Luke 7

Study Guide 103: Luke 7:18-10:24 DECISION TIME Overview There are two decisions that are critical in every human life. The first decision is to accept Jesus, the Son of God, as personal Saviour. In the first part of this study we meet some who made that decision. The second decision has to do with discipleship. Will we follow Jesus completely? In the second part of this study we find the essence of discipleship, and survey the true disciple’ s life. Depending on the makeup of your study group, you may want to emphasize the salvation section, or those passages which deepen understanding of discipleship. What are some of the characteristics of the disciple’ s lifestyle that your group will find in Luke 9:1-62 and Luke 10:1-42? Trust. Suffering. Humility. Purpose. Commitment. Involvement. And prayer. THE SEVENTY-TWO. The other Gospels focus on 12 disciples. But Luke introduces us to a larger corps of close followers. Luke 10:1-42 tells us that Jesus appointed 72 that He sent out two-by-two to preach in Israelite towns. We know the names of the Twelve. But the 72 remain anonymous. Yet Jesus knew them and their ministries well. How good that today too we need not be well known by others to be effective disciples of Jesus Christ.

Commentary There are some decisions I hate to make. I particularly dislike deciding what to order from a menu. I’ ll sit and stare at the listed foods, be the last one to order, and still try frantically to get out of saying to the waitress, “ I’ ll take this.” I had a hard time deciding to buy our last car. I wasn’ t sure whether it was God’ s will or my desires that motivated me. And I was very frustrated. Other decisions — often bigger ones — seem to come easily. It was easy to leave my Wheaton teaching position to move to Arizona, where I had no job or income except through writing. It was clearly the right thing to do. What can we say about decisions? Some are easy. Some hard. But all of us face decisions that have to be made. This was the situation in Jesus’ day as we come to the events described in Luke 7:18-9:20. Jesus had presented Himself as Lifegiver, and had demonstrated His authority. Jesus had openly explained the principles on which the new life He offered is to be built. The counterculture of love had been clearly defined. And now people had to choose. They had to decide to trust Jesus and commit themselves to Him, or to reject Him. What were the reactions of people under the pressure of imminent decision? Why did those who hesitated hold back? Looking at them, we can perhaps understand our own reactions to Jesus’ claims. And perhaps we too can see why today we have to make the choice they tried to avoid.

