Learning Jesus | Week 21
Learning Jesus Week 21
With Me or Against Me?
Key Word – Choose >> Central Passage – Go to Reflection Questions to choose one.
Day 1
Background Information – In Lesson 13, we read how the twelve apostles were a closed group whom Jesus sent to proclaim the kingdom after Israel’s leadership rejected Him as Messiah. Now that Jesus had been rejected, this proclamation of the kingdom was to disciple individuals who believed or who would believe. Since the Pharisees had not discipled the people correctly in the Word of God, the people were left as “sheep without a shepherd” unless Jesus provided training.
When Jesus sent out the Twelve, He commanded them to pray to the Lord of the harvest that He would raise up laborers for the harvest (see Lesson 13). God answered this prayer, and at this point in His ministry, Jesus has identified seventy-two additional disciples ready to labor for the kingdom. Note how He gives them the same basic training He gave to the Twelve before sending them out.
Read Luke 10:1-16.
1. Why does Jesus tell these seventy-two, “The one who hears you, hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me”?
Consider with whom the rejection finally stops.
Read Luke 10:17-24.
2. The falling of Satan from heaven signifies Satan’s defeat is sure and that Jesus’ authority has been given to His disciples. This is cause for much rejoicing! Why, then, does Jesus command these seventy-two to rejoice instead that their names are written in the heaven?
Consider Jesus’ commitment to them in your answer (See verses 20-22).
3. Jesus’ Strategy
o Why is it strategic for Jesus to give seventy-two additional disciples the same vision for kingdom work that He provided for the twelve apostles? Consider how Jesus now has two “cohorts” in training.
o You, reader, also see things that Old Testament prophets and kings desired to see. Make a list of things you have seen that are only possible because Jesus died and rose again to save us. Enjoy a time of praise with the One who wrote your name in heaven.
Day 2
Read Luke 10:25-28.
Background Information – “Will my life continue after I die?” is a fundamental question for all humanity, and who better to pose that question to Jesus than a lawyer? Note how the lawyer frames that question, like any fallen man would, using the word “do,” and how Jesus rightly turns the lawyer to the Law for the answer, and commands him to “do” what for a fallen man is impossible to do perfectly.
1. Why can the command to love others not be separated from the command to love God? Or said another way – If we love God with all our mind and passion, how will we naturally love others?
Read Luke 10:29-37.
Background Information – The lawyer realizes that he cannot fulfill the Law of Love perfectly, so like all fallen beings caught in pride, he deflects his lack of perfection by asking Jesus “Who is my neighbor?” This question is sourced in the false teaching that the only “neighbors” Jews needed to love were God’s people, meaning fellow Jews. To counter this false teaching, Jesus inserts into a teaching story two Jewish leaders, whom the lawyer would expect to love God with inward and outward devotion, and one Samaritan, who as enemy of the Jews, the lawyer would not expect to love God with inward and outward devotion.
2. Neighbors in Contrast
o What do the priest and Levite’s outward actions to -- according to their own theology -- their neighbor reveal about their inward love for God?
o What does the Samaritan’s inward attitude (v33) and outward resulting actions reveal about his love for God?
Read Luke 10:38-42.
Background Information – When the seventy-two went out, Luke stated that Jesus “sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go.” So as Jesus travels, He is entering homes that the seventy-two prepared for him, and one is Martha’s home.
3. Sisters in Contrast
o What do Martha’s outward actions reveal about her inward love for God?
o What do Mary’s outward actions reveal about her inward love for God?
Day 3
Read Luke 11:1-4.
Background Information – Jesus is teaching His disciples how to pray just as He did at the conclusion of the Sermon on the Mount. This is not surprising since He is now discipling more recently committed followers whom He is also sending out to do ministry. He again teaches the Disciples’ Prayer and then follows it with a parable only Luke includes. Notice that in keeping with praying for God’s kingdom to come, Jesus uses the plural pronouns of “our” and “us” instead of “my” and “me.”
1. Through Jesus’ prayer we learn much about who God is and what His will is. On each line finish this statement; “Our Father is _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. ” Then add what is revealed about His will. The last one is done for you as an example.
Father, hallowed be your name _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Your kingdom come. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Give us each day our daily bread, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
and forgive us our sins, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
And lead us not into temptation. all powerful, holy, sovereign -- His will is that we are holy so He will help us to not succumb to temptations during any trial.
Read Luke 11:5-13.
