Revelations 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with them, and he with me.”
Count off by fives.
Get together with your group. Pick a discussion Leader. Today, one of you leads the group.
Take 20 minutes.
You are to come up with group opinions on the following questions:
- How does Jesus knock?
- What is the door?
- How does Jesus speak to us (His voice)?
- How does the door get opened?
- What does it mean to eat with Jesus?
Show the graphic at the end to each group. It represents the simple story of why we all need to let Jesus into our lives so that we can have fellowship with our God.
Get back together and discuss key learnings.
Group Discussion Points
Group 1: How does Jesus knock?
Jesus speaks in figurative terms, no “real doors or knocking involved”
The knock may be the Holy Spirit providing conviction of some sin, a “conscience” of sorts, or inspiration and some inward guidance.
Jesus knocks by his Word (the Bible as we read it), providing a personal message.
Jesus knocks through others, as we observe them and as we hear then share the Gospel’s message.
Group 2: What is the door?
The door may very well be the human heart, mind or our faith.
Group 3: How does Jesus speak to us (His voice)?
Jesus’ voice or His speaking comes to us through inspired prayer. As we ask him to come into our lives, to remove the sin and to guide our lives by the work of the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.”
Group 4: How does the door get opened?
Opening the door is a sequence of steps and acknowledgements that we make:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a – Death is: Eternal separation from God.
People try a lot of things to try to get to Heaven. Good works won’t get you there; no one could ever do enough good stuff to make up for all their sins. They’ll still be sinning and the old sins will still be there. Look at John 14:6: “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
Fortunately, God loves us, despite the fact that we sin. How can we know for sure that He loves us?
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
- Acknowledge that you are a sinner
- Believe that Jesus died for your sins
- Ask for His forgiveness and for Jesus to take control of your life
- You will be saved.
That’s how easy it is to open the door!
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
“The same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Romans 10:12b-13
What does it mean to eat with Jesus?
To eat with Jesus is to live your life, not in fear, not in sadness but in the reassurance that you will be with our Lord forever. Remember, eating is a daily occurrence and necessary for our health and survival.
After groups present to each other, discuss the following areas:
- How does a person live without Jesus in their Life?
- How does a person live after the Door is Answered and Opened?
Prayer of Commitment
Dear God, I know that my sin has separated me from You, and I confess my sin. I’m sorry. I know that You love me and that You sent Jesus to die on the cross, in my place, taking the penalty for my sin. Thank You. Right now I ask You to come in and to take over my life. I give myself to You. Please begin to direct my life. Thank You for giving me eternal life. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.