The Hands of Jesus

26/1/2025

You can learn a lot about a person by looking at their hands. Did these hands work on a keyboard or turn wrenches? Do they belong to someone young or old? The story of our hands reflects the story of our lives. Join us for the final message in Closer as we explore what the hands of Jesus reveal to us and how we can make our hands more like His.

Passages

Jesus’ hands are evidence of His ##death## and ##resurrection##. (John 20:24-28)
Jesus’ hands are evidence of His ##authority## and of His power to ##redeem##. (Revelation 5:2-9)
Jesus’ hands are a ##model## for those who would ##follow## ##Him##. (Revelation 5:10)

Principle

Beauty lies not in the ##perfection## of ##hands## but in the ##wounds## that tell the stories of their ##use##.

Practice

Let ##Jesus## establish the work of your ##hands##

Small Group Questions

Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couple or family devotion, or with a small group.

HANGOUT

Do you have any scars on your body? How did you get them? What do the scars on Jesus’ hands and feet tell us? How important is what Jesus did related to what He taught? What would His teaching be apart from His death on the cross?

HEAR

Read James 2:1-7

Why does James warn us against showing partiality? What might someone gain by showing partiality to the rich and powerful?
Does God show partiality?
Read Matthew 5:43-48 and relate it to James’ words in James 2:1-7

Read James 2:8-13

What does it mean to “love your neighbor as yourself”?
According to James, are we fulfilling the law if we abide by the Ten Commandments and fail to love our neighbor as ourselves?
Read Mark 12:29-31. How does loving God with all our strength apply to loving our neighbors? Aspire’s tagline is “Love everyone, always.” What does that mean and what are some practical ways we can do that this week?

Read James 2:14-26

According to James, what is the result of faith without works? What example does he give of this?
Based on verse 19, is knowledge and acceptance of truth enough to satisfy God? What did Abraham do to justify his faith? Is James advocating for salvation by works? Why or why not?
What must you do this week to love God with all your strength (hands)?

HUDDLE

Are you impartial in responding to the needs of people around you? In what ways has the series Closer challenged and encouraged you this month? What are you doing to draw closer to Christ in 2025, and how can we encourage and hold one another accountable? Talk about it and pray together.

Daily Reading

As you read each passage, look for connections to this week’s sermon and small group discussion. Invite the Holy Spirit to be your teacher as you seek Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Day 1: John 20
Day 2: Revelation 5
Day 3: James 2
Day 4: Psalm 90
Day 5: Matthew 5
Day 6: Matthew 6
Day 7: Matthew 7

Passage to Memorize: James 2:17

Think Deeper

What scars do you bear on your body? What is the story behind them?
What do the wounds on Jesus mean to you?
How will you surrender the use of your hands for the purpose of Jesus this week?