Life Groups Study – Week Of 05/23

May 23, 2021

Life Groups Study – Week Of 05/23

 

This Is God’s Word: Key Passage From “I Was One Way. And Now I Am Completely Different”

Luke 19:1–10 He entered Jericho and was passing through. There was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because of the crowd, since he was a short man. 4 So running ahead, he climbed up a sycamore tree to see Jesus, since he was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.” So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.” But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.”“Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

 

My Story

 

QUESTION: This week we emphasized Jesus’ power to bring change in a person’s life. Sue Yandel shared her testimony, and we shared this short, powerful story of Zacchaeus. Reflect on people you know. Who is someone you know who has been radically changed by Christ? Could be you or someone else. Talk about how Jesus made them different.

Digging Deeper

 

Self-righteous people are often surprised at who is interested in Jesus…and in whom Jesus is interested.

Question: Read Luke 7:36-50. What similarities do you see between the two passages? What do you notice about Jesus?

Jesus gives new beginnings to those others have no hope for.

Luke 19:5–7 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.” So he quickly came down and welcomed him joyfully. 7 All who saw it began to complain, “He’s gone to stay with a sinful man.”

 

Question: Note the language of Jesus: “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down because today it is necessary for me to stay at your house.” It appears Zacchaeus had a divine appointment. How should such a notion affect how we think of our responsibility to influence others for Christ?

When we have been forgiven, we should look for opportunities to express our gratitude.

 

Luke 19:8 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, I’ll give half of my possessions to the poor, Lord. And if I have extorted anything from anyone, I’ll pay back four times as much.”

 

“You have not stopped being a thief (biblically speaking), when you have stopped taking. You have stopped being a thief when you start giving.” Tim Keller

 

Question: Consider Zacchaeus’ response and Tim Keller’s words. Think about the ways Jesus has changed you. What other examples of positive change could we see in the life of a truly grateful, changed person?

Luke 19:9 “Today salvation has come to this house,” Jesus told him, “because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.”

 

What Will You Take Away From Life Group?

 

Question: Reflect on your time in Life Group this year. 

What is something positive you will take away in terms of your relationships in the group?  

What is something positive you will take away in terms of your relationship with God?

Let’s Pray

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