Initiate
A video introduction using illustrations, personal stories, metaphors, or active learning examples to begin the discussion.
Interact
After the video, prompts are supplied for thinking and sharing with others personal perception and experience. This opening activity prompts participants to think about and relate to the topic, and to share with others
A grocery store study offered shoppers samples of jam at two displays. One table offered 6 flavors, while another offered 24 flavors.
Which display do you think sold more jam? (Answer: The display with 6 flavors)
Think about The Paradox of Choice. Psychologist Barry Schwartz, in his research on The Paradox of Choice, found something surprising. When people are given many options, they often experience more stress, more uncertainty, and more regret than when they are given only a few choices.
What do you think? Is this true for you?
Would it be easier to choose from 4–6 options, or from 20 or more options?
1) Choosing a college major or career path
2) Choosing food from a restaurant menu
3) Choosing a summer travel destination
Options can bring opportunity, creativity, and exploration. But too many options can also overwhelm us and make us less certain about the choices we make.
Listen to the words of Jesus in John 14 and explore the options and the clarity of choices that we are invited to make. (Much like your phone password or your locker combination, there is only one way.)
Insight
The Bible discussion begins with a careful reading of the whole passage, either from your own Bibles, or from the provided images below.
Then participants are to ask:
- What is going on in this passage of Scripture?
- What are the key words and phrases? Highlight them.
- Why do you think this passage is included in the Bible?
- What does it contribute to our “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ”?
The conversation reveals how easily people can miss what has been right in front of them. Thomas speaks honestly: “Lord, we do not know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answers with one of His clearest statements: I am the way and the truth and the life. The disciples were looking for direction, but Jesus points to Himself. The way to God is not a route to discover but a person to know (Acts 4:12).
Philip then asks for something many people still desire: “Show us the father and that will be enough.” It sounds reasonable. Yet Jesus’ response which might surprise the disciples and people today was: Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. What does that statement mean to you today? In all of the options and ways to pursue your life, Jesus claims to be the only option. Consider the words in Hebrews 1:1-3 and ask yourself what it means, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”
Insight Out
A parting video clip with a personal invitation to apply the message to “knowing Christ” and “living in Christ” in the coming week.