I recently read the story of Wahid, a man from the nation of Iran who ran a dry-cleaning business and battled depression because of family problems. When friends told him about the Jesus he didn’t know, he was ready to receive the message. “It’s hard to explain what happened with me,” he recalled. “I could say that something changed in my heart. I felt a warmth deep inside of me. I had always thought my circumstances had to change for me to lose my depression, but when I found Jesus, I realized that I needed someone to change me from the inside to feel at peace; I needed Jesus.”

            When Wahid began attending an underground church, he received a threatening phone call and he felt his phone was being tapped. One night he was arrested and thrown into a prison ward so overcrowded that prisoners slept pressed against one another like sardines. Wahid was forced out of Iran and now serves the Lord in another nation. But his testimony is the same wherever he is: “I need Jesus. Without Jesus, I had no life, no hope. I can’t live without Jesus for one moment. None of us can.”¹

            I agree! We need Jesus. We need to know Him, and we need to know Him better. Billions of people don’t know Him at all; some have never even heard His name. I want The Jesus You May Not Know and the correlating online study guide to help introduce people to the Jesus they don’t know. If you don’t know Jesus as a personal friend, I want to introduce you to Him.

            Millions of people call themselves Christians today, but they only have a passing acquaintance with Jesus. They don’t know much about Him, and their own personal relationship with Him is remote, like a high school buddy or college roommate with whom they’ve grown distant over the years.

            If that’s true for you, I want to reconnect you with Jesus. That’s the purpose of this study. Because Jesus is the infinite God, there’s always more to learn about Him; and because He’s the best friend we can ever have, we can always grow closer to Him.

            The process begins with the Word of God. As I wrote in The Jeremiah Study Bible, whenever we study a passage of  Scripture we want to know three things: What does it say? What does it mean? What does it mean to us?

            Understanding this sequence will help you in leading or participating in a small group study based on The Jesus You May Not Know. This digital study guide is designed for individual or group use, and the ten lessons correspond to the ten chapters of the book. There is a study session based on each chapter, and each lesson follows the outline of the chapter. Also included are Scriptures to study, and some suggested questions for group interaction. It is recommended to read The Jesus You May Not Know book one chapter at a time, then use this guide to go deeper into each chapter, absorbing the contents with the rest of your group.

Each of the ten lessons are divided into three sections:

• LIFTING OFF – Ideas and questions to get the lesson off the ground.
• BLUE SKIES – A guided discussion of some high-altitude passages of Scripture used in each chapter.
• WHEELS DOWN – Take-away ideas to put into practice during the coming week. This is where the rubber meets the road. This is where we ask, “How can I apply this truth to my life immediately?”

            My ultimate hope and prayer is for those who don’t know Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior to realize their need, confess their sins, and proclaim Him as Lord of their life. And if we do know Him? Well, then we want to know Him better.

            Remember—Jesus is God, which means He is infinite, boundless, eternal, fathomless. We can never fully comprehend all the facets and aspects of His power, His personality, and His place in the highest heavens. No matter how much we think we know about Him, there is more to learn. Those of us who know Him as Savior are everlasting students. We’ll be sitting at His feet forever, always learning, always loving, always growing, always worshiping.

            Let’s start now!

            Welcome to The Jesus You May Not Know.

 

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¹ https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/i-cant-live-without-jesus-pastor-tells-of-gods-power-in-iranian-prison/.

LIFTING OFF

Amid the philosophies and religions of the world, two overwhelming concepts dominate the human mind. Either our existence ends at the moment of our death and we cease to exist; or we have life beyond the grave. Jesus promised everlasting life to those who receive the gift He attained for us on the cross. These two concepts aren’t just philosophical in nature. People who believe they cease to exist at the moment of death think and act in one way, and those who are assured of eternal life think and act in another. What are some major ways in which our belief or lack of belief regarding eternal life affects our everyday life now?

 

BLUE SKIES

1. Eternity in History: Jesus Loves Us

• Read Micah 5:2. What does this prophecy tell us about Christ?

• What did Jesus mean by His statement in John 8:58?

• Now read Deuteronomy 7:7-8. What do these verses teach you about God’s love for you?

 

2. Eternity in Our Heart: Jesus Longs for Us

• Read Ecclesiastes 3:11. What does this verse teach us about our longing for eternity?

 

• According to John 17:3, what is eternal life?

 

• Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “Eternal life is knowing God through Jesus Christ, and it brings eternity to your heart, flooding every part of your life with enjoyment, enlargement, and enrichment.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 14)
• Read Ephesians 1:3; 1 Peter 3:7; 1 Corinthians 4:8; and 2 Corinthians 8:9. Write down what these verses tell us about the abundant life God gives us now.

 

3. Eternity in Heaven: Jesus Lives for Us

• Luke was so amazed at the Ascension he gave us two accounts of it. Read Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:1-12. In your mind’s eye, imagine that moment. If you were an artist, how would you paint the Ascension?

• Based on this chapter in The Jesus You May Not Know, what are some of the things Jesus is doing in heaven at this very moment?

• Ephesians 1:20-22 tells us Jesus is reigning over the universe. How does this truth give you assurance and strength as you look at situations in your life, as well as at the world around you?

