Question & Answer Book: Knowing Jesus

We want to introduce you to our wonderful new book entitled “Knowing Jesus—Finding friendship with the Son of God.” This little gem, written by brother and sister team, Nancy Taylor and Philip Ryken, will encourage you, challenge you, and, hopefully, draw you closer to Christ.
Do you have questions about Jesus? Do you want to get to know Him on a deeper level? Do you want to help a friend or loved with their questions about Jesus? We want to introduce you to our wonderful new book entitled “Knowing Jesus—Finding friendship with the Son of God.” This little gem, written by brother and sister team, Nancy Taylor and Philip Ryken, will encourage you, challenge you, and, hopefully, draw you closer to Christ.

The book contains a series of questions and answers, designed to help us “learn as much about Him [Jesus Christ] as we can,” says Ryken in the introduction. Divided into three sections, there are questions about who Jesus is, what Jesus did and taught, and what difference Jesus makes to me. Each question includes a concise two-page response rooted in what the Bible says.

Here are just a few examples of the types of questions and answers you will find:

Foundational Questions

“Knowing Jesus” answers several questions that are foundational to the Christian faith. These questions are helpful to newer believers, still learning the tenets of Christianity. And, they are also beneficial for mature Christians who want to grow in their knowledge of Jesus. One such question is:

Who is Jesus? (pgs. 12-13)
Here is an excerpt from that answer:

We’re starting off with the big question that this whole book seeks to answer, and in fact the question that is central to your entire life. Maybe you picked up this book hoping to settle in your own mind and heart the answer to this question, and getting the answer right is the most important thing you will do in your whole life: Who is Jesus? 

 Other foundational questions in “Knowing Jesus” include:
How do we know Jesus really existed? (pgs. 14-15)
Did Jesus really rise from the dead? (pgs. 88-89)

Theological Questions

“Knowing Jesus — Finding friendship with the Son of God” is chock-full of theological questions about who Jesus is and all that He has done. There is no one else like Jesus in the universe.

One of these questions and its answer is:
How could Jesus be both God and man? (pgs. 26-27)

The Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus Christ emphasize the fact that He is “God with us” (Mt. 1:23). Jesus is not an abstract idea or force. He is not a myth. He is not God disguised as a human. He is not part God and part man. Jesus Christ has two complete natures – human and divine – in one person. This mysterious union of two natures (the theological term for this is “hypostatic union,” which literally means personal union) is possible because He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin.

And here are a few more deeply theological questions found in “Knowing Jesus”: 

What does it mean that Jesus was the last Adam? (pgs. 48-49)
Why did Jesus teach in parables? (pgs. 68-69)
What does John 1 mean when it calls Jesus the Word? (pgs. 114-115)
Why is the virgin birth important? (pgs. 22-23)

Thought-Provoking Questions

Diving into this book will uncover many thought-provoking questions, as well. Some of these might be questions you’ve had for many years. Others might be things you have never thought to ask, such as: 

Did Jesus say that He was God? (pgs. 58-59)

One common objection to Christianity is that Jesus never said He was God. People scour the Gospels and don’t find a direct statement from Jesus about His divinity, so they say that His followers must have misunderstood His intent. But Jesus did make His identity clear, and His original hearers understood that He was claiming to be God.

Although He didn’t outright say, “I am the Messiah,” Jesus made His identity clear in many ways. He asserted His authority to interpret and oversee the Old Testament law when He called Himself Lord of the Sabbath (Mk. 2:28). He taught with authority, not calling on witnesses as other Jewish rabbis did, but speaking truth on His own authority (Jn. 7:15).

In what ways do we share in the suffering of Christ? (pgs. 128-129) One of the most disconcerting promises in Scripture, coming straight from the lips of Jesus, is “If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you” (Jn. 15:20). Similarly, Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation” (Jn. 16:33).

There is one redeemer, Jesus Christ, and the atonement He offered at the Cross is complete. But when we suffer for the sake of Christ, we fulfill God’s strategy for gospel proclamation. Suffering is not only a consequence of sharing the gospel; it is the method by which the gospel goes forth as the perseverance of a persecuted church demonstrates the reality of the Cross.

Lots of “What did Jesus mean” Questions

You will notice a plethora of “What did Jesus mean” questions in “Knowing Jesus,” such as: 

What does it mean that Jesus is our High Priest? (pgs. 112-113)
What did Jesus mean when He said He is the Bread of Life? (pgs. 116-117)
What did Jesus mean when He said He can provide living water? (pgs. 118-119)
What did Jesus mean when He said that He is the light of the world? (pgs. 120-121)
What did Jesus mean when He said He is the door? (pgs. 122-123)

And here are just a few more of the kind of questions that might pique your interest:

Biblical-Themes Questions

What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of God? (pgs. 42-43)
What does it mean that Jesus is the Son of Man? (pgs. 44-45)
What does it mean that Jesus was the Son of David? (pgs. 46-47)

Gospel-Related Questions

What does it mean to believe in Jesus? (pgs. 100-101)
What do I need to believe about Jesus in order to be a Christian? (pgs. 108-109)

“Knowing Jesus — Finding friendship with the Son of God” makes and excellent gift or would be a great resource to put on your bookshelf. We pray it aids you in learning more about Jesus and what the Bible says about Him. He is the greatest treasure in the universe, and we want you to be drawn ever closer to Him.