Grow Guide | June 30, 2024
The Good Book
Reading: Luke 2:41-52
Connecting Question
What is something you lost that made you panic?
What is something you would like to know about Jesus’s childhood?
Prayer for Illumination
Let your Spirit, our Advocate, guide us still— preserving us from judgment, protecting us from sin, and leading us into righteousness, so that we may testify to the good news: fullness of life and joy for all; through Jesus Christ our Savior and in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Context
The Good Book: Meeting Our Ancestors in Faith, One Story at a Time
The Bible can be a barrier for a lot of people of faith. It’s large, intimidating, and can be confusing! Many people are wary of reading these texts, carry bruises from their upbringing, or simply do not have enough information for the stories to make any sense. This summer, we invite you to spend time reclaiming the “good” in The Good Book - learning and relearning how ancient stories relate to our stories here and now. We are so glad you are here!
From Pastor Matthew Skinner at EntertheBible.org:
As the Gospel’s opening verses declare, the author of Luke wrote to reinforce a Christian audience’s confidence about what it knew concerning the good news of Jesus Christ. The Gospel of Luke aims to instruct and reassure its readers by telling the story of Jesus in an “orderly” manner, meaning that Luke’s account is arranged and narrated in a way that attempts to express Jesus’ significance. Instead of preaching a long sermon, the book tells a story about Jesus to describe God’s faithfulness, God’s salvation, and God’s purposes for the world.
Look at the Book
Open to Luke 1. Read Luke 1:1-4. What is Luke’s goal in telling the story of Jesus?
Jump to 1:13. The story of the priest Zechariah and Elizabeth...what is the angel’s word to Zechariah?
Jump to 1:30. The story of Mary...what is the angel’s word to Mary?
Jump to 2:9-10. The story of the shepherds...what is the angel’s word to the shepherds? Why is this word important?
Jump to 2:39-40. What does Luke want us to know about Jesus and his family as he is growing up?
Luke 2:41 talks about a family pilgrimage. Where has your family made “pilgrimages?” Why are those places special to you?
Families travelled in large caravans with multiple families. What would that panic have been like when they discovered him missing? Why?
How long was Jesus missing in v 46? What would that have been like for his parents?
Many hero stories from that time would have painted the hero has having special knowledge at an early age. What has been some hard-won wisdom for you in life?
What do you make of Mary’s question to Jesus?
How does Jesus respond? Does he offer a statement or a question? Why does that matter?
What is something you have learned from a child?
What is “childlike” faith to you?
Read Mark 9:37. What do you make of Jesus’s command to us?
The value of children has changed often in society over history. In what ways do we value children today?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?
Taking it Home
Encourage a child this week.
Who do you most resonate with in this story? Jesus, the parents, someone else?
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.