Did Jesus Claim to Be God?
Month 4: Is Jesus Really God? · Why We Believe
Today's Scripture
Read together: John 10:30–33
30 I and the Father are one.” 31 At this, the Jews again picked up stones to stone Him. 32 But Jesus responded, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of these do you stone Me?” 33 “We are not stoning You for any good work,” said the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because You, who are a man, make Yourself out to be God.”
Memory Verse
““Truly, truly, I tell you,” Jesus declared, “before Abraham was born, I am!””— John 8:58 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Exodus 17–19
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 100 of 365 — God gives the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai.)The Heart of It
Sometimes people say, "Jesus was a good teacher, but He never actually said He was God." It's a fair question, and the Bible gives us a clear answer. In today's passage Jesus says five short words: "I and My Father are one." Right away the crowd picked up stones. Jesus asked which good work they were stoning Him for. They answered, "For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God." Notice who explained what Jesus meant. His enemies did! Even the people who hated Him understood that He was claiming to be God. They weren't confused. They were offended.
This is one of the strongest reasons we believe Jesus is divine. He didn't only say "I and My Father are one." He also forgave sins, which only God can do. He accepted worship, which good men and angels refuse. And He called Himself the great "I AM." If a regular person said and did those things, we'd think something was very wrong with them. So really there are only a few options. Either Jesus was lying, or He was confused, or He truly is who He said He is. He is Lord. He was far too wise and good to be a liar or out of His mind. That leaves the most wonderful possibility of all. He was telling the truth. We don't believe Jesus is God because we wish it. We believe it because of what He clearly said and did, written down by people who were there.
Around the Table
Jesus said, "I and My Father are one." That means Jesus is God! Even the people who didn't like Him knew that's what He meant.
Let's do it: Hold up one finger and say, "Jesus and the Father are one God!"
When Jesus said He was one with the Father, the crowd said He was "making Himself God." Why is it helpful that even His enemies understood His claim?
Let's talk: What are three things Jesus did that only God can do? Here's a hint: He forgave sins, He accepted worship, and He claimed the name "I AM."
Jesus' claims leave us with a real choice. He was a liar, or confused, or Lord. A merely "good teacher" is the one option His own words rule out.
Let's go deeper: Why isn't "Jesus was just a nice moral teacher" actually an option, given what He said about Himself?
💬 Conversation Starter
Has anyone ever totally misunderstood what you meant? With Jesus, even His enemies understood His claim perfectly. They just didn't believe it.
🛡️ Defending the Faith
When someone says, "Jesus never claimed to be God. That came later": You can answer kindly. "Actually, in Jesus said, 'I and My Father are one.' The crowd tried to stone Him because, in their own words, He was 'making Himself God.' His enemies understood His claim, and so did His friends, who later wrote it down. Jesus also forgave sins and received worship, which only God can do. So the question isn't really whether He claimed it. He did. The question is whether we'll believe Him." Always share it gently, "with gentleness and respect" (). We want to open a door, not slam one.
For Dad · Go Deeper
The "trilemma" gives us three options: liar, lunatic, or Lord. It is most powerful when it is offered humbly rather than as a checkmate. C.S. Lewis's point still stands. The one thing Jesus' words do not allow is the comfortable middle category of "great moral teacher and nothing more." But the apologetic only persuades when it's joined to relationship and gentleness. Teach your kids that the goal of isn't to corner a doubter. It's to clarify the real choice in front of every person. Notice, too, that Jesus' deity is not a single proof-text but a pattern. His claims (I and the Father are one), His names (I AM), and His actions (forgiving sins, receiving worship) all converge. Help your children see the cumulative case, many threads woven into one strong cord, rather than leaning on one verse alone.
Draws on: Frank Turek, Stealing from God; C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that Jesus clearly showed us He is God. He showed us by His words and His works. Give us courage to believe Him. And give us kindness to explain Him well. We pray this in Jesus' name, amen."
Jesus didn't leave "good teacher" as an option. His own words make Him Lord.