Sermon Based Small Group Lessons

Just Give Me Jesus: The Moment of Truth

Dr. Les Hughes

2008 August 17

Beginning Wednesday, October 8

House of Prayer

Westwood Baptist Church

Opening Question

(New groups: Share your name and the answer to the following question.)

Have you ever had an experience when God very obviously answered your prayers? Tell about that experience.

Focus Passage

John 6:66-71

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Then Jesus replied, "Have I not chosen you, the Twelve? Yet one of you is a devil!" (He meant Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, who, though one of the Twelve, was later to betray him.)

Digging for Truth

1. Lesson #1 says “Not everyone who intends to follow Jesus stays to the end.” In the passage above, some left Jesus. In John 6:26 Jesus said "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill.”

What are some wrong reasons people “follow Jesus” today?

2. In light of this question, what is a true follower of Christ?

The biblical term faith means “to put all of our trust in…” or “to put all of our weight on…” It is trusting Christ as our only source.”

3. Lesson #2 says, “God measures my life not on my intentions, but by my actions and allegiance.” One parable in the Bible talks about two sons whose father gave them a command. One said yes then didn’t work, another said no, then later repented and worked. We’d all agree that the second son found his father’s favor. The third option is the best, it is to say yes and to follow.

Which of these sons best describes your life?

In Matthew 7:21, Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”

4. The final life lesson says, “There comes a moment in each person’s life when he or she must decide, “Am I going to follow Jesus no matter what?” “

Some of you tell about the time in your life when you made this decision.

Hebrews 6:19 says, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” God can be our anchor if we trust Christ for salvation. If you are ready to make that decision, talk to someone after group tonight and make that decision. Tonight might be your moment of truth when you can go your own way or say, “Just give me Jesus!”

5. During the service a video testimony was shown. Pastor Les shared the following quotes from the video that made an impression on him. Which quote means the most to you?

a. “She never gave up on me.” (A friend didn’t give up on him, but kept witnessing and

caring.)

b. “God goes much further than we desire to ask.”

c. “We are God’s trophy. He wants to show us off to the world.”

6. God answers prayer. Are you abiding in Christ on a daily basis? What can we do to walk with Christ in a way that leads us to trust Him and point others to the way?

Closing Thought

What needs to change in your life as a result of this study?