On Mission
Discussion Questions 11.9.14
Leader Prep Section
Take time before your small group meeting to prepare by reading through the questions and scripture passage so that you can select 4-5 questions that are best suited to your group.
Try to work through at least one question from each of the sections - Hook, Book, Look, Took in order to move from observation to application.
When possible spend time in prayer for each member of your group.
Questions
Hook - Ice breaker type questions to help make the transition into the study time.
1.Retell from memory the Parable of the Good Samaritan.
2.Tell your favorite story that involves an interaction with a neighbor, either current or in the past.
Read Luke 10:25-37
Jesus was likely approached by many more people throughout his ministry than we see captured in the four Gospels so when the Luke includes the conversation between Jesus and an unnamed expert in the law we should take notice. We should think about the literary context - why does Luke include this story here? He puts this exchange between the celebration of the return of the 72 followers who had been sent out to heal and cast out demons and Jesus spending time with Mary and Martha. How does this context add texture and richness to the parable?
Book - These questions are designed to get you into the text itself.
1.How would you answer the expert in the law's question - "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"? How does your answer compare with Jesus's answer?
2.What point was Jesus making by telling the story of the Good Samaritan?
3.Read Exodus 20:1-17. This is the passage Jesus is referring to when he asked the expert in the law how he read the law. How do you read the law? Does how he broke it down make sense?
Look - These questions will take you on a deeper look at what the passage means.
1.What would the Parable of the Good Samaritan be titled and who would be the main characters if Jesus told it today?
2.Why do you suppose the expert in the law asked about the key to eternal life? Why did he follow it up with a question about defining his neighbor?
3.Read Exodus 20:1-17 (if you have not already done so). The original audience would have memorized the Ten Commandments so they would have expected the response given by the expert in the law. That isn't necessarily the case for us, so does having them fresh in your mind change or add to your previous understanding of this parable?
Took - These questions are focused on applying the big idea from the text to our lives.
1.It can be messy to interact with those in need of our help. Jesus makes it clear in this parable that joining people in the messy parts of their lives is not optional. How can we live out the parable in our world today?
2.Jesus defines being a neighbor more broadly than the just someone who lives near you. How does that impact your understanding of Jesus's command to "Go and do likewise"?
3.What is your take-away from this story and the parable Jesus told?
Closing
It is easy in our busy world today to miss the opportunities to meet people where they are and bring the love of Jesus to them. Too often we act like the two travelers who crossed to the other side of the road to avoid the messiness of helping someone in need. Spend a few minutes praying together that we would all see those in our lives that we need to treat like our neighbors and take the time to reach out to them.
Reminder: As we continue on mission with Jesus it is imperative that we live like a missionary. To do that we have to be willing to enter into the real lives of those we meet.