Text Study for Sunday, January 19, 2025

Series Theme: In My Father’s House

Reading: Luke 4:22-30

printable version

Connecting Question

· What is a rude comment someone has said to you?

· How did you know it was “rude?”

Prayer for Illumination

Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest; let these gifts to us be blest. Amen.

CONTEXT

Blessed Epiphany! Now what? The Bible shares only a few stories of Jesus before he starts public ministry. Our next sermon series, In My Father’s House, will explore these stories of Jesus’ childhood and youth where you will learn more about the early years of Jesus’ life. How can we use the lessons to raise young people in faith, grow in our own faith, and listen together for God’s promises among us? Join us as we focus on God’s greatest gift, love in human form.

From Dr Matt Skinner at EntertheBible.org:

Although Luke’s Gospel describes Jesus encountering opposition from a wide array of people, it offers more clarity about which people are involved in Jesus’ arrest and prosecution. When Jesus predicts his death in Luke 9:21-22, he names members of the Jerusalem elite–specifically, the elders, chief priests, and scribes–as the ones who will reject him. Also, Herod Antipas’s violent intentions become clear in Luke 13:31. Once Jesus reaches Jerusalem, Luke consistently names the chief priests, scribes, and sometimes the elders as those who oppose Jesus most vehemently. Pharisees are not named as part of the opposition in Jerusalem. Indeed, the last time Luke mentions any Pharisees is in Luke 19:39, just before Jesus enters Jerusalem. All of these observations reveal that Jesus was hardly rebelling against or condemning Judaism. Rather, Luke presents Jesus as obedient to Jewish law and seen as an irritant only by some religious leaders, most notably those who held significant political power centered in Jerusalem and in league with the interests of their Roman occupiers.

Look at the Book

This is our final week of this series of polaroids of Jesus as a child leading to his public ministry. What question would you want to ask him?
Open to Luke 4. What is happening just before this passage? Context always matters.
What is it like when you have visited your hometown? Do you enjoy this? Why or why not?
What is happening in Luke 4:22?
When asked, what are the positive things people may say about Jesus and/or the church?
When asked, what are the negative things people may say about Jesus and/or the church?
Do we need to defend Jesus when he makes people mad? Why or why not?
In verses 22-24, Jesus mentions some stories from the book of 1 Kings and 2 Kings. Why do you think he does?
Jesus was an observant Jew. Why is that important when we read the Gospels?
Gospel means good news! In this story, people get angry at Jesus. Why?
Have you ever been angry at Jesus? When? What was that like?
Find Ephesians 4:26. What do you think this means?
How does the scene end? What do you think that means? How might this be good news for people who feel “stuck” in their anger?
Much has changed from the start of the passage in 4:22 to the end. What do you think Luke is trying to tell us about Jesus?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

Taking it Home

What is a place of anger for you to let go? When we let it go, we are free. Thanks be to God!

God of the promise, you call your people together into your one mission in Christ’s name. Make us brave, grant us peace, challenge our expectations, and empower us to truly follow your Spirit’s lead. You are our one God who calls us together as one people, and we thank you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Grow Guide | Jan 19, 2025