Experiencing Revival Through the Transformative Power of Jesus’ Identity and Mission

Experiencing Revival Through the Transformative Power of Jesus’ Identity and Mission

Presented by RJBoatman Revival Ministries

Introduction

The Gospel of John presents seven “I Am” statements, where Jesus reveals His divine nature and mission. These statements draw from God’s self-identification in Exodus 3:14 (“I Am Who I Am”) and invite us to eternal life, a deeper relationship with God, and a profound spiritual renewal.

These “I Am” statements not only reveal who Jesus is but also invite us to experience His life-giving power in every area of our lives. They call us to personal renewal and to be agents of revival in our communities.

This study is designed to inspire revival by engaging two key audiences: those outside the church who need to encounter the saving grace of Christ, and those within the church who have grown stagnant or strayed from their faith.

Each lesson explores Jesus’ “I Am” statements through Scripture, commentary, reflection, and action steps, enriched with cultural context for deeper understanding.

Lesson 1: “I Am the Bread of Life”

Scripture: John 6:35: “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”

Commentary

In biblical times, bread was a daily staple, essential for physical survival. When Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life,” He likened Himself to the manna God provided to the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 16). Manna symbolized God’s daily provision for their needs. Jesus, however, offers something far greater—spiritual nourishment that satisfies the deepest hunger of the human soul. This statement calls believers to rely on Him as the source of life, not just once, but daily.

Narrative Illustration

Imagine the Israelites waking each morning to gather manna, trusting God to provide their daily portion. Similarly, Jesus invites us to come to Him daily, trusting Him to meet all of our spiritual needs.

Call to Action

   •   Reflect: Ask yourself, “Where am I seeking fulfillment apart from Jesus? What areas of my life feel spiritually empty?”

   •   Respond: Commit to daily “feeding” on God’s Word through prayer and Scripture. Share this life-giving truth with someone who feels spiritually hungry, offering them hope, peace, and joy.

Discussion Prompt

   •   What are some ways you’ve experienced Jesus meeting your spiritual needs? How can you rely on Him more fully in your daily life?

Transition: Just as bread sustains life, light reveals and guides us on the path to spiritual fullness. In the next session, we will explore Jesus as the Light of the World.

Lesson 2: “I Am the Light of the World”

Scripture: John 8:12: “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Commentary

In the ancient world, darkness symbolized chaos, fear, and evil, while light represented order, hope, and truth. Jesus’ audience would have recognized His words as a claim to divinity, echoing the creation account where God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). His light not only exposes sin but also guides us toward salvation, much like a lamp lighting a path in the dark.

Narrative Illustration

Picture a traveler in a pitch-black wilderness, unable to find their way. A single lamp in the distance brings hope and safety, just as Jesus’ light brings clarity and security in a dark world.

Call to Action

   •   Reflect: Identify areas in your life where you might be walking in darkness or trying (unsuccessfully) to hide something from God.

   •   Respond: Pray and surrender these areas to Jesus, asking Him to illuminate and cleanse your heart. Reach out to a friend or family member who may feel lost in the dark and share Jesus’ light with them.

Discussion Prompt

   •   What does it mean to walk in the light of Jesus in your daily life? How can you share His light with others?

Transition: While light reveals and guides, the door offers us access to safety and salvation. In the next session, we will explore Jesus as the Door for the Sheep.

Lesson 3: “I Am the Door for the Sheep”

Scripture: John 10:9: “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.”

Backstory: Sheepfolds

A sheepfold in biblical times was a secure enclosure, often built with stone walls and topped with thorny branches to deter predators. It had a single entry point, and at night, the shepherd would lie across the opening, physically becoming the “door.” This practice ensured that no sheep could wander out, and no predator could enter without confronting the shepherd.

Commentary

When Jesus says, “I am the door,” He emphasizes that He is the only way to salvation, security, and provision. Just as the shepherd guarded the sheep with his own life, Jesus offers Himself as our protector and Savior.

Narrative Illustration

Imagine a cold, starry night in the hills of Judea. A shepherd gathers his sheep into the fold, counting each one and positioning himself at the entrance. His presence reassures the sheep, who rest knowing they are safe. This is the comfort Jesus offers to those who seek and honor Him daily.

Call to Action

   •   Reflect: Are you relying on your own efforts to feel secure or find salvation? Have you wandered away from Jesus’ fold?

   •   Respond: Rest in the assurance of Jesus’ provision and protection. Share the gospel with someone who has never accepted Christ as their personal Savior, and invite a wayward believer to return to His care.

Discussion Prompt

   •   How has Jesus acted as a door in your life, providing access to safety, salvation, and peace?

Transition: The door leads us to the Good Shepherd. In the next session, we will explore how Jesus guides and protects us as the Good Shepherd.

Lesson 4: “I Am the Good Shepherd”

Scripture: John 10:11: “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”

Backstory: The Shepherd’s Staff

The shepherd’s staff was a multifunctional tool used for guiding and protecting sheep. The curved hook at one end was used to gently pull sheep back from danger or rescue them from precarious situations, while the straight end was used to nudge or direct them along the right path. It symbolized the shepherd’s care and authority.

Commentary

By identifying Himself as the Good Shepherd, Jesus draws on a rich biblical tradition. Shepherds like David (Psalm 23) cared for their sheep with vigilance, even risking their lives against predators like lions or bears. Jesus surpasses these examples by laying down His life for His sheep, demonstrating ultimate love and sacrifice.

