Small Group Study: What Makes Christianity Unique?

Goal

To explore the core beliefs that set Christianity apart from other world religions and deepen our understanding of the Christian faith.

Session Overview

• Title: What Makes Christianity Different?
• Time: 60–75 minutes
• Group Size: 4–10 people
• Materials: Bibles, pens, paper, optional handouts

Part 1: Icebreaker (10 min)

Prompt: “If you could ask God one question, what would it be?” Let everyone share briefly. This opens up spiritual curiosity and sets the tone.

Part 2: Scripture Foundation (15 min)

Read and reflect on these verses:

• John 14:6 – “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
• Ephesians 2:8–9 – “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… not by works.”
• Romans 5:8 – “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Discussion Questions:

• What do these verses say about how Christianity views salvation?
• How does Jesus describe His role in our relationship with God?

Part 3: Core Differences (20 min)

Use this list to guide discussion. Ask: “How is this different from other religions you’ve heard about?”

Christianity	Other Religions
Jesus is God incarnate	Prophets or enlightened teachers
Salvation by grace through faith	Salvation often earned by works
Personal relationship with God	Often more distant or ritual-based
Resurrection of Jesus	No central resurrection event
Bible as divine revelation	Other sacred texts or oral traditions

Group Activity: Split into pairs. Each pair picks one difference and discusses how it impacts daily life.

Part 4: Real-Life Application (15 min)

Questions:

• How does knowing these differences affect your faith?
• What challenges do you face when sharing these truths with others?
• How can we live in a way that reflects the uniqueness of Christianity?

Part 5: Prayer & Wrap-Up (10 min)

Close with prayer, asking God to help the group grow in understanding and boldness in sharing their faith.

Optional Challenge: Ask each person to share one thing they learned with someone outside the group this week.