Why Wait? Luke 7:18-8:3 John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-23). One of those who seemed to hesitate now was John the Baptist! What a shock to see him waver, for the whole focus of his life had been to prepare the way for Jesus. Still, as we look at the circumstances, we can understand. John was now in prison (Matthew 11:2), about to be executed by King Herod. The personal pressure John faced must have had something to do with the growth of doubt. But even more serious must have been the fact that Jesus’ ministry was not taking the direction John had foreseen. John, like the other godly Jews of his day, was entranced with an Old Testament picture: a vision of a messianic King who would throw off the pagan yoke and bring in Israel’ s promised glory days. But John could see no evidence that Jesus was using His miraculous power to strike a blow for freedom. John did not expect the Messiah simply to go around teaching people to love! So John sent two of his followers to Jesus to question Him: “ Are You the One?” (Luke 7:19, NASB) “ At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind” (Luke 7:21). Turning to John’ s followers, who had witnessed the healings, Jesus told them to report to John what they had seen. What had they seen? Miracles? Yes. But what kind of miracles? The Old Testament had said the Messiah was to “ open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the dungeon” (Isaiah 42:7, NASB). Messiah would care for those in need. His ministry would focus on people. So Jesus sent the followers of John back to him to report. Then He turned to the crowds and He said, “ Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of Me.” John hesitated, because Jesus hadn’ t done what he expected. What have you expected of the Christian faith? Have you seen it as a way to become better than others? As a basis from which to criticize sinners? To reject the youth who aches for drugs, or the adult who curses and tries to hide the emptiness of his life behind irreverence or pride. Jesus told John, Look at Me! See what I do! Jesus did not come to judge. He did not come to build religious walls. He came to reach out to people, to heal, to save, to bring hope. To care. And happy are we if we never take our eyes from Him. If we look at Jesus, we see love at the center of the life that He offers and demands. For people who expect something different, something less, no wonder there is hesitancy. But look again at Jesus. And choose. LINK TO LIFE: CHILDREN Work with your older children to create a giant maze. A paper tablecloth can be used. As you draw the maze, have false trails lead to ways that people try to gain heaven, but cannot. You can include things like “ being good,” and also false religions. If you want to use humor, include balloons, rockets, etc. The one path that leads to heaven is to be marked by Jesus. Jesus is our only way to God. The crowd (Luke 7:24-35). The crowds around Jesus hesitated for much the same reason John had. While those who knew themselves to be sinners came to John for baptism, the religious leaders held back. And others, aware of their leaders’ doubts, held back too. But Jesus ridiculed these leaders now. John had come, and they all said, “ He’ s too rough. And look at his clothes. What a fanatic.” When Jesus came, they said, “ He’ s too smooth! He parties, you know. And goes around with sinners.” Jesus labeled these reactions childish: like sulky children the leaders wanted to play “ wedding” when it was time to play “ funeral,” and when it was time to play “ funeral” wanted to play “ wedding.” Whoever God sent them, they wanted someone else. And whatever the messenger’ s message, they wanted another. We have to watch out for this attitude too. We’ re too prone to say, “ God, I’ ll let you direct my life — if You give me a wife, a good job, nice children, retirement, etc.” We hold back, because we want to retain control over our lives, just as the religious of Jesus’ time did. But commitment to Christ involves acknowledging Him as God! And to confess this means that we give Him control of our lives. Christian faith isn’ t something played by human rules. When we join ourselves to Jesus, we determine to let Him rule. Rejection (Luke 7:36-50). The final person seen in this section does not hesitate. He simply rejects all that Jesus is because he feels, “ I have no need.” The person is a Pharisee, a very religious man. Pharisees were conservatives, not liberals. They believed in God, in angels, in resurrection — in all the tenets of biblical faith. But the Pharisees were self-righteous. They made distinctions between themselves and others, saying in effect, “ I’ m different.” They believed that, even in God’ s sight, they were good. As Jesus visited in a Pharisee’ s home, a prostitute (cf. Luke 7:37-38) slipped in and began to weep, washing Jesus’ feet with her tears. Immediately the self-righteousness of the Pharisee was revealed. He thought, “ If this Man were a prophet, He would know who is touching Him and what kind of woman she is — that she is a sinner.” And, the implication is clear, a true prophet would pull back from her in horror! These two propositions express the basic foundation on which the Pharisee’ s religion was based. Others may need cleansing, or punishment. But I’ m different. I have no need. But look at the woman for a moment. The woman, who tradition tells us was Mary Magdalene, knew very well that she was a sinner. She came in tears, and humbly bowed down to kiss Jesus’ feet. How did she have the confidence to come? She surely knew the attitude of the Pharisee; an attitude of contempt, of hatred. But she also must have known the attitude of Jesus. Clearly she had faith that Jesus would not reject her, even in the home of a Pharisee. Jesus looked into the heart of each of these people. He saw the woman’ s love and faith. And He saw the Pharisee’ s criticism and unconcern. Jesus asked the Pharisee, “ Who loves more? One who is forgiven much, or little?” (paraphrase) The answer showed that even the Pharisee supposed that forgiveness and love were linked. The one who is forgiven much loves much. But the one who will not accept forgiveness will never learn to love!Of all the figures in the New Testament, the Pharisee is the most tragic. He alone was totally cut off from Jesus’ love. He alone refused to respond. And why? Because he kept on insisting, “ I have no need.” There are things inside each of us that we’ re ashamed to even think of; that we cringe to imagine another person knowing. Yet Jesus knows. In every detail. And Jesus loves us still. He loves and reaches out to forgive. Forgiveness unlocked a new life for the woman who recognized her need and came to Jesus. But refusal to admit need, hesitation to take our places before Jesus as sinners, cuts us off from Him as surely as it cut off the Pharisee. So men hesitated, and found it hard to decide about Jesus for three reasons that Luke unveiled. This Jesus isn’ t what I expected from God. Jesus doesn’ t play by my rules. I have no need: I want no forgiveness. What reasons do we give today? Are they as poor as these three? These were poor, you know, for each fails to reckon with the reality that Jesus Christ is God; that He makes the rules, and that each one of us does need the forgiveness that ushers in new life.

