Messianic Fulfillment on Display October 25, 2017
SERIES: Great Moments and Truths from Jesus
SPEAKER: John Williamson (Timberlake/Downtown), Glen Robinson (Altavista) STUDY GUIDE: Christopher Shafer
CONNECT (5-10 min)
Leaders Note:The purpose of this time is to help the members of the group grow in relationships with one another so all people in the group know they matter. Spend some time discovering what is happening in the lives of your group members.
GROW – Review the Message Summary (30-45 min)
Leaders Note:The goal of this section is to apply the truth of the message (not teach) so each participant is familiar with the message from Sunday morning. Good facilitators “share the leadership”. If your group has been meeting at least 8-12 weeks you should have an “apprentice”. This would be a good section for your apprentice to facilitate.
Read: Luke 18: 31-43
31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.
35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.
Notes…
Jesus Has To Die (18:31-34)
- The audience for Jesus’ three predictions is the DISCIPLES (v.31)
- Jesus was not ACCIDENTALLY entangled in a web of INJUSTICE (vv.32-33)
- Jesus’ predictions did not fit the disciples’ EXPECTATIONS or UNDERSTANDING (v.34).
Jesus’ encounter with a “blind beggar” (18:35-43)
- The blind man is on Jesus’ ROUTE (v.35)
- A crowd is PRESENT (vv.36-37)
- The blind beggar demonstrates FAITH (v.38-39)
- The blind beggar is PERSISTENT (v.39)
- Jesus asks a question that raises the beggars’ HOPE and FAITH (vv.40-41)
- Jesus HEALED the man in RESPONSE to his faith (v.42)
- The man FOLLOWED Jesus (v.43)
Bottom Line: Live with and for the eternal hope of Jesus Christ
For those not yet living a Jesus-centered life
- Ask Jesus for the gift of SIGHT!
For those living a Jesus-centered life
•Continue to FOLLOW even when there are THINGS you don’t UNDERSTAND
•I want Jesus to…
•Be INTENTIONAL – even when you are walking on the road!
Discussion Questions
1.What was your biggest take away from this week’s sermon?
2.What does it mean to make your spiritual life an urgent matter?
3.What areas of your own life do you feel that you are spiritually weak in?Does anyone in the group have a good practice to help someone else grow in that area?
4.How can you better be prepared for the second coming of Jesus this week while striving to be spiritually fit?
5.Who do you need to talk to this week about your “spiritual fitness plan” to display and proclaim the Kingdom of God to? (aka who is a person of peace that you need to share Jesus with this week)
Small Group Homework:
Write down the various ways that you feel that you are spiritually weak and lazy and create a fitness plan for the week!! Set aside certain times for various practices and tell someone in your small group about what changes you want to make so they can ask you about it next week! “Get physical” with your faith this week.
Throughout The Week: (Optional)
MONDAY: Review the text
Read: Luke 13:22-30
What truth does this passage proclaim? What ways do you need to strive to be spiritually fit today? Who do you need to share the Kingdom of God with today?
TUESDAY: Work out your salvation
Read: Philippians 2: 1-18
What does this text say about Jesus and the humble servant that He was? What commands does Paul give to believers in this passage? Reread verse 14…think about what it means to do ALL things without grumbling. Strive to obey these commands by the power of the Spirit today.
WEDNESDAY: Put off your old self
Read: Ephesians 4: 17-32
What does Paul say in this passage about your new life? What commands does he give to believers in this passage? Reread verse 29 and really ask the Lord to empower you to obey this commandment today so that you may be a light to those around you.
THURSDAY: Live in the freedom that Jesus has extended to you
Read: Romans 6:1-14
How has this passage changed your understanding of sin for believers? What does it say about living in Christ and the life He purchased for us? How does this passage make you want to bed more spiritually fit today?
FRIDAY: Prayer and Action
Think about the spiritual fitness plan that you created at the start of this week. Think about the ways that you followed it and fell short of it. Think about the sins that you committed this week and the selfish ways that you behaved. Pray to your loving and patient Father who rejoices when a prodigal son or daughter comes home. Pray for forgiveness and for the strength to come into closer intimacy with Christ this morning. Now accept the grace that Jesus purchased for you and go and tell your coworkers about how loving and gracious your Heavenly Father is.