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CAMPAIGNERS GUIDE - LUKE

Luke 4:38-44

38 Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Jesus to help her. 39 So he bent over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them. 40 At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. 41 Moreover, demons came out of many people, shouting, “You are the Son of God!” But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he was the Messiah. 42 At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43 But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” 44 And he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Luke 5:1-11

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. 2 He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. 3 He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” 5 Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” 6 When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. 7 So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” 9 For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, 10 and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

The Chosen Clip
QUESTIONS:
  1. What is the most tired you’ve ever been in your life? When was the last time you stayed up all night?
  2. What do you do when you are tired or discouraged?
  3. What are the things/people that keep you from going ‘deeper’?
  4. Are you playing it safe with Jesus? What might he be inviting you into?

Luke 5:12-16

12 While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along who was covered with leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell with his face to the ground and begged him, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 13 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” And immediately the leprosy left him. 14 Then Jesus ordered him, “Don’t tell anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.” 15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

The Chosen Clip
QUESTIONS:
  1. What do you know about leprosy? What was life like for someone with it?
  2. What is something in the world (or your life) that feels hopeless?
  3. Why is it hard to ask for help?
  4. What changed about his life after he asked Jesus for help?
  5. What’s keeping you from asking Jesus for help?
  6. When will we meet as a group again?

Luke 5:17-26

17 One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18 Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19 When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20 When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” 21 The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, “Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? 24 But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” 25 Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he had been lying on and went home praising God. 26 Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, “We have seen remarkable things today.”

The Chosen Clip
QUESTIONS
  1. How do you think they got on the roof?
  2. How do you respond when you are interrupted?
  3. How does the way Jesus responds teach us about what Jesus was like?
  4. Has there ever been a time when you felt like Jesus was too busy to care about what was going on in our life? If so, when?
  5. Pick someone in the scene & imagine what you would be thinking: the paralytic, someone in the crowd, or one of the friends?
  6. Has there ever been a time where you’ve had to help a friend through the roof?
  7. When have you needed someone to break the roof for you?
  8. If you were the paralytic, who are 4 people in your life who would do this for you?

Luke 5:27-32

27 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 29 Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

The Chosen Clip
QUESTIONS
  1. What is the most important characteristic you look for in a friend?
  2. What do you know about tax collectors at this time?
  3. If you put yourself in Levi’s shoes and you are into some of the bad things Levi is into and Jesus comes up and tells you to follow him what would you be thinking/feeling?
  4. Why do you think Levi followed Jesus?
  5. What do you think Jesus means in vs 31? *** Let kids answer for a bit but at the end you might need to help them see what Jesus is really saying here. He isn’t praising the Pharisees and calling them healthy. What he is really saying is he is not here for people who THINK they are healthy but for those who KNOW they are sick. The Pharisees thought they were healthy and did not need Jesus. Levi knew he was sick and wanted to be with Jesus. THAT makes all the difference.***
  6. Define repentance.
  7. How can we love other people better knowing what we now know?

Luke 6:43-49

A Tree and Its Fruit

43 “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. 45 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. 48 They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49 But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

QUESTIONS:
  1. Where did this story happen? (Describe the setting — in a house, on a road, by a lake, in a city, etc.) What do you think that place looked like? smelled like? sounded like?
  2. What kind of “fruit” do you think Jesus is referring to in a person’s life?
  3. How do the hidden “roots” in our hearts eventually show themselves?
  4. Which words tend to spill out of your mouth when you feel squeezed or stressed? What do those reactions uncover about ourselves?
  5. What spiritual practices help you stay rooted in Christ?
  6. What would “good fruit” look like in your relationships this week?
  7. Describe a time when someone’s positive “fruit” deeply impacted you.
  8. Jesus connects listening to His words with actually doing them. Why is that so challenging?
  9. What are some examples of “building a house on the rock” in everyday life?
  10. What are “shifting sands” people often build their lives on today?
  11. Think about a recent storm in your life. How did your foundation hold up?

Luke 7:1-10

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.

