Still Jesus: David/Jesus

Small Group Discussion Guide based on a sermon by Tim Bach, 6/7/26

Opening (5 minutes)
Welcome everyone and briefly introduce the theme: “It’s Still Jesus – trusting that Jesus really is God and the exact representation of the Father."

Opening prayer (leader prays aloud)
“Father, we thank You for gathering us tonight. We confess that sometimes we struggle to understand who You are and how Jesus can be both Your Son and fully God. Please open our minds and hearts by Your Spirit. Help us to see Jesus more clearly, trust Him more deeply, and love Him more fully. Guard our discussion with grace and truth, and draw us closer to You and to each other. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Scripture readings (10–15 minutes total)
Have different group members read these passages aloud, with a 30–60 second pause after each for quiet reflection.

Hebrews 1:1–4 (focus on 1:2–3)
Key ideas to highlight:
God has spoken “in His Son” in these last days.
Jesus is “the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature,” and He “upholds all things by the word of His power.”

Hebrews 1:5–6
Key ideas to highlight:
God calls Jesus “My Son” and speaks of a special Father–Son relationship.
All the angels of God are commanded to worship Him.

John 14:8–9
Key idea to highlight:
Jesus says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”

John 20:24–28
Key idea to highlight:
Thomas responds to the risen Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”

After the readings, briefly summarize:
“These passages show us that Jesus is not just a great teacher or example. He is the radiance of God’s glory, the exact representation of His nature, worthy of worship, and rightly called ‘My Lord and my God.’ Yet, He is also called the Son of the Father, which leads us into the mystery of the Trinity.”

Discussion section 1: Common struggles and questions (10–15 minutes)
Transition: “The notes you shared start with a very honest sentence: ‘I believe in God, I just struggle with Jesus being God.’ Many people today are in that exact place.”

Question:
When you hear the statement, “I believe in God, I just struggle with Jesus being God,” what feelings or thoughts does that stir up for you personally?

Question:
The notes mention these questions: “Isn’t God Jesus’ Father?” and “How are they both God?”

How have you asked or heard those questions before? What answers or explanations have you found helpful, confusing, or unsatisfying?

Question:
The notes say, “We tend to increase the number of God’s” and “We want to make them into one person.”

In your experience, which tendency do you see more often:
Treating Father, Son, and Spirit as three separate gods, or
Blending them into one person so there’s no real distinction?
How does that show up in how people talk or pray?

Question:
Why do you think so many people are okay with a general belief in “God” or a “higher power,” but hesitate at the claim that “Jesus is God”? The notes mention that many people believe in a higher power, but a much smaller percentage say Jesus is God.

Discussion section 2: Who is Jesus, really? (15–20 minutes)
Transition: “The notes remind us that there are around 200 names and titles of Jesus in the Bible, and they also quote different opinions people have about Him: ‘the matter in the universe,’ ‘the principle example for all mankind,’ ‘a mysterious figure in human history.’ But Scripture goes further than all of these.”

Question (Hebrews focus):
Looking again at Hebrews 1:2–3, what specific phrases stand out to you that show Jesus is more than just a moral teacher or inspiring leader?
“Heir of all things”
“Through whom also He made the world”
“The radiance of His glory”
“The exact representation of His nature”
“Upholds all things by the word of His power”
Which of these is hardest to wrap your mind around, and why?

Question (worship and uniqueness):
Hebrews 1:5–6 emphasizes Jesus as the unique Son of God and commands all the angels of God to worship Him.

If only God is to be worshiped, what does it mean that angels are commanded to worship Jesus? How does that shape your understanding of who He is?

Question (seeing the Father):
In John 14:9, Jesus says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.”
What are some practical implications of that? For example:
When you wonder what God is like, how does looking at Jesus in the Gospels help?
How does this change the way you read stories about Jesus’ compassion, authority, or anger?

Question (personal confession):
Thomas’ response to the risen Jesus is, “My Lord and my God!” in John 20:28.[1]
In your own words, what would it look like for you to say, from the heart, “My Lord and my God” to Jesus today? Is there any area of your life where you find it difficult to trust Him as both Lord and God?

Discussion section 3: Misunderstanding God in our image (10–15 minutes)
Transition: “The notes include a striking line: ‘God made us in His image and we attempt to make Him back into our image.’”

Question:
Where do you see people remaking God in their own image today? Think about ideas like “God would never judge,” “God just wants me to be happy,” or “My God is like this, not like that.” How have you or others done this with Jesus in particular?

Question:
Some people are fine calling Jesus “a principle example for all mankind” or “a mysterious figure in human history” but not “God.”

What is the difference between admiring Jesus as an example and worshiping Him as God? How does that difference show up in daily life decisions?

Question:
The notes say, “We embrace the mystery of the Trinity.”
What does it look like to embrace mystery without giving up truth or clear doctrine? How do you personally handle things about God that you can’t fully understand or explain?

Question (application):
If you really believe that Jesus is “the exact representation” of God’s nature and that He “upholds all things by the word of His power,” how might that change the way you face:
A difficult relationship

Financial uncertainty
Anxiety about the future
Share one practical area where this truth could change your perspective this week.

Follow-up exercise for the week (5–10 minutes)
Explain that the goal is to move from discussion into personal reflection and practice.

Give these simple steps for the coming week:
Daily Scripture reflection
Pick one short passage about Jesus each day this week (for example: Hebrews 1:1–4, John 1:1–5, John 14:8–11, Colossians 1:15–20, Philippians 2:5–11).
Each day, slowly read the passage and ask two questions:
“What does this show me about who Jesus is?”
“How is the Father’s heart revealed in Jesus here?”

Personal confession
At least once this week, find a quiet space and speak to Jesus in prayer.
Tell Him honestly where you struggle with understanding or trusting Him as God.
Then, like Thomas, confess out loud: “Jesus, You are my Lord and my God,” even if it feels small or fragile.

Share with someone
Before next week, briefly share with one trusted believer something you are learning about Jesus as God. Ask them how they see Jesus as the exact representation of the Father.
Encourage group members to jot these down or send them as a follow-up message after group.

Closing prayer (3–5 minutes)
Invite group members to share one word or short phrase about who Jesus is (for example: “Lord,” “God,” “Savior,” “the radiance of God’s glory,” “my Shepherd”). Then close in prayer, weaving those confessions into the prayer:
“Lord Jesus, we thank You that You are not just a distant idea or an inspiring teacher. You are the radiance of the Father’s glory and the exact representation of His nature. You are truly the Son of God and truly God, worthy of our worship and our trust. Forgive us for the ways we’ve tried to remake You in our own image or shrink You down to something manageable. Teach us to embrace the mystery of the Trinity while holding tightly to what You have clearly revealed. Help us to say with Thomas, from our hearts, ‘My Lord and my God,’ and to live this out in our relationships, our decisions, and our everyday lives. Strengthen each person here this week to see You more clearly and follow You more closely. We ask this in Your name, Jesus. Amen.”