Respond: Luke 8:4-56Christian decision is essentially response to Jesus Christ and to the Good News about Him. There will always be varied response to Jesus from any group of people. But, whatever the response, there are important things to remember. The sower (Luke 8:4-15). The Parable of the Sower teaches that the Good News of Jesus falls like seed on men’ s hearts. The seed falls on different kinds of ground. Some hear, but quickly are distracted and forget. Some hear with delight, but fall away. Some let the cares or delights of this world choke out the good seed. But why did Jesus speak a parable? He explained: “ The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that ‘ though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand’” (Luke 8:10). Jesus had presented Himself and His message in the plainest of words. The seed had been sown. Those who had responded to Jesus would understand what He said now. Those who refused to respond would soon be unable even to hear. It seems hard for some to grasp, but it is true. To hear Jesus’ message and to hesitate is to reject Him. “ Not now” is just as much a “ no” as “ never” ! And there comes a time when seeds of truth which have not been allowed to take root are snatched away. This time had arrived in Jesus’ ministry. Men who had seen Him, who had heard His plain words, must now choose. For those who hesitated, and thus implicitly refused to recognize the One they were unwilling to publicly disclaim, it would soon be too late. Encouraging response (Luke 8:16-21). Jesus had not yet given up on His generation. He gave further exhortations and examples to help men respond with faith. Jesus Himself had stood out like a lamp, shining clearly where all men could see. He had spoken clearly, so all could hear. Then came the warning. “ Consider how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; who ever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him” (Luke 8:18). The planted seed, the light of truth, both will be removed if not used. How are we to use the seed and the light? When Jesus’ family approached, Christ said, “ My mother and brothers are those who hear God’ s Word and put it into practice” (Luke 8:21). Response brings relationship, and our relationship hinges on whether or not we are willing to accept God’ s message about Jesus Christ. If we hear and believe, we become members of God’ s family. If we reject, we stay forever outside. Invitation to trust (Luke 8:22-55). Perhaps the most important thing to remember as we ponder response to Jesus is who it is that we are invited to trust and to obey. Jesus’ subsequent actions reinforced the awareness of all around Him of who He is. Jesus stilled the storm (Luke 8:22-25). Jesus again demonstrated His power over nature, miraculously dispersing a storm and bringing a sudden calm to a raging sea. The creation obeys its Creator; it knows its God. LINK TO LIFE: CHILDREN This is a favorite children’ s Bible story, often used to encourage boys and girls to trust Jesus when they are afraid. Make a fun booklet to emphasize just who Jesus is, and why it is so wise to ask Him for help. Give the children starter ideas for various “I’ ll never ask . . .” pages. On the cover print WHOM WILL I ASK TO HELP ME WHEN I AM AFRAID? Inside pages may start with “ I’ ll never ask a baby. . . .” or “ I’ ll never ask my goldfish. . . .” Color or paste a picture of a baby, a goldfish, etc. on the appropriate pages. Make up about 10 “ I’ ll never ask” statements for 10 pages of the booklet. Then let your class suggest “ because” conclusions to the statements. For instance, “ I’ ll never ask a baby because all he can do is cry.” Be sure to let your boys and girls suggest their own “ because” conclusions. Then, on the last page of the booklet, have a picture of Jesus stilling the storm. Print “ I will ask Jesus. . . .” and have your boys and girls suggest several “ because” answers which you can print on the page. He freed the possessed (Luke 8:26-39). In Gadara, Jesus met a man possessed by a legion (at least 6,000) demons, whose bondage was revealed in his filthy nakedness and ferocious strength (Luke 8:26-27). Jesus ordered the demons to leave, and freed the man from their supernatural oppression. Even demons bow before Jesus; Satan knows Him as Lord of all. He raised the dead (Luke 8:40-56). Shortly afterward Jesus was called urgently to attend a dying 12-year-old. Hurrying to her side, Jesus was touched by a woman in the crowd. The woman had been hemorrhaging for a dozen years; yet at Jesus’ touch she was instantly healed. Jesus paused, sought her out, commended her faith, and hurried on. Arriving at the home of Jairus, the girl’ s father, Jesus found the women wailing and crying in the traditional Hebrew lament for the dead. Jesus turned them all out of the house, and took the hand of the dead child. Then He commanded her to awake, and presented her alive and well to her joyous parents. The weeping women had seen her dead. They would now see her alive, and spread the word across Galilee. There was no need for anyone to know just how Jesus had raised the dead in that closed room. It was enough that all would know the girl lived. Even death gave way before Jesus. He is the Lifegiver, and the Lord of life. And so, as we think about our response to Jesus, we must remember just who He is. When we see His acts, as witnessed by the men and women of Jesus’ day, we know. Jesus is Lord, and our Almighty God.

