Sermon Study Guide | Series: Let’s Be Honest | Sermon: Week 2 - Islam
Scripture: John 14:6 | Date: July 5, 2026

For this series we’ve developed a Let's Be Honest — Resource Guide

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

Think about a time when you felt like you were being measured by a report card; your performance, your effort, your success, your faithfulness, or your ability to keep everything together. What did that pressure do inside of you? Where do you still feel the temptation to wonder, “Have I done enough?” As a group, be honest about the places where you may know the gospel in your head but still live like your standing with God depends on your score

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

Read John 14:6 and Psalm 130:3-4 as a group and discuss:

• Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” What stands out to you about Jesus describing salvation as coming through a person rather than a system, checklist, or set of religious obligations?
  
  
• The message contrasted a report card, which evaluates performance, with a birth certificate, which declares identity. Which image better describes the way you tend to relate to God right now? Why?
  
  
• Psalm 130 asks, “If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” Where do you see people in our culture trying to balance the scales of their lives, even if they would not describe it in religious language?
  
  
• Islam’s Five Pillars provide clarity, rhythm, and structure for devotion to God. What can Christians respectfully appreciate about that kind of seriousness and surrender, even while recognizing the deep difference between works-based assurance and grace-based assurance?
  
  
• The message reminded us that many Christians functionally live under a “scales system,” wondering if they are enough. How can religious activity—even good activity—become a way of trying to earn what Jesus has already given?
  
  
• Jesus’ claim in John 14:6 is both exclusive and available to everyone. How can we hold conviction about Jesus with humility, love, and respect toward Muslim neighbors, coworkers, friends, or family members?
  
  
• “If you know one Muslim, you know one Muslim.” Why is that important for having honest, loving conversations with people from different faith backgrounds?
  
  
• What is the difference between submission that leaves you uncertain about where you stand and surrender to Jesus that gives you confidence because of where He stands?

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

• This week, pay attention to one area where you are trying to earn approval—from God, others, or yourself. Name it honestly in prayer and ask Jesus to help you live from the identity He has already given you.
  
  
• Consider someone in your life who believes differently than you do. Instead of preparing an argument, ask a sincere question like, “How do you practice your faith?” or “What has shaped the way you understand God?”
  
  
• Take five minutes each day to reflect on this truth: “My standing with God is secured by Jesus’ record, not mine.” Notice how that changes your motivation for obedience, repentance, and love.
  
  
• As a group, practice describing the gospel in birth certificate language rather than report card language. How would you explain the good news to someone who feels exhausted from trying to be enough?
  
  
• Look for one practical way to honor and love a Muslim neighbor, coworker, classmate, or friend without compromising your faith in Jesus. Let curiosity and compassion lead the way.

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

God, thank you that you have not left us trying to balance scales we cannot see or earn a status we could never secure on our own. Thank you for Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life, and who gives us His righteousness in place of our incomplete record.

Help us stop living like our relationship with you is a report card, and teach us to rest in the identity you have given us as your beloved children. Give us humility, courage, and compassion as we engage people who believe differently, and make us thoughtful witnesses who hold the truth of Jesus with love. Amen.

If you have feedback on this guide or ideas that would help your group engage more deeply, we’d love to hear from you. 

Your insight helps us continue growing as a church that wrestles honestly and walks faithfully together. Contact msummers@menlo.church

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