QUESTIONS:
  1. Jesus is a God of compassion (he SEES us and is WITH us). How has Jesus shown compassion towards you in your life? Where do you feel like his compassion is missing?
  2. The centurion was a person of great authority- he often was in charge. When he approaches Jesus, he acknowledges Jesus needs to be in charge of this particular situation. What are the places in your life that you think “you have it” and what are the things you give to God?
  3. What keeps you from giving everything to God?
  4. Jesus affirms the centurions Faith and tells him “your faith is enough”. How can you put faith/trust in Jesus today?

Summary prayer: “Jesus, thank you for being a God of compassion. Help me to remember today that you see me and are with me. Help me today to trust you because you are here and you are good. Amen."

Luke 7:36-50

36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.” 40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, teacher,” he said. 41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.” “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said. 44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” 48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

QUESTIONS:
  1. What is your most valuable possession?
  2. Is it hard for you to forgive others? Is it hard for you to accept forgiveness?
  3. Which is harder for you: to let yourself be forgiven by others, Jesus, or yourself?
  4. This woman comes to Jesus with all that she has in a posture of humility, and Jesus forgives her sins and invites her into peace. What would it look like for you and I to approach Jesus this same way?

Summary prayer: "Lord, thank you for seeing my sin and being willing to forgive me. Help me to continue to turn towards you for forgiveness. Help me to forgive others as you have forgiven me. Amen."

Luke 8:1-15

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. 4 While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. 6 Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.” When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” 9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, “‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ 11 “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14 The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. 15 But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

QUESTIONS:
  1. What is a parable and why do you think Jesus uses them to teach?
  2. When Jesus tells the parable, what are the different places the seed lands? What happens to each one? Is there a soil that stands out to you?
  3. Who is the sower? What do you notice about the sower?
  4. What do you think about the seed?
  5. Have you ever felt like your “seed” was getting choked out by “worries, riches, and pleasures” (v.14)? What does that look like in your world today? Is it comforting to know that other people experience these same things as followers of Christ?
  6. What helps your heart become like the “good soil”? What practices, people, or rhythms help God’s Word actually take root in your life?

Summary prayer: “Jesus, thank you for the true Word of God. Help me to notice things that stop me from growing closer towards you. Help me to continue trust your Word and grow deeper roots in you. Amen”

Luke 8:22-25

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out. 23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger. 24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

QUESTIONS:
  1. Can you describe a time that you experienced a storm in your life?
  2. Who was the person that you wanted to be with you in that storm?
  3. Jesus is in the boat with the disciples when they experience a storm - How do you feel about that? It would be nice to be with Jesus and never experience any storms….but that is not how life goes.
  4. Jesus tells the disciples where they are going - How can we have faith to believe that we will ‘get to the other side’ with Jesus when things are stormy?

Summary prayer: “ Lord, will you help me to remember you are with me even when I am in the middle of the storms in my life. Help me to call out to you and to remember that I am not alone. Amen”

Luke 8:26-39

26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped ashore, he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house, but had lived in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, don’t torture me!” 29 For Jesus had commanded the impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been driven by the demon into solitary places. 30 Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31 And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them to go into the Abyss. 32 A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and he gave them permission. 33 When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and was drowned. 34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, 35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Those who had seen it told the people how the demon-possessed man had been cured. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear. So he got into the boat and left. 38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

QUESTIONS:
  1. What stands out to you most about the man before he meets Jesus? What did his life look like? — And what does that tell us about how desperate or isolated he was?
  2. The man describes himself as "Legion"; describing the many voices in his head... What are the many "voices" that we have to interact with in our world on a daily basis? How do those voices make us feel like how this man felt?
  3. The man wants to go with Jesus, but Jesus sends him back home to tell his story. Why do you think Jesus does that—and what might that say about our own stories?
  4. Where do you see yourself in this story right now: the broken man, the fearful crowd, or the one being sent to share what God has done? Why?

Luke 8:42-48

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

QUESTIONS:
  1. Have you been in a crowd before where you felt like you were ‘crushed’ or could be? How might it change you experience to think about Jesus also being there?
  2. He knows the woman has reached out and touched him with intention - she needs/believes He can heal!! So many in the crowd with needs that don’t reach out - why do you think they don’t reach out?
  3. What do you think about how Jesus stopped and listened to the women’s whole story?
  4. What keeps you from being 100% vulnerable and honest with Jesus? What stops you from telling Him your entire story and experience; and having faith that he sees you, cares about you and is with you?

