Why follow Jesus? A question we’ve asked several times in this study. Is it worth the sacrifice or cost? Are we in it for the reward or is there an even greater reason for become and remain his disciples? There is nothing we have to offer God yet, we sometimes may say something like this: “God, if you will do ___________ then I will do _________”. We may think we have something to offer God or are in a position where we can bargain with Him. Obviously the truth is that we have nothing to offer Him and yet he desires that we give ourselves to Him. What is truly amazing is that God not only wants to bless us with eternal life with Him but also wants to bless us in this life now. Today we will look at several passages in which Jesus speaks of the blessings received when choosing to follow Him.
Questions To Consider
1) What do you believe to be the greatest blessing of or from God?
2) On what basis does Jesus have the right to ask “everything” of us?
3) Is Luke 12:33 an absolute command for all time, or is it a principle that can be followed even without literal obedience?
4) In what way has fellowship with God brought blessings to your life?
5) Besides the examples of Peter and John, how do you see the themes of discipleship demonstrated in Acts?
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Specifics of Discipleship: The Danger of Faith in Self
Luke 11:37-12:1; 20:46f; 19:11-27
Although I will be out of town for this particular study I wanted to make sure those who are following the blog are able to stay up with the progression of the study. Faith is critical as one seeks to be a disciple of Jesus yet misguided faith can also be our downfall. The greatest danger may be to place our faith in ourselves. To become dependent upon our knowledge or righteousness or devotion rather than depending on Jesus. Before we can conclude the following week with some of the blessings we need to be sure and not allow ourselves to become the greatest stumbling block.
Discussion Questions:
1) How does Jesus' teaching about humility relate to various self-actualization theories and psychological techniques encountered today?
2) How are religious leaders tempted to pride (11:37-12:1)?
3) Why is selfishness self-defeating?
4) Many consider self-centeredness the basic human sin, forming the background for all other sins. Do you agree? Justify your answer. Is self-love the root of all sins?
5) What are the more subtle ways even "good" people can be self-centered?
6) Are humans basically good, as some claim, or basically evil? Explain your answer.
7) How can people in positions of importance or power, who receive the attention of others, avoid the worship of self?
Although I will be out of town for this particular study I wanted to make sure those who are following the blog are able to stay up with the progression of the study. Faith is critical as one seeks to be a disciple of Jesus yet misguided faith can also be our downfall. The greatest danger may be to place our faith in ourselves. To become dependent upon our knowledge or righteousness or devotion rather than depending on Jesus. Before we can conclude the following week with some of the blessings we need to be sure and not allow ourselves to become the greatest stumbling block.
Discussion Questions:
1) How does Jesus' teaching about humility relate to various self-actualization theories and psychological techniques encountered today?
2) How are religious leaders tempted to pride (11:37-12:1)?
3) Why is selfishness self-defeating?
4) Many consider self-centeredness the basic human sin, forming the background for all other sins. Do you agree? Justify your answer. Is self-love the root of all sins?
5) What are the more subtle ways even "good" people can be self-centered?
6) Are humans basically good, as some claim, or basically evil? Explain your answer.
7) How can people in positions of importance or power, who receive the attention of others, avoid the worship of self?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Specifics Of Discipleship: The Danger of Faith In Things We Can See
Luke 12:13-21; 12:22-34; 16:1-13; 16:14-31; 18:18-30; 19:1-10
Many things in this life which are temporal compete for our attention and devotion yet all things temporal will never fully satisfy those who are designed for eternity. The focus in all of these stories is on wealth or possessions and their pull on our spiritual interests. As we observe these various accounts we will hopefully be able to draw some conclusions that will help us as we struggle with these issues as His disciples.
Questions To Consider
1) If Jesus’ disciple were not particularly wealthy, why so much emphasis on this subject in Luke?
2) How is Luke’s message about wealth especially relevant in twenty-first century America?
3) What does our American culture teach us about wealth and is acquisition?
4) How can a Christian determine “what percentage to give?”
5) How would you apply the story of the rich man and Lazarus to contemporary life? What do you think is the significance of the last part of the story, about the five brothers?
6) Is it possible to be materialistic, and in all other regards be a “good person” – involved in church, Bible reading, prayer, etc.?
7) What is the temptation to trust that which is seen rather than to trust in God?
8) Other than possessions, what are some visible things in which we place our trust?
Many things in this life which are temporal compete for our attention and devotion yet all things temporal will never fully satisfy those who are designed for eternity. The focus in all of these stories is on wealth or possessions and their pull on our spiritual interests. As we observe these various accounts we will hopefully be able to draw some conclusions that will help us as we struggle with these issues as His disciples.
Questions To Consider
1) If Jesus’ disciple were not particularly wealthy, why so much emphasis on this subject in Luke?
2) How is Luke’s message about wealth especially relevant in twenty-first century America?
3) What does our American culture teach us about wealth and is acquisition?
4) How can a Christian determine “what percentage to give?”
5) How would you apply the story of the rich man and Lazarus to contemporary life? What do you think is the significance of the last part of the story, about the five brothers?
6) Is it possible to be materialistic, and in all other regards be a “good person” – involved in church, Bible reading, prayer, etc.?
7) What is the temptation to trust that which is seen rather than to trust in God?
8) Other than possessions, what are some visible things in which we place our trust?
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Specifics Of Discipleship: Faith
Luke 17:11 – 19:27
There are many opponents to faith. Over the next two weeks we’re going to take a look at a couple of these. Before we can begin we will need to try to define what we mean by faith and also observe how Jesus defines or illustrates the presence of it as well as the absence of it. In addition, we will need to ask ourselves whether we tend to live more by faith or by sight. I hope you will expand your thinking beyond some of the standard answers usually given in a church setting.
Questions To Consider
1) Consider the way faith is shown in Luke with the way we should show it today.
2) Is it possible to claim we have faith when the object of our faith is not realistic?
3) What are wrong things in which modern people place their faith?
4) What do you think the request “increase our faith” expects for an answer? How would you interpret Jesus’ answer?
5) Give contemporary illustrations of the barriers to faith indicated in this chapter.
6) Did Jesus teach God would give us anything we believe he can give? If he did, what would be the consequences?
7) Which character within these faith stories would you say is more like you?
8) What do you believe helped the early disciples grow the most in their faith?
There are many opponents to faith. Over the next two weeks we’re going to take a look at a couple of these. Before we can begin we will need to try to define what we mean by faith and also observe how Jesus defines or illustrates the presence of it as well as the absence of it. In addition, we will need to ask ourselves whether we tend to live more by faith or by sight. I hope you will expand your thinking beyond some of the standard answers usually given in a church setting.
Questions To Consider
1) Consider the way faith is shown in Luke with the way we should show it today.
2) Is it possible to claim we have faith when the object of our faith is not realistic?
3) What are wrong things in which modern people place their faith?
4) What do you think the request “increase our faith” expects for an answer? How would you interpret Jesus’ answer?
5) Give contemporary illustrations of the barriers to faith indicated in this chapter.
6) Did Jesus teach God would give us anything we believe he can give? If he did, what would be the consequences?
7) Which character within these faith stories would you say is more like you?
8) What do you believe helped the early disciples grow the most in their faith?
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