Fire and Brimstone and Good News?

We're back with just a couple more Coffee Breaks to go before Christmas - well, two studies and a Christmas Brunch, because sometimes you just have to eat as well as drinking coffee. Last time we saw Jesus sending out 70 disciples to preach in his name, and we pondered how we too might be being sent -- and at what cost. But this week the disciples return and fire and brimstone are threatened for the most unlikely places...

(62) Fire and Brimstone and Good News

Jesus has sent his 70 followers out through Galilee. Some places accept them and welcome Jesus. And some don’t. It’s kind of surprising which cities don’t accept him though. Read Luke 10:13-15, Matthew 11:20-24

1.       Read John 1:44, 12:21 Chorazin was a medium-sized town producing wheat. Bethsaida was the home of Philip, Andrew and Peter. Both were on the North shore of the Sea of Galilee. How important were they to Jesus?

a.       What great works of Jesus come to mind when you think of that region?

b.      What great works of Jesus come to mind for you when you think of where you are now?

2.       Read Ezekiel 28:2,6-10, 21-23 Tyre and Sidon were ports on the Mediterranean, between Israel and Beirut. Why might Jesus’ listeners expect them to suffer at the day of judgement?

a.       Read Romans 1:21-23 Are there any similarities between our modern world and these places?

b.      Read Romans 1:24-25 Are there any similarities between our punishment and theirs?

3.       Read Matthew 8:5,14 Capernaum is where Jesus lived and worked for much of his ministry. How is it exalted?

4.       All three cities suffered over the centuries and Capernaum practically disappeared.

a.       How are we exalted by our faith?

b.      How do we risk being brought low?

But it’s not all bad news. The disciples come back with stories of great miracles. Read Luke 10:16-20

1.       Read Luke 10:16-17 Do they sound surprised? Should they? Are we surprised by God’s faithfulness?

2.       Read Luke 10:18, Job 1:6, Isaiah 14:12, Ezekiel 28:14,17, Revelation 12:9. Do you think the Ezekiel passage might have been on Jesus’ listeners’ minds, given his reference to Tyre and Sidon?

a.       How do you envision “Satan’s fall”?

b.      How do you imagine heaven?

3.       Read Luke 10:19-20 Do we rejoice more over miracles or salvation?

Jesus rejoices. Read Luke 10:21-24, Matthew 11:25-30

1.       Would you rather be wise and prudent or a baby?

2.       Do Luke 10:22 and Matthew 11:27 remind you of passages we’ve just read in John? (Who does Jesus say he is?)

3.       Read Luke 10:23-24 The disciples have heard Jesus say he’s going to die. Do you suppose comments like this helped them cope or just made them confused?

a.       When has the Bible given you unexpected comfort?

4.       Read Matthew 11:28-30 That yoke will lead to martyrdom for most of Jesus’ disciples. How is it an easy yoke?

a.       When have you felt God’s yoke was surprisingly easy, or his burden surprisingly light?