Luke 8:40-56

40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace. 49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

QUESTIONS:
  1. How bad do things have to get before we ask for help?
  2. How do you think Jairus felt to have to ask Jesus for help even though people look up to him?
  3. What are ways that you try to avoid asking tor help?
  4. "Your daughter is dead." This is such a hard thing for Jairus to experience. Imagine a time in your life where you had to hear the worst news. How would you react differently if Jesus was standing next to you during that time?
  5. Jarius daughter is healed - restored - are there places in your life that seem dead? You’ve lost hope? What would it look like to ask Jesus for help?

Luke 9:10-17

10 When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing. 12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.” 13 He replied, “You give them something to eat.” They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.) But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

QUESTIONS:
  1. If you were one of the disciples that day, how would you be feeling?
  2. When have you felt like the disciples? Aware of a need but thinking, “There’s no way I can help with that.”
  3. What does this story tell us about Jesus?
  4. If we really believed that Jesus can work with what we have, no matter how small, how could that change how we live?

Luke 10: 25-37

25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” 28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 29 But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

QUESTIONS:

1. In Luke chapter 10 verse 25 we find a well educated man that has questions about “earning”eternal life. By using the word “I”, the man communicates that he believes it’s up to him to either earn (or not earn) life with God forever. The truth is, there is nothing “we” can do to “earn” eternal life with God – it is a free gift given to all who will believe and receive! Where in our lives do we forget this? Where do we think or act like we have to earn God‘s approval? Where or how do we hide how we think or behave because we think it might disqualify us from a life with God? 2. The man is educated enough to be able to summarize all of God‘s law into one very important statement – which is actually scripture that has been passed down for generations – to love God with everything you have and everything you are, and to love your neighbor as yourself. The man not only wants a clear definition of how to earn eternal life (see question 1) but wants clarity on “who exactly is my neighbor?” Jesus tells a story of a man who is robbed and beaten, overlooked by religious people and discounted because of racism and prejudice. It’s only because of the mercy and kindness of an individual that the person in the story was able to receive comfort, healing and rest. When you look out into the world of people, where do you have to be very intentional to show mercy and kindness? Especially towards people that don’t act like you? Or look like you? Or believe what you believe? How can you be a good neighbor to people who are not like you? What would it look like for your life to be marked by kindness and mercy to those around you? How can we encourage and grow a “culture of kindness” amongst our friend group?

Luke 10: 38-42

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” 41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

QUESTIONS:
  1. Why do you think Martha was “worried and upset about many things”?
  2. Where do you see yourself more - Mary or Martha? Today or your default?
  3. What distractions keep you from sitting at Jesus’ feet?
  4. How can you intentionally create time to listen to God in a time when we are busy?
  5. How are you enjoying Jesus right now? Or what are you enjoying about him? His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control?

Luke 11: 1-4

1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins,     for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

QUESTIONS:
  1. Who taught you how to talk? What was your first word?
  2. Jesus often went off by himself to pray - why do you think He set that example for us?
  3. The disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray- He says yes! How does that make you feel that Jesus is willing to teach you to pray? Are you willing to learn?
  4. Jesus tells us to call God -Father- He invites us to be part of His family - relationship - you can sometimes confuse your relationship with your Father and your relationship with God.
  5. What do you notice about what Jesus says in prayer? Hallowed be your name - holy is your Name!  Your kingdom come - turn me toward you, turn this world toward you Give is this day - will you give me what I need? Forgive me so I too can forgive - why is this important? Lead me - direct my path.

Luke 11: 5-13

5 Then Jesus said to them, “Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; 6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ 7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need. 9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

QUESTIONS:
  1. Is there someone you could go to in the middle of the night if you needed help? Knock on their door and they would get up and help?
  2. What do you think it means to “boldly ask” or ask with “shameless audacity”?
  3. How do you feel to know that when you ask seek knock you will be given, find, the door will be opened?
  4. What keeps you from asking seeking knocking?
  5. Do you think the Lord will give you a fish or egg? A serpent or scorpion? Do you believe He wants to and will give you good gifts?