The Gospels Tell Us What Jesus Was Really Like
Month 8: The Heart of Jesus · Why We Believe
Today's Scripture
Read together: Luke 1:1-4 & John 21:24-25
1 Many have undertaken to compose an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed down to us by the initial eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 Therefore, having carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. — Luke 1:1-4
24 This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who has written them down. And we know that his testimony is true. 25 There are many more things that Jesus did. If all of them were written down, I suppose that not even the world itself would have space for the books that would be written. — John 21:24-25
Memory Verse
“But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and told them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them! For the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”— Mark 10:14 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Isaiah 13-15
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Isaiah delivers warnings to the nations — a reminder that the same God who welcomes children also rules over every kingdom on earth.)The Heart of It
This week we've watched Jesus gather children in His arms. But how do we know He really did that? How do we know this is what Jesus was actually like, and not just a nice story someone made up centuries later? Listen to how Luke opens his Gospel. He says he carefully investigated "those things... just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses... delivered them to us." He wrote "an orderly account" so we "may know the certainty" of what we've been taught. That is not the language of legend. That is the language of a careful reporter checking his sources. And John closes his Gospel the same way. "This is the disciple who testifies of these things... and we know that his testimony is true." These were men who walked with Jesus. They saw Him touch lepers. They saw Him weep at a grave. They saw Him lift up children.
That is why the Gospels are so precious. They don't give us a Jesus we invented to feel good. They give us the real one. People who were there wrote it down, while plenty of other eyewitnesses were still alive to correct any mistakes. The same Jesus who said "Let the little children come to Me" is the historical Jesus of Galilee. He is not a fairy tale. John even admits he couldn't fit everything in. "There are also many other things that Jesus did," more than the books of the world could hold. When you read the Gospels, you are not reading a myth about a kind teacher. You are reading the trustworthy eyewitness record of the heart of God in human flesh.
Around the Table
How do we know about Jesus hugging the children? Because people who SAW it with their own eyes wrote it down for us in the Bible!
Let's do it: Point to your eyes, then to the Bible, and say, "They saw it, and they told us!"
Luke talked to eyewitnesses. Those are people who were actually there. Why does it matter that the Gospel writers checked with people who really saw Jesus?
Let's talk: What is the difference between a story someone made up and a report from someone who was there?
The Gospels were written while eyewitnesses were still alive, both friends and enemies. False stories don't survive that kind of crowd. Luke says his goal was that we would "know the certainty."
Let's go deeper: If a friend said "the Bible is just made-up stories," how could you use to respond kindly?
💬 Conversation Starter
If something amazing happened on our street tomorrow, who would you most trust to tell you exactly what happened — and why?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
When someone says: "The Gospels are just legends written long after Jesus, so we can't know what He was really like." Answer kindly and confidently: "Actually, the Gospel writers tell us the opposite. Luke says he carefully checked with eyewitnesses and wrote 'an orderly account' so readers could 'know the certainty' (). John says, 'we know that his testimony is true' (). These books were written within the lifetimes of people who saw Jesus, both supporters and critics. So wild legends couldn't have taken root unchallenged. Legends take generations to grow. Eyewitness testimony doesn't. We're not trusting a fairy tale. We're trusting reporters who were there." Always say it with gentleness and respect (). The goal is to open a door, not win a fight.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Your children are going to hear, sooner than you'd like, that the Gospels are unreliable folklore. The best protection isn't fear. It is familiarity with how the Gospels actually present themselves. They are not anonymous, dreamy myths. They make verifiable historical claims. They name real rulers and places. And they openly appeal to living witnesses. Richard Bauckham's work gathers the evidence that the Gospels are rooted in named eyewitness testimony rather than anonymous community legend. You don't have to become a scholar to lead here. You simply have to model a faith that isn't afraid of the question. Show your kids that "How do we know?" is a good question with good answers. And show them that the One we meet in these pages stood up under the scrutiny of those who knew Him best.
Draws on: Richard Bauckham, Jesus and the Eyewitnesses.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that we can know the real Jesus. People who saw Him with their own eyes wrote Him down for us. Give us confidence in Your Word, and gentle words to share it. Help us trust the Gospels and the Savior they show us. In Jesus' name, amen."
The Gospels aren't a fairy tale. They're the trustworthy eyewitness record of the real Jesus.