• Read Hebrews 7:25. What does Jesus do for us while He is in heaven?

• What does Hebrews 4:14-16 teach us about how we are to pray?

• Read Jude 1:24-25. What do these verses tell us Jesus is able to do for us?

• John 14:1-2 tells us Jesus is preparing a place for us. What are some facts you know about the place He is preparing for us?

 

WHEELS DOWN

If Jesus Christ is the Everlasting Lord, that can only mean one thing for us. He must be the Lord of our life. Many people have used three circles to illustrate how we relate to Christ. On a board or piece of paper, draw three circles. Create some symbols—a cross representing Christ. A dollar sign representing money. A golf club representing hobbies. Stick figures to represent your family. A desk representing your job.

• In the first circle, put all the symbols except the cross inside the circle. Draw the cross outside. This represents the life of someone who is building a life without Christ.
• In the second circle, put all the symbols inside the circle including the cross. Place the figures randomly with the cross among all the others. This represents the person who has included Christ as part of his or her life but who hasn’t yet realized or chosen the centrality of the Lordship of Christ.
• In the third circle, put the cross in the very middle and let the other elements radiate like spokes from the “hub” of Jesus. This is the person who has proclaimed Christ as Lord of his life, and everything else is secondary to Him, centered around Him, and subject to His Lordship.
• Which circle best represents your life?

LIFTING OFF

Do you know the term apologetics? When it comes to Christianity, this word does not mean we are apologetic about our faith. It’s a technical word from the Greek, which means “to make a defense.” The study of Christian apologetics involves presenting evidence for the truthfulness and reliability of Jesus Christ, the Bible, and the Christian message. If someone were to ask you, “How do you know the Bible is true?” or “How do you know Jesus was who He said He was?”—how would you answer? What points would you bring up in defense of your faith?

In this chapter, Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “You shouldn’t let yourself be plagued by doubts about Christianity being true. Let any scattered doubt drive you to discover convincing evidence, then trust Him based on the evidence. You’ll find that one of the greatest evidences for Christ is predictive prophecy. He shows up on every page of the Old Testament.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 42)

Read Luke 24:24-27 and John 5:46. What did Jesus claim about Himself?

 

BLUE SKIES

1. Jesus: The Seed of the Woman

• In this chapter, Dr. Jeremiah wrote: “The Old Testament is stockpiled with information about Christ. There are more than three hundred specific predictions about Him. Plus there are what we call types or pictures of Jesus—people, objects, or events that prefigure certain aspects of His work. Finally, on many occasions we discover the very presence of Jesus in the Old Testament. We call those Christophanies—appearances of Christ before His incarnation. We don’t have time for a thorough investigation of these hundreds of promises and pictures and portraits of Christ, but I’d like to showcase just a few of them.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 26)
• Read Genesis 3:15, the first Messianic prophecy in the Bible. To whom were these words spoken? By whom? How would you paraphrase this prophecy?

 

2. Jesus: The Passover Lamb

• In Exodus 12, the Passover Lamb is introduced. Compare the Passover Lamb to the statements made about Jesus in John 1:29 and 1 Peter 1:18-19.

 

3. Jesus: The Bronze Serpent

• Read Numbers 21:8-9 and John 3:14-15. How does the passage in John 3 connect to the passage in Numbers 21?

 

4. Jesus: The Forsaken Savior

• Read Psalm 22. This was written approximately a thousand years before Christ was crucified. Death by crucifixion had not been invented yet, but the writer of Psalm 22 describes the process in vivid detail. List a few examples from the verses below:
  • Verse 1 (see Matthew 27:46)

  • Verse 8 (see Matthew 27:43)

  • Verse 16 (see John 20:25)

  • Verse 18 (see John 19:23-24)

 

5. Jesus: The Suffering Servant

•  Read Isaiah 53:4-6. If you have time and would like to, read the entire chapter. Notice how verse 9 predicts the Messiah would be buried in the borrowed tomb of a rich man. Notice the prediction of the resurrection in verses 10-11.

 

6. Knowing Jesus From the Old Testament Reassures Our Faith

• Remember, the passages mentioned in the previous sections are only a portion of the vast collection of prophecies that describe the birth, life, ministry, personality, character, mission, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Everything about His life is foreshadowed in advance in the Old Testament.
• How does this impact your faith in Christ?

• In what setting would this be helpful in answering the questions of others—bringing them to a better understanding of the Jesus they may not know?

 

7. Knowing Jesus From the Old Testament Revives Our Heart

• Return to Luke 24:13-35. In what way did the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus impact the men on the road to Emmaus?

 

8. Knowing Jesus From the Old Testament Restores Our Hope

• In this section, Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “If all the promises relating to [Jesus’] first coming were fulfilled, we can be absolutely confident in His Second Coming, which is our great and glorious hope. Our God is very wealthy, very good, He always keeps His promises, and they are always fulfilled by the power of Jesus Christ.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 46)
• Look up the following verses and briefly jot down what they tell us about the return of Christ.
  • Acts 1:11
  • 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
  • 1 John 3:2
  • Revelation 1:7

 

WHEELS DOWN

Let’s end this lesson by talking about the role of anticipation in our emotional health. Has there been a time when anticipation kept you going through a rough patch? Have you ever persevered because you had something to look forward to? What are you anticipating right now? A vacation? The birth of a baby? How does anticipation affect your emotions? Now apply those lessons to the return of Christ. If we are really looking forward to His return, how should that anticipation change our attitudes, emotions, priorities, and purposes in life? What change do you most need to make today?

