Why Should You Ask, "Who is Jesus?"

Thanks to the digital communications era, it is possible to become famous almost overnight. That is what happened to a 13-year-old boy when his mom decided to film him singing, and then upload the video to YouTube. The clip went viral with millions of views. That led to the boy getting noticed by big-name singer Usher - and almost overnight Justin Bieber became a household name.

Celebrities, influencers, world leaders, and even everyday people capitalize on the newest mediums to bring them notoriety. Most, though, will discover fame to be fleeting. Even if they can maintain their popularity through a whole life time, like actress Betty White, popularity and notoriety don't equal lasting impact. In time, names and influence fade away.

Now consider Jesus of Nazareth. Born more than two thousand years ago in an era of primitive communication in an occupied territory in an inconsequential corner of the world, yet you know His name. More than that, the world knows His name. But it is not just His name that has endured - His influence is still shaping the world as we know it today. His impact is so rare that at a very minimum it should inspire curiosity.

Every person should ask "Who is Jesus" because of His cultural impact.

All of Western Civilization has been impacted by the reality of the historical Jesus. Art, literature, humanitarianism, and governments founded on Judeo-Christian principles of service and justice have all been significantly influenced by Jesus and His followers. The cultural impact is far-reaching and ongoing and informs an understanding of the world we experience.

Every person should ask "Who is Jesus" because of His following.

More people follow Jesus worldwide than any other religious leader. Nearly one-third of the world's population today identifies as Christian in some form or fashion, claiming to follow a living Savior. That is nearly 2.4 billion people according to the Pew Research Center. That means many of your neighbors and coworkers, family members, and fellow citizens can be truly understood only in the context of Jesus.

Every person should ask "Who is Jesus" because of His claim.

Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father except through me." Far from affirming that all faiths lead to God, Jesus unequivocally declared that only He provides the path to know God and enjoy eternal life with God. It is up to each person to evaluate His claim and decide how to respond, but no person can afford to completely disregard such an assertion when eternal destiny hangs in the balance. To know for sure requires seeking the answer to the question, "Who is Jesus."

Welcome to this World's Biggest Small Group investigation of the identity of Jesus. Our hope is that this will be a journey that leads you to one important destination - truth. To arrive there, we encourage you to not only be thoughtful, but prayerful. Prayer is the simple act of talking with God and listening to God. Ask God to give you an understanding of what is true about Himself and about Jesus. God has made this promise,

Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

God desires and will help you know the truth to the most significant question you will ever ask, "Who is Jesus?"

To help you process what you will encounter, keep some paper handy and write out your thoughts on the questions along the way.

"What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us." - A. W. Tozer