Continue to lead your group to understand that the Jesus we are seeking and following is not strictly interested in a bland morality that tries to get people's naughtiness in line, while making them "nicer" in the process. That comes with it- but this is a revolution we are discussing in our groups. This is reconciliation, redemption and the turning of all broken systems and ideas (and people) back to the Creator through him. If we aren't excited about this as leaders, it may not seem as such to those we lead!!!!
Make this time about steps toward action. Over discussing the content of the message is counterintuitive to the main point Jesus is trying to make. The chatting we do has to be for love of each other, but also for those whom remain unloved. Help your group dream and even decide about readjusting their priorities, schedules and thinking around the purposes of Christ, which is about our groups of faithful brothers and sisters "going" (Matthew 28:19).
Thaw
- What are examples of racial, gender or class division that you have experienced in your life?
- What are examples of social division that you have experienced recently (whether it's shy people being walked on, uneducated people being shorted somehow, or the disadvantaged being taken advantage of...etc.)
- What has most stuck with you from the message on Sunday?
- Have you felt as though a clearer picture of Jesus' heart has come into you mind? Explain.
- What kind of action steps have you begun to take in recent weeks as you consider the parables?
Read
- Luke 16:13-31
- Thoughts?
- Have you heard sermons on this passage before? What do you remember from them?
Leader note: The Jewish mythological context helps us understand this passage even more. Consider the following as you discuss Jesus' parable and some of the presumptions we bring to it. Consider reading the short Apocalypse of Zephaniah found here, especially section 6-9, to get a sense of what some of the popular Jewish superstitions of the day were.
Meditation
- Read the following texts to yourself and use them to allow the Spirit of God to further illuminate his heart to you. After a few minutes, discuss with the group how you feel about what Go is asking his people to do and be (fears, excitement, frustrations, lack of clarity, a sense of purpose, etc..)
- Deuteronomy 16:20
- Leviticus 19:16
- Micah 6:8
- Isaiah 1:17
- Psalm 146:9
- Exodus 22:21
- Zechariah 7:9
- John 13:34
Discuss
- How can this group's faith, resource, hope, influence and creativity be used in ministering to those without resource, influence, hope and creativity?
- What are ways that these principles apply to people not specifically in the circumstances in which Lazarus is depicted?
Leader note: Help the group understand that classrooms have kids from a broad spectrum of advantage, and the class, economic, language, opportunity gaps within a given classroom is a great example of how we can deliberately tear down walls in the name of love. We can also work in our interactions with people to identify someone who is at a disadvantage. Some people are spiritually disadvantaged, and sit in hospitals with no hope or understanding of a God that wants to heal them. Will we recognize this and help be a source of hope in the ER waiting room? Help them see all the ways that walls and chasms can be obliterated so connect people to the life-changing love of God.
- The Rich man's possessions and lifestyle were not sinful. So what is the issue?
- How does your answer to that apply to us right now?
- How does our society, lifestyle, daily regimen work against loving those trapped "outside the wall"?
- What can be done?
- How can this group encourage one another to take some risks and live a different way than most of our culture's counterparts?
Prayer
- Spend some time praying that whatever sense there is in the group that this is something less than an exciting opportunity to be part of what God is up to, would be removed. Prayer for eyes to see through walls. Ear to hear across chasms. Hands and feet to act on what we become aware of.
Additional texts
- Exodus 28:1-5
- James 2
- 1 Corinthians 13
- "Now the report goes, that this elder Annas proved a most fortunate man; for he had five sons [Eleazar, Jonathan, Theophilus, Matthias, Annas the Younger], who had all performed the office of a high priest to God, and he had himself enjoyed that dignity a long time formerly, which had never happened to any other of our high priests. . ." (Antiquities, Book XX, chapter 9, section i, p.423)
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