John 18:37
33 So Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” 34 Jesus answered, “Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?” 35 Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. What have you done?” 36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.” 37 Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” After he had said this, he went back outside to the Jews and told them, “I find no guilt in him.
Main Idea
CHRISTMAS GIVES US THE ETERNAL TRUTH…
Outline
THE ETERNAL TRUTH IS THAT CHRIST IS KING (VV33-36)
THE ETERNAL TRUTH IS THAT CHRIST IS COME (V37A)
THE ETERNAL TRUTH IS THAT CHRIST IS TRUTH (VV37B-38)
Discussion Questions
THE ETERNAL TRUTH IS THAT CHRIST IS KING (VV33-36)
Why is Pilate so concerned with whether Jesus is a “king”? What is at stake politically? Spiritually?
What does Jesus mean when He says, “My kingdom is not of this world? How is His kingdom different from earthly kingdoms?
How does Jesus’ birth story (humble, lowly, unexpected) reflect His kind of kingship?
What areas of life do we find hardest to bring under Jesus’ kingship?
How might acknowledging Jesus as King shape the way we approach the Christmas season?
THE ETERNAL TRUTH IS THAT CHRIST IS COME (V37A)
What does this passage reveal about Jesus’ purpose in coming into the world?
How does His intentional coming shape your understanding of Christmas?
What does the incarnation show us about God’s love and desire to redeem?
How does knowing that Christ has come bring hope to your circumstances right now?
What is one tangible way you and your family can keep the purpose of Christ’s coming at the center of your Christmas celebrations?
THE ETERNAL TRUTH IS THAT CHRIST IS TRUTH (VV37B-38)
What does Jesus mean by “bear witness to the truth”? How does His life and teaching accomplish this?
Why does Jesus connect truth with listening to His voice?
Where do you see Pilate’s question (“What is truth?”) reflected in today’s society?
What are the biggest competing “truths” that pull for our attention today?
What practices help you hear the voice of Jesus clearly in a noisy world?
Looking Forward
In the upcoming days and weeks, which of the three eternal truths (Christ is King, Christ is Come, Christ is Truth), do you feel most called to focus on this upcoming week? How do you intend to practically focus on that truth?
Prayer Focus
Pray for…
hearts that fully submit to Jesus as King, surrendering areas where we cling to control.
eyes to see Christ’s kingdom clearly, and not confuse it with earthly power or cultural expectations.
faith to trust the rule and reign of Christ even in circumstances that feel chaotic or uncertain.
a fresh awareness that Christ has come with purpose, and that His intentional arrival shapes our identity and hope.
deeper gratitude for the incarnation, that God Himself stepped into our world for our redemption.
the ability to listen to the voice of Jesus, especially in a world filled with competing voices and noise.
discernment to recognize truth, rejecting lies, half-truths, and confusion.
courage to bear witness to Christ’s truth, just as He bore witness before Pilate.
renewed love for Scripture, where the voice of Jesus speaks clearly and authoritatively.
a Christmas season centered on Christ, not distractions, stress, or cultural pressures.
spiritual unity within the community group, as we seek together to live under Christ’s kingship, purpose, and truth.