Truly Knowing Jesus [Minds To Understand] Discussion Guide

Summary

In this sermon, Jonathan continues a series on truly knowing Jesus, moving beyond surface-level faith into a deeper, transformative relationship. Using the analogy of a hiker who needs a local guide rather than just a map, the message challenges us to stop depending solely on our own understanding and instead trust Jesus as the one who sees what we cannot see. Drawing from Proverbs 3:5-6, Jonathan emphasizes that our own reasoning is like a two-dimensional map in a three-dimensional spiritual reality, and that real navigation requires trusting the guide.

The sermon digs into 1 Corinthians 1-2 and Colossians 1 to show that God's wisdom, revealed through the cross, looks like foolishness to the world but is actually the very power of God. Paul's message to the Corinthians reveals that truly knowing Jesus requires the Holy Spirit, who gives us access to the mind of Christ. Jonathan outlines five practical steps for growing in this knowledge: asking God for spiritual wisdom, aligning our living with what we are learning, continuing to grow in our knowing, drawing strength from Jesus for the long journey, and living in gratitude for what we have freely received.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hands and open hearts. We admit that it is easy to settle for knowing about You rather than truly knowing You. As we look into Your Word, we ask that You do something deeper in each of us. Holy Spirit, quiet the noise in our minds, set aside our pride, and help us receive what You want to say to us today. We do not want a surface-level faith. We want the kind of knowing that transforms us from the inside out. Give us the mind of Christ as we discuss Your Word together, and let this time draw each of us closer to You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Ice Breaker

Think of someone in your life who you know really well, not just know about. What is one thing about truly knowing that person that you could never have learned from just hearing about them?

Key Verses

- Proverbs 3:5-6
- 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
- 1 Corinthians 2:7-16
- Romans 12:2
- Colossians 1:9-12

Questions

- Jonathan used the image of a hiker with a map who needs a local guide. In what areas of your life have you been relying on your own 'map' rather than trusting Jesus as your guide?
- Proverbs 3:5-6 says to 'trust in the Lord with all your heart' and to 'not depend on your own understanding.' What does depending on your own understanding actually look like in everyday life, and how does it get in the way of truly knowing Jesus?
- Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that 'the message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction, but we who are being saved know it is the very power of God.' Why do you think the cross looks like foolishness to the world, and how has your own understanding of the cross changed over time?
- The sermon pointed out that God intentionally designed salvation in a way that cannot be earned or fueled by human pride. How does truly understanding the cross challenge the values the world tells us to pursue, like status, success, and self-sufficiency?
- 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 says that 'we have the mind of Christ.' What does it practically mean to you that you already have access to the mind of Christ through the Holy Spirit? Does that feel real to you right now, why or why not?
- Jonathan described five steps for growing in our knowing of Jesus: asking for spiritual wisdom, aligning our living with what we are learning, continuing to grow, drawing strength from Him, and living in gratitude. Which of these five feels most challenging for you personally, and why?
- Romans 12:2 says God transforms us 'by changing the way you think.' Can you share a time when your thinking about something, whether about yourself, others, or a situation, was genuinely changed by encountering Jesus more deeply?
- The sermon closed with the challenge that truly knowing Jesus always produces fruit, including love, humility, forgiveness, and courage. Where do you see evidence of that fruit growing in your life, and where do you sense the Holy Spirit is still working to produce more of it?

Life Application

This week, choose one specific area of your life where you have been depending on your own understanding rather than trusting Jesus. Each day, bring that area to God in prayer and ask Him specifically: 'Lord, help me to see this the way You see it. Give me Your wisdom, not just my own reasoning.' At the end of the week, journal or reflect on any shifts in your perspective, no matter how small. The goal is not to have everything figured out, but to practice the posture of trusting the guide.

Key Takeaways

- Truly knowing Jesus goes far beyond knowing facts about Him. It is a transformative, ongoing relationship that requires the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to who Jesus really is.
- The wisdom of the cross looks like foolishness to the world, but it is actually God's greatest display of power and love. Understanding this requires letting our entire value system be reoriented around Jesus.
- We cannot think our way into deep spiritual knowledge on our own. The Holy Spirit is the one who reveals the deep things of God to our spirits, and we must ask for and receive that revelation.
- Because we belong to Jesus, we already have access to the mind of Christ right now. This means we can begin to see people and circumstances the way Jesus sees them as we are transformed by knowing Him.
- Growing in our knowledge of Jesus is a lifelong journey that involves asking for wisdom, aligning our lives with what we are learning, drawing strength from Him, and living in gratitude for the grace we have freely received.

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for this time together and for the truth of Your Word. We confess that we have often settled for knowing about You rather than truly knowing You. We ask You now to do the deeper work in each of us. Holy Spirit, continue to open our eyes to who Jesus really is. Renew our minds so that we begin to see people, circumstances, and ourselves the way He sees them. Where we have been proud, make us humble. Where we have been self-reliant, teach us to trust. Where we have been grateful only in easy seasons, give us a joy that runs deeper than our circumstances. We receive the mind of Christ. We receive Your wisdom. And we trust that You are faithful to complete the work You have begun in each of us. In the precious name of Jesus, amen.