• End by reading one of these passages: 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 2 Peter 3:10-13, or Revelation 22:16-21. You might read it in unison in a group study or convert it into a personal prayer.

LIFTING OFF

The personality of Jesus Christ is so endlessly deep and so infinitely multifaceted that the Bible uses nearly three hundred names and titles to describe Him. It would be interesting to open this session by compiling a list. How many biblical names and titles of Jesus can you think of? Write the names down on a list. If your study group is composed of people who have studied Christ for years, you’ll have to limit the amount of time spent on this exercise because it could take up the entire session. If your group is made up of new Christians or unbelievers, you may need to suggest some titles or names and help the participants see how wonderfully the Bible presents this subject. Each name and title speak of a different aspect of our Lord Jesus—His personality and mission. Much of what we’ll be learning about Christ is crystalized in His names and titles. Here is a starting point for your list:

• Jesus—John 9:11
• The Nazarene—Matthew 2:23
• Immanuel—Matthew 1:23
• King of Kings—Revelation 19:16
• Lord of Glory—1 Corinthians 2:8
• The Lion of the Tribe of Judah—Revelation 5:5
• The Living Bread—John 6:51
• The Good Shepherd—John 10:11

One of the most poignant titles for Christ is Son. What emotion does the word son bring to you?

 

BLUE SKIES

Chapter 3 of The Jesus You May Not Know focuses on the various aspects of our Lord’s Sonship. The twin roles of Jesus as the “Son of God” and as “God the Son” are at the core of His identity, but did you know He was also called the Son of Mary? The two greatest mysteries of Christianity are:

• The Trinity—there is one God who eternally exists in three Persons.
• The Duality—there is one Person who exists with two natures. He has a divine nature (He is God) and a human nature (He is human).

These two mysteries define Christianity. Even though many people today disdain theology and want to “dumb down” the doctrinal truths of the Bible, this one is absolutely essential. Let’s look at the two aspects of this truth.

 

1. The Son of Mary

• Read Matthew 1:18-24. Was Jesus a human baby? Yes, He was fully human in every way, yet born of a virgin. Do you have trouble believing the concept of the virgin birth of Christ?

• In The Jesus You May Not Know, we read: “Mary was overshadowed by the power of God and she miraculously became pregnant. Jesus did not emanate from the seed of man. Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus. He entered the world from the realm of eternity. He was (and is and always will be) God; but with His miraculous conception and birth, He also became a man—the Son of Mary…. Jesus did not become two persons. He is one Person with two natures—both human and divine.” (The Jesus You May Not Know,  page 52)
• This is undoubtedly a miracle, but miracles are not illogical if one accepts the premise of the existence of God. Does Dr. Jeremiah’s explanation make sense to you? What questions does it bring to your mind?

• Read the following verses and write down what you learn about Jesus’ humanity from them.
  • Luke 2:7

• • John 4:6

  • Matthew 4:2

  • John 11:25

  • Luke 2:52

 

2. The Son of God

• The phrase “Son of God” is widely misunderstood. Before reading this chapter in The Jesus You May Not Know, how would you have explained it to another person?

• How does John 5:18 help us to understand the significance of this title?

• In this chapter, Dr. Jeremiah wrote: “The title ‘Son of God’ speaks of His deity—He is equal with God and possesses the attributes and qualities of God Himself. In other words, He is God.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 49)
• Do you think most people in the world understand the biblical teaching of the dual nature of Christ? What about most Christians? Have you ever been confused about the dual nature of Christ—that He is both God and man?

• Why is this vital to our entire belief system?

 

3. Jesus Shows Us God

• In John 14:8, Philip asks Jesus to show the disciples the Father. What is Jesus’ response to him in verse 9?

• In what way does studying the life of Jesus teach us more about God?

 

4. Jesus Saves Us From Our Sins

• Dr. Jeremiah says, “A mediator is someone who negotiates and brings peace between parties at odds with each other…. Perhaps most people don’t realize they’re in conflict with God, but every human heart is in rebellion against Him.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 60)
• Read 1 Timothy 2:5-6 and Romans 5:10. What do these verses teach us about Jesus’ role as Mediator?

 

5. Jesus Sets Us Free From Death

• According to Hebrews 2:14-15, how did Jesus set us free from death?

 

6. Jesus Sympathizes With Us in Our Weaknesses

• Because He became a Man, Jesus understands what we experience. How does Hebrews 4:15 assure us of this?

 

7. Jesus Strengthens Us in Times of Temptation

• Read Hebrews 2:17-18. Why is Jesus able to strengthen us when we are tempted?

