Series: Man, Myth, or Messiah – Jesus: The Only Way to God? / True or False

ICEBREAKER

Ask: Have you ever strongly believed something… only to later realize you were completely wrong?

Then ask:

• Why do you think people resist absolute truth today?
• Do you think truth should be personal (what feels right) or fixed (unchanging)? Why?

SAY:
“Jesus made some bold and even uncomfortable statements—but none more controversial than this: ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.’ The question isn’t just what He said… it’s whether we believe it’s true.”

SECTION 1: IS IT NARROW-MINDED TO SAY JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY?

READ John 14:6 (NIV)
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

READ 2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NIV)
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Discuss

1. Why does Jesus’ statement in John 14:6 feel offensive or exclusive to people today?

2. The message says: “It’s only narrow-minded if Jesus is wrong.”
   How does that perspective challenge the way people view truth?

3. What’s the difference between being intolerant and simply believing something is true?

SECTION 2: ARE THERE MANY WAYS TO GOD?

READ Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV)
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

READ Titus 3:5 (NIV)
”He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,”

READ Matthew 7:22–23 (NIV)
"On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’"

Discuss

1. Why do people tend to prefer the idea of a “faith buffet”—picking and choosing beliefs?

2. Looking at these verses, what do they clearly say does not save us?

3. Why is it important to understand that salvation is a gift, not something we earn?

4. Which is harder for people to accept:
   • That good works aren’t enough
   • Or that we are completely dependent on grace
   Why?

SECTION 3: WHY WAS THERE NO OTHER WAY?

READ Matthew 26:39, 42 (NIV)
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
“He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’”

READ Luke 22:44 (NIV)
”And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.”

Discuss

1. What does Jesus’ prayer in the Garden reveal about the cost of the cross?

2. The message points out that Jesus asked if there was another way—and the answer was no.
   Why is that so significant?

3. How does understanding Jesus’ suffering change the way you view sin and salvation?

4. What stands out to you about Jesus choosing obedience even in extreme anguish?
   

SECTION 4: WHAT DOES IT MEAN THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY?

READ Genesis 3:15 (NIV)
”And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

READ Romans 16:20 (NIV)
“The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”

Discuss

1. How does the imagery of crushing the serpent connect from Genesis to Jesus’ victory?

2. The message says other religions or efforts won’t lead to salvation.
   Why is it important to be clear on this—even when it’s unpopular?

3. What’s the danger of trying to “mix” Christianity with other beliefs?

4. How does Jesus being the only way actually bring clarity and hope instead of limitation?

SECTION 5: WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH THIS TRUTH?

Discuss

1. The message ends with: “You decide.”
   Why does following Jesus require a personal decision?

2. Why do people sometimes avoid making a clear decision about Jesus?

3. What does it look like in real life to fully trust Jesus as the way—not just a way?

FINAL THOUGHTS:

• What is one area where you need to fully trust Jesus this week?
• Who is someone in your life that needs to hear the truth about Jesus?

PRAYER TIME:

• Thank Jesus for being the only way to salvation
• Confession of sin and dependence on grace
• Boldness to stand on truth with love
• Pray for specific people to come to know Jesus