9.17.23 Huddle
Opening Discussion
- What is something you used to be unsure of but became more confident in overtime?
Read and Discuss
Luke 19:45-48 CSB
45 He went into the temple and began to throw out those who were selling, 46 and he said, “It is written, my house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves!”
47 Every day he was teaching in the temple. The chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people were looking for a way to kill him, 48 but they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.
- Why did Jesus react so strongly in this situation?
- What does this show us about how followers of Jesus should treat the church gathering time?
- Why did the leaders want to kill Jesus?
- Why was Jesus’ teaching captivating to those who wanted to listen?
- Why didn’t the leaders hear the same thing the other people heard when Jesus taught?
- When you read about Jesus and His teachings, what are some ways that builds your faith?
Luke 20:1-8
1 One day as he was teaching the people in the temple and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the scribes, with the elders, came 2 and said to him, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things? Who is it who gave you this authority?”
3 He answered them, “I will also ask you a question. Tell me, 4 was the baptism of John from heaven or of human origin?”
5 They discussed it among themselves: “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why didn’t you believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ all the people will stone us, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 So they answered that they did not know its origin.
8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
- Why do the leaders want to know where Jesus gets His authority?
- Why doesn’t Jesus answer their question directly?
- What does Jesus want the leaders to understand about Him and His authority?
- What are some ways people still have trouble with the authority of Jesus today?
- Is there an area of your life you have trouble giving Jesus authority over? (Family, money, relationships, etc.)
- What would it take for you to trust Jesus with that area of your life?
Luke 20:19-26
19 Then the scribes and the chief priests looked for a way to get their hands on him that very hour, because they knew he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people.
20 They watched closely and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, so that they could catch him in what he said, to hand him over to the governor’s rule and authority. 21 They questioned him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and you don’t show partiality but teach truthfully the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”
23 But detecting their craftiness, he said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?”
“Caesar’s,” they said.
25 “Well then,” he told them, “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
26 They were not able to catch him in what he said in public, and being amazed at his answer, they became silent.
- Why were the leaders against Jesus?
- Where did Jesus’ confidence come from to stand up to the leaders who were out to get Him at every chance?
- Why was Jesus’ response to the tax question so astonishing?
- How do people try to undermine Jesus’ authority today?
- Why are people more concerned about having confidence in themselves than in Jesus?
Apply it!
- What are some ways you put confidence in yourself instead of the Lord?
- What is one thing you can do this week to place more confidence in Christ?
Memorize it!
Luke 20:25 “Well then,” he told them, “give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
Prayer TACOS
Thank the Lord for showing us how to live confidently in His kingdom
Adoration- Worship the Lord for being the same yesterday, today, and forever
Confess to those times you put your trust in yourself and not God
Others- Pray for someone you know who has not put their trust in the Lord. Ask God for an opportunity to have a Christ-centered conversation with them this week.
Self- Ask Jesus to be your source of confidence. Ask for boldness to tell others about Him this week.
Closing Thoughts
Often my confidence comes because of things I can see and that I think I can control. My job, money, marriage, and friendships are things I will put my hope and trust in. Unfortunately, those things don’t last. They are temporary and will go away. Some years ago, I loved my job, the leadership recognized my potential, and was setting me up for success. I had built a good team around me and things were going well. But then the leader had a moral failing, and when a new leader came into that position, he had different ideas and ways of doing things.
The things I had placed my confidence in were now gone. During that time I had to learn what it meant to place my confidence in the things of the Lord. It was a slow process, but eventually I leaned into His leading and direction instead of my own. It took a few years, but I got a new job with a great team. I know now that things won’t always be great. There will be ups and downs, but my confidence is no longer in my job, my team, or my success. It’s in the Lord. But yes, I still have those moments where I want to but my trust in myself.