 

WHEELS DOWN

The dual nature of Christ—both totally God and totally Man—may seem academic and of little relevance in our application-centered practical world. But it is of the highest importance that it be understood. Why is this belief (or doctrine) so important that people have died to defend it? What does it personally mean to you?

• How does it encourage you to know that Jesus Christ was fully human?

• How does it encourage you to know that Jesus Christ was fully God?

LIFTING OFF

Let’s begin with two very simple questions: Who was your favorite teacher? Why does this teacher stand out in your memory? There is no doubt that an effective teacher can truly change our life for the better. Consider this amazing fact, not commonly noticed by many Bible students. Jesus was called “Teacher” almost more than He was called anything else. Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “Do you realize Jesus was often addressed not as Jesus or Christ or Lord, but by His title of Teacher?… If you take a concordance and look up every time Jesus was addressed as ‘Teacher’ or ‘Rabbi,’ you’ll be surprised. More than 45 times Jesus is referred to in this role.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 73)

• In what way do you consider Jesus your personal Teacher? What has He been teaching you recently?

 

BLUE SKIES

1. Jesus: The Truth

• Read John 14:6. What do you think it means that Jesus is the Truth?

 

• This brings up the subject of objective truth vs. subjective truth. Our culture is prone to reject the nature of absolute truth. Everything is relative or subjective. This isn’t new, for even in the Gospel of John, Pontius Pilate sneered, “What is truth?” (John 18:38)
• What do you think is a major difference between those who believe truth is objective and those who believe it is relative, meaning it changes with the times without any absolute values?

• In light of the previous question, read what Jesus said in John 8:32.

 

2. Jesus: The Teacher

• In this section, Dr. Jeremiah mentions three ways in which Jesus’ teaching affects us. He says it challenges us, changes us, and cheers us.
• Read Matthew 5–7 and write down four commands that Jesus gave which challenge you.

• What makes the Sermon on the Mount such a challenging passage of Scripture for us as we live out our Christian walk?

• What does 2 Corinthians 3:18 tell us about how Jesus’ teaching changes us?

• How has your life been changed as you have read Jesus’ words?

• In this section, Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “No one has ever spoken such truthful words of cheer, joy, hope, and happiness as He did. His words have shaped history, changed destinies, saved sinners, touched children, moved kings and emperors and presidents, and penetrated the darkness of many a soul like a burning shaft of infinite light. When His ‘red letters’ are ‘read letters,’ they lift us above the aches of earth and set our eyes on things above.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 89)
• Do you have a favorite statement from Jesus—a truth or promise spoken from His lips that has encouraged you time and again? What is it?

 

WHEELS DOWN

• Read Luke 10:38-42. Are you more like Mary or Martha?

• In what practical way can you learn to sit at Jesus’ feet on a regular basis and choose “that good part”?

LIFTING OFF

Think of a time in your life when someone was seeking you. When you think of the concept of seeking another person, what comes to mind?

Have you ever sought out someone?

In this chapter of The Jesus You May Not Know, Dr. Jeremiah shares the story of Jesus’ encounter with the Woman at the Well from John 4.

 

BLUE SKIES

1. How Jesus Seeks Us

• Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “Jesus has no boundaries to His determination to come after us and bring us to Himself, and that’s the lesson of John 4. Once you know this story, you’ll never forget the lengths to which Jesus will go to find us while we’re strangers to Him.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 99)
• In what way did Jesus seek past the racial divide by traveling through the region of Samaria?

• What does Jesus ask for in John 4:7-8? How did His request cross a social division of that time period?

• Describe how Jesus crossed both cultural and moral divides as He spoke with the Woman at the Well. Why can these be difficult divides for us to cross when sharing the Gospel?

• Have you ever been the object of prejudice?

• As objectively as you can, ask yourself if you struggle with prejudice in your attitude or behavior toward others?

• Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “If we’re going to seek the lost like Jesus, we have to overcome barriers and take the Gospel to Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth—and we must do so compelled by the radical love of our Lord. That doesn’t mean we excuse or condone the actions of others, any more than Jesus condoned the moral failures of the woman by the well. It means we love them anyway and seek to give them the greatest gift in the world—the gift of forgiveness and eternal life.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 108)
• How do these words challenge you to seek others past various divides?

 

2. How Jesus Saves Us

• Read John 4:1-26. How did Jesus identify with the woman’s humanity in this passage?

• In verses 10-14, Jesus invites the woman’s curiosity. What questions did she ask Jesus in verses 11-12?

• How was Jesus guiding the conversation to the Good News?

• What does Jesus point out about the woman’s life in verses 16-18? Why was it important for the woman to recognize her own sin?

• In verse 20, the woman asks Jesus a question about where she should worship. How does Jesus answer her question in verses 21-24?

• What decision was the Woman at the Well confronted with at the end of her conversation with Jesus?

 

3. How Jesus Sends Us

• Read John 4:39-42. How did Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman change the lives of many in her town?

 

WHEELS DOWN

• In light of what we just considered, who is someone you need to seek and share the Gospel with today?

• List some Bible verses you know that talk about the Gospel and salvation. Familiarize yourself with these verses regularly so that you are equipped to share the Good News with others.

• Pray for God to provide opportunities for you to share the Gospel with the person you listed above.

