Life Group Discussion Guide
2.21.21
ONE Series

One Lord

Ephesians 4:5; Philippians 2:6-11
“Every tongue [will] acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord . . .”

OPEN
How has the week just behind us now affected you and those closest to you? Have you had the opportunity to ease anyone else’s burden during these difficult days?

NEXT
How do you react to the idea that much of the attraction to classic idolatry was linked to the innate desire of human beings to have personal contact with deity? Might it help explain the biblical episode recorded in Exodus 32?

First John 1:1-4 seems to go to great lengths to affirm that the experience John and his fellow-apostles had of Jesus was bodily in nature – not some sort of “spiritual vision” or “sense of divine presence.” Why was that critical for John to affirm? See 1 John 4:1-6.

Why is Son of God “incarnation language”? Was there a father-son relationship in the Godhead in eternity? Did one member of the Trinity bring the others into existence? What term did John use to refer to the pre-incarnate Christ? See John 1:1-5,14. Why do you think this term was chosen?

The King James Version’s “only begotten” as a description of Jesus is a mistaken translation of the word monogenēs. (See its use at John 1:14,18; 3:16,18.) “Only,” “one and only,” or “only begotten” miss something important about the word. For example, this word is used of Isaac in Hebrews 11:17. He was not, of course, Abraham’s “only” or “only begotten” son. He was, however, Abraham’s son with special standing and destined to fill a unique role in the divine plan for our redemption. What insight does this give you for the word’s significance?

The video suggests “matchless and incomparable” as a way to translate monogenēs. What word or phrase would you suggest? Explain why.

The term Lord (kurios = master, ruler, sovereign) is uniquely linked to Jesus. He not only accepted the title but also explained its practical significance to his followers in Luke 6:46 and Matthew 7:21-23. What do you understand from these verses?

CLOSING
Perhaps you have heard someone say: “I fear too many of us are trying to claim Jesus as ‘Savior’ who refuse to honor him as ‘Lord’!” What does that mean? Can the two relationships really be separated? Explain how you will honor both in the coming week?