Once again we enjoyed a great conversation Sunday. I am so blessed by the participation. If you weren't able to be in class don't forget you can hear the discussion at northmissionchurch.org
This week is a substantial passage so I'll not give much of an introduction other than to say we are now really getting to where the rubber meets the road. I believe there is clear instruction on what is needed to be prepared for the road to discipleship. Take the needed time to read through this several times and then take a look at the questions below. I know it will be an engaging conversation.
Luke 6:12-8:56
Questions To Consider
1) In what ways do you believe the section in 6:20-49 helps us to understand the core principles of being a disciple of Jesus (also see Matthew 5-7)?
2) Can you imagine what an entire night in prayer might have involved? Can you identify at all with such an experience?
3) How can we have a significant prayer life that we don’t treat as a duty, or as a thing that “must be done” to be right with God? In what ways do we separate or blend prayer with the rest of our daily activities?
4) We hear many voices in our culture today. What are some of them? How do we decide which to follow and which to ignore?
5) We are to love our enemies, but this command sometimes seems impossible. Can you give examples? How can we solve this spiritual problem?
6) In what ways would you say faith is defined in this section? Note 8:22-25; 8:43-50
7) In the parable of the soils Jesus describes 4 soil types. Based upon your application of Jesus’ teaching in 6:20-49 which soil type best represents your discipleship of Jesus?
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Jesus Sets The Stage For All Who Follow
Our class this morning was again outstanding. I want to thank everyone in the class for their interest and participation. There is now an easy link on the blog page link at northmissionchurch.org with the audio from our class. If you missed anything in the class or were out of town, you can go there and listen to the class discussion. We will continue to try and make this recording even better.
As we discussed, John the baptizer stands out as an extreme example of what it looks like to follow after God. He not only calls us to a radical change, he points to some specifics when asked pointed questions. John's message and life were certainly radical and impacts every level of his culture just as our message and life should impact all of those with whom we come in contact. We all have a long way to go as disciples of Jesus.
This coming study in many ways confronts us with the challenge all followers of Jesus have faced from the beginning. We will now see Jesus "kicking off" His ministry. In this we will see the core of his message as well as what happens when you seek to live out the call of God on your life, especially among those who knew you before. Below are some of the questions we will consider this week. Spend some time in prayer about them and be sure to read and re-read the text.
As we discussed, John the baptizer stands out as an extreme example of what it looks like to follow after God. He not only calls us to a radical change, he points to some specifics when asked pointed questions. John's message and life were certainly radical and impacts every level of his culture just as our message and life should impact all of those with whom we come in contact. We all have a long way to go as disciples of Jesus.
This coming study in many ways confronts us with the challenge all followers of Jesus have faced from the beginning. We will now see Jesus "kicking off" His ministry. In this we will see the core of his message as well as what happens when you seek to live out the call of God on your life, especially among those who knew you before. Below are some of the questions we will consider this week. Spend some time in prayer about them and be sure to read and re-read the text.
Luke 4:16-6:11
1) Why does Luke give more detail than the other gospels in the story of the rejection at Nazareth? Why does he place it at the very first of Jesus’ ministry, rather than later, as in the other gospels?
2) Comment on this statement: Gospel writers were not always strictly concerned with chronology; thus, they moved stories around to suit their purposes.
3) When you first became a disciple of Jesus or even later as your level of commitment to follow Him increased, have you experienced rejection from family, friends or coworkers? Explain.
4) Though Jesus only did good, there were those who disliked him intensely. Why? Would you?
5) When you witness “total commitment” in the lives of others, whether religious, political, environmental, etc. what thoughts do you have?
6) In Jesus’ Sabbath controversies (6:1-11), was Jesus changing the Sabbath law, or deepening it?
7) Do the comments in this chapter about Simon and Levi – who left everything to follow Jesus – overstate the case, or is Luke making a point here and throughout the gospel about the total call to follow Jesus?
1) Why does Luke give more detail than the other gospels in the story of the rejection at Nazareth? Why does he place it at the very first of Jesus’ ministry, rather than later, as in the other gospels?
2) Comment on this statement: Gospel writers were not always strictly concerned with chronology; thus, they moved stories around to suit their purposes.
3) When you first became a disciple of Jesus or even later as your level of commitment to follow Him increased, have you experienced rejection from family, friends or coworkers? Explain.
4) Though Jesus only did good, there were those who disliked him intensely. Why? Would you?
5) When you witness “total commitment” in the lives of others, whether religious, political, environmental, etc. what thoughts do you have?
6) In Jesus’ Sabbath controversies (6:1-11), was Jesus changing the Sabbath law, or deepening it?
7) Do the comments in this chapter about Simon and Levi – who left everything to follow Jesus – overstate the case, or is Luke making a point here and throughout the gospel about the total call to follow Jesus?
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A Radical Message For Discipleship
I mentioned in my previous post how wonderful the first class was last week. I totally underestimated what was going to happen. Again, this is true not only in our study but also in the other two taking place.
Without question I was most impressed with the preparation of those in my class. It seemed that everyone had read and re-read the text in Luke 1 & 2 and had come fully ready for discussion. Our discussion was great and I can only imagine what it will be like next week.
I hope you were impressed as well at the core message found when we looked at the lives of the characters in Luke 1 & 2. Though flawed, they all seemed to have a heart for God and were therefore prepared to be used by Him for amazing things. They are truly outstanding examples of discipleship from whom we could learn much.
As to the upcoming week, below is the text and some of the questions we will consider. If you check this out and have some pre-class comments or questions, please post them so we can all share our thoughts and idea.
As we focus our attention this week on John the baptizer we can't avoid the "radical" example he provides for us as disciples of Jesus. May God continue to inspire us through His word and by His Spirit.
Luke 3:1 – 4:15
Questions To Consider
1) If you were an orthodox Jew listening to John the Baptist, how would you react to what he said? Shock? Surprise? Agreement?
2) What images did John use in his preaching, and what was their significance?
3) What unique things does Luke mention about John’s teaching on repentance? Can you think of similar emphasis elsewhere in the gospel?
4) Were John’s converts forgiven, absolutely and finally? Justify your answer?
5) React to this statement: the “baptism” of the Spirit was just a way of describing the overwhelming arrival of the Spirit, like the submerging in water of baptism.
6) Compare what Luke tells us about the Holy Spirit and Jesus in 3:22-4:21 with similar material in Matthew and Mark. What is Luke telling us?
Without question I was most impressed with the preparation of those in my class. It seemed that everyone had read and re-read the text in Luke 1 & 2 and had come fully ready for discussion. Our discussion was great and I can only imagine what it will be like next week.
I hope you were impressed as well at the core message found when we looked at the lives of the characters in Luke 1 & 2. Though flawed, they all seemed to have a heart for God and were therefore prepared to be used by Him for amazing things. They are truly outstanding examples of discipleship from whom we could learn much.
As to the upcoming week, below is the text and some of the questions we will consider. If you check this out and have some pre-class comments or questions, please post them so we can all share our thoughts and idea.
As we focus our attention this week on John the baptizer we can't avoid the "radical" example he provides for us as disciples of Jesus. May God continue to inspire us through His word and by His Spirit.
Luke 3:1 – 4:15
Questions To Consider
1) If you were an orthodox Jew listening to John the Baptist, how would you react to what he said? Shock? Surprise? Agreement?
2) What images did John use in his preaching, and what was their significance?
3) What unique things does Luke mention about John’s teaching on repentance? Can you think of similar emphasis elsewhere in the gospel?
4) Were John’s converts forgiven, absolutely and finally? Justify your answer?
5) React to this statement: the “baptism” of the Spirit was just a way of describing the overwhelming arrival of the Spirit, like the submerging in water of baptism.