LIFTING OFF

Have you or someone you know been a track and field athlete? One of the oldest events is the long jump. Athletes sprint down a track, leap onto a jumping board, and propel forward into a sandpit. There’s also a high jump in which athletes run down a short space of track and leap over a horizontal bar. In the pole vaulting competition, participants run with a long pole which catapults them feet first into the air and over a high bar. [Note: If someone in your group has competed in one of these events, it would be interesting to hear about it. If not, perhaps you could watch a brief example on your smartphone.] The point of the exercise is this—how far would we have to jump to clear the distance from earth to heaven and into God’s presence? When we think of it in literal terms, it seems ridiculous. Yet many people believe that in moral terms it is possible. They hope to be “good enough” to get to heaven.

That brings up the concept of an intercessor.

• Based on your study of chapter 6 in The Jesus You May Not Know, how would you define the word intercessor?

• Read 1 Timothy 2:5—it provides a clear definition of Christ’s role as Intercessor for us.
• The book of Hebrews focuses on the intercessory ministry of Christ. The writer of Hebrews was trying to encourage a group of discouraged believers, and he reminded them that Jesus is enough for all our needs. He is our Great High Priest and our ever-pleading Intercessor. This may be a new concept to you, but remember what Dr. Jeremiah wrote: “Among His current activities, Jesus is interceding for us. He prays for us. After Jesus accomplished all that was necessary for our redemption on the cross, He took His place at the right hand of the Father. For the last two thousand plus years, He has continued His ministry to us through intercession.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 121)

 

BLUE SKIES

1. Jesus Is Praying for Your Security

• Read John 17:11-15. Take notice of the words “keep” and “kept” as you read. How many times are these words mentioned?

• Dr. Jeremiah says in this section, “We don’t fully understand the spiritual warfare around us, nor do we know all the ways in which the devil accuses us before God. But we have the blood of Jesus Christ pleading for us, and we also have the intercession of the One whose blood was shed. In ways beyond our current knowledge, Jesus protects us from the evil one and shields us by His prayers and by the power of His blood. His prayers are a protective force around us as we make our way heavenward.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 129)
• How does Jesus protect us in the midst of the spiritual warfare going on around us?

 

2. Jesus Is Praying for Your Sufficiency

• Dr. Jeremiah continues, “If Jesus only prayed for our security, His prayers would be totally defensive in nature. But Jesus also longs for proactive, forward progress in our earthly life, and so He also prays for our sufficiency.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 129)
• Read John 17:13. What is Jesus praying will be fulfilled in us?

• How can we choose to be joyful based on this verse?

 

3. Jesus Is Praying for Your Maturity

• What does Jesus pray for us in John 17:17?

• How would you describe sanctification? What role does God’s Word play in this process?

 

4. Jesus Is Praying for Your Ministry

• Dr. Jeremiah says, “I believe the Lord Jesus Christ is also interceding earnestly for the personal ministry He has given you. In His great prayer in John 17, He told His Father, ‘As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world’ (verse 18).” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 133)
• How does Christ’s prayer for your ministry motivate you to share the Gospel?

 

5. Jesus Is Praying for Your Unity

• Why is it impossible for us to experience unity in our homes, churches, and friendships apart from Christ and His prayers for us?

 

6. Jesus Is Praying for Your Destiny

• What does Jesus pray for in John 17:24?

• How does this prayer give you hope for eternity?

 

WHEELS DOWN

• Read Colossians 4:12. What can we learn about intercessory prayer from Epaphras?

• The best way to begin praying for others is to begin now. If you’re in a group, take a few moments to ask for personal prayer requests and begin to pray for one another. If you’re using this for your own personal study, pause now and pray for someone as Epaphras prayed for his friends in Colossians 4:12. Let the end of this lesson be the beginning of a week of prayer and intercession.

LIFTING OFF

What was the greatest demonstration of power you have ever witnessed? There are many ways this could be answered, but see what comes to your mind first. If you are in a group setting, share the experience with the group.

• In your own life, when have you felt the most powerful? Again, there are many ways to answer this, but simply see what comes to your mind first.

• Here’s a final question to answer in a similar way: Who is the most powerful person you’ve ever met?

• Combine all those answers and multiply them by a billion and you are still nowhere close to conceptualizing the power possessed by Jesus Christ.
• After his opening story about powerful people, Dr. Jeremiah listed a series of verses about the power of Christ, which are printed below. Scan the list and circle the verse that most impresses you today.

 

• The message of the cross… is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18).
• With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits (Luke 4:36).
• God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power (Acts 10:38).
• The Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins (Matthew 9:6).
• The exceeding greatness of His power (Ephesians 1:19).
• The effective working of His power (Ephesians 3:7).
• His glorious power (Colossians 1:11).
• They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power (Matthew 24:30).
• Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power (Revelation 5:12).

 

• Why did you circle that particular verse?

 

BLUE SKIES

1. Jesus’ Great Works

His Power Over Storms

• Read Matthew 8:23-27.  Have you ever visualized yourself in that boat?

• Why do you think the Gospel writers gave us examples of our Lord’s power over storms?

• Do you have any storms in your life right now?

