luke 22 - 4 studies - clover sitesstorage.cloversites.com/stmatthewschurchmanly/documents/luke 22 -...
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Introduction & Notes for Term 1 We are entering our final term in our study of the Gospel of Luke. In his three main sections so far, Luke has shown us:
• God preparing the way for Jesus (1:5-‐3:20) • Jesus revealed as the Son of God, and his disciples beginning to grasp this (3:21-‐9:50)
• Jesus teaching what eternal life is, how it is inherited, and who will inherit it (9:51-‐19:27)
Luke now begins to bring his account to a climax, and we will see some previously minor themes coming out: the conflict between Jesus and the Jewish religious leaders is becoming a fight to the death; Jesus as the predicted suffering servant who will be rejected and killed; and the impending judgment upon the nation of Israel for her refusal to accept Jesus. These four studies cover most of Luke 22. As we study this chapter, we will also be preparing for the “Jesus is ________” Mission, that will run from Monday 17th March to Sunday 13th April this year. (These are the four weeks leading up to Easter). This is planned to be an intensive period of outreach by over 20 evangelical churches on the Northern Beaches, from Manly to Avalon. The major focus is getting people talking about Jesus, getting the questions of his identity raised in conversations. It is not about big events, so much as encouraging personal witness. (More details of the Mission are included in the following pages.) In preparation for this, we will be urging everyone to prepare to give their own personal “reason for this hope”. And, in our groups, help each other to make this explanation as clear and simple as possible. As we do this, we are looking forward to seeing God use us all to bring Jesus glory. We are praying that God will save many whom he will call. And we look forward to hearing how “the Spirit of glory and of God” has rested on, and used, us his people. (1Peter 5:14) St Matthews Ministry Team
Jesus Is Preparing Us! Dear Friends, as you may have heard last year, with other churches on the Northern Beaches, we are running the “Jesus Is _____.” month of mission in March and April 2014. The aim is threefold: 1. Encouraging personal evangelism as Christians use the “Jesus Is ______.” phrase, via T-‐shirts, caps, business cards, social media, surveys etc.
2. Public gospel preaching on topics, which complete the “Jesus Is ______.” sentence (e.g. in church)
3. Internet evangelism via the Australian “Jesus Is ______.” website, www.jesus-‐is.org.au
We want to get people talking about Jesus again. And we want to do this in the growing digital world, as well as through face-‐to-‐face communication. The website and other aspects of the campaign that go with it have been used in other parts of Australia, with good results. We’re excited about the way it harnesses social media and inspires Christian people to own up to following Jesus in other aspects of daily life. Whether in the digital world or face-‐to-‐face, we want to encourage Christians to take an extra step in seeking to promote the gospel of Jesus. Wear a T-‐shirt. Share a page from the website. Try to engineer a conversation. Ask others for their opinions. Prepare your own. Issue an invitation to hear more. And do it in a contemporary and professional way.
We’re encouraging leaders of our small groups to help us use the first few weeks of school term 1 in 2014 to help prepare for the four weeks of mission leading up to Easter. There are at least three ways. We will ask each group member to name two people they’d like the group to pray will discover that “Jesus is for them!” and then do it persistently throughout term 1.
We’re also going to ask everyone to prepare their own favourite way to complete the "Jesus Is ______." sentence. We are looking at a single word or phrase, plus 2-‐3 bullet points that explain your point of view. This models 1 Peter 3:15 -‐ always being prepared with an answer for our hope. And we are going to invite everyone to memorise a brief “opening line” to use as a gambit to get into “Jesus Is ______.” conversations. It might feel silly, but the idea is to get a plausible introduction rolling off the tongue and sounding normal, so that we don't feel so quite stuck or hesitant in raising the “Jesus Is ______.” conversation. Of course, it will still take courage! “Jesus is ________” Mission Preparation A. Encouraging Conversations If our advertising works, then people up and down the Northern Beaches will become curious about the Jesus is ___ thing. You can imagine wearing a Jesus is ___ t-‐shirt while you’re in a queue at the coffee shop. After you place your order, the barista asks you, “What is this Jesus is ___ thing all about?” You could respond by saying that it is a series of events being run by the local church. True. End of conversation. Alternatively you could say, “I belong to of one of the local churches on the Northern Beaches. We want to hear how people would complete the sentence Jesus is ___. How would you fill in the blank?” You may at that point be really eager to give your own opinion, but remember the first thing we want to do is get other people thinking about who Jesus is. Letting them think, come up with a few possibilities, hesitate, and talk about past church experience etc is all part of starting a real conversation with the person. So, the most helpful advice for the Christian in these situations is, “Don’t speak, listen.” Ask them questions about what they think to clarify their views. Even though it may seem very simple, it is worth practising this response in your groups. Role play the above example (or one more likely for you if you do not drink coffee!) in your group.
