Text Study for Sunday, March 9, 2025

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Series Theme: Finding What Is Lost

Reading: Luke 9:51-56

Connecting Question

Tell about an obstacle in life you had to overcome. What was it like?

Prayer for Illumination

God of mercy, you promised never to break your covenant with us.

In the midst of the multitude of words in our daily lives,

speak your eternal Word to us,

that we may respond to your gracious promises

with faithfulness, service and love.

Amen.

CONTEXT

It’s Lent, time for Jesus to set his face on Jerusalem and reveal who he truly is. It’s time for each of us to look toward Jesus on the cross, what does that mean in our journey, how can you live faithfully during Lent?

We want you to reflect and talk about lost things, what are you looking for your life? Use this Lenten season to let Jesus reveal himself to you, to allow yourself to be lost and found in Jesus. Let’s take this journey together in Finding What Is Lost!

From Dr Matt Skinner at EntertheBible.org:

About 230 verses in Luke, most of which consist of sayings attributed to Jesus, appear in identical or similar form in Matthew and nowhere else among the biblical Gospels. Hardly any of these sayings, however, appear in the same place in the different orders of events given by Matthew and Luke. That suggests that each author knew about certain sayings attributed to Jesus, but determined independently where to place those sayings within the broader presentation of Jesus’ story. The Gospel authors are not simply relating an inherited history; they are arranging a story in a way meant to be meaningful. Many scholars conclude that the authors of Matthew and Mark were familiar with a written collection of Jesus’ sayings but made use of that collection in different ways, weaving various sayings into each of their narratives so as to lend particular perspectives on Jesus’ life and teachings.

Look at the Book

We share in Ash Wednesday this week. What does that day mean to you?
Tell about a Lenten season that was memorable. How? Why?
Open to Luke 9:1. What did Jesus give his disciples? Why did he do that?
Because of Jesus’s gift, what do you feel empowered to do? Have you tried doing it?
Jump to Luke 9:51. What does Jesus do? What happens in the location he is heading to?
In 9:52, what does Jesus do? Why?
What happens in the Samaritan village? What does the Samaritan title give us a clue about?
Why does Luke not just tell positive stories about Jesus’s “success?” Why would he include stories of conflict?
What do you make of the request in verse 54?
In verse 55, how does Jesus respond?
What is a rebuke?
What is something you sense you may be called to “turn away from?” Jesus steers us from things in life that are not life giving. What is something for you that you that needs to be named as not “life giving?”
How would you encourage someone who is experiencing direct conflict to navigate the next faithful step?
What would you like to talk about that we have not yet?

Taking it Home

Tell about a time you were wrong, like James and John. What did you learn from that experience?

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 | March 9, 2025