Middle school · Day 1 of 5
Who Do You Say I Am?
Read: Matthew 16:13-20 (KJV)
13When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? 14And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Read the whole chapter ›What it means
Jesus asked His disciples what people were saying about Him. They had lots of answers: a prophet, John the Baptist, Elijah. Then Jesus made it personal: "But whom say ye that I am?" Peter answered, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." Today people still have opinions about Jesus. Some say He was just a good teacher. Your friends, your feed, and even your family might say different things. But at some point, Jesus asks you the same question He asked Peter. It is not enough to know what other people think. Jesus wants you to know Him for yourself. This week you will look at who Jesus really is, straight from God's Word, so you can answer His question with your whole heart.
Key verse
“And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matthew 16:16 (KJV)
Think about it
- What are some things you have heard people say about Jesus?
- Why do you think Jesus asked the disciples what THEY believed, not just what others said?
- If Jesus asked you today, "Who do you say I am?", how would you answer?
Pray
Jesus, I want to know You for myself, not just what other people say about You. Help me see who You really are as I read Your Word this week. Thank You that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God. Amen.