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
If you could only choose four of these ten moments to tell Nelson Mandela’s and Malala Yousafzai story, which would you choose? Which moment best reveals who he/she really was, and why?
| Nelson Mandela | Malala Yousafzai |
|---|---|
| 1. Born into a royal family – Learned leadership early. | 1. Born in Pakistan – Raised to value education. |
| 2. Moved to Johannesburg – Witnessed injustice firsthand. | 2. Encouraged by her father – Learned to speak up with courage. |
| 3. Became a lawyer – Defended people facing discrimination. | 3. Spoke out for girls’ education – Believed every child should go to school. |
| 4. Joined the freedom movement – Worked to end apartheid. | 4. Shared her story with the world – Wrote about life under Taliban rule. |
| 5. Sentenced to life in prison – Suffered for his convictions. | 5. Survived an assassination attempt – Shot for standing up for education. |
| 6. Spent 27 years in prison – Grew in patience, character, and hope. | 6. Continued speaking with courage – Refused to be silenced. |
| 7. Became South Africa’s first Black president – Helped unite the nation. | 7. Won the Nobel Peace Prize – Became the youngest recipient ever. |
| 8. Chose forgiveness over revenge – Became a global symbol of peace. | 8. Continues leading the Malala Fund – Helps girls around the world receive an education. |
Now consider the conundrum John faced as he wrote the story of Jesus. What was his ultimate purpose?
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”?
John closes his Gospel, at least before the final chapter, by telling us exactly why he wrote it. Jesus did many other miracles that were never recorded, but John was not trying to write a complete biography. Instead, he carefully chose the stories that answer one big question: Who is Jesus? Every miracle, conversation, and encounter point to the same answer. Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of God (Matthew 16:16; John 1:14).
But John wants more than to give us information. He wants to invite us into a relationship with Jesus. He writes, “These are written that you may believe…and that by believing you may have life in his name.” In the Bible, believing is more than knowing the facts about Jesus. It means trusting Him, following Him, and experiencing the life only He can give. John begins his Gospel by introducing Jesus as the source of life (John 1:4), and he ends with the same invitation. The story is not truly complete until each of us responds. Will you trust Him and discover the life He came to give? (John 10:10; 1 John 5:11–12).
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.