Go Deep

Week 5 Recap

In this week's lesson, we explored who Jesus really is — not just a good teacher, but God himself who entered human history, died on a Roman cross, and rose from the dead.

Key themes from Week 5:

• Jesus isn't a good option — he's either who he said he is, or he's irrelevant
• Philippians 2:5-11 (the "Christ Hymn") shows the pattern: equal with God → self-emptying → servant → death → exalted above everything
• The Greek word kenosis means "self-emptying" — Jesus didn't just come down, he poured himself out
• 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 lists eyewitnesses to the resurrection — Peter, the Twelve, 500 people, James, Paul
• Christianity stands or falls on a historical event, not a nice story
• Paul was killing Christians before he met Jesus — he didn't want to believe, he *had* to

Core Question for Reflection

If someone asked you "who is Jesus?" right now, what would you say?

Not what you've heard at church. Not the "right" answer. What do YOU actually believe about Jesus right now?

Questions to Help You Dig Deeper

1. Follow My Teachings vs. Follow ME

   Jesus didn't say "follow my teachings." He said "follow ME." What's the difference? Why is one easier to accept than the other?

   • A teacher gives you information. What does a person who says "follow ME" give you?
   • What keeps you from following a person instead of just their ideas?
   • If Jesus is who he says he is, what does following him actually look like in your daily life?
2. The Kenosis Challenge

   Kenosis means "self-emptying." Jesus emptied himself — his throne, his glory, his rights — to become a servant and die for you.

   What are you holding onto that you don't want to let go of?

   • Control?
   • Pride?
   • A relationship?
   • An image you've built?
   • Comfort?
   • Anger?

   What would it actually look like to empty yourself the way Jesus did?

3. Eyewitness Evidence

   1 Corinthians 15 reads like a lawyer presenting evidence. Paul lists specific people who saw the risen Jesus — and many were still alive when he wrote it. Anyone reading his letter could track them down and verify.

   • If this is real history and not mythology, what does it demand of you?
   • Paul was a skeptic who became a follower. What would it take to change YOUR mind about something that dramatically?
4. Superhero vs. Savior

   Superheroes save people in stories. Jesus claimed to save people in real life. Both involve sacrifice and rescue. What's the difference that actually matters?

   • Why do you think people are more comfortable talking about superheroes than about Jesus?
   • What happens if you ignore a superhero? What happens if you ignore Jesus?

Personal Application

This week, I will...

Choose ONE concrete action to take based on your reflections:

• Ask someone who doesn't go to church: "What do you think about Jesus?" Just listen. Write down what they said.
• Read Philippians 2:5-11 out loud every day this week — notice the shape of the poem
• Fill out the Kenosis Challenge: name one thing you're holding onto and what letting go would look like
• Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-8 and treat it like evidence — what questions would you ask an eyewitness?

Write your action here:

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How I'm Growing

On a scale of 1–10, how convinced are you that Jesus rose from the dead?

• 1 = I don't believe it at all
• 5 = I want to believe it but I have real doubts
• 10 = I'm fully convinced — this is history

Why did you choose that number?

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What's one thing that could move you one number higher?

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The Creed: Jesus Christ, His Only Son, Our Lord

The Creed doesn't say "Jesus was a great teacher." It says he is God's only Son, our Lord, and that he rose again. Christianity stands or falls on a historical event, not a nice idea.

Next Steps

If you're ready to follow Jesus — or take a next step toward him:

• Tell a trusted adult or mentor what you're thinking
• Read the Gospel of John (start with chapter 1) — it was written so you'd believe
• Come back next week ready to learn about the Holy Spirit — the one Jesus sent to help you

If you're still figuring it out, that's okay. You're in the right place. Keep asking questions.

Bonus: Journal Prompt

Paul went from killing Christians to becoming one — and writing half the New Testament. What do you think that moment was like when he realized Jesus was real?

Write it here, and come back to it next week.

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