Try to memorise the response, or your own preferred version of it. But remember, the aim is to listen, and start a dialogue that may well be continued in a week or two when the person wants to talk more. God is in charge of all this, so “Don’t speak, listen.” B. Preparing your own response.
After listening to the other person, you should be ready to give your own response, your own way of finishing the phrase. The person may well say they do not know, and want to know our answer straight away. In this case, we should be prepared with our own response, in case they ask us for our own way of finishing the phrase. Keep it short, engaging and Jesus-‐centred. The idea here is to keep it brief and to the point. Say, about five sentences that take no more than a few minutes to speak. This is where we are preparing to give the ‘reason for the hope we have’ – to use Peter’s language. So, in your small groups or on your own time, try and write down what you might say. Then in your group, spend time sharing what each person has thought up. Other group members could then give you some feedback, such as:
1. Is your main point clear? 2. Are you using technical Christian words, or words most people could understand?
3. Is what you are saying correct and biblical? 4. Will it lead the person you are talking to to want to consider Jesus for themselves?
Once you have their feedback, revise your answer. In the end, it is your own faith you are sharing here, so feel free to say what is in your heart!
Because we all get nervous when put on the spot, it is best either to memorise the sentences you come up with, or at least get a few “dot points” down. It may also help to be able to point to a verse from the Bible that communicates your point. (If you struggle to get started with this whole process, you could look at some of the answers on the website, and get some ideas from there.) C. Going further
1. Responding to objections. It would be good to spend some time in your groups focussing on responding to questions that people commonly ask about the Christian faith. We (staff) can make available some material to help with this if needed. Or you could research your own responses.
Typical questions include things like – a. Hasn’t science disproved Christianity? b. Can the New Testament stories about Jesus be trusted? c. Why does God allow suffering?
Having some brief answers ready, so you can respond to such questions, may help you feel more confident.
2. Meeting to investigate further. If a person you are speaking to shows interest in finding out about Jesus, perhaps the best next step is to invite them to read the Bible with you (offer to read a gospel – Mark, for example). During the second half of this term, we will look at some material on reading the Bible one-‐to-‐one to equip church members to do this. You could also think of getting a book about Jesus for them to read. Or invite them to church with you. During the Mission Period, sermons at church will focus on this question.
3. Host a Discussion Night. Your group could actually host a “discussion night” on the subject ‘How would you finish the phrase “Jesus Is….”. Members simply invite friends along to hear a brief introduction to the subject from the group leader, then open up for anyone who wishes to share their ideas.
Summary
Preparing our groups for the “Jesus Is _____.” month of mission Understand: the threefold aim
1.
2.
3.
Group Preparation (1 Peter 3:15) A. Praying for the lost
1. Ask each group member to name two people they'd like their group to pray will discover that "Jesus is… for them!"
2. You all record the names of each member's two friends in our booklet.
3. Each week thereafter (and hopefully in between in private), the group prays for these people by name, and for the coming mission.
B. Practise the “opening line”
1. This 'conversational gambit' aims to provide a plausible-‐ sounding, introduction to the topic, which rolls off the tongue, and is concise enough to be memorised.
2. Here’s a possible introductory sentence to memorise (or customise your own):
“(We're interested in people's opinions.) Jesus is ______.? What goes in the blank?”
3. The preamble is optional, depending on context, but should be learned. Also note that you don't say 'blank' for ‘______.’ End with the tone of a question, or gesture to the logo (if available).
4. Each week, divide into pairs with one person practising saying the gambit by rote, and the other responding simply with their favourite completion (see below). Swap and repeat in the opposite roles.
C. Prepare your favourite way of completing the phrase
1. Select your favourite response (from options on the website, or your own creation).
2. Double-‐check for theological/apologetic pros and cons (e.g. any unintended pitfalls; does it lead to or away from the gospel?)
3. Find a verse to helpfully back up the point, if you can (not too obscure).
4. Write a very brief script. Aim for no more than 5-‐6 sentences max!
5. Memorise the key points as 2-‐3 dot points; and memorise the verse.
6. Each week, one group member practices delivering their 30 second response (without notes).
7. Every other group member writes down one thing they liked about the response and one thing they think could be different or improved.
D. Other options for preparing well
1. Know the follow up responses to others’ answers: • “Tell me more…” • “What makes you think that?”
2. Brainstorm responding to one “negative completion” each week (see website for examples or think of you own.
Exercise: Draft up your own favourite completion, using the guidelines above.
