04.06.25_-_Easter_2025_Message_1.docx

**Bible Study Discussion Guide**

**Bible Reading:**
- John 5:17-21

**Observation Questions:**
1. What does Jesus mean when He says, "My Father is working until now, and I am working" in John 5:17?
2. How does John 5:19-21 describe the relationship between Jesus and God the Father?
3. What were the reactions of the Jewish leaders to Jesus' claims in John 5:18, and why were they significant?
4. What examples of Jesus' miracles are mentioned in the sermon, and what do they reveal about His nature?

**Interpretation Questions:**
1. How does the concept of Jesus working in unity with the Father challenge or affirm the understanding of His divine nature?
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that Jesus' miracles continue to inspire faith and trust today?
3. How does the sermon interpret the intrinsic value of humanity in light of Genesis 1:27, and what implications does this have for addressing oppression?
4. What does the sermon suggest about the ongoing work of God in the world, and how should believers respond to this?

**Application Questions:**
1. Reflect on your understanding of Jesus as the Son of God. How does this understanding influence your daily life and interactions with others?
2. The sermon emphasizes the intrinsic value of every human being. How can you actively recognize and uphold this value in your community, especially in situations of discrimination or injustice?
3. Consider a situation in your life where you need to trust in God's ongoing work. How can you cooperate with His will in this area?
4. Jesus' miracles demonstrate His power and authority. Is there a specific area in your life where you need to seek His intervention? How will you do this?
5. The sermon challenges us to engage with the world's brokenness. What practical steps can you take to be an agent of reconciliation and embody the love and grace of Jesus?
6. How can you share the message of hope and redemption with someone in your life who may not understand or know Jesus?
7. Reflect on a time when you felt oppressed or were an oppressor. How can the message of transformation through Christ change your perspective and actions in similar situations?

Day 1: Recognizing the Divine Image in All

Every person is created in the image of God, which bestows an inherent value that cannot be diminished by sin or circumstance. This understanding calls us to recognize and uphold the dignity of all individuals, challenging any form of oppression or discrimination. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect this truth in our interactions, advocating for justice and equality. By acknowledging the divine image in others, we are reminded of our shared humanity and the call to love one another as God loves us.

This intrinsic value is not something we earn or lose; it is a gift from God. It challenges us to see beyond the surface and to value people for who they are in God's eyes. In a world where worth is often measured by achievements or status, this perspective invites us to a deeper understanding of what it means to be human. It calls us to be advocates for those who are marginalized and to stand against injustice wherever it is found.

Genesis 1:27 (ESV): "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them."

Reflection: Think of someone you struggle to see as valuable. How can you begin to view them through the lens of being made in God's image today?


Day 2: Trusting in God's Unceasing Work

The work of God did not cease with creation; it continues through Jesus Christ, who actively participates in the redemption and restoration of humanity. This ongoing divine activity assures us that God is intimately involved in our lives, working tirelessly to bring about His purposes. Our response should be one of trust and cooperation with His will, knowing that He is always at work for our good.

In moments of doubt or difficulty, it can be easy to feel as though God is distant or inactive. However, the truth is that He is constantly at work, weaving together the threads of our lives into a beautiful tapestry. This knowledge invites us to rest in His sovereignty and to trust that He is orchestrating all things for His glory and our ultimate good. As we align ourselves with His purposes, we find peace and assurance in His unchanging faithfulness.

Philippians 1:6 (ESV): "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust that God is actively working? How can you cooperate with His work today?


Day 3: Embracing Jesus as Our Rescuer

Jesus came to rescue us from the bondage of sin, offering freedom and new life through His sacrifice. This act of love and redemption is central to the Christian faith, reminding us that salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn. Embracing this truth transforms our lives, compelling us to share the message of hope with others.

Understanding Jesus as our rescuer means acknowledging our need for Him and accepting the freedom He offers. It is a call to live in the light of His grace, letting go of the chains that once held us captive. As we experience His transformative power, we are moved to share this good news with those around us, inviting them to experience the same freedom and hope.

Colossians 1:13-14 (ESV): "He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you still feel bound by sin? How can you invite Jesus to bring His freedom and healing into that area today?


Day 4: Witnessing the Power of Jesus' Miracles

Jesus' miracles reveal His divine nature and authority, demonstrating that He can accomplish in an instant what we cannot achieve in a lifetime. These acts of power are not just historical events but continue to inspire faith and trust in His ability to intervene in our lives today. We are encouraged to seek His presence and power in our daily struggles, believing that He can bring about miraculous change.

The miracles of Jesus serve as a testament to His compassion and His desire to meet us in our need. They remind us that nothing is impossible for God and that He is able to do immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. As we face challenges and uncertainties, we are invited to bring our needs before Him, trusting in His power to work in ways that exceed our expectations.

Mark 5:34 (ESV): "And he said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need a miracle? How can you actively seek Jesus' presence and power in that situation today?


Day 5: Confronting Oppression with Christ's Love

Both the oppressed and oppressors are in need of transformation through Christ. The gospel challenges us to confront injustice with conviction, courage, and compassion, knowing that true change begins in the heart. As we engage with the world's brokenness, we are called to be agents of reconciliation, embodying the love and grace of Jesus in all we do.

Engaging with oppression requires us to see the world through the eyes of Christ, recognizing the dignity and worth of every individual. It calls us to stand against injustice and to work towards healing and restoration. As we do so, we are reminded that the ultimate transformation comes through the power of the gospel, which has the ability to change hearts and lives.

Isaiah 1:17 (ESV): "Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause."

Reflection: Who in your community is experiencing oppression or injustice? How can you be an agent of Christ's love and reconciliation in their life today?

1. "Most people do not understand who Jesus is. The true Jesus of the Bible is: 'The Christ who is the Son of God.' Let's develop under God’s teaching today so we can help people understand."


2. "Christians believe in the intrinsic value of every human being because we’re created in God’s image. Nothing negates that image and the value it instills in every human being, not even sin."


3. "The gospel has become distorted by oppressors who have taken Scripture out of context to justify their oppression. But Easter is about more than you know at this point."


4. "God the Father was working with God the Son to rescue humanity from its sin. Wow. God was working. He was in process with our rescue which came with redemption and true freedom from Heaven."


5. "Jesus was on the ground, in the world, working to free all the captives. As He moved in power then, He is moving in power now. The paralyzed man was living proof of God’s power."


6. "Jesus does in one moment what we cannot do in a lifetime. As Jesus carried out His ministry, He worked in total agreement with the Father, carrying out the will of the Father."


7. "The oppressors do not love. They allow hate to fuel their evil actions. The oppressed do not love. Their hate for the ones who persecute them fuels the same numbness. But Jesus makes all the difference."


8. "Look back in time. Jesus said, 'You will see greater things…' You will see the deaf hear, the blind see, and the dead raised. He is greater still."


9. "The church is the living proof of God’s power to save in a moment. Both the oppressed and oppressors can experience the truth if we engage the battle with conviction, courage, and compassion."


10. "Now I ask, what are you going to do about what you have heard? I would believe in the Lord Jesus to be rescued. I would tell His story to people who need transformation."