Inward Prayer

Small Group Questions:

1. 1. Do you think it’s important for Jesus to be both fully God and fully human? Why or why not?
   2. How does the idea of Jesus being fully God and fully human relate to the concept of God understanding our human experiences?
   3. Read Hebrews 4:15-16. What do you think this scripture is trying to tell us?
   4. What do you think it means for Jesus to have “experienced life on this earth,” and how does that impact your faith?
   5. In what ways can the understanding of Jesus’ dual nature be comforting or relatable in your daily life and struggles?
   6. Can you think of moments in your life where knowing that Jesus understands your experiences would be particularly meaningful or reassuring?

Outward Prayer

THE MAIN POINT

Jesus understands what you are going through because He too, experienced life on this earth.

THE BIBLE

John 1:1-3, 1:14 CSB & Hebrews 4:15-16 CSB

THE CONTEXT

Have you ever been to Disneyland? If you have, what was it like? What did you see as you drove in? What did you hear as you walked down the main street to the castle? What did you smell as you passed the food carts? How did it feel riding Thunder Mountain Railroad, or the Spinning Teacups? If you have never been to Disneyland, how well do you think you could answer these questions? Probably not easily. This is because there is an understanding that comes from truly experiencing a place in person, rather than just hearing about it or seeing pictures.

In today’s lesson, we’ll be unpacking the two natures of Jesus: both fully God and fully human. The Synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke only allude to Jesus as God incarnate, while John’s gospel explicitly states it.

In John 1:1 CSB we read, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Jews would understand “The Word” as being God: the divine influence in the creation of all things, giving them order and life. “He was with God in the beginning. All things were created through him, and apart from him not one thing was created that has been created.” (John 1:2-3 CSB)

In John 1:14 CSB, John states that “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” We can know that Jesus came to earth in the “flesh”, fully human. But John also says “We observed his glory, the glory as the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” From this, we can understand Jesus to also be fully God.

While the word “incarnation” does not appear in scripture, Christian tradition holds that Jesus is God incarnate. That means that God came to this earth, as a man, and felt the human experience.

One cannot fully understand a place like Disneyland until they themself have been there. In the same way, God’s presence in our world allows Him to understand what it’s like to be human.

“[This] experience of presence… is what makes Christianity different from other religions: God himself came, Christianity says.” (Mark Clark)

THE CORE

As you prepare the core of the message using personal story and questions keep in mind these points:

• The Synoptic gospels, Matthew, Mark & and Luke only allude to Jesus as God incarnate, while John’s gospel explicitly states it.
• While the word “incarnation” does not appear in scripture, Christian tradition holds that Jesus is God incarnate. He is both fully God and fully human. 100% both. These two natures cannot be changed, divided, or separated.
• God came to this earth, as a man and felt the human experience.
• Jesus understands what you are going through because He too, experienced life on this earth.

THE APPLICATION

As you prepare the application, challenge and/or encouragement, keep in mind these points:

• In moments of temptation, we can come before God and ask for help. Knowing that he too was tempted but overcame it and did not sin.
• In moments of hurt and frustration, we can come before Jesus knowing that he too felt deep pain and will comfort us in our sorrow.
• Sometimes all kids want to hear is an “I understand you” and a “what you are feeling is normal.” This will be a great comfort to them that their God is not absent from them and what is going on in their lives.