1. Be Real

This week we cover the most popular verse in the scriptures: John 3:16. It’s famous for a reason. The truth contained in this verse has led countless people to surrender their lives to Jesus and choose to follow him. As we study this verse we will be confronted with a picture of what it means to truly believe in Jesus. We will also ask ourselves if our life lines up with the truth we profess.

Discuss belief in Jesus together. What does it mean to put true belief in Jesus? If you believe in Jesus as your Savior? How did you come to this point? Was it quickly, or a journey over time?

2. Grow Together

Read this from the Bible together:

John 3:16-21
16 “For God so 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.”

‍

You will never asked to be saved unless you believe you need saving, and you can’t rejoice in your salvation unless you know what you’ve been saved from. Do you believe you need saving?

Look back at verses 20-21. Do you do wicked things, or do you do what is true? Do you come to the light or do you hide from the light?

Look at verse 16. Love is measured by what someone is willing to sacrifice for the object of their love. The word “so” in this verse either reveals the intensity of God’s love, or refers to His demonstration of it. What is your initial reaction to the grandness of God’s love for you—that he would give his one and only Son out of love for you? Awe and wonder? Disbelief?

3. Next Steps

Here is how scripture describes what belief in Jesus loks like:

• You believe in the name of Jesus. (John 3:18) Specific, not ambiguous.
• You believe Jesus is the Messiah. (John 20) Not just a good teacher, but your Savior.
• You confess with your mouth and believe in you heart that Jesus rose from the dead. (Romans 10:9) He is alive and has given you eternal life.
• Your belief is evidenced by your actions. (John 3:17-21, James 2:17) Faith without works is dead (meaning it’s not faith at all).
• Your belief is declared through baptism. (Mark 16:16) It’s an outward celebration of internal transformation.

What is your next step today? Do you need to believe one of these simple truths more deeply? Is it time for you to be baptized?