Free to Follow - John 14:1-6

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going." Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?" Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." (John 14:1-6, NASB)

Summary
Russell continues our "Free" series with "Free to Follow" from John 14:1-15, addressing the disciples' troubled hearts after Jesus announces His departure. Russell uses the illustration of a Sunday school teacher asking children how to get to heaven - with kids correctly shouting "NO!" to every works-based answer until one finally declares "You gotta be dead!" Russell explains that the disciples experience ταράσσω (inner turmoil) due to failure, sudden change, and facing death, but Jesus responds by promising to prepare a place in His Father's house and declaring Himself as "the way, the truth, and the life." Russell emphasizes that Jesus' exclusivity eliminates our own way - comparing our good works to showing up at a bank with Monopoly money when what matters is the currency of grace. He concludes by explaining that while good works don't save us, they serve as expressions of gratitude, match our new character, testify to others, and earn rewards in heaven.

1. What's the most "Monopoly money" accomplishment you've ever been really proud of - something that seemed incredibly important at the time but later felt pretty meaningless?
2. Russell describes three things that cause ταράσσω (inner turmoil): failure, sudden change, and facing death. Which of these three creates the most "troubled heart" for you personally?
3. When you think about Jesus saying "I go to prepare a place for you," what emotions does that stir up - excitement, comfort, anxiety, or something else entirely?
4. Russell says "Exclusivity eliminates your own way" and that trusting in good works is like showing up at the bank with Monopoly money. Where do you catch yourself still trying to "earn points" with God instead of resting in what Jesus has already done?
5. How do you respond when someone challenges Christianity by saying "Surely Jesus isn't the ONLY way?" What would you say to help them understand why exclusivity is actually liberating rather than limiting?
6. Russell explains that good works express gratitude, match our new character, testify to others, and earn rewards. Which of these four purposes motivates you most to do good works, and which feels hardest to embrace?
7. Think of someone in your life who seems to be banking on their personal morality to get to heaven. How could you gently share with them that "the road they are on is a dead end" without sounding judgmental?
8. What's one specific area this week where you want to move from trying to earn God's approval to simply expressing gratitude for what Jesus has already accomplished?

Extra Credit
Look up Romans 3:20-28, Ephesians 2:8-10, Titus 3:4-7, and 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.
How do these passages expand our understanding of the relationship between salvation and good works? What common thread runs through all of them about God's grace versus human effort?