5.17.20 Huddle
Huddle time is an opportunity for you to connect to each other and grow in faith. The below questions are just a resource for you to use or start from. Don’t feel like you have to use them all or rush through good discussion.
Huddle 5/17/20:
“Fix your eyes on Jesus.”
Luke 3:1-14
3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord,[a]
make his paths straight.
5
Every valley shall be filled,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low,
and the crooked shall become straight,
and the rough places shall become level ways,
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and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’”
7 He said therefore to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 9 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
10 And the crowds asked him, “What then shall we do?” 11 And he answered them, “Whoever has two tunics[b] is to share with him who has none, and whoever has food is to do likewise.” 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you are authorized to do.” 14 Soldiers also asked him, “And we, what shall we do?” And he said to them, “Do not extort money from anyone by threats or by false accusation, and be content with your wages.”
(For more study on why Tiberius Caesar is mentioned refer to this article.)
Ice Breaker/Discussion Question:
This passage opens up with the current political scene. How do you balance your personal political beliefs with everyone else’s views on what is currently going on? How do you model the Jesus life without getting into an argument with someone?
John the Baptist is critical to the Jesus story.
Repentance and Forgiveness is Jesus’ and John the Baptist’s message.
-How do John the Baptist and Jesus both communicate the repentance and forgiveness message?
Look at Luke 7:33-35 for a hint*.
What did Josephus say about John the Baptist?
John the Baptist addresses the crowd by saying, “You brood of vipers!”
*Why do you think he addresses them this way?
- Do you view God as a wrathful God or a forgiving God? Or both? Is one weighted more than the other? How do you think your view of God was shaped? How does your view of God’s character effect how you respond to others?
- How does the wrath of God cause you to respond in a loving way?
John the Baptist baptizes tax collectors and soldiers in this passage. They were known to be unethical in their occupations. In your current occupation what does it look like to lead with ethics?
*Please join the East and West campus on 5/24/20 for an in-person experience or on-line at 9 and 11 a.m. for anyone.
EASY DISCIPLESHIP QUESTIONS
These are great questions and can be used one at a time, or one from each section even if time is short. Most importantly if used consistently, then people will be conscious of starting to develop the habits and lifestyle of becoming a disciple.
CONNECTING TO GOD:
How have you seen God working in your life in the last week; through successes, failures or disappointments?
Share with me what or who you are praying for and why.
What are you and your team/group members praying for?
At what moment did you feel closest to Christ this week?
CONNECTING TO SCRIPTURE:
Catch me up on scriptures you’re reading.
What is God teaching you through His word and how are you responding?
What scriptures speak to your “made for this”?
What scriptures are you struggling to understand?
What scriptures are you understanding, yet struggling to apply?
CONNECTING TO OTHERS:
How did the Lord use you to show His love this week:
In your family, team, group, or workplace?
In your everyday interaction with others?
Who are you helping to trust and follow Jesus?
What are your plans for next week in the areas of: prayer, bible study and sharing Christ’s love?