These questions are connected to the message, “Grab a Bier with Jesus: How treating the vulnerable with dignity and respect isn’t just a good thing, it’s a God thing” from Sept. 19, 2021. You can watch it here.
Dive In: Read or listen to this passage (Luke 7:11-17) in an unfamiliar translation of the Bible (e.g. New Living Translation or The Message). What stands out to you? Words? Phrases? Ideas?
Reflect:
1. What does this passage teach you about what God is like if God is like Jesus?
2. This was an interesting passage, with a focus that isn’t at first obvious. What new insights did you glean from knowing the cultural and political background of first century Israel?
3. How did this story come alive for you?
4. Who in the story did you identify with? The widow? The crowd and disciples?
5. How does reading the Bible with your imagination engaged change how you read it and what you glean from it?
6. How comfortable or uncomfortable are you with those unlike you – homeless, those from a foreign culture or faith, those outside of your realm of familiarity?
7. What might be one thing you could do to help improve someone’s life this week?