The Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of Heaven

Building Block 4: Knowing Christ

January 31, 2021

"I am the way, the truth, and the life." 

Open Ended

What did Jesus mean when He said this to the disciples?

John 14:1-11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Th1AwSE3FKE

Multiple Choice

Why is it now possible for us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven?

• Because of Adam and Eve

• Because of the Prophets

• Because of the Incarnation

• Because of God the Father

So what does it all mean?

• The way - God provided Jesus as the way, the means, for humans to have communion with Him.

• The truth - Jesus is a witness to the truth that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to save us.

• The life - Jesus is the life because He shows us what it means to live in communion with God.

• By emulating Jesus' life, we are led to eternal life. And THAT is the point of this lesson!

St. Cyril of Alexandria Commentary Part 1

"for He, it is that raises us up, and will bring us back again from the death we died under the ancient curse, to the state in which we were at the beginning. In Him therefore and through Him, all that is best and all that is precious has already appeared, and will appear for us."

Open Ended

What is St. Cyril saying/What do you think about what he said?

St. Cyril of Alexandria Commentary Part 2

"But no man would ever be holy and make progress in a life according to the rule of virtue, unless Christ were the guide of his footsteps in everything: and none would ever be united to God the Father save through the mediation of Christ. For He is Mediator between God and men, through Himself and in Himself uniting humanity to God."

Open Ended

What is St. Cyril saying/What do you think about what he said?

St. Cyril of Alexandria Commentary Part 3

"The knowledge of the Father is thus necessarily concurrent with belief in the Son, and knowledge of the Son with belief in the Father."

Open Ended

What is St. Cyril saying/What do you think about what he said?

Goal: Kingdom of Heaven

• "There are then three means whereby we shall reach the Divine courts that are above and enter the Church of the firstborn; namely, by practice in virtue of every kind, by faith in rightness of doctrine, and by hope of life to come."

• Living a life that emulates Christ

• Living by His word and likeness, and dedicated to a life of righteousness

• VIRTUE, FAITH, HOPE

Open Ended

So how do we practically get to the Kingdom of Heaven and live a life that emulates Christ?

Reflection Questions

• On a scale of 1-10, how important is it for you to go to the Kingdom of Heaven?

• Does the way you live your life reflect this importance value?

• What can you change in your life to ensure that you are living with virtue, faith, and hope?