Seven #1 Reasons, First Reason

Numerous times in the scripture, the reason Jesus came is stated precisely. And those reasons, precise as they are, differ throughout the New Testament. Depending on to whom or where Jesus was speaking or by whom he was being spoken of, the reasons for his coming range from providing us with the best imaginable life, destroying the work and progress of the Devil to what we discuss this week, fulfilling the Law and the Prophets.

As we begin, note for your group throughout this series that this is an invitation to talk about what Jesus came to do and how that relates to our modern context. It's one thing to talk about what Jesus did historically, like a group might come together and study the historicity of Napoleon. But Napoleon didn't promise to be "with us always, even till the end of the age". A historical study over the next 7 weeks about "what jesus said He came to do" will be of great value, but still misses the point. If we don't find out how to live in what we find today, then all we got was some information (we could provide that online and save you, the leader, the trouble of meeting!).

So, be mindful that what we discover over the next several weeks leading up to Easter has everything to do with transformation. With belief, and disbelief and the ability to see the Spirit of God working in 2011, not just "back then".

Thaw

• What's the strangest rule you have ever come across?
• Why do you think it was put in place?
• What was the spirit of that rule?

• What has stayed with you most from the message Sunday?

Read

• Matthew 5:17
• Thoughts?
• What are the benefits and difficulties that comes from Jesus fulfilling (filling up, satisfying) the Law and the Prophets?
• Does this mean Christians don't have any rules to follow?

Leader note: Hold on tight. It's possible the group will divide in two over the answer to this question. Some believe that all the rules have been rendered meaningless in light of Christ, and they have their verses for believing it. Others believe that the slope is made harmfully slippery by saying that the law (such as The 10 Commandments) has been fulfilled and so believe that though we are "saved by grace", we still have to follow the rules. The first group can't imagine a Christianity with rule-keeping. The second can't imagine how you live for God without adherence to Law.

Don't see this as a time to figure out which camp, if camps indeed form, is right (and to be sure, there are more than two camps than nestle in between the extremes presented above...). See this as a time to discuss how we arrive at these conclusions, what the implications are in either direction, and what we do going forward with disagreement-yet-faith in Christ.

• How do we decide what rules to follow, enforce, etc?
• In light of how that question was answered, go back and ask what Matthew 5:17 means to your discussion.

Leader note: Ask the group, if discussion merits it, "was Jesus successful in accomplishing his mission?" Yes...that's loaded. But it helps frame the discussion around whether or Jesus did what he came to do, and how that affects or orientation around things like commandments, punishments for sinners, what we allow, what we reject, and how we go about doing all of this in accord with "the Law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). "Yes" as an answer means we have to rethink how we are going to live our lives with each other when we certainly live among those who sin. "No" or "not yet" changes how we understand Jesus living and dying on the cross, as it would certainly mean that there was more to do after his dying words, "It is finished".

Read

• Romans 13:10
• Thoughts?
• How does this apply to what Jesus did in his life, death and resurrection?

Leader note: You may want to reference Matthew 7:12 as well.

• How does His work on the cross on our life of love tie together?

Read

• Colossians 1:15-23
• Thoughts?
• Verse 23 starts with the word "if". The law has been fulfilled for us, yet there is still a role that we must play. What is Paul saying?
• What is he not saying?

Apply

• What does all this mean in a modern context? How does this affect how we think about God and ourselves?
• How does this affect how we think about and live with others?
• Why would someone go on living as though the law was to be satisfied by their own morality?
• What does it cost us to allow Christ to fulfill the law and for us to submit ourselves to him?

Leader note: Romans 10:1-4 is pertinent here.

• Does anyone in this group feel as though they need to step toward Christ and away from managing their own guilt, brokenness and sin?
• What step are you willing to take, and how can the group support you?