Background Information – HEB shoppers, to appreciate the host’s urgency in Jesus’ next parable, let’s imagine your life as a working-class father in first-century Israel. You work to provide the grain that your wife turns into bread. While your and your wife’s work in putting daily bread on the table add up to hours, your children’s time in consuming your labor is minutes. You sigh, “Tomorrow is another day of earning grain so my wife can make bread.” You then labor to get those rambunctious kids to bed in your one-room house. At midnight a knock on the door wakes up your whole family. You open it to a friend who had no cell phone to tell you he was coming through your town and needs a place to stay. He’s tired and hungry. You absolutely cannot refuse him hospitality because you, like every other working-class man you know, will need free bread and bed when you travel. So to refuse your friend would be considered scandalous. What would be less scandalous but still pretty bold? To go to a fellow working-class friend and knock on his one-room house’s door thus also waking up his entire household, in hopes that maybe his kids didn’t eat all the day’s bread like your kids did.
2. God is not being compared to the humans in these parables.
o Contrast the reluctant friend (who gave bread to the host) to God.
o Contrast earthly fathers to God the Father.
3. Consider all Jesus taught about prayer.
Why can we boldly enter into the presence of God with our requests?
Meditate for a moment. What is something you have not brought to God? Write a bold prayer to Him.
Day 4
Read Luke 11:14-32.
Background Information – In our readings, we have seen that Jesus often teaches the same thing when similar circumstances or questions are in play. All teachers re-use their material like this, and all good teachers teach recursively. In Lesson 11, we read in Days 3 and 4 how Jewish leadership rejected Jesus after He cast out a demon from a man who was both blind and mute. (If you have not read Matthew 12:22-45, then you should do so and then review the notes for Lesson 11 at gracelaredo.org/learningjesus.)
In our text today Jesus heals a demon-possessed man who is a mute. What follows is so similar to what transpired in Matthew 12 that some believe these are the same story. But there are some key differences in the accounts. One is that the man in this story is only mute. If the man were both blind and mute, we might expect Doctor Luke to note that because he has always provided greater details about the people Jesus healed than other gospel writers. Another is that Matthew’s account takes place in Galilee, while Luke’s takes place in Judea. A third is that in Matthew’s account, the Pharisees challenge Jesus, while in Luke’s account, the people challenge Him. This makes sense because we have already noted that many people are beginning to accept the Pharisees’ claim that Jesus performs His miracles through the power of Satan. And finally in Matthew’s story, Jesus’ family came to Him, believing He is beside Himself, and Jesus uses this interruption to declare that His true family consists of those who follow God’s will. In Luke’s story, Jesus is also interrupted, but this time by a woman. Note how Jesus responds to her interruption.
1. We learned that the Jews considered healing a demon-possessed mute a Messianic miracle. Given that, why would Jesus perform a similar miracle knowing it would provoke some people to ascribe the miracle to Satan?
2. In both these similar healings and conflicts, Jesus takes advantage of an interruption to basically state that those who obey the Word of God belong to Him. Why might He choose to state this both times given the claims He is making about Himself to first the Pharisees and then the people? See Matthew 12:46-50 for the interruption of Lesson 11 and Luke 11:27-28 for this lesson’s interruption.
Read Luke 11:33-36.
Background Information – In this text Jesus is still addressing the people. Jewish leadership has rejected His light so He is no longer offering the kingdom to the nation of Israel. He is, however, offering it to individuals, so He is not “hiding” His light but “shining” it to call individuals with eyes to see to enter the kingdom.
3. Jesus states that He cast out the demon by the finger of God (Luke 11:20). The Law of Love was written with the finger of God (Exodus 31:18). Consider this entire lesson so far. What gives Jesus the RIGHT to divide the family of Israel by saying that whoever is not with Him is against Him and whoever does not gather with Him scatters?
Day 5
Read Luke 11:37-54.
Background Information – Given that Jesus takes every opportunity to rebuke Pharisees, it is perplexing that they would keep inviting Him to dinner, but here we have another example of controversy during a time we associate with peace and fellowship. When we sit at table, we remember God our Provider, our mutual total dependence upon Him for the smallest of gifts, including the tiny herbs that enhance the food’s flavor. Another way we remember God is by the offering of alms or tithes when we give to God a portion of what He has given to us. As you read, identify how Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for glorifying themselves instead of God and why He considers their self-glorification as death for others.
1. Jesus charges the Pharisees with spiritual murder of the people. How do their outward actions toward the people reflect their inward heart toward God?
o Verse 42 --
o Verse 43 --
o Verse 44 --
Background Information – Not wanting the Pharisees alone to enjoy humble pie, a lawyer petitions Jesus for the scribes’ just desserts. The lawyers (scribes) wrote the Mishna, so they were responsible for adding to the Mosaic Law to supposedly protect the nation from sinning against it, but in reality adding a burden to the people while maligning God’s Word. The Old Testament prophets, in contrast, spoke only the Word of God to the people so that they might not sin against God. And for that Israel persecuted them, many to the point of death. Abel, the son of Adam, is considered the first prophet because he preached the Word by offering to God the proper blood sacrifice. Cain’s response to God’s rebuke for not following His Word was to kill Abel. Note how the Pharisees and lawyers respond to Jesus the same way that Cain responded to Abel (Genesis 4:8).