Climax: Luke 9:1-22The climax of the first phase of Jesus’ ministry followed immediately. Jesus had presented Himself to men as the Son of God. How would they respond? Would they trust Him? Or, because Jesus wasn’ t what they expected, would they refuse to admit their need and so reject Him and His forgiveness? In a flurry of activity, Jesus sent His disciples out again to go from house to house and village to village to proclaim the Gospel and to heal (Luke 9:1-6). Even Herod, who had beheaded John the Baptist, was perplexed as the reports about Jesus continued to filter in. Could this be John, back from the dead to haunt him? (Luke 9:7-9) When the disciples returned from their mission, crowds followed Jesus to a plain outside Bethsaida. He welcomed them, spoke more on the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing. Late that afternoon Jesus even met their need for food, performing the familiar miracle of the loaves and fishes (Luke 9:11-17). These men and women had now heard His words, seen His miracles, and fed on the bread He provided. It was then that Jesus asked His disciples, “ Who do the crowds say I am?” They answered. “ Some say John.” But they do not say, “ Our God.”“ Some say Elijah.” But they do not say, “ Our God.”“ Some say one of the old prophets.” But they do not say, “ Our God.”“ But what about you?” Jesus asked. “ Who do you say I am?” And Peter answered for them all. “ The Christ of God.” And this is what it comes down to for all of us. Who do we say Jesus is? A good man? A religious leader? A spokesman for goodness and for truth? Only one answer will do. Only one answer will open the door to forgiveness and new life. Jesus is the Christ. He is the Son of God. LINK TO LIFE: YOUTH / ADULT Luke 9:18 presents the critical question for the individual; a question to which there can be only two answers. Either Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Or, Jesus is somebody else. Have each group member select from Luke 7:17-9:20 a list of all the evidence that Jesus is, or is not, God’ s Son. If you wish, have them work in pairs. Take reports, and write a master list on the chalkboard.

