When the faith of others' doesn't live up to our expectations...

According to Luke, Jesus raises the widow's son in Nain and is then challenged by John's disciples with the question, "Are you the one?" So that's what our study group will look at this week. What convinces us that Jesus is the one? And... what makes us doubt if our fellow believers are really following him?

(26) Tell John What?

Jesus traveled north when John was arrested (John 3:22, Mathew 4:12). Now John, in jail, hears news of Jesus’ continuing ministry—Read Matthew 11:2.
1.       Why was John jailed? (Read Matthew 14:3-5)?

2.       Why wasn’t Jesus jailed for the same crime? (Read John 2:17 – who is more zealous?)

3.       How might John have felt about Jesus not speaking out against Herod? Might this be part of why he sends the messengers?

4.       How do we feel about Christians not speaking out against things we consider important?

a.       What about politicians who uphold Christian values but fail to legislate against abortion? Or politicians who fail to uphold Christian values but do oppose abortion?

b.      What about Christians who do or don’t oppose evolution?

c.       What about Christians who do or don’t push to allow public prayer in schools? Where would John stand?

John’s followers join the crowd following Jesus:
1.       Read Matthew 11:2-6 If someone asks you, is Jesus the Messiah or should we seek another, how will you answer?

2.       Do we still see miracles today? Can we point to any? And how would we choose which to mention?

3.       Read Luke 7:18-22 Does Jesus teach with words or with actions (or both)? How do we teach about our faith?

4.       Read Matthew 11:7-9 Most of Jesus’ followers would have known about and probably listened to John. Have you ever been to a big Christian event? Who or what did you go to see?

5.       Read Malachi 3:1, Matthew 11:10-11 (Matthew, as usual quotes the Old Testament.) How can both of Jesus’ statements in Matthew be true? What does this tell us about heaven, or God’s point of view?

6.       Read Malachi 4:5, Matthew 11:12-19 How do the past (Malachi), Jesus’ time (Matthew), and the present day compare?

7.       Read Matthew 3:3, 17:11-13 What’s the importance of Elijah to Matthew’s first readers?

8.       How does Matthew use the Old Testament? (Remember Hosea 11:1, Matthew 2:15 – does he quote scripture out of context? Do we? Where does the Spirit fit in?)

9.       Read Luke 7:24-35 Does Luke usually quote the Old Testament? Why might he be quoting it here? How important is the Old Testament to your faith?

John’s disciples go back and tell John what Jesus said. Do you think he would have been convinced?

1.       Some argue that John sent the disciples with the question to answer their doubts rather than his own, but it’s phrased as if John doubted. How does Jesus’ admiration for (a possibly doubting) John make you feel about your doubts?

2.       Thomas doubted too. What evidence convinced him about the resurrection? (Read John 20:24-29)


3.       What evidence convinces you of Jesus’ identity? How does this influence the way you answer those who question your faith?


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meeting a ghost?

 Last week our group followed Mary and Cleopas (or possibly some other unknowns) on the road to Emmaus and met a rather familiar stranger. They rush back to tell the disciples who they've seen, and, of course, no one quite believes them. The same old story. Until suddenly... (112) Meeting the Risen Lord The risen Jesus appears to the others as well. 1.       Read Luke 24:36-37 Does it surprise you that Jesus’ disciples believe in ghosts? a.       Are wrong beliefs evil, or simply incorrect? 2.       Read Luke 24:38 Why were the disciples afraid? Why might they have been doubtful or unwilling to believe? a.       When something good happens, do we sometimes doubt? b.       What about when something bad happens? 3.       Read Luke 24:39-40, John 20:19-20   What’s so important about Jesus’ wounds? a.       What’s so important about Jesus saying “Peace”? b.       Do we have peace? What does peace enable us to do? 4.       Read Luke 24:40-43 What’s so special about Jesus’ eating? a.   
Read more

What happens when that stranger turns out to be a friend?

 It's been a "long and winding" year, but we're getting back to those Gospel Bible studies at last, and here's the next in the series: (111) Some Very Important Meetings Last time (yes, I know, a long long time ago) we read Mark’s cryptic comment that the risen Lord had appeared to “two of them.” This time we’ll join those two, travelling from Jerusalem after the crushing of all their hopes – having heard rumors of resurrection, but clearly not believing them. 1.       Read Luke 24:13-18, John 19:25 Who is traveling, where and why? a.       Some traditions say Clopas was the brother of Joseph, making Mary the “sister” of Jesus’ mother Mary.   Clopas’ son Simeon becomes Bishop of Jerusalem after the destruction of the city in 70 AD, which might make him Jesus' cousin. But what difference does all this make to how we view the story? b.       Was Jesus’ face hidden by supernatural means, or natural? How easily would you recognize someone if you knew they
Read more

A Prayer for Open Hearts and Doors

  O Lord May all your people be Transparent witnesses; may we, Instead of closing, open doors That all around us, evermore May see Our God is love not hate; Our God is watching, ever waits To mend our hearts and bodies heal And souls replenish, futures seal To Him To hope, to love, to more Than any dream; Lord we implore That you would free our hearts to sing Till lives with holy mercy ring Restored.
Read more