Choose Life

Group Discussion

Pastor Nikki Jones

Sunday Morning Message – 10th May 2026

Citywest Church YouTube: https://youtube.com/live/wAMUU1Go6Mo

Objective: This study explores how God sets before us the choice between life and death, revealing that true life is found not in temporary things, but in Jesus Christ Himself

Leader: Please choose what best suits your group and fits the time well. You do not need to discuss every question. Create your own questions that fit your group. Choose two or three areas to discuss. Have fun, Jesus people!

Introduction

Jesus the Source of Life, and the Invitation to Follow Him

Imagine this moment:  Moses has led Israel for 40 years through wilderness, miracles, rebellion, provision, and covenant with God. Now he stands before the people knowing this is his final speech.

If this were your final opportunity to speak to your family, your children, or the people you loved most — what would you say?

Moses reduces everything down to one great appeal:

“I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life…” — Deuteronomy 30:19

This study explores three major themes:

1. What is set before you

2. Jesus is Life

3. Follow Jesus

What Is Set Before You

Read: Deuteronomy 30:11–19

Questions - What does “set before you” mean?

The phrase literally means:

• placed before you

• made visible

• brought into your presence

• impossible to ignore

God is not merely giving Israel information. He is placing a direction before them that will shape the course of their lives.

In biblical thinking:

What is continually before your eyes shapes the heart, and the heart directs the path.

This theme appears throughout Scripture:

• keeping God’s words before your eyes

• fixing your gaze on the Lord

• setting your mind on things above

• meditating on truth

What we set before us shapes us.

Humans naturally move toward what they believe will give them life.

People often orient their lives around:

• success

• pleasure

• control

• security

• identity

• peace

• purpose

• family

• hope

• achievement

• freedom

• approval

These are not necessarily wrong things. But the deeper question is:

“What do I believe will ultimately give me life?”

Our brains are designed to automate repeated behavior. What we repeatedly focus on trains the brain toward what it believes is life-giving.

The basal ganglia:

• stores repeated behaviors

• automates patterns

• reduces conscious effort

So, overtime:

• repeated thoughts become pathways

• repeated behaviors become defaults

• repeated focus becomes identity

Reflection Questions (Leader, choose what works for your group)

1. What is most consistently before your eyes right now?

2. What do you turn to when you need comfort, identity, or fulfillment?

3. What vision is currently directing your decisions?

4. Are your habits leading you toward life or away from it?

5. What would it look like to intentionally set God before you daily?

Jesus Is Life

Read: John 10:10 and John 14:6

Jesus repeatedly describes Himself as:

• the Bread of Life

• the Resurrection and the Life

• Living Water

• the Light of Life

The Greek word life “zoē” means:

• fullness

• vitality

• spiritual aliveness

• connection with God

Jesus is not simply saying: “I help people live a lovely life.”

He is saying: “I am the source of the life you are searching for.”

The Woman at the Well

Read: John 4:1–30

The well represents:

• human effort

• temporary satisfaction

• repeated cycles

• returning again and again for fulfillment

Jesus offers her something radically different:

“Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst…” — John 4:13–14

Then something remarkable happens:

“Then, leaving her water jar…” — John 4:28

She leaves behind the very thing that represented her old source.

A New Source of Life

If life comes from:          (Discuss)

• achievement → we chase success

• approval → we chase people

• control → we chase certainty

But if life comes from Christ:

• we stop striving to “get” life

• and begin living FROM Him as the source of life

Reflection Questions (Leader, choose what works for your group)

1. What “wells” have you returned to repeatedly hoping they would satisfy you?

2. What does Jesus mean when He says He is Life?

3. Is your relationship with God based more on striving or receiving?

4. What “water jar” might God be asking you to leave behind?

5. What would change if Jesus truly became your primary source of life?

Follow Jesus

Read: Matthew 4:19 and John 8:12

One of Jesus’ most repeated invitations is: “Follow Me.”

The Greek word “akoloutheō” means:

• walk with

• accompany

• stay attached to

• align your path with someone

Jesus does not say:

• “Admire me.”

• “Study me.”

• “Figure life out yourself.”

Jesus says: “Follow Me.”

Read: Deuteronomy 30:11–14 - Moses Said It Isn’t Too Far Away

Jesus continues this same invitation: not distant religion, but relational closeness.

To follow Jesus means:

• staying connected to Him

• walking with Him daily

• learning His ways

• trusting His direction

Following Jesus does not mean life becomes easy.

But it does mean you no longer walk alone.

Reflection Questions (Leader, choose what works for your group)

1. What does it practically mean to follow Jesus daily?

2. Are you trying to do life alone?

3. What areas of your life are hardest to surrender?

4. How would your life change if you truly believed Jesus walks with you?

5. What is one step of obedience God may be asking of you today?

Conclusion

The message running through Scripture is deeply consistent:

• God sets life before us

• Jesus reveals Himself as that Life

• Jesus invites us: “Follow Me.”

What we continually set before ourselves shapes:

• our attention

• our habits

• our direction

• our identity

So, the question is not merely: “What do I want from life?”

But: “What do I believe IS life?”

Jesus declares: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” — John 14:6

The invitation today for you and all is simple:

choose life,

choose Jesus,

and walk with Him.

NOTES: