Too often, in discussions concerning discipleship we remain theoretical and fail to talk of practical ways to implement the principles we learn. The remainder or our study will be pointed toward the practical ways in which we can live out Jesus in our world.
Questions To Consider
1) Summarize Luke 17:11 – 19:27. What ideas stand out?
2) Distinguish Christian love and kindness (i.e. the idea that love could never “hurt” anyone).
3) Why do you believe love is such a critical demonstration of Christian discipleship?
4) How do you react to today’s “live and let live” philosophy when you see others doing wrong in ways that are spiritually damaging?
5) How can a “rebuking” love become unchristian?
6) In what ways does love make judgments and yet still remain non-judgmental?
7) How does the love taught in the Sermon on the Plain differ from the common conception of love we see today?
8) Just how do we love God and men, especially if we don’t have loving feelings?
Monday, October 26, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Let's Get Serious For A Moment
Luke 9:23-27, 57-62; 10:13-16; 11:31f; 12:49-53, 57-59; 13:1-3, 22-30; 14:25-33 and 17:10
Be sure and take the time to read through each of the passages listed above. It will be from them that we draw our discussion. Very few people really want to talk about the subject. In fact, just bringing it up to you today may be more painful than you are willing to discuss. We have all been near it or at least too close for comfort. What we’re talking about today is death. Death is serious business and when it draws near we’re not quite sure how to address it. In our discussion today Jesus forces those who follow him to take it seriously and if we want to follow Him we must also wrestle with it at a deep level. Whether we like it or not, death comes to us all, however as a disciple of Jesus we are challenged to choose the way of death. This is going to be interesting!
Questions To Consider
1) How would you react to those who argue one can be saved only if one practices “total commitment”?
2) Summarize Luke 13:31-17:10. What ideas stand out?
3) How many texts in Luke 9:51-19:27 deal with discipleship and family?
4) Does the narrow door in 13:22-30 indicate that God only wants to save a few people, or that only a few people will want to be saved? Discuss.
5) Does 14:25-33 apply to us today, or was it only for the special case of those following a man on his way to die?
6) Is it appropriate to apply “cross bearing” texts to difficult situations in life, such as a bad marriage, caring for a dependant loved one, or prolonged illness?
7) Does “cross bearing” indicate we are not genuine Christians if our faith doesn’t cause us pain? How does cross bearing work together with the idea of Christian joy?
Be sure and take the time to read through each of the passages listed above. It will be from them that we draw our discussion. Very few people really want to talk about the subject. In fact, just bringing it up to you today may be more painful than you are willing to discuss. We have all been near it or at least too close for comfort. What we’re talking about today is death. Death is serious business and when it draws near we’re not quite sure how to address it. In our discussion today Jesus forces those who follow him to take it seriously and if we want to follow Him we must also wrestle with it at a deep level. Whether we like it or not, death comes to us all, however as a disciple of Jesus we are challenged to choose the way of death. This is going to be interesting!
Questions To Consider
1) How would you react to those who argue one can be saved only if one practices “total commitment”?
2) Summarize Luke 13:31-17:10. What ideas stand out?
3) How many texts in Luke 9:51-19:27 deal with discipleship and family?
4) Does the narrow door in 13:22-30 indicate that God only wants to save a few people, or that only a few people will want to be saved? Discuss.
5) Does 14:25-33 apply to us today, or was it only for the special case of those following a man on his way to die?
6) Is it appropriate to apply “cross bearing” texts to difficult situations in life, such as a bad marriage, caring for a dependant loved one, or prolonged illness?
7) Does “cross bearing” indicate we are not genuine Christians if our faith doesn’t cause us pain? How does cross bearing work together with the idea of Christian joy?
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Is Jesus Worth Following?
We have now come to the central section of Luke’s gospel. If you’re reading the study guide you will note the author changes how he approaches the text at this point. As a result, it will require of us to be even more diligent in our reading and re-reading of the text. In addition, it is critical that we make notes as we go and list any questions or thoughts since the section is so much larger. It will be worth the effort if we apply ourselves with more dedication over the next several weeks.
Questions To Consider
1) Why would a person, knowing death awaited, go to it deliberately? How does Luke answer this question? Be specific.
2) Summarize the contents of Luke 9:51-13:30. What ideas do you find standing out in these chapters?
3) Summarize the picture of Jesus that Luke has given us as we arrive at 9:51.
4) If you are not presently follower of Jesus, what would prevent you from following Him today? If you are presently a follower of Jesus what is preventing you from becoming a more dedicated disciple of Jesus?
5) How can you reconcile Jesus’ denunciation of the Pharisees and the lawyers in 11:37-12:1 with his words in chapter 6 about loving enemies?
6) Why would someone oppose a closest blood relative because they decided to follow Jesus? Do you know of any such cases?
Questions To Consider
1) Why would a person, knowing death awaited, go to it deliberately? How does Luke answer this question? Be specific.
2) Summarize the contents of Luke 9:51-13:30. What ideas do you find standing out in these chapters?
3) Summarize the picture of Jesus that Luke has given us as we arrive at 9:51.
4) If you are not presently follower of Jesus, what would prevent you from following Him today? If you are presently a follower of Jesus what is preventing you from becoming a more dedicated disciple of Jesus?
5) How can you reconcile Jesus’ denunciation of the Pharisees and the lawyers in 11:37-12:1 with his words in chapter 6 about loving enemies?
6) Why would someone oppose a closest blood relative because they decided to follow Jesus? Do you know of any such cases?
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Do You Know Him? Are You Sure?
We all seem to be so confident in the fact that we know who Jesus is. And of course we do, right? Our study this week forces us to look way below the surface just as we have been challenged throughout this study. At first glance it appears obvious that the disciples clearly knew who Jesus was. They did confess Hm as the Christ, the son of God. But as we look further, it becomes obvious they didn't "really" know Him.
As we consider this passage I am hopeful we will do some critical self evaluation as to whether we have modified Jesus into someone we are comfortable with rather than follow Him as He has revealed Himself. I believe we are in for some exciting discussion and life-changing experiences.
Luke 9:1-50
Questions To Consider
1) How can you explain some of the “theories” about Jesus in 9:7-9?
2) In what ways are the statements of Herod contrasting or similar to the statements of the disciples?
3) What would lead the disciples to believe Jesus was the Messiah? In what ways did Jesus seek to clarify for them what it meant to be Messiah?
4) Luke 9:33 says Peter did not understand. What should he have understood?
5) How would you have reacted to Jesus’ statement about his martyrdom? Why do you think Luke omits the story of Peter’s protest to Jesus’ prediction of his death?
6) What are some of the examples given of the failure of the disciples to truly understand what it meant to be the Messiah and what it meant to follow Him?
7) In what ways are we like the disciples in this section and how can we become more like what Jesus called them to be?
As we consider this passage I am hopeful we will do some critical self evaluation as to whether we have modified Jesus into someone we are comfortable with rather than follow Him as He has revealed Himself. I believe we are in for some exciting discussion and life-changing experiences.
Luke 9:1-50
Questions To Consider
1) How can you explain some of the “theories” about Jesus in 9:7-9?
2) In what ways are the statements of Herod contrasting or similar to the statements of the disciples?
3) What would lead the disciples to believe Jesus was the Messiah? In what ways did Jesus seek to clarify for them what it meant to be Messiah?
4) Luke 9:33 says Peter did not understand. What should he have understood?
5) How would you have reacted to Jesus’ statement about his martyrdom? Why do you think Luke omits the story of Peter’s protest to Jesus’ prediction of his death?
6) What are some of the examples given of the failure of the disciples to truly understand what it meant to be the Messiah and what it meant to follow Him?
7) In what ways are we like the disciples in this section and how can we become more like what Jesus called them to be?
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