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?