2. Jesus charges the Scribes with spiritual murder of the people. How do their outward actions toward the people reflect their inward heart toward God?
o Verse 46 --
o Verse 47-51 --
o Verse 52 --
3. Cain laid in wait to kill Abel because he was jealous that Abel pleased God by offering the required blood sacrifice.
o Compare Cain and all those who murdered the prophets to the Pharisees and Scribes.
o What does Jesus expect to happen to Him?
REFLECTION Questions
These questions along with the Central Passage will usually be the focus of your group’s discussion each week.
Homework Directions -- If time allows, read through each text for Days 1-5 or listen to them at gracelaredo.org/learningjesus. See “Listening to Learning Jesus” to hear each day’s text(s) and the notes that accompany them. If time does not allow, then choose your own Central Passage for the week by reading through the introduction here and completing questions 1 and 2 before making your choice.
INTRODUCTION
Jesus is still leading His twelve in stage 3 of the disciple-making process “Come & Be with Me.” As you read this week, you will notice that much of what Jesus is teaching them is review. In many ways, however, Jesus is teaching to a new audience. Before He taught seekers and followers; now He teaches soon-to-be-sent leaders. Any student-teacher will tell you -- it’s one thing to learn a subject for yourself; it’s another to learn it knowing that others will soon look to you for answers. Suddenly you are riveted, turning your subject inside out, holding it to the light to look for potential gaps in its veracity and any potential gaps in your knowledge -- all in anticipation of your own future students who will question it and you.
Stage 3 cannot be rushed. Review is necessary. To prepare us to commit all, God deepens our convictions in Who He Is. In our lesson this week, Jesus will tell Martha only one thing is necessary. It’s not working for Him. It’s Him.
This week I invite you to take God as your subject. Turn Him inside out. Hold Him to the light. Ask: Is He true? Ask: What are my gaps in knowing Him AND in trusting what I know to be true about Him?
When we know Him to be true, we breathe sharing Him with others. Convictions deepened, we are not a stumbling block to those He gives us to influence toward Him. Then instead of being occupied for the Messiah, we are, like Mary, occupied with the Messiah.
Our title is taken from Luke 11:23 -- “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Jesus’ point is that all who want life and light must choose Him alone. Neutrality is not optional. If we are neutral, then we are still in death and darkness.
If you have trusted that Jesus is the way to the Father because Jesus alone paid the price for your sins when He died on the cross and rose again, then your name is already written in heaven. You are in Christ and with Christ for eternity. However, God is still refining you to be more like His Son, so in that sense you also need to commit to be with Jesus and to gather with Jesus daily.
1. Review the areas of growth in this week’s lesson. Check any area where you might be “not with” Jesus and, therefore, “not gather [ing] with” Jesus.
q Sharing the truth of Jesus regardless of how others respond – Day 1
q Loving God with devotion that seen in how you love those created in His image – Day 2
q Interceding in prayer as a mediator for believers (family, friends, church) – Day 3
q Recognizing Satan is defeated and all who heed Jesus are victorious – Day 4
q Teaching only God’s Word as truth with humility – Day 5
2. Your group is going to divide into duos and trios based on one chosen area for needed growth. You will do that Day’s Lesson with your duo or trio and then come back to group ready to share your observations for these questions.
a) How by not being with Jesus in growing in this area am I against Him?
b) How might I even be impeding others from coming to Jesus (scattering) instead of bringing them to Jesus (gathering)?
Leaders, if possible, try to have a duo/trio for each growth area.
3. Jot a few key notes about the other groups’ observations here –
§ Sharing the truth of Jesus regardless of how others respond – Day 1
§ Loving God with devotion that seen in how you love those created in His image – Day 2
§ Interceding in prayer as a mediator for believers (family, friends, church) – Day 3
§ Recognizing Satan is defeated and all who heed Jesus are victorious – Day 4
§ Teaching only God’s Word as truth with humility – Day 5
4. Given what you have learned this week and how God is moving in your life right now, what is a prayer request you can share with your group? Use this space to also record others’ prayer requests when you meet.
• My prayer –
• Group Prayer Requests –
COMMUNITY GROUP TIME
• START with the Central Passages Introduction and Questions 1 and 2.
• Put your group into duos or trios based on Q2 directions.
• Allow time for each duo/trio to do the questions together.
• Bring group back together. Have each group share their observations using Reflection Q3.
• Close in prayer.
God’s joy & strength to you,
kpaulson@gracelaredo.org