• Does it ever seem to you that the Lord is sleeping, instead of working on your behalf?

His Power Over Shortage

• Read John 6:5-14. What is the significance of verse 6? You might want to look this verse up in different translations. There is a powerful principle here that will apply to whatever you’re going through today. What do you take from this verse?

• Why do you think Jesus made “too much”—twelve baskets of bread and fish that were left over?

• Share a time when the powerful provisions of Jesus met a need in your life.

His Power Over Sickness

Read John 4:46-53. Think about how hard it was for the nobleman to return home. Can you try to identify with his emotions? What lesson did he learn?

• From Dr. Jeremiah’s teaching in this section of The Jesus You May Not Know, what answer would you give to someone who wonders why God doesn’t immediately heal everyone when they are battling sickness?

Review Dr. Jeremiah’s comment at the conclusion of this section of the chapter: “All those whom Jesus healed in the Gospels eventually grew ill, or old, and died. Even those He raised from the dead had to suffer through another death all over again. They weren’t resurrected in the sense of being given an eternally glorified body. But one day He will resurrect us in glory with ageless bodies, and then we’ll realize—as we should now accept by faith—that the sufferings of this present life are not worth comparing with the glories that will be revealed (Romans 8:18).” (The Jesus You May Not Know, pages 151-152)

His Power Over Satan

• Some of the most unusual stories in the Gospels involve demons. In particular, there seemed to be a flurry of demonic activity around Jesus as Satan and his invisible host of demons attempted to lure Him into temptation and sin. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in Matthew 4, what strategy did our Lord utilize?

• Think of a Bible verse that would come in handy the next time Satan tempts you in some area of weakness in your life. If you could memorize one verse to use as a defense against Satan and his temptations, what verse would you choose?

• Why not memorize it, if you haven’t already?

His Power Over Sadness

• In this section, Dr. Jeremiah points to five “Be of good cheer” passages in the Bible. Let’s review them:
  • Be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven ( Matthew 9:2).
  • Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well (Matthew 9:22).
  • Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid (Matthew 14:27).
  • Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world  (John 16:33).
  • Be of good cheer… you must also bear witness (Acts 23:11).

 

•  If you have time, go back and read these verses in their entirety. Which verse encourages you the most today? Why?

 

2. Our Greater Works

• Read John 14:12. In what way do we have a greater message than Jesus did?

• How do we have a greater ministry than Jesus did while He was here on earth?

• How has the advancement of technology helped in the distribution of the Gospel around the world?

 

WHEELS DOWN

End this lesson by reflecting on a moment when you experienced a powerful force working its energy on you. Perhaps it was the power of an automobile engine pressing you forward at a great speed. Perhaps it was the power of a river current as you swam or rafted. Perhaps it was the power of a medication working to overcome an infirmity in your body. When did you come face to face with a power greater than your own?

Now ask God to give you a fresh understanding of His power and might in your life. Thank Him  for His great works and for the greater works He has given you to do. Then, adapt Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 1:19-21 as your own, asking God to open your eyes to “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe” (verse 19).

LIFTING OFF

Christians have given certain chapters of the Bible their own names based on their content. For instance, 1 Corinthians 13 is known as the “Love Chapter,” and Hebrews 11 is known as the “Faith Chapter.” In this lesson we will focus on the “Resurrection Chapter,” 1 Corinthians 15.

Some people doubt the resurrection of Christ. They think His resurrection is a myth or that those who believe it have been brainwashed. But Christ’s resurrection is historically accurate, and, as we will discover in this lesson, it is central to our Christian life.

• What are some facts about the resurrection that you know from a previous study of God’s Word?

 

BLUE SKIES

1. The Facts of the Resurrection

• Read 1 Corinthians 15:5-11. List some of the people who saw Jesus after His resurrection from the dead.

• Continue reading in 1 Corinthians 15, verses 12-19. What does Paul tell us about the importance of the resurrection to our faith?

 

2. The Firstfruits of the Resurrection

• Read Leviticus 23:9-14. What commands did God give to the people of Israel in relation to the Feast of Firstfruits?

• Read 1 Corinthians 15:20-23. Whom is Christ the firstfruits of?

• In this section, Dr. Jeremiah finishes by saying, “At the resurrection of Christ, the effects of death were reversed by the omnipotent power of God. Jesus is the firstfruits of that, and our hope for eternal life is interlocked with His empty tomb. He’s the One we must follow, and if we follow Him in life, we will follow Him in resurrection glory.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 176)

 

3. The Foundation of the Resurrection

• Read 1 Corinthians 15:21-22. With Adam, the head of the natural race, what do we all have to face one day?

• Contrast that future with that of those who are Christ’s?

• What does it mean in verse 22 that “in Christ all shall be made alive”?

 

4. The Future Order of the Resurrection

• The resurrection of Christ was the first stage in the order of the resurrection. In what way is the resurrection of Jesus different from those who were raised to life in Scripture?

• The second stage of the resurrection is the resurrection of believers—our resurrection!

According to 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17, when will this resurrection occur, and what will happen in that moment?

• Those saved during the Tribulation will be resurrected at the end of that time, along with the Old Testament saints. What do Daniel 12:1-2 and Revelation 20:4 say about this resurrection?