“Following Jesus Together” -‐ studies in Luke
Term One Timetable
Study Number
Sunday/Sermon Date
Week of Corresponding Group Study
Passage
N/A Prayer and Praise Night – 5/2/14
1 9/2/14 10-‐13 Feb Social/Intro to Jesus Is _______
2 16/2/14 17-‐20 Feb Luke 22:1-‐23 3 23/2/14 24-‐27 Feb Luke 22:24-‐38 4 2/3/14 3-‐6 March Luke 22:39-‐53 5 9/3/14 10-‐13 March Luke 22:54-‐62 6* 16/3/14 17-‐20 March One to One
Training #1 7* 23/3/14 24-‐27 March One to One
Training #2 8* 30/3/14 31 Mar – 3 April One to One
Training #3 9* 6/4/14 7-‐10 April One to One
Training #4 * More information and resources to follow for weeks 6-‐9.
Study 1: Luke 22:1-23 Discussion Starter & Review: Thinking back over the last 21 chapters of the book of Luke, what are some of the themes we have been picking up on throughout our study? What have we seen so far of Jesus’ relationship with • His Father? • His disciples? • The religious leaders? • The nation of Israel? Observation and Interpretation: Luke 22:1-6 1. Read Luke 21:37-‐22:6. Why is Jesus’ popularity a problem for the Jewish leaders? 2. For the first time since Luke 4, Satan is named as an active player in the drama (22:3; see Luke 4:1-‐13). Discuss in your group this development with Judas, who had been chosen to be one of Jesus’ most intimate followers. What does this say about Judas’ relationship with Jesus, his inner spiritual life, and Satan’s power? Luke 22:7-23 3. All four Gospels show that Jesus is completely in control of the following events; his death is not unexpected or accidental. Here Jesus continues to celebrate the festivals of the Jewish faith right until the end. What do you make of his unusual and detailed instructions to prepare for the Passover?
4. What does Jesus mean by his words in 22:16? 5. The Passover was a time when judgment came to the Egyptians in the death of their firstborn, but Israel’s firstborn were “passed over” and spared the judgment because blood of a lamb was placed on the doors of their homes (Exodus 11 & 12). Describe the connection with the first Passover and Jesus’ actions here, and how Jesus now becomes the symbol of such protection. 6. What does Jesus mean when he says “This cup is the new covenant in my own blood”? What is the new covenant? Application: 1. How can the story of Judas, who occupied a privileged position as one of Jesus’ 12 disciples and went on to betray his master, serve as a warning to members of the body of Christ? 2. Consider the role of sin in your own life. In its subtle ways, how can sin lead to tendencies of betrayal, rationalisation, and deception?
3. Though he will soon go to the cross and experience rejection and death, Jesus teaches and leads his disciples in this final act of worship with a calmness and authority that most of us wouldn’t demonstrate in similar circumstances.
a. What does this say about his awareness and trust in God his Father? b. Though most of us won’t face martyrdom, there are moments where we or others may face desperate circumstances. What can we learn from Jesus’ confidence in God’s control and care? Do you experience calm and trust in the midst of the hard things that life throws your direction?
4. Do you often meditate on the sacrifice that Jesus made for us? Beyond observing the Lord’s Supper, how are some ways that we can remember and celebrate his work on the cross? What will you do this week to focus on that? Group Prayer Points:
Study 2: Luke 22:24-38 Discussion Starter: Do you think the global Church works well together in promoting the name of Christ and defending believers against forces of evil in the world? Why or why not? Observation and Interpretation: 1. As Jesus faces his death and Judas engages in betrayal, the disciples are concerned about their status before Jesus. Read John’s description of the Passover meal in John 13, where Jesus washes his disciples’ feet. It is likely that the footwashing in John 13 immediately followed this dispute among the disciples. Summarise Jesus’ response, in both action and words, to the disciples’ ongoing quarrel. 2. What benefits will the disciples receive from their appointment in Jesus’ kingdom? 3. “Simon” is Peter’s pre-‐Christian name. “Peter” means “the rock.”
a. Why do you think Jesus addresses Peter as “Simon” in verse 31? b. What does Peter’s response show about where his confidence lies?
4. The pressure on Peter shows how things are changing. Earlier when the disciples were sent out, they lacked nothing (22:35). Why will it now be necessary for them to take along supplies?
5. Jesus references Isaiah 53:12 (Luke 22:37). Read that verse; how does this underscore the context that the disciples will now minister in? 6. How does the response of the disciples in verse 38 demonstrate that they misunderstand Jesus’ remarks? What are some of Jesus’ other teachings that you can think of that highlight their misunderstanding? Application: 1. In light of what Jesus revealed in 22:15-‐22, how is the disciples’ behaviour in 22:24 particularly tragic? In what ways are we like the disciples in this passage? 2. What can we learn from Jesus’ interaction with Peter in 22:31-‐34? What reminder is here for where our strength and confidence should lie? 3. In what ways can you identify with Peter? 4. The church has been wrestling with the spiritual forces of darkness for centuries. But wars are never won when allies are divided. What can the church learn about unity and spiritual preparation from the way that Jesus is preparing his disciples in 22:35-‐38?
