Participants Guide FINAL

PARTICIPA NT ’ S GU ID E

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Acknowledgements

The first edition of Discovering Jesus was originally launched in 2014 and so it is with honour, appreciation and a grateful heart that we thank all those who contributed to the original resource. Your prayers, encouragement and commitment helped lay a foundation that continues to bear fruit.

Thank you to the original authors, Clive Thorne and Robin Thomson, and to all those who contributed to previous editions.

More than a decade later, we have prayerfully sought to discern what is needed for this season. Our desire is that this course will be truly accessible – whether to those who are encountering Jesus for the very first time or to those who have already begun to know Him. We thank Interserve and Fusion for partnering with us on this so generously.

Above all, we give glory and thanks to Jesus, whose wisdom, guidance and unfailing love continue to inspire and sustain this work. It is our prayer that Discovering Jesus will be a blessing to many, opening the way for countless lives to experience His transforming love and hope for the future.

First edition published by The Good Book Company 2014 © South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance 2025 Evangelical Alliance, 176 Copenhagen Street, London, N1 0ST Unless indicated, all Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Used by permission.

Images in this booklet are stock photos; the people pictured are used for illustrative purposes only.

Design by danielwatsondesign.co.uk eauk.org/discoveringjesus

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6 Introduction to the course 9 General session guidelines 10 Session 1: Who is Jesus?

11 Session 2: History of the Christian faith 13 Session 3: Jesus' death and resurrection 14 Session 4: Overcoming Evil 15 Session 5: Do all religions lead to the same God? 16 Session 6: Does God really speak today?

18 Session 7: Following Jesus 19 Session 8: Who is the Holy Spirit?

20 What happens next?

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OVERCOMING EVIL

Session 4 14

Welcome and prayer Learning objective: By the end of this session, you should be able to understand God’s view on what is evil.

Leader question: What is your understanding of the word evil?

Video teaching: What is evil and how do we overcome evil with good?

Reflect and discuss: Having watched the video: • What surprised you the most?

• Has your perspective on how we overcome evil changed?

Where could you be more aware of this perhaps in your own life?

• Is there anything you need more clarity on?

Personal reflection: What is your main takeaway, sense, feeling, question or thought from this session?

Prayer: End with a time of prayer.

15–20-minute weekly challenge: • Try writing a prayer – ‘a short letter to God’ – if you feel comfortable to do that. Perhaps you could ask for help for yourself or someone else.

DO ALL RELIGIONS LEAD TO THE SAME GOD?

Session 5

Welcome and prayer Learning objective: By the end of this session, you should understand that Jesus is the only way to God and how being ‘good’ on your own doesn’t work.

Leader question: Do you think Jesus is the only way to reach God? Do you think all religions lead to God? Video teaching: Is Jesus the only way to reach God and isn’t it enough to just be a good person?

Reflect and discuss: Having watched the video: • What surprised you the most?

• By whose standard are we good, if we all view good di!erently?

• Where might you have thought you are a ‘good person’ and now might view this di!erently?

• Is there anything you need more clarity on?

Personal reflection: What is your main takeaway, sense, feeling, question or thought from this session?

Prayer: End with a time of prayer.

15–20-minute weekly challenge: 1. Think about what it means to be ‘good’. What are some of the ways you have been affirmed that you are ‘good’ by others? Eg affirmation, accolades, recognition, success.

2. Where might you have got things wrong and what was the reaction? Eg you felt shame, not good enough, rejection or something else.

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