Luke 9.18-45 – Seeing Jesus

Who am I?  This is the question that Jesus brought to his first disciples and brings to us again today.  For some he was simply a prophet, to be identified in the tradition of Elijah and John the Baptist (and others) who pointed towards the coming of God’s kingdom.  But Jesus was so much more.  Prophet - yes; but not one who simply pointed towards a distant divine kingdom.  No, that kingdom was actually being realised in and through his person; it was appearing before people’s very eyes - something that Peter knew; you’re the Messiah, he says, God’s anointed king.  A king however who had come to die in Jerusalem.  In God's kingdom, life only comes through death.

• If someone asked you today ‘Who is Jesus?’ what would you say?

• ‘If you want to gain your life, you have to lose it.’ How does this make you feel?

• What do you need to ‘lose’ for the sake of Jesus?

• In what ways can you see God’s kingdom appearing before your eyes?  

Luke 9.1-17 – Joining In

Jesus commissions the twelve disciples to share his work and sends them out with the same authority that he himself has exercised.  In complete poverty, they are to announce the good news of Jesus; telling people about God’s kingdom and healing those in need.  They must learn to trust God like Jesus himself did, and come to see that in partnership with him they will accomplish great things – a fact that Jesus demonstrates by feeding a great multitude of people with a young boy’s packed lunch.  God’s kingdom comes with the disciples' participation.

• As a follower of Jesus you have ‘power and authority’ to preach God’s kingdom and bring healing.  How does this make you feel?

• In what ways do you need to trust in God’s care?

• Do you know that you can accomplish great things in partnership with Jesus?

• What can you offer Jesus today – no matter how small or seemingly insignificant – so that he might use it to bring about God’s kingdom?  

Luke 8.22-56 – New Creation Power

A storm is calmed, a demon-possessed man is set free, a woman with chronic bleeding is healed, and a dead girl is brought back to life.  This is God’s saving power being displayed in the person and work of Jesus, bringing order out of chaos and life out of death.  And the question of faith is very much in focus.  The disciples are asked to find it, the woman to uncover it, Jairus to hang on to it, and Jesus the only object of it. 
• What ‘storms’ are you currently facing in your life, or in what situations do you currently feel helpless?

• Are you able to hear today Jesus’ words, ‘don’t be afraid; just believe’?

• What might it mean for you to reach out and ‘touch’ Jesus today?

• Where in your life, in your family, our church or in this world do you want to see a release of God’s saving power?

Luke 8.1-21 – Getting It

Jesus teaches about receiving the kingdom of God and living in it.  And this extraordinary kingdom calls those who participate in it to put their life, reputation and property at its disposal.  For the followers of Jesus, nothing must be allowed to distract or divert or to get in the way of the absolute claim of God’s word on their lives.
 
• ‘Path’ or ‘rock’, ‘thorns’ or ‘good soil’ – which of these four conditions best describes your walk with God?

• Does God have absolute claim on your life?

• What gets in the way of you responding to the word of God?

• Can you think of any ways to cultivate ‘good soil’ in your life? 

Luke 7.1-50 – Miracles and Mercy

He heals the sick, raises the dead and forgives sins – this is Jesus rescuing and restoring his people.  New life is played out for all to see and respond to.  People wonder who he is.  And it doesn’t matter who you are; a wealthy Gentile soldier, a poor bereaved widow, an uninvited guest – all are welcome and invited to see that in Jesus of Nazareth the one true God, the God of Israel, the Lord of heaven and earth, is personally present and active.
 
• Who do you think Jesus is?

• Think of a moment in life you dread.  Imagine Jesus joining you in the middle of it.  In what ways is his presence reassuring?      

• How inclusive is your understanding of God’s kingdom?

• How might you respond to Jesus today?  With faith like the centurion, questions like John’s disciples (vs.18-20), or with boldness and adoration like the sinful woman? 

Luke 6.17-49 – New Life

Life – but not as we know it.  God’s people are called to live with values and engage in practices that turn the world upside-down and so the right-way-up.  The poor, the hungry, those who weep, who are hated, who give, who love exceptionally, who do not judge and forgive, they will be blessed.  And astonishingly, this is what it means for Jesus’ followers to build their lives on a solid foundation; this is what it means to live out a call to follow him.

• Can you imagine how different the world would be if we took Jesus’ words seriously?

• How many people do you know who really live like this?

• What are you currently building your life on?

• In what ways might you need to change in order to build on a more secure foundation?

Luke 5.33-6.16 – New Deal, New People

With Jesus present the old has gone and the new has come.  This is the new covenant spoken of long ago by Israel’s prophets.  This is the kingdom of God; the dawning of God’s new age.  And the people of this new age are to live new lives themselves.  Now is the time for feasting not fasting, the abundance of new wine, and a radical new life that bursts into Sabbath.  The mercy of God is alive and active.

• Are you living a radical new life?

• In what ways are you still living as if the new deal of the Gospel had never burst into your life?

• How can you celebrate this new deal today?

• In what ways do you need to ‘stretch out your hand’ to Jesus?