The Meaning of Discipleship: Luke 9:23-26Now the Gospel of Luke shifts its focus. Christ came, and offered new life to a world that, even after conclusive demonstration of who He is, rejected Him. But some believed. This little band of men who said, “ You are the Christ, the Son of God,” launched out on new life. From now on, while Christ would still speak to the crowds and their leaders, His message was primarily for those who had trusted in Him. Jesus talked now about discipleship: about how we who are His followers can grow to experience the abundant new life that may be ours in Him. Life saved or lost (Luke 9:23-25). Many puzzle over Jesus’ warning, “ Whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me will save it.” We’ re helped when we remember the focus of Luke. As a Christian, with new life from God, you and I have the potential to be new and different persons. We saw it earlier. Jesus said, “ Be like your Heavenly Father.” God’ s intention for believers is that we might bear the family resemblance of His Son. You and I are to develop into persons whose character expresses the very stamp of God’ s own heredity. This is our destiny. We are to be like God throughout eternity, and, in this world, to become more and more like Him all the time. But the potential self (Luke 9:25) can be lost. We can choose to live the old way, by the values and motives that move men in this world. We can live the old life, and let the new remain unnourished, buried deep with in us. If we do so choose, what we lose is ourselves, our experience on this earth of the person we could have been. Earlier we saw a great choice each person must make: Will I accept Jesus’ offer of life? Now we see a second choice: Will I become a disciple, put the old behind me, and become new? This is a question you have to answer. Will you lose your old life, or are you determined to hold tightly to it, to try and save your “ self” ? Or will you let go, turn away from the old for Jesus’ sake, and in so doing become the new, the true, you? *Let him deny himself (Luke 9:23). Jesus gives a profound three-part prescription to anyone who wants to come after Him (Luke 9:23). The first is: deny yourself. Self-denial doesn’ t mean self-rejection. It doesn’ t mean wallowing in self-loathing, or turning away from everything you enjoy because, “ If you like it, it must be bad.” God “ richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17). We know that, far from being worthless, you and I are of infinite value. Jesus thought enough of you to die for you. If He loved you so, how can you hate or reject yourself? But denying self is important in discipleship — as long as we understand that it means deny everything rooted in the old life. Deny and reject “ the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, and the . . . pride of life” (1 John 2:16, NASB). Carla had been angry. She struck out at her dad with biting words, then ran to her room. After the flood of tears she felt better. But she knew too that for her to follow Jesus would now mean going to apologize. How she fought making that apology! She told herself it had been his fault — and in some ways it was. She told herself she couldn’ t go and say, “ I’ m sorry.” Not when he should by rights apologize to her first! Everything in her struggled against the self-humbling that an apology would mean. And for a long time she stayed in her room, as the tension within her grew. Finally, Carla got up off her bed and, denying the fears and pride of her old nature, went to do what she knew Jesus wanted. This is self-denial. Growth in the Christian life demands just this: the brutal setting aside of pride and fear and of all the “ rights” that the old self demands as its due, to live instead a Jesus kind of life. LINK TO LIFE: YOUTH / ADULT After explaining what “ deny yourself” means, and how one is to lose his old life to gain the new, tell the true story of Carla. Then have each person write anonymously about a true (or made up) event like that in the story of Carla. Collect the stories, and read about half a dozen. Then, from the stories that illustrate this principle, see if your group can come up with guidelines to help them recognize a situation in which they need to deny themselves. *Take up his cross (Luke 9:23). Please note. Jesus did not say, “ Take up My cross.” Instead He says to each of us, “ Take up your cross.” But what is our cross? Some have thought of the cross as suffering, a reflection of Jesus’ agony that fateful Crucifixion day. But that was Jesus’ cross; that was God’ s unique will for Him. More central than the fact of suffering is the fact that the cross was both God’ s will for Jesus, and the symbol of Christ’ s full commitment to do the Father’ s will. What is God’ s unique will for you? This is what taking up the cross means: to choose, as Jesus did, to do whatever God wills. This understanding is supported by a little word: “ Take up his cross daily” (Luke 9:23). Each day, you and I are to decide to do God’ s will. In this choice we will live as Jesus did, and will be His disciples. *Follow Me (Luke 9:23). The Living Bible renders this beautifully and well: “ Keep close to Me.” How can you and I ever find the strength to reject the old in us, and decide daily to do God’ s will? By ourselves, we can’ t. But we have Jesus’ invitation, “ Keep close to Me.” Jesus does not invite us to a “ by-rule” way of life. Jesus invites us to personal relationship. As we do keep close to Christ, He encourages us and enables us. Jesus provides the power we need to live triumphantly, and to grow in that new life which, ultimately, is His. This, then, is both the way and the necessity of discipleship. To be or not to be disciples is the choice we face: on it hinges the finding or losing of our new selves. We can be disciples as we deny the old in us, choose God’ s will daily, and follow close to Christ. And how do we follow Christ? The rest of Luke shows us the way.

