What should we worry about?

Beware of hypocrisy. Don't worry. And danger is coming... This week we find Jesus continuing to teach the disciples, this time helping them see what they should really worry about. He's probably still in Jerusalem, probably still preaching as a rabbi to his chosen crowd. So of course, someone asks him a question--a worried person perhaps, but someone who's worried about the wrong things...

(67) So What Should We Worry About?

Last week we saw Jesus reminding his disciples to beware of many things, and not to worry—do you remember what we should beware of? What might being wary about the right things look like? What right things do we worry about?

Jesus tells some familiar stories to help us understand what’s important. Read Luke 12:13-21

1.       Read verse 13. The question’s not entirely out of context – rabbi’s/teachers really did help arbitrate family disagreements. Do we ask similar questions in prayer? Should we?

2.       Read verse 14. Is Jesus saying something about himself, about the question, or about his questioner? Is Jesus our judge?

3.       Read verse 15. It’s another “beware” statement. Is Jesus arguing against possessions, or against something else?

4.       Read Luke 12:16-18. Is there anything wrong with the rich man’s actions? Can you imagine the crowds nodding their heads? What might be a modern equivalent of building bigger barns?

5.       Read verse 19. Is there anything wrong with the rich man’s words or thoughts?

6.       The rich man’s not coveting anyone else’s goods. How does this relate to covetousness?

7.       Read verse 20. Does this help us avoid letting “sensible precautions” turn into covetousness?

8.       Read verse 21. Are we rich toward God?

That story was about a rich man, and the crowds are probably happy to hear him brought to task. But now we’ll see Jesus talking about someone more ordinary and everyday. Read Luke 12:35-40

1.       Read verses 35-36. Weddings could take many days, so servants really wouldn’t know what day their masters would return. Is Jesus telling us to live as if the end of the world might come tomorrow, or just as if God might be watching (tomorrow)? Is there a difference?

2.       Read Luke 12:37-38, 17:7-10. Why are the servants treated differently in these two stories? What are the lessons to be learned?

3.       Read Luke 12:39. Now we have another character in the story—not the master, not the servant… How carefully do we wait for our Master’s return? And how carefully do we watch for the thief?

4.       Read verse 40 How can we be ready?

Read Luke 12:41 Why might Peter ask this question? Would he rather the story apply just to the disciples? Do you think Jesus is telling this story to everyone? To us? Read Luke 12:42-48, Matthew 24:45-51

1.       How does Luke 12: 42-43 help answer Peter’s question?

2.       Is Luke 12:44, Matthew 24:47 a promotion? Has God ever given you a promotion?

3.       Read Luke 12:45-46, Matthew 24:48-51 Who might Jesus be referring to? Who might this refer to today?

4.       Read Luke 12:47. How is this different from the servant in the previous verses? Who could Jesus be referring to now?

5.       And in verse 48a? Who might Jesus mean by those who don’t know what the Master wants?

6.       The end of verse 48 is familiar from the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:29). Some translations distinguish between much being given (perhaps by God), and much being “committed”/entrusted by men. Do we expect more from people who’ve been trusted in the past? Does God? And do we resent it when more is expected of us?

How do these stories relate to worrying and what we should worry about?