Day 13 - Sunday 12/06/15 Scripture Passage: Study • Provoked by ' teaching on judgment (13:1-9), some people raise a question about a well-known atrocity. In reply, how does Jesus both correct their wrong assumption and still extend hope? • This is the last time we see Jesus teaching in a synagogue (13:10-21). In what ways does this Sabbath conflict with the synagogue ruler summarize the priorities and values of Jesus' total ministry? • Jesus' journeying to gives the setting of our title question (13:22-23). What in Jesus' parable answer would startle his Jewish listeners or perhaps you? • The ' motive for warning Jesus is not clear. They are now allied with the Herodians, their political enemies, against Jesus. But he is fearless (13:31-33). Then he expresses other emotions (34-35). Why do you think Jesus is so deeply passionate about Jerusalem?

Reflection • The obviously rich are not the only ones in danger of being fools. How do poor and middle-class people also face the same dangers? • Recall again your past week's activities and personal concerns. To what extent do they reflect the priorities and values of God's kingdom?

Action Ask God to mold your values and priorities into his own. This may require some sacrifices but your commitment and devotion will get you there.

Day 14 - Monday 12/07/15 Scripture Passage: Study • What explains the Pharisees' double silence to Jesus' questions (14:4,6)? • How does this third parable climax Jesus' answer to our study question of who ultimately will be saved (14:15-24)? • Travelers nearing Jerusalem passed old wooden crosses along the way. Everyone knew their use—for criminal execution. So how would Jesus' fellow travelers understand his words in 14:27?

Reflection • With two parables he teaches the guests about true honor (14:7-11) and his host about true hospitality (14:12-14). How should Jesus' lessons affect your social life? • Jesus lays down his conditions for discipleship by calling into question powerful loyalties—to family and to self. What would be a contemporary example of Christians "hating" their family? • Try of not following Jesus on his terms. What to you is most sobering?

Action Talk openly with God about how you are experiencing the cost of discipleship.

Day 15 - Tuesday 12/08/15 Scripture Passage: Luke 15 Study • What provoked Jesus' parables (vv. 1-2)? • In the first two parables the theme of an owner searching for something lost and rejoicing when it is found begins to answer Jesus' critics. The third parable repeats the basic theme. But how is it different from the first two? • What steps do you perceive in the young man's 180-degree turnabout? • The drama grows as Jesus describes the father in verses 20-24. In the light of verse 2, what does he want his critics to see about this man? • In the interaction with his older son, what other dimensions of the father's character and motives appear (vv. 28-32)? • The rejoicing nature of God is still foreign if not downright offensive to some religious people (see vv. 2, 6-7, 9-10, 22-24, 32 and 14:16-17). Why?

Reflection • How do these parables move you to believe in the possibilities of new or fresh changes in your relationship to family members and with God? • Which of your friends have like the older son an inadequate or wrong view of God?

Action Pray for opportunity to share with your friends this appealing portrait of God.

Day 16 - Wednesday 12/09/15 Scripture Passage: Study • Jesus' parable in verses 1-18 is quite straightforward. His application, however, seems not as clear (vv. 8b-9). At first reading, how does he seem to be applying the parable to his disciples? • Where in the context could you show that Jesus is not condoning greed and dishonesty? • According to Jesus in verses 10-15, what does our management of money have to do with our standing before God? • In the first part of the parable in verses 19-31 Jesus contrasts the earthly status of Lazarus and the rich man, and then their different eternal states. What does Jesus want the Pharisees to see about the relationship of money in this life and in the life after death? • In the second part of the parable we learn more about life after death (vv. 26-31). What facts and implications do you observe about this dimension of existence?

Reflection • How should these parables affect your present use of money? • What practical actions would help you to use your money more effectively?

Action Our relatives and friends are not all skeptics. Pray that Jesus' teaching on life after death may spur you to more personal evangelism with those who are still open.

Day 17 - Thursday 12/10/15 Scripture Passage: Study • Consider the strong reaction of the disciples in 17:1-5. What has caused this reaction? • In the story of the lepers Jesus seems surprised that only one of the ten returned in gratitude for his healing. What relation can you see between faith and gratitude in his final words (17:17-19)? • For the Pharisees, what emphasis about the kingdom of God does Jesus make (17:20-21)? Why? • To his disciples Jesus stresses the need to be prepared for the coming of the Son of Man (himself). He uses two examples of warning in the Old Testament. Why were those people unprepared for God's judgment (17:22-37)?

Reflection • What might your prayers reveal about your concept of God and how you relate to him? • Faith often seems abstract and elusive. How has Jesus in this study made it more concrete and attainable for your daily living?

Action Pray from your heart to the God who desires to hear you.

Day 18 - Friday 12/10/15 Scripture Passage: Study • To encourage us to persist in praying Jesus draws a portrait of a certain judge as a contrast to God. In what ways is God different from the judge (18:6-8)? • Persistence in praying is balanced by the caution in the second parable not to be presumptuous about God (18:9-14). Both men address "God." But how do their prayers reveal different concepts of God and their relation to him? • The disciples represent their society's attitude to children—they're insignificant (18:15). How does Jesus give significance to them? • In contrast, 18:18-30 is about a "somebody" who disqualifies himself from the kingdom. He has everything society considers admirable and desirable. But what condition for eternal life does he lack (18:22)? • In Luke 18:31-34 Jesus' fourth prediction to the Twelve about his coming violent death again meets with lack of understanding. Their presuppositions about riches and their political agenda (19:11) deafens them to Jesus' intent. Then in 18:35-45 Luke introduces us to someone who represents another group of nobodies. What is unusual about the beggar's attitude and title that catches Jesus' attention?

Reflection • How does Jesus' example with Zaccheus show you how you might share the ? • Which outsider or nobody from your circle of acquaintances could you introduce to Jesus?

Action Pray for those who are not “regarded” in your community. Is it possible that you have treated someone as insignificant? If so, speak to God about it

Day 19 - Saturday 12/11/15 Scripture Passage: Study • Jericho was a rich agricultural town, a popular resort for royalty and priests. What kind of character would a chief tax collector in such a town likely develop? • What other side of Zacchaeus surfaces in 19:3-6 and 8? • Jesus' key words in verse 10 have inflamed the crowd's messianic expectations. Jesus' parable aims to counter any false hopes. In verses 12-15 what comparisons between the nobleman and himself does Jesus highlight? • Consider the hour of accountability when the master returns as king (vv. 15-26). The reward of the first two (representative) servants is simple. But the king's dialogue with the third servant is detailed. With this emphasis, what point is Jesus making (keep in mind v. 11)? • The adversaries of the nobleman-made-king are mentioned only at the beginning and the end (vv. 14, 27). Whom does Jesus intend them to represent? • How does he smash the false hopes of this group? • In verses 28-40 we see Jesus in various aspects of his messianic role. In a descriptive word or phrase, what concern of Jesus' do you see as he approaches Jerusalem? • What concern of Jesus' do you note as he reflects on Jerusalem (vv. 41-44)?

Reflection • In this panoramic view of Jesus the Messiah, what do you find hard to understand about him? • What about Jesus here can you positively respond to? Why?

Action Worship Jesus the Messiah king with praise, awe and thanksgiving. Talk to God about any frustrations you have experienced in this week