A Survey of the Discipled Life: Luke 9:37-10:24 We now move on to Luke’ s description of another flurry of activity. Yet in each incident, we see a little more of what it means to be a disciple. Later in Luke we will see some of these themes developed in great detail. Now we see the critical issues in a quick survey. Trust (Luke 9:37-43). The very next day an incident occurred which showed the danger of misplaced faith. A man brought his only son to the disciples for healing. And why not? They were associated with Jesus. They had recently been sent by Christ on a healing mission. And yet, when the disciples attempted to cast out the spirit that was the cause of the sickness, they could not. When Jesus came the man asked Him to look at his son (Luke 9:38). The man had earlier asked the disciples to heal. Now, doubting, he asked Jesus. The failure of the disciples had undermined the confidence of this father in the Master! Jesus responded almost bitterly. “ O unbelieving and perverse generation,” Jesus exclaimed. But nevertheless He added, “ Bring your son here!” Do we ask from men what we ought to be asking from God? Is our faith weakened because we have looked too much to Jesus’ followers, and not enough to Jesus? A disciple is not a person who acts on his own. A disciple is a person whose trust is fixed in Jesus, and whose response to every need must be to bring that need to Him. Jesus has the mighty power of God. We can trust Jesus. Suffering (Luke 9:44-45). Immediately after this demonstration of power, Jesus told His disciples that He would be handed over to men for suffering and death. This involved no buffeting by a cruel fate. This was by Jesus’ own choice. Sometimes we suffer too. How good to realize that, as Christ’ s disciples, we are not being tossed on waves of circumstance. Even as Jesus’ suffering was purposive, so is all that we experience in following Him. God will use our experiences for the blessing of others and ultimately for His — and our — glory. Humility (Luke 9:46-50). The Twelve were eager for the glory that discipleship would bring. They were so eager that each one wanted to be greater than the other! Jesus knew what they were thinking, and that it was rooted in the old self, not the new. He took a child, and told them that, at heart, greatness was to care about the little ones, the seemingly unimportant, the individual. John quickly changed the subject. He was far more at home struggling with a knotty theological problem. He didn’ t want to talk about caring for a single child. But Jesus’ words stood — and still stand. The great among His disciples are those who, like Him, welcome the least, and humbly stoop to care. Purpose (Luke 9:51-56). One day on a trip through Samaria, Jesus was refused entrance to one village because He journeyed toward Jerusalem. James and John were incensed. In hot anger they asked the Lord to destroy the town with fire from heaven. Jesus sharply rebuked them. How far they were from His spirit (Luke 9:55). “ The Son of man is not come to destroy men’ s lives, but to save them” (Luke 9:56, KJV). And so too the disciple who would follow his Lord. We have a goal in life, a purpose that gives us meaning. Like Jesus, our heart’ s desire is to heal and to save. LINK TO LIFE: CHILDREN Children often like to mimic and act things out. In this application of Luke 9:51-56, let them choose to “ be like John” or “ be like Jesus” in responding to situations like the following: Mom says to pick up toys but some of the toys belong to a younger brother/sister. Brother bumps you and knocks you into a door. A person you thought was a friend calls you names. Etc. The “ like John” actor(s) is to show an angry, hurtful response. The “ like Jesus” actor(s) is to show a loving, caring response. Let your boys and girls describe other situations where they have “ like John” and “ like Jesus” choices to make. After running through the situations and acting out “ like Jesus” responses, talk more about what Jesus would say and do. Have the children plan what they will do and say to be more like Jesus the next time they start to feel angry, like John. Commitment (Luke 9:57-62). Many in Jesus’ day volunteered or were called