the many “I Am’s” stated in John, which one is the most impactful/profound to you? Which one is the most mysterious to you and why?