Jesus Is the Only Way
Month 5: What About Other Religions? · Memory Verse
Today's Scripture
Read together: John 14:6
6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
Memory Verse
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”— John 14:6 (BSB)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Numbers 22-24
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Balaam and his talking donkey — God can speak truth through the most surprising means.)The Heart of It
Jesus said something here that no other teacher in history dared to say. He didn't say, "I'll show you a way." He didn't say, "Here are some good tips for finding God." He said, "I AM the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Listen to that one little word. He said the, not a. There's a huge difference. A guide might say, "Take this road." But only the road itself can say, "I AM the way." Jesus claimed to be the path home to God. He didn't just point at it.
Some people think that sounds narrow or unkind. But think about it like a rescue. Say you were drowning, and one person threw you the only rope that could reach you. Would you call them narrow-minded for offering just one rope? No! You'd grab it and thank them forever. Jesus isn't one way among many. He's the only One who lived a perfect life, died for our sins, and rose again. No other founder of any religion did that. He's not narrow because He's stingy. He's the only way because He's the only One who actually paid the price to bring us home to the Father. And He offers that rope to everyone ().
Around the Table
Jesus said He is "THE way." He's the only road that gets us home to God the Father. He's like a rescue rope just for you!
Let's do it: Hold one end of a rope or string and have someone hold the other. Say, "Jesus is the way to God!"
Jesus didn't say "a way." He said "THE way." Why does that one little word change everything?
Let's talk: Can you say the verse from memory? Try it three times tonight.
Jesus made a claim no other religious leader made. He said He is the way, not just a teacher of it. That's either true, or He was wrong.
Let's go deeper: Why is "all roads lead to God" actually impossible if Jesus' words are true?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's something where there's really only one right way to do it (like a key for a lock)? How is Jesus like that one key?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Sometimes someone will say, "Jesus is just one of many ways to God." Remember His own words: "I am THE way... No one comes to the Father except through Me" (). Either that's true and we share it with joy, or Jesus said something false. But a good teacher who lies about the most important thing isn't really good. So share it with a smile, not a frown ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
The exclusivity of Christ is the hinge the whole month turns on, and it's where culture pushes back hardest. But notice this. Jesus' "narrowness" is the most loving thing He could say. If there were ten ways home and He only mentioned one, that would be cruel. By telling us there's exactly one, He's making sure no one wanders lost forever. C.S. Lewis's famous "trilemma" applies here. A man who says what Jesus said is either a liar, a lunatic, or Lord; "let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher." Help your children hold this truth tightly and tenderly.
Draws on: Frank Turek, Stealing from God; C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
Let's Pray Together
"Lord Jesus, thank You for being the way, the truth, and the life. We could never find our own way home to the Father. So thank You for making the way for us. Help us hold this truth with confidence. And help us share it with kindness. In Jesus' name, amen."
Jesus isn't a way to God. He is THE way, and He offers Himself to everyone.