to discipleship. But many fell short of commitment. There was the eager disciple (Luke 9:57) who volunteered to follow Jesus anywhere — till Jesus warned that discipleship might be uncomfortable. There was the reluctant disciple (Luke 9:59) who, when commanded to follow, wanted to wait until his father had died and been buried! Jesus rejected the excuse. “ Go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” There is no evidence that this reluctant disciple obeyed. There was also the someday disciple (Luke 9:61), who wanted only a little time. Just to say good-bye to the home folks. Then, someday soon, he would follow. This too was unsatisfactory. You see, what Jesus seeks is the now disciple (Luke 9:62). Jesus wants the person who will put his or her hand to the plow and, without looking back, move straight out to do God’ s will. The figure of the plowman is succinct. As a teen, I plowed with an old one-horse hand plow, settling the reins around my shoulders, grasping the handles firmly, struggling to hold the blade level and steady, to make an even furrow. As the first furrow was cut into the virgin ground, I picked out a pair of marks at the far end of the field to line up carefully. If I looked back, the plow wandered, and the furrow snaked off across the field. Only by looking ahead, with eyes fixed on my guiding marks, could I do my job. This is what Jesus asks of us. To fix our eyes ahead, on Him, and not to look back. We are to take the plow, now, and commit ourselves to His task. Involvement (Luke 10:1-20). Then Jesus sent His disciples out again: 72 sent by twos across the land. Discipleship means involvement in the work of Jesus. And what involvement! We’ re involved in what Jesus cares about. He is the Lord of the harvest (Luke 10:2). We are involved in Jesus’ method of ministering. We go out as sheep among wolves, depending neither on wealth nor status to win a hearing (Luke 10:3-7). We’ re involved with Jesus’ success: God’ s power operates through us as we do His will, whether to heal or to bring judgment on those who reject (Luke 10:9-16). And yes, we’ re involved in Jesus’ joy: we have a sure relationship with God, and we call men to share our fellowship with Him (Luke 10:17-20). Prayer (Luke 10:21-24). This last sign of discipleship was one of Jesus’ most notable marks. Christ acted in dependence on the Father. Jesus shared His joys with the Father too. In this prayer, Jesus said, “ All things have been committed to Me by My Father.” Do you see it? Do you hear? Jesus has all power; it is all in His hands. We can come to Jesus, and in full dependence commit ourselves and our needs — in fact our very lives — into His keeping. Then we can step out with confidence, and live! How good to be a disciple. How good to learn to really live!

Teaching Guide Prepare Decide to focus in class on salvation or on discipleship.

Explore

1. Go around the group asking each to tell how he or she goes about making a decision, and what kinds of decisions are hard for him or her. Go around again, and have each tell if and how his pattern of decision-making affected acceptance of Christ.
2. Or give a minilecture on Jesus’ call to discipleship (Luke 9:23-25). Tell the story of Carla to illustrate, using the approach explained in “ link-to-life” above.

Expand

1. Brainstorm reasons why some people hesitate to decide to trust Jesus. Then set your group members the task of deciding what evidence compels a decision that Jesus is God’ s Son (see “ link-to-life” above). Discuss: “ How would you use this evidence to help a person make his or her decision now?”
2. List the seven characteristics of the discipled life (above) on the chalkboard. Ask each person to select one of the seven that he or she finds “ most difficult.” Break into teams, based on the characteristics, with each person working with the team focusing on his “ most difficult” area. Each team is to study the relevant passage of Scripture carefully. Each should make a list of what it observes or learns, and also how this may help each step out as a disciple.

Apply Ask each group member to meditate quietly on this question: “ What does Jesus want of me, now.” And then respond in silent prayer.