These questions are connected to the message, “First Day on the Job,” from Jan. 9, 2022. You can watch it here.
Dive In: Read this passage (Luke 9:51-62) slowly in an unfamiliar translation of the Bible (e.g. N. T. Wright’s The New Testament for Everyone, Contemporary English Version, Amplified Bible, or The Message).
Reflect:
- What insights did you glean from either the text or the sermon?
- Given that, as Jesus followers, we are all “In Training,” how should this impact our posture in the world?
- The disciples wanted to use their privileged position as Jesus followers punitively (verses 54-55) and Jesus rebuked them. Where have you seen or experienced christians and/or the church doing the same? How do we guard against this?
- In verses 57-62 Jesus calls his disciples to put the Kingdom of God — Jesus-following — above faith and cultural traditions (e.g. waiting a year to exhume bones of deceased; planning wisely for a home). Are there cultural norms or expectations that get in the way of Jesus following?
- Is there a lifestyle or living standard you need to abandon or hold loosely?
- Can you think of any cultural norms or expectation(s) that we naturally embrace that might actually be challenged by Jesus’ teachings?
- Is there a practice or lifestyle you need to take hold of that is more in line with following Jesus?
Digging Deeper:
- In v. 58 Jesus refers to foxes who have dens and birds who have nests to live in. Some scholars suggest that Jesus could be making a veiled reference to Herod (whom he later refers to as a fox) and Rome, whose emblem was an eagle. If this were the case, what might be the implication of this innuendo for Jesus followers? In other words, what warning is Jesus giving about our place and way in the world?