Group Guide
This Week's City 7:
3. Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? Since “all have sinned” and the “wages of sin is death,” Jesus had to die on the cross to pay the fine for my sin so I could be right with God.
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
(Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:21-23, 2 Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 2:1-6; Colossians 1:13-14, 21-22)
Ice-Breaker:
As you've gotten older, what have you noticed that's started slipping? Eyesight? Memory? A sore knee when there's a cold front coming in?
Discussion Questions:
Have someone read Luke 11:33-36 aloud.
- On Sunday, Brandon shared all the reasons the religious leaders of Jesus' day despised him. Not only did they nitpick his every move, they mostly hated him because he consistently exposed their hypocrisy and lack of true devotion to God. He called out their misleading and mistreating of the people God loved. We like to pile-on these guys, but it's important to remember that MOST of the time, when Jesus calls out the religious leaders, he's also talking to us! When you read about Jesus going after the religious leaders, do you usually put yourself in the place of the true followers, thinking surely Jesus isn't talking to you? How differently does it hit to think about you being one of the Pharisees?
- In verse 33, Jesus launches into talking about light, darkness and sight. These physical metaphors point to a spiritual reality. The people were demanding more evidence that Jesus was the Messiah, and he is making the point that they've got all the evidence they need. Jesus IS the light, and it's on display for all to see. It's not a matter of having enough light. It's about whether or not they have enough sight. When peoples' eyes are closed to the Truth, they are spiritually blind. They can't see truth that is right in front of them. Think of a time in your life that you were blinded to the truth of the Gospel. What was it like to have your eyes opened for the first time?
- In verse 35, Jesus gives a stern warning. He says to make sure that the "light" in you isn't actually darkness. Jesus knows that the people would deny they were blind, so he tells them to "BEWARE!" Physically blind people may not know what seeing is like, but they at least know they're blind. Spiritually blind people, however, don't even know they're blind! Sometimes they might even believe the lie that they're the only ones that can see. What they think is truth is, in fact, error. What a scary place to be! Think about people in your life that think they are enlightened, maybe even think they are Christians, but you can tell they are actually living in darkness. What are the differences between the fruit of their life and the fruit of someone's life that is a sold-out follower of Jesus?
- Our culture today has rejected the idea of absolute truth. It's been abandoned for the black hole of shifting public perception and individual, personal truth. The challenge for the Church is to consistently proclaim the truth of God's Word and declare that there is no escape from the responsibility for answering the question, "What are you going to do with Jesus?" Culture wants to paint us as whackos, to make us ashamed or embarrassed of our beliefs. They want to silence us and make us afraid to speak up and share our faith. But if the world is in darkness, and we carry the light with us, don't we owe it to the world to share it everywhere we go? Are you sharing your light?
- One of the takeaways from Sunday was, "BE the LIGHT." When we receive the light, we then shine his light for all to see. That's how it is supposed to work. Following Jesus was never meant to be a half-hearted commitment. He's not a side project, not something you add to your life. He IS your life. Being a Jesus follower must become our primary identity, our number one calling. We are to be his lights in dark places. How bright is YOUR light? Are you all-in? Half-hearted? How surrendered are you to his Spirit, his ways, the truth of his Word? What have you not laid on the altar? How can you turn up the brightness?
Prayer Topics:
- That we would have our eyes opened to his light.
- That we would be his light in dark places.
- That we would share his light everywhere we go.
1 Comment
Thank you Jesus!