Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (John 8:21-30), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [21] Jesus said (to those who have not believed in him), “Where I am going, you cannot come,” speaking of his return to his Father. Why is this a true statement? Why is it true that those who believe in Jesus will go to be with him where he is?

• [23] “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.” You might know thousands of people, but there is no one else like Jesus. In what ways is he like other people? How is he different? Why is he different?

• [24] “Unless you believe that ‘I AM,’ you will die in your sins.” Do you, personally, struggle with the exclusive truth claims of Jesus, that you can only know God through faith in him? Are you sensitive to the fact that others have this struggle? How do you interact with those who have a hard time believing that Jesus is the only way of salvation?

• [26] “I have much to say about you and much to judge, but he who sent me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from him.” Jesus would rather talk about his Father than about everything you’ve done wrong. He wants to address your sins, but only insofar as that leads you to a real knowledge of and reconciliation to God. When you think about Christ, when you consider spiritual things, when you pray, are you focused more on yourself (your own shortcomings, sins, or successes) or on who God is, what he has done, and what he promises?