Group Guide for Luke Study February, 2021 STUDY GUIDE Luke 17:1-10| Study before 2/14/21

Luke 17:1-10 Goal for Groups/Teams The primary goal for the Ministry Teams and Community Groups is to Sin, Faith, Duty foster Christian community where Jesus Christ is experienced in his presence and power. This is a community where, by the Spirit, Jesus 1 And he said to his disciples, ministers through one another so that people are cared for and “Temptations to sin are sure to encouraged to live a God-pleasing life (Spiritual Formation/Discipleship). come, but woe to the one through It is in groups and teams where Christ transforms and changes our lives whom they come! 2 It would be as individuals, as small communities, and the larger church. better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were Expectations for Leaders cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little Our goals are achieved by the leaders taking the following steps to ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to ensure the health of their groups: yourselves! If your brother sins, ✤ Leaders will prepare for the Group beforehand. This includes: rebuke him, and if he repents, • Reading through the study guide forgive him, 4 and if he sins • Refecting on how the passage connects to your own self against you seven times in the • Reframing the questions provided to help your people day, and turns to you seven times, • Praying for your group by name and for the study to lead to saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive Christian discipleship and spiritual fruit him.” ✤ Communicate clearly to the group the time/place of the meeting 5 The apostles said to the Lord, and any log in details at least 24 hours prior to the group meeting “Increase our faith!” 6 And the ✤ Lord said, “If you had faith like a Begin and End on Time. Groups should not last longer than 75 grain of mustard seed, you could minutes for the study and prayer. At the end the leader should note say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be that time is up and let people know that they can leave if they wish. uprooted and planted in the sea,’ If more time is open for hanging out, it should be predetermined with and it would obey you. the host to make sure it is in line with their expectations. 7 “Will any one of you who has a ✤ Guide the group to engage with the text. servant plowing or keeping sheep • Ask open questions say to him when he has come in • Reframe the question if no on answers. Don’t answer it yourself. from the feld, ‘Come at once and Awkward silence is not a bad thing :) recline at table’? 8 Will he not • Don’t monopolize the conversation; the leader mainly is to pose rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper the questions and to guide the conversation, not to “teach” or for me, and dress properly, and “lecture.” serve me while I eat and drink, ✤ Pray for your group at the end. Focusing on things that were and afterward you will eat and brought up. drink’? 9 Does he thank the ✤ Follow-up with people between meeting to check in on them and to servant because he did what was further discuss concerns/problems they may have brought up or commanded? 10 So you also, alluded to during the study. when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are Group Timeline unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” Gather: (10 minutes) Small talk, catch up, settle kids, etc. Worship: (5 minutes) Read a Psalm responsively, use the Call to worship from the Sunday worship, sing a song together, etc. Bible Study: (45 minutes) Use the guide for this portion Prayer: (10 minutes) see attached article on kingdom centered prayer Parting: (5 minutes) say good-bye note time of next meeting Group Guide for Luke Study October 2020

Background Article on this parable attached:

Read Luke 17:1-10 aloud together

Questions 1. In verses 1-3a what does Jesus warn his disciples about regarding sin? 2. In verses 3b-4 how does he instruct them to act when they observe or experience sin? 3. What do you think the meaning of their expression in verse 5 is? How do you respond to what Jesus has to say about sin and forgiveness (honestly)? Is it similar or diferent from what the disciples say? 4. How does Jesus’ little parable about the mulberry tree say about faith? How much is needed? How is it supposed to be used? How does it answer (or not) the appeal the disciples make? 5. As we have noted the stories Jesus tells tie into on the ground situations. Since this parable follows a discussion on faith, what do you think it is trying to unearth in the disciples? 6. How does the servant in the passage show what faith is/isn’t? 7. How does this parable challenge your view of Christian discipleship/following Jesus? 8. What in you pushes back from the implications of this passage? 9. How are you challenged to be like this good servant in your life? 10. Take some time to pray for one another this week. Group Guide for Luke Study October 2020

Image for the bulletin on Sunday 2/14/21 “The Annunciation” by James B Janknegt

Mary’s response to the angel’s announcement in Luke 1:38 is “I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.” That attitude of submission and honor to God throughout Luke is portrayed as the core virtue of faith - willing submission to the will of God. The servant who diligently and without complaint follows his master’s instruction in Luke 17 echoes this attitude of Mary’s.