Leader Guide
God’s Word is alive—it speaks as clearly today as when it was first written. Throughout this series we traveled through the story of scripture. This week we reach one of its most awe-inspiring moments: the Gospels. The Old Testament closed in silence as Israel waited for the promised Messiah. Then the quite broke with the best news ever: God Himself came near in Jesus Christ! Four Gospels, one Messiah. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John each present the same life-changing truth—Jesus is the Savior—yet each highlights unique details. Four eyewitnesses describing the same event from different vintage points, their perspectives weave together a rich, complete picture of who Jesus is.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to know more and explore. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. What's the longest you’ve ever waited for something exciting—like a concert ticket drop, a package delivery, or a big announcement—and how did you finally find out it had arrived? Or have you ever had to keep a really good secret until the right time? What was it like when you finally got to tell?
2. Read Matthew 1:21, John 1:14. How did this long-awaited announcement impact the world at that time? How does it impact the world today? How does it impact you personally? Why do you think God chose to “enter our world” instead of simply sending instructions or another prophet?
Leader: 400 years of silence before Jesus’ birth, but His timing was perfect even when it felt like a delay. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as the promised King, while John reveals Him as the eternal Word made flesh.
3. Read Luke 4:18-21, Mark 1:15. How does Jesus’ reading of this passage show He is the promised Messiah? How radical would Jesus proclaiming to be the fulfilled Messiah have sounded to His audience—and why might it still be radical for us today? “The Kingdom of God is near.” Where do you see evidence of that in your own life and community?
Leader: Luke shows us the authority of the very Words of Jesus. Finally, the prophesies that they had read about are finally fulfilled. Not only that but revealed the compassion of God toward our sin. The ‘good news to the poor” is still required of us today.
4. Read John 3:16-17, Romans 5:8. What do these verses reveal about God’s plan of salvation? How does God’s initiative in love challenge performance-based views of religion or even our own relationships? In a world often driven by merit and achievement, how can we embody this unconditional love?
Leader: This is a good place to remind everyone of the free gift of God’s love and that we cannot earn it. All we have to do is reach out and accept it. Jesus is the only place we can find eternal life.
5. Read Matthew 16:15-16. How is the Gospel different from other religions? If someone asked you today, “Who is Jesus to you?” how would you answer compared to this verse and why? What personal risk would this confession possibly have cost Peter and us today?
Leader: Unlike any other religion, Christianity is not about humanity trying to reach up to God through rules, rituals, or regulations but how God came down to us in Jesus. He fulfilled centuries of prophecy, lived the perfect life we could not, and offered Himself as sacrifice for our sin.
Action Steps: Following Him is the greatest gift—eternal life and restored relationship with God—yet it also carries a cost. Jesus calls us to surrender. Will we worship Him as King, follow Him as servant, trust Him as Savior, and bow before Him as divine Son of God? What will that practically look like for you this week?
Deeper Dive (Optional): Read Isaiah 53, Luke 24:25-27. How did Jesus explain the fulfillment of the Law and Prophets? What new insight do you gain about God’s long-planned rescue mission?