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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING to LUKE Week 5 Discussion Questions “Watch!”

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THE GOSPEL ACCORDING to LUKE Week 5 Discussion Questions “Watch!” THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE Week 5 Discussion Questions “Watch!” 1. Can you recall a time when you were really excited about something happening in the future? How did that change the way you lived day-to-day? 2. What enables us to be so excited about Jesus’ return? 3. What are the two key events this chapter prepares the original readers for? Read Luke 21:5-24 4. What do you think would have been the disciples’ reaction to Jesus’ announcement that in regard to the temple (v.5), not one stone would be left on another? 5. The key word of the chapter was “WATCH!” – with Jesus warning them not to be deceived. How should we be alert to in regard to our own leaders in this regard and what should we do if we think they are heading in this direction? 6. On whom should we keep our hearts, eyes, and mind? How do we do this daily? 7. How alert are you to the dangers, the distractions, the delusions, to the opposition – to anything which would lead you astray or trip you up as a Christian? Or do you think you simply coast along as a Christian and it’s all pretty easy? 8. The plea to watch and to remain faithful to God in the face of opposition is surely applicable beyond the trying and tragic circumstances of the historic destruction of the temple. Do you think we employ strategies to avoid the tiny amount of opposition we might face here in Toowoomba? (such as never mentioning Jesus or church and never defending the faith?) How do we typically justify such avoidance? How can we help each other take a stand for Jesus, no matter the outcome? 9. How is the way we face opposition, suffering, and persecution a way of bearing witness? 10. Why should we not be afraid? Read Luke 21:25-36 11. What should it mean in practical terms to be on guard or watch because we do not know when Jesus will return? 12. If you knew he was to return in two months, how would life change now? What things would be less important and what things would be more important? Can you make those changes now – because of the real possibility he MAY just return in two months? 13. What can you do this week to make your celebration of Easter next weekend more meaningful? St Bart’s Toowoomba Luke 21:5-36 by Stephen Urmston • Today’s passage comes with a few really good questions, but then ultimately, We are reminded of the main feature to focus on, and that is Christ’s return in Glory. As per always, before we hear the sermon, lets pray o Father, help us learn more about you, as we look to what your son said regarding what was to happen. Help us to focus on you, in all that we say and do, in Jesus name, Amen. • Today, we are looking at Luke 21, and to help us out, in your notes there are 3 headings I will be talking through. o Keep your minds on things above (temple and Jerusalem) o Do not be afraid. Bear witness (persecution) o Wait expectantly for Jesus. (or to put it another way) Look for him! (Jesus Return) • Ok. So where are we up to in the narrative of Luke’s gospel. Remember, being a narrative, we need to know where it fits as part of the whole story. o Luke 21 is the final chapter before we start the story of Jesus arrest, trial and execution. We will remember those later this week, as well as rejoicing in Jesus resurrection on Easter Sunday. o This means, this means that Luke 21 is one of Jesus last bits of teaching to his disciples, the last being the last supper, which is in the next chapter. o In Luke 21, Jesus is in the temple courts teaching. At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus commends a very poor woman, for her amazingly generous gift, of giving all that she had. o Then, for some reason it is at this point the disciples take particular notice of the temple. Its design and architecture. o For them, the temple was a truly beautiful place, with rich history and significance. This temple was the place of many of their festivals, and the central point of their sacrificial system. This was the place where God was, where God made all things right again. This place for them was beautiful • What does Jesus then say in verse 6? o 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.” o If I was one of the disciples… after hanging out with Jesus for years… that would have been a very very big statement. Its no wonder they reply, in verse 7 o When will this happen? § They probably want to be prepared for such a devastating blow. Makes sense… such an important place. • Lets look at Jesus reply in Verse 8 o 8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.” o Jesus here, gives an answer they don’t expect. This is our first heading, Keep your minds on things above. o Jesus here doesn’t give them the answer they were looking for, but rather a lesson on discipleship. Jesus is calling them to maturity. § How often has someone given you an answer that you didn’t ask for, but that you needed to hear. This is something similar. Its not about when it will happen, it is about keeping eyes fixed on Christ. Staying close to him, then only then.. can we truly not be afraid. Jesus says that in Verse 9. • I presume this would have made all kinds of conversation happen between the disciples. Jesus has just said some pretty big things, then without giving an answer, tells them to remain strong. He then starts to talk more broadly, about the nations around. Speaking of wars, and famines. • Lets have a look at verse 12. Caution… these verses are hard to hear. Under our next heading, Do not be afraid. Bear witness. o Persecution is part of the deal. This is hard. Some people wont like what you say, when you say it. Not always… some people we know will follow Christ. but others wont. This may cost friends, or even closer. We know there are others that deal quite strongly with this, in various places around the world. o But it is here again that we see God’s name shared with others. Lets have a look. This verse blows me away. Verse 13. § 3 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. o It’s a chance to share the love of Christ, and the love of God for all people. When these times comes, our maturity continues to be tested, as even then, we can speak God’s words to other. And it is God’s words, we don’t need to be worried about what we may say, verse 15, I will give you the words to say. o By remaining in Christ we have life. Sharing his words to others, even when its insanely hard, this means that they will have a chance to hear the love of Christ for all people. • Verses 20 – 25 talk about a specific time for the disciples, when Jerusalem will be surrounded. For them persecution was real, and it was a hard time to live. This has been understood as the time when Jerusalem was under attack in the later part of the 1st century. It was a very hard time to live. • Lets start to bring this home. o Our third heading – Wait expectantly For Jesus. Look for him! o The last part of our passage , paints the pictures of worldly chaos again. A sign of the age. Lets look at verses 27 – 28, cos here is where my level 10 optimism will shine through. § 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” o I get excited easily, and more often then not excited about the things that are coming up. Some time ago a number of us went away on a leadership retreat to find out our strengths in leadership. On one of the scales, we were measured on if we are a realist, vs is we are an optimist. Now, it may come as no surprise to you, that I maxxed out at the optimist side. I was right up the extreme end of optimism, I got a 10. I tend to look forward to many things and this can be exciting. Jesus is looking ahead in our passage. Some of it is hard to hear, especially for those who would have first heard it. but it does end on excitement, and something that I pray we are all looking forward to.
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