Teach Me: The Paradox Principle

What is a Paradox? A statement that seems contradictory, absurd, etc. but may be true in fact. 

The Passage 

John 12:20–26 

The request to meet with Jesus. (vs.20-21) 

The relay message for Jesus. (vs.22) 

The response of Jesus. (vs. 23)  

• The paradox principle for salvation.   

2 Corinthians 5:15, Romans 4:25, I Peter 2:24  

• The paradox principle for sanctification

John 12:24-25, Matthew 10:39, Luke 9:24,  2 Corinthians 12:9, Matthew 5:3, Mark    9:35, Mark 9:35, James 4:10 

Put The Paradox Principle Into Practice  

How To Live It Out – Living Is About Giving  

1. Live to give your time to the LORD 

1 Corinthians 10:31, Ephesians 5:15-17, John 15:4

2. Live to give your talent to the LORD  

1 Peter 4:10, Colossians 3:17, Ephesians 2:10 

3. Live to give your testimony for the LORD 

Acts 1:8, Romans 1:16,  1 Peter 3:15-16 

4. Live to give your treasure to the LORD 

Proverbs 3:9, Deuteronomy 8:18, Romans 12:13, Matthew 6:19-21 

TALK IT OVER  

Ice Breaker –  What’s the craziest thing you did and it actually worked out? What was the paradox principle in that?  See the definition for help. 

1. Take a few minutes to review John 12:20-26, and check the outline of the passage. What stands out to you and why?

(Leader Note: You may want to read from the beginning of the chapter as a leader to gain context and summarize if that helps.)  

2. What exactly does Jesus say?  

3. Please take a few minutes to review the paradox principle concerning our salvation. Read and check some or all of the corresponding passages. What can you gain from this? What does Christ's death gain us? Why did he have to die?  

4. Please take a few minutes to review the paradox principle for our sanctification. (Our ongoing spiritual growth as a Christian.) Look up some of the passages. What can we learn about this?  

5. Pastor Ryan taught that the Christian life is a paradox from start to finish. In essence, if you want to live, you must die. If you want to be first, you will need to be last. If you want to be a leader, you must be a servant, and so on. It's really all about giving. Living is about giving your life to God and others. Please review some practical ways we can grow in living the Christian life. What area is most challenging and why? Rank yourself on 1-10. (10 being excellent) Where are you?  

6. What area are you doing well? Share how that works and why it's a blessing to you. Maybe you made some sacrificial gifts, but you know it's been a blessing to someone else, bringing you joy. Perhaps you gave up time to serve but have seen the fruit of your labor!