5. What are some ways that you need to improve on your “spiritual preparedness” for our battles against sin and our true enemy, Satan? Group Prayer Points:
Study 3: Luke 22:39-53 Discussion Starter: Martin Luther said of Jesus, “No one ever feared death so much as this man.” Why might he have said that? Do you agree? Observation and Interpretation: 1. After reading Luke 22:39-‐53, read the parallel passages in Matthew 26:36-‐56, Mark 14:32-‐52, and John 18:1-‐11. What additional information do these passages tell us about:
a. who is with Jesus as he prays b. Jesus’ interaction with his captors c. Jesus’ response to his disciples’ use of force d. the disciples’ actions as Jesus is seized
2. Jesus takes his customary evening trip to the Mount of Olives – the place where he knows Judas will come looking for him. What does his prayer show us about Jesus’ humanity? What does it model for us in how to face trials? 3. The disciples are a stunning contrast to Jesus’ fervent prayerfulness. Why does Jesus continue to urge them to pray, even though they are exhausted? 4. What does appearance of angel (22:43) tell us about what is happening in heaven? Can you think of another time that Jesus was strengthened by heavenly beings?
5. As Judas enters the scene with his crowd of heavily armed chief priests and religious elders (Matthew 26:47), how does Luke choose to identify him in verse 47? Why do you think he included this description? 6. Recall the discussion between Jesus and his disciples about swords in Luke 22:38. How do their question and actions in verses 49-‐50 follow from this conversation? Describe the confusion they may have been feeling. 7. Jesus remarks to his captors the significance of the time they have chosen to make their arrest. Discuss Jesus’ statement – why did they not arrest him previously? What is the significance of the darkness? Who is in control of this timing and circumstances? Application: 1. Jesus models prayer in the face of trials for us in this passage. Do you find that you can approach God with honesty and humility, with emotion and pain? Why or why not? What does this show about how you see God? 2. Do you think you are more like Jesus (fervent, disciplined) or the disciples (distracted, neglectful during times of stress or busyness) in this passage with regard to your prayer life? What steps can you take to regard prayer as part of ministry in and relationship with Christ?
3. Peter’s actions with the sword in verse 50 could have put Jesus in a difficult position, giving the religious leaders justification that he was the leader of a violent uprising. How are we often like Peter, panicking and acting impulsively to try and fix things with our own means? Can you think of any examples from your own life where you have acted in this manner, without waiting to first hear from God? What was the outcome? 4. Jesus’ response to the events of this passage and his absence of violence communicates a sense of confidence in God’s sovereignty. He trusts that God will come to his defence according to his perfect will, rather than having to take up the sword. To what circumstances in your life can you apply this example of confidence? Pray and ask God to help you trust more deeply in his sovereignty and control. Group Prayer Points:
Study 4: Luke 22:54-62 Discussion Starter: Describe a time you have felt regret for something that you did, versus a time you have felt true remorse and repentance. Observation and Interpretation: 1. As Jesus is seized and led away, Peter trails at some distance. Earlier in the evening, Peter had declared his loyalty and support for Jesus, and then fell asleep when Jesus urged him to pray that he’d be able to withstand temptation. Discuss the pressure that Peter faces here in the courtyard of the high priest’s house, and what this account teaches us about reliance on God. 2. Compare Judas’ betrayal with Peter’s denial. How are they similar? How are they different? 3. Similarly, the results of Judas’ and Peter’s sins are different. Judas feels regret for his actions, while Peter feels remorse and repentance. What is the difference between their responses? Have a look at 2 Corinthians 7:10 to help describe the distinctions. 4. God uses every situation to further the knowledge and wisdom of those who love him. From what you know about Peter’s ministry, how did God use this betrayal in Peter’s life?
5. One could argue that Peter’s denials should have disqualified him from any leadership or ministry position. What can his failure and restoration (see John 21:15-‐19) teach us about the goals when dealing with sin and failure in the church? About dealing with our own sin and failure? Application: 1. Has a friend ever betrayed you? What emotions were triggered by the betrayal? How do you think Jesus felt about Peter’s denial? Did you forgive your friend who betrayed you? 2. How has God used a difficult or sinful situation in your life to draw you closer to him and to help you understand him better? 3. How can Peter’s story of denial and repentance lead you to a stronger faith? What can it teach us about spiritual preparation and dependence on Jesus? 4. Have you ever experienced God’s restoration or healing? Is there any area of your life in which you feel like you need to experience this? Group Prayer Points: