This study guide is meant to be used as a simple tool to help your small group dive deeper into God’s word, nurture conversation, and draw your group nearer to Christ. As a leader, begin your group in prayer by asking the Holy Spirit to lead your discussion.

Have you ever asked the question: ‘What famous person in history really inspires you? Why do they inspire you?’

There is fascinating historical evidence that Jesus actually lived in Palestine in the first century AD:

Josephus The Jewish historian Josephus confirms that Jesus was known to be a wise teacher and that he had a large following of both Jews and Greeks. He records that Jesus was executed by Pilate by crucifixion and that His resurrection from the dead was widely reported.

Tacitus The Roman historican Tacitus describes how Nero persecuted Christians, who were followers of Christ. He notes that Jesus Christ was executed by Pilate, and that many people had become Christians in both Israel and Rome.

Pliny the Younger The Roman governor Pliny reports that Christians worshipped Jesus and that they committed themselves to living according to high moral values.

We have a large number of early manuscripts of New Testament documents that originate close to when the documents were first written. The number is staggering in comparison to other ancient documents:

1 HEBREW PROPHECIES
GENESIS 3:1-24
Jesus did not just appear on the scene performing miracles. There were many prophecies in the Hebrew Scriptures that pointed to Him as God’s chosen Messiah. These ancient prophecies accurately predicted:

JESUS’MIRACULOUS CONCEPTION ISAIAH 7:14
THE TIMING OF HIS BIRTH DANIEL 9:24-27
HIS BIRTHPLACE MICAH 5:2
THE REGION OF HIS MINISTRY ISAIAH 9:1-2
HIS HEALING MINISTRY ISAIAH 35:1-7
THE TYPE OF DEATH HE DIED PSALMS 22, ISAIAH 53
THE REASON FOR HIS DEATH ISAIAH 53
JESUS’ RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD PSALMS 16:8-11, ISAIAH 53:10-11

2 THE NAMES THAT JESUS USED
JOHN 8:58
Jesus used a number of names for Himself that revealed who He really was and His relationship with God:
• Son of Man This was Jesus’ favourite name for Himself.
It refers to the divine being described in the prophecy of Daniel 7 (e.g. Mark 14:62).
• I Am This is the name God used when He was going to free the Israelites from slavery, under the leadership of Moses. Jesus used the same name because He is God and the Person who has the power to deliver all people from spiritual slavery to sin.
• Messiah Jesus said that He was the Messiah, God’s chosen ruler (e.g. John 4:25,26).
• Son of God This name shows that Jesus has a unique relationship with God (e.g. John 11:4,25-27).

3 THE TEACHINGS OF JESUS
Jesus revealed who He was through His teachings. He told people:
• “I am the light of the world.” John 8:12
• “Those who hear my words and believe in him who sent me have eternal life.” John 5:24 • “The Father and I are one.” John 10:30
• “I am the resurrection and the life.” John 11:25
• “No one can come to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
• “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9
• “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

4 THE LIFE OF JESUS
Jesus not only revealed who He was through what He said—He also demonstrated it through the way He lived:
• Jesus had compassion on people who were suffering and helpless. Matthew 9:35-36 • His supernatural ministry of healing and casting out demons. Matthew 4:23-25
• His ability to forgive sins. Mark 2:1-12, John 8:1-11
• His willingness to forgive others when they caused Him pain. Luke 23:34
• His morally perfect and sinless life. Luke 23:39-43, John 8:46

5 EVIDENCE FOR JESUS’RESURRECTION
There are four pieces of evidence that Jesus actually rose back to life from the dead, on the Sunday morning after He died on the Cross:

ONE
THE EMPTY TOMB The women who follwed Jesus arrived at the tomb early on Sunday morning to find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Other close followers of Jesus came to the tomb and also found it empty. Luke 24:1-12

TWO
PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF MEETING JESUS ALIVE AGAIN
Many people in Jerusalem reported they saw Jesus alive again at different times and different places just a few days after His crucifixion. Luke 24:13-53

THREE
DISCIPLES PREACHED THAT JESUS HAD RISEN FROM THE DEAD All of Jesus’ disciples were willing to die for their belief that they had actually seen Jesus alive again. Acts 4:5-12

FOUR
THE GROWTH OF THE CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT The movement that Jesus started has continued to grow down through the centuries. Millions of Christians have experienced the life- transforming power of Jesus in their own lives. Jesus still transforms people’s lives today!