• Read Revelation 20:12-13. Who is part of this third stage of the resurrection?

• When will this resurrection take place?

 

5. The Final Result of the Resurrection

• Read 1 Corinthians 15:24-28. What will make Jesus’ kingdom different from all human kingdoms?

• Dr. Jeremiah says, “Whether we realize it or not, death is always in the back of our mind. Maybe our kids are traveling. Maybe we feel a twinge in our chest…. But one of these days, our resurrected King will wrap the chains of eternity and the strength of His glorious power around death, and He will cast death and the devil into the Lake of Fire. Death will die. Death will be no more.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 188).
• How is death present in your mind each day, and how does 1 Corinthians 15 give you peace?

 

WHEELS DOWN

Dr. Jeremiah says, “The reality of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the centerpiece of world history and the core of Christian belief. It’s the nexus of our hope and happiness. It’s the most compelling truth any human being has ever heard or could ever conceive.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 168)

• When you think about our study of the resurrection in this lesson, what aspect of it brings you the most joy?

• If you are in a group, this would be a good time to share a few words regarding your own testimony. Let others know how and when Christ came into your life. How has the resurrection impacted you? Though it occurred two thousand years ago, its reverberations are still shaking the world and changing lives today, now more than ever.

LIFTING OFF

Finish this statement about yourself: “I am .”

Take a moment to consider why you chose that description or characteristic of yourself. In this chapter, Dr. Jeremiah traces the seven “I AM” statements from the life of Christ as recorded in the Gospel of John. The phrase, “I AM” was an Old Testament title for God (Exodus 3:13-14), which refers to God’s self-existence and to His eternal existence. That’s the sacred phrase Jesus assumed for Himself seven times in John’s Gospel. Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “When Jesus kept using the phrase ‘I AM’ to refer to Himself, His critics saw it as tremendous blasphemy; but the apostle John understood it as a tremendous blessing and kept track of it. As we read through the Gospel of John, we come face to face with seven great ‘I AM’ statements of Jesus. By studying them we can learn much about the nature of our Lord and His mission.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 193) This lesson will review these seven statements and see how they intersect with our own lives.

 

BLUE SKIES

1. “I Am the Bread of Life”

• Read John 6:35-58. What is your favorite food?

Just as your body yearns for good food, so does your mind and soul—your spirit.

• In this section, Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “As the Bread of Life, Christ is the spiritual food that gives us life, sustains us, and satisfies us. We partake of His spiritual nourishment when we come to Him, believe in Him, and receive Him as Savior. He satisfies our hungry heart.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 194)

• Frankly, this isn’t an easy analogy to understand and it takes some thought. That’s to be expected when the wisest Teacher in history is instructing us. Discuss and consider the meaning of the strange phrases in this passage about eating His flesh and drinking His blood. What do you think Jesus meant by that?

• What does He intend for us to learn?

• What does it mean when Jesus says, “I am the bread of ife”?

 

2. “I Am the Light of the World”

• Read John 8:12. The concept of light is one of John’s frequent images. Describe a time when Jesus lit up your life? How did He bring light into a dark day for you?

 

3. “I Am the Door”

• Read John 10:7. Dr. Jeremiah points out how the Middle Eastern shepherds often served as literal doors for the folds in which their flocks were placed. Can you visualize Jesus in this role?
• In what way has Jesus made your life more abundant (see John 10:10)?

 

4. “I Am the Good Shepherd”

• Read John 10:11. Now, read Psalm 23. Picture Jesus Christ as the literal Shepherd in this Psalm performing the various aspects of shepherding described in this Psalm. Which verse of Psalm 23 means the most to you right now and why?

 

5. “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

• Read John 11:25-26. In an earlier lesson, we looked at the story behind John 11—the resurrection of Lazarus. How do Jesus’ words to Martha in these verses give us hope for the future?

• Now read Philippians 3:20-21. What do these verses tell us about our future glorified bodies?

The Bible teaches that when we die, our souls go to heaven instantly if we know Christ as our Savior. Our bodies fall asleep on earth. But there is a soon-approaching day of resurrection when our bodies will be raised and glorified and reunited with our souls. We’ll be whole, perfect, and eternal!

 

6. “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”

• Read John 14:1-6. Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “This may be the most offensive statement Jesus ever made according to the thinking of the world around us. Secular society detests the exclusivity of the Gospel. Our culture wants to believe there are many ways to God. ‘All religions are equally valid,’ they say. ‘Why should Christians be so bigoted and narrow-minded as to claim Jesus is the only way?’” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 210)
• Have you ever had someone ask you a question like that or resent the fact that Jesus stated He was the only way to God? When and where did you have that discussion? What was the outcome?

• This is truly a remarkable passage. When Jesus told us that our heart shouldn’t be troubled, it was based on His own powerful identity. Compare John 14:1-6 with

John 14:27. In what way do these passages give you comfort and peace?

 

7. “I Am the True Vine”

• Read John 15:1-8. What does it mean to you to abide" in Christ”?