6) Compare what Luke tells us about the Holy Spirit and Jesus in 3:22-4:21 with similar material in Matthew and Mark. What is Luke telling us?
Sunday, September 6, 2009
The Discipleship Theme
Our first class this morning was amazing. Not just our class but all of the classes. There is a fresh and renewing spirit among us. It must be because the Spirit is among us. I was truly amazed at the participation today and look forward to the weeks to come. It is going to be enlightening, challenging and encouraging. I can't wait to see what God is going to do as we seek to follow Him more completely. If you would be interested in hearing the general introduction to the classes made on August 30th you can go to the church web site and listen to the audio of that presentation. In addition, there are links to other lessons and the other two blogs for classes www.northmissionchurch.org
We clearly discovered in class that discipleship or being a disciple of Jesus is much more than simply learning about Jesus or even following Him. To be a disciple of Jesus is to be a person who seeks to put His teaching, His heart, His life into the daily practice and attitudes of our life.
I would love to hear some feedback from the previous post or any thoughts you might have about the upcoming study. Below are a few questions we will be considering next week so you might consider them and before class or any time during this week.
1) Compare Luke 1 & 2 with Matthew 1 & 2. What is the significance of the different ways these two gospels present the birth and infancy narratives?
2) Why do you think only Luke records the event about Jesus at age 12?
3) From the first 2 chapters of Luke do you think the author is placing greater stress on the humanity or the divinity of Jesus?
4) If we take the picture of Jesus in Luke 1 & 2 as a model, what do we learn about the nature of discipleship?
I'm looking forward to hearing from you!!!
We clearly discovered in class that discipleship or being a disciple of Jesus is much more than simply learning about Jesus or even following Him. To be a disciple of Jesus is to be a person who seeks to put His teaching, His heart, His life into the daily practice and attitudes of our life.
I would love to hear some feedback from the previous post or any thoughts you might have about the upcoming study. Below are a few questions we will be considering next week so you might consider them and before class or any time during this week.
1) Compare Luke 1 & 2 with Matthew 1 & 2. What is the significance of the different ways these two gospels present the birth and infancy narratives?
2) Why do you think only Luke records the event about Jesus at age 12?
3) From the first 2 chapters of Luke do you think the author is placing greater stress on the humanity or the divinity of Jesus?
4) If we take the picture of Jesus in Luke 1 & 2 as a model, what do we learn about the nature of discipleship?
I'm looking forward to hearing from you!!!
Saturday, September 5, 2009
What Is Discipleship?
Beginning a new study of any kind often times begins with "the big picture". For our study, this will be be enhanced I think by taking the time to read through the gospel of Luke which will be our primary source for this class. As you read you might make notes and list passages in which you discover teaching (especially from Jesus) that relates to discipleship. In our first class we will begin the conversation by asking some general questions. I've listed them below for your consideration.
1) Were there any surprises about the behavior expected of you when you became a Christian?
2) What are some contemporary view of what Christian discipleship ought to be?
3) Based on Luke 1:1-4 and your own reflection, what do you think was the situation with Luke's readers?
4) What do you think are the central concerns and requirements of Christian discipleship?
5) Using your own words write out a definition of discipleship as it relates to Jesus?
Whether you attend the class held at North Mission or just participate on line, I would love to hear your thoughts and comments. Come walk with us as we seek to walk with Jesus.
1) Were there any surprises about the behavior expected of you when you became a Christian?
2) What are some contemporary view of what Christian discipleship ought to be?
3) Based on Luke 1:1-4 and your own reflection, what do you think was the situation with Luke's readers?
4) What do you think are the central concerns and requirements of Christian discipleship?
5) Using your own words write out a definition of discipleship as it relates to Jesus?
Whether you attend the class held at North Mission or just participate on line, I would love to hear your thoughts and comments. Come walk with us as we seek to walk with Jesus.
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