Narrative Illustration

Imagine a shepherd searching tirelessly for a sheep that has wandered into a rocky ravine. Using his staff, he carefully lifts the frightened animal to safety. This is how Jesus seeks us out when we stray, offering comfort and rescue.

Call to Action

   •   Reflect: Think about times when Jesus has guided you through challenges. Are there areas of your life where you’ve resisted His leading?

   •   Respond: Trust Jesus to guide you in areas of uncertainty or fear. Act as a “shepherd” to someone in your life by offering encouragement, support, or guidance in their spiritual journey.

Discussion Prompt

   •   How have you experienced Jesus as the Good Shepherd in your life? How can you reflect His care in your relationships with others?

Transition: As the Good Shepherd protects and guides, Jesus also offers resurrection and life. In the next session, we will explore how His power over death brings us hope and renewal.

Lesson 5: “I Am the Resurrection and the Life”

Scripture: John 11:25: “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”

Backstory: Jewish Burial Practices

In first-century Jewish culture, death was accompanied by deep mourning, often lasting days or weeks. The story of Lazarus in John 11 illustrates this vividly. By the time Jesus arrived, Lazarus had been dead for four days, and the community believed all hope was lost.

Commentary

Jesus’ resurrection power isn’t confined to physical death—it extends to every area of life where hopelessness reigns. Whether it’s broken relationships, dreams, or faith, He consistently breathes new life into what seems lost or dead.

Narrative Illustration

Imagine the heartbreak of Lazarus’ family as they mourn his death. When Jesus calls him out of the tomb, their despair turns into overwhelming joy. This moment foreshadows the ultimate resurrection, reminding us that Jesus’ power over death offers hope for all eternity.

Call to Action

   •   Reflect: Are there areas in your life where you feel hopeless or spiritually dead?

   •   Respond: Surrender your fears to Jesus and invite His resurrection power to renew and restore you. Share this hope with someone who feels defeated or hopeless.

Discussion Prompt

   •   What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you personally? How can you live in the hope of His resurrection each day?

Transition: As the resurrection brings life, Jesus also reveals Himself as the way to truth and purpose. In the next session, we’ll explore how He leads us to the Father.

Lesson 6: “I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life”

Scripture:  John 14:6: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Commentary

In a world filled with competing “truths” and false paths, Jesus’ statement is radical and exclusive. As the way, He is our path to God. As the truth, He reveals God’s character and will. And as the life, He offers abundant and eternal life to those who follow Him.

Narrative Illustration

Imagine a weary traveler lost in a desert, unsure which direction leads to safety. A guide appears, offering a clear and trustworthy path. Jesus is that guide, leading us to the Father with certainty and love.

Call to Action

   •   Reflect: Are there areas in your life where you’ve sought direction or fulfillment outside of Jesus?

   •   Respond: Commit to following Jesus’ way and trusting His truth. Share this hope with someone who feels lost or uncertain about their spiritual journey.

Discussion Prompt

   •   How does Jesus’ truth shape your decisions? What steps can you take to walk more closely in His way?

Transition: As the way leads us to the Father, abiding in the true vine helps us bear fruit for His glory. In the next session, we will explore Jesus as the True Vine.

Lesson 7: “I Am the True Vine”

Scripture: John 15:5: “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Backstory: Vineyards in Israel

Vineyards were common in ancient Israel, and Jesus used the imagery of a vine to emphasize the necessity of remaining connected to Him. Just as a branch cannot produce fruit without the vine, we cannot live fruitful lives apart from Christ.

Commentary

Abiding in Jesus requires intentionality, surrender, and trust. Just as a gardener prunes unproductive branches to promote healthy growth, Jesus refines us so we can bear spiritual fruit.

Narrative Illustration

Picture a gardener carefully pruning a grapevine, removing unproductive branches to make way for healthy growth. Over time, the vine flourishes and produces abundant fruit.

Call to Action

   •   Reflect: Are you abiding in Jesus, or are you relying on your own strength to bear fruit?

   •   Respond: Spend intentional time in prayer and worship, asking Jesus to prune and refine you. Encourage someone else in your faith community to reconnect with Christ.

Discussion Prompt

   •   What spiritual fruit do you see in your life? How can you abide more deeply in Jesus to bear even more fruit?

Transition: The culmination of all these truths leads us to recognize Jesus as the eternal “I Am.” In the conclusion, we will reflect on how Jesus transforms every area of life and inspires revival.

Conclusion: Revival Through the Great I Am

Backstory: The Eternal “I Am”

When Jesus declared, “Before Abraham was, I Am” (John 8:58), He identified Himself as the eternal God, present in every moment of history. This statement would have stunned His audience, drawing a direct connection to God’s self-revelation in the burning bush (Exodus 3:14). Revival begins when we recognize Jesus as the living God who transforms our lives today.

Narrative Illustration

Imagine Moses at the burning bush, trembling as God speaks His name: “I Am.” Now picture Jesus standing before you, declaring the same name, inviting you to trust Him fully.

Call to Action

   •   Reflect: Meditate on how each of Jesus’ “I Am” statements applies to your life. What has God revealed to you through this study?

   •   Respond: Share the message of Jesus’ identity and mission with at least one person this week. Pray daily for revival in your own life, your church, and your community, trusting in the power of the Great I Am.

Journaling Prompt

   •   Write a prayer of commitment, asking Jesus to reveal Himself more deeply in your life and to use you as an agent of revival in your community.

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