• Dr. Jeremiah wrote, “When we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to reproduce in us the love of Jesus Christ, and that is the mark of discipleship—the thing that distinguishes His followers from everyone else on earth.” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 213)
• In what way is the love of Christ being channeled through you?

 

WHEELS DOWN

Someone once said, “Because of I AM, I am.” What do you think they meant by that? Of the seven “I AM” statements of Christ, which attribute gives you the most comfort as you face the week before you? Why?

LIFTING OFF

Dr. Jeremiah opens the last chapter of The Jesus You May Not Know by saying, “In the final chapter of this book, I want to tell you about the King of Heaven whose power is absolute, whose reign is infinite, whose throne is unconquerable. He is an indescribable King, for He eternally reigns without beginning of days or ending of life, yet He is said to have been born a King, and He died a King. He is the epitome of humility, yet the Bible calls Him ‘the ruler over the kings of the earth’ (Revelation 1:5).” (The Jesus You May Not Know, 218)

• Have you ever visited a castle or palace? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in such a place?

• There aren’t many kings in our world today. There are heads of state and dictators; there are presidents and prime ministers. But all of them cling to power for a short period of time, then they’re gone. Only Jesus provides us with the splendor of everlasting sovereignty.
• In this lesson, we’ll look at two aspects of our Lord’s kingship—His royal titles and His regal throne.

 

BLUE SKIES

1. His Royal Titles

• Jesus was first introduced to us in the Gospel of Matthew as the “King of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2). This was also the way He died (Matthew 27:37).
• In counseling, one frequently asked question is: What would you like to be inscribed on your tombstone? Many cemeteries no longer accommodate tombstones, but the question is still valid. The inscription above the head of Jesus on the cross was effectively His tombstone. In the same way, it would be a useful exercise for us to consider how we want to be remembered. If you could have only one sentence inscribed on your grave marker, what would it be?

• Jesus is also called the King of kings (Revelation 19:16). Perhaps you follow the political news of the day, which can tie us into knots. How does it help you process the unfolding events of the nation and world by remembering this title of Christ?

 

• The Bible speaks of the Kingdom of God and of the Kingdom of Heaven. Dr. Jeremiah discusses this in the section that deals with Christ as King Over All the Earth. Dr. Jeremiah quoted George Eldon Ladd who said, “The Kingdom is a present reality (Matt. 12:28), and yet it is a future blessing (1 Cor. 15:50)”? (The Jesus You May Not Know, pages 225-226) What do you think Dr. Ladd meant by that statement?

• As Dr. Jeremiah points out, Jesus is also known as the King of Righteousness and the King of Peace. These titles are bound up in the strange and wondrous story of Melchizedek. Take time to review this story in Genesis 14:18-20 and Hebrews 7:1-10.
• Since Jesus is the King of Peace, there may have been a time in your life when His peace reigned over a difficult situation. Can you recall and describe that experience?

• Since He is King of Righteousness, there may have been a time in your life when He kept you from a disastrous mistake or tragic sin. Can you recollect and share that experience?

 

2. His Regal Throne

• The subject of the throne of God in heaven occupies a considerable portion of biblical text. Take a moment to review Isaiah 6:1-8 and Revelation 4:1-8.
• What elements are common to both passages?

• Read Revelation 22:1-5. According to this passage, where is the throne of God located? Think about visiting the throne of God in heaven throughout eternity—coming and going, up and down the golden streets and by the flowing waters of the crystal river. This isn’t simply symbolic language. This is a literal description of a literal city with a literal throne.
• The Bible teaches that Jesus is seated on the heavenly throne right now. In this section of The Jesus You May Not Know, Dr. Jeremiah focuses on four ways this should affect our lives now.
  • First, we should praise Jesus with all our heart. Try looking upward toward the sky and picturing the throne of God above your head, established eternally in the heavens. How would that imagery better inspire your worship? When you think of hymns, which song is the most inspirational in its praise to God? 

  • Second, we should bring Him all our needs.
  • Read Hebrews 4:16. Why is God’s throne known as a “throne of grace” and why should we come “boldly” before it?

  • Third, because Jesus is enthroned, we can trust Him in all our circumstances.
  • Read Psalm 9:7-10 and Roman 8:28-34. What assurance do you find from reading these verses about God’s protective and guiding presence in our lives?

  • Fourth, we can anticipate eternity. This brings us back to Revelation 22:1-5. Why do we so seldom meditate on heaven? What does Colossians 3:1-2 tell us about this?

 

WHEELS DOWN

As we conclude our discussion of The Jesus You May Not Know, here’s the final question: In the course of this study, what did you learn about Jesus that you didn’t previously know, and what difference has it made in your life?

Remember Dr. Jeremiah’s final words in this book: “If you know Him as Savior, devote your life to getting to know Him better. If you don’t know Him, it’s time to meet Him right now. You can pray, ‘Lord, I have learned some things about You, but now I want to know You personally as my Lord and Savior. I confess my sins and receive Your gift of eternal life. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus!’” (The Jesus You May Not Know, page 239)

 

May God bless you in your quest to know His beloved Son better, and may Jesus bless you in your walk with Him each day, as you live in expectation of praising Him for all eternity around His heavenly throne!