October 29, 2010
"Just a Fictional Sky Daddy"
John 3:16-21
Cannon Wise
Central Truth
God sent His Son to save us so that we may live in the greatest place ever with Him. He sacrificed His only Son so that we won't have to perish in hell forever.
Key Verse | John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
John 3:16-21
For God So Loved the World
16 For God so loved the world, 1 3:16 Or For this is how God loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
Dive Deeper | John 3:16-21
When I was in sixth grade, I learned I had acid reflux. I was in band at the time and was failing because every time I played, my chest hurt. I decided to switch to art after that and met a new friend.
After sitting next to him and talking to him every day that we had art, I learned he was an atheist. This troubled me a bit, but I still didn't recognize that he really needed God's help. One day, he got in huge trouble with our school for getting in a fight. He seemed very scared about how his parents would respond to this, but he tried to hide it. Another friend and I kept trying to encourage him to come to church with us, but he kept making up excuses why he could not come. Every time I mentioned God to him, he referred to our Lord as a "sky daddy." He seemed very intrigued to have his many questions answered, but he would not stop trying to prove his points.
Unfortunately, he moved to a different school at the end of the year. It made me sad to know that he was leaving because I think I was beginning to make an impact on him. All I can do now is pray that I did make an impact on him and that others in his life will, too. I would not like my friend to perish in hell; I would like to see him right there next to me in heaven living an eternal life with our "Sky Daddy."
Discussion Questions
1. Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins? If not, what is keeping you from believing John 3:16?
2. Have you met anyone who is like my friend, and, if so, how are you impacting his/her life?
3. Have you ever been in a situation in which you felt uncomfortable talking to those in need of John 3:16? If so, why were you uncomfortable, and what can you do to help yourself to not be uncomfortable in the future?
4. Make a commitment to yourself and to your community that surrounds you to share the gospel with someone this week.
FAMILY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Why did God the Father give His Son (verses 16, 17)?
2. Use a chair to demonstrate to your kids what it means to believe/trust in something. Standing away from the chair, point to it and announce that you believe the chair can hold you. Ask, “Do I really trust the chair if I stay over here?” Next, stand on the chair. Discuss how you really believed in the chair when you actually stood on it.
3. What does it mean to believe in Jesus (Read Romans 10:9-10).