Messengers, Part 2 (31)
Discipleship in Luke
We are messengers, but it’s not our message – it’s God’s. We had better be extra careful to check our sources, be silent until we know what we’re talking about, and then deliver an accurate message – or better yet – show people where to learn for themselves. Good News that’s false – is not Good at all. Nothing hurts more than false hope.
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Messengers, Part 1 (30)
Discipleship in Luke
In Luke 14 at the dinner, Jesus tells a story about another dinner – the Kingdom feast. We will look at the characters in Jesus’ story and we find ourselves there: we are the “slaves,” the messengers. Scriptures used: Romans 10:1-2 James 3:1-2 Luke 14.15-24; Matthew 22.1-14
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Satan’s Sirens, pt2 (29)
Discipleship in Luke
Practical steps for killing Excuses, Justifications and Rationalizations, and replacing them with adaptations, improvisations and overcoming. We can categorize our lives, and look for them – to root them out. Then, connect with a Godwor disciple for accountability & help. Finally, choose one or two and work on them one bit at a time.
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Satan’s Sirens (28)
Discipleship in Luke
Satan’s Sirens … Excuses, Justifications and Rationalizations. These three are alluring, enticing, just like the beautiful singing sirens of mythology that lured sailors to their death – Satan’s sirens kill us. The solution is for us to recognize things that tempt us to these things, then treat them as challenges and opportunities. We should adapt, improvise, overcome … we should put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6).
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Grow Some Go Some (#27)
Discipleship in Luke
Grow Some Go Some … congratulations are due to those of you who are still listening & studying, and especially to those of you who are DOING the assignments. Following Jesus was hard when he was in human form, and it’s still hard. Now … time to get to work for real.
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From Now On (#26)
Discipleship in Luke
From now on … these lessons will be less formal, shorter … and use excerpts from Luke to continue our studies. Most importantly, it’s about helping you to start actually doing the stuff Jesus did … on purpose. Make a real change. Do three things, right now:
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Wrap Up (#25)
Discipleship in Luke
it’s time for us to review and settle some things. Remember our purpose, our actions and our priority. And then … DO what Jesus said.
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Talents (#24)
Discipleship in Luke
This lesson is about the parable of talents (found in Matthew 25.14-30 & Luke 19.12-27). It’s about how you live as a disciple of Jesus … steadily giving more in quality and quantity purely for the purpose of bearing increasing fruit and glory to God.
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Recovering the Lost (#23)
Discipleship in Luke
Jesus explains why he left the religious folks to go seek sinners and call them to repentance. We are introducing the “Lifecycle” of disciples … those who come to Jesus for various reasons, then go all-in, are born again, and then live and grow. Scriptures highlighted in this lesson include: Luke 15, Matthew 6.20-21, Colossians 3.1-2, Philippians 3.12-21, and Matthew 25.14-30.
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Teleios (#22)
Discipleship in Luke
Teleios is a Greek word used commonly to describe a certain kind of maturity – the maturity which is understood to include productivity. Only when a thing has reached ‘teleios’ is it considered to have arrived at its full potential. Each one of us should strive to arrive at our full teleios state
info_outlinePeople are passionate about baseball, music, their families, and even hockey. The most passionate learn their craft, and work hard and seek out others who share their interest. I'm passionate about Jesus. My family and friends are fine, music is the greatest thing ever, and I even like my church (sometimes), but none of those things compare to Jesus. He was perfect! He was so strong and wise and compassionate ... it's just amazing how great he was. I hope you'll find others like me/us and feed that passion in your life and form a "church" - of disciples (people of passion).
But while pursuing my passion for Jesus, I also fell in love with the bible, and sometimes my passion for the bible makes me forget Jesus. Others I know also struggle with things that distract them from Jesus (like church, family, etc.) ... let's stay focused and help each other. Now as I teach you about the bible, my passion (hopefully) will show through ... but also I hope you'll do a better job of keeping it in perspective than I sometimes do.
Now here's how to study the gospels: 1) find a good translation to work from, and two others to compare with. I recommend NASB, NIV and NRSV, but there are others. Pick yours. 2) Study one gospel at a time DON'T try to 'harmonize' them. 3) Remember Layers. Each gospel has two layers: the layer of Jesus & his audience, and the writer and his.
Now to Luke, written by a Gentile (a non-jewish person) FOR first century Gentiles. In their time, these Gentiles were 'outsiders,' and the Jews who believed in Jesus were the main group, or the majority. So Luke highlights everyone in Jesus' story who was on the fringes or were 'outsiders,' because to his audience it seemed close to one of "us." Reacing our audience today also has Jesus' layer (focused on insiders - Jews) and Luke's layer (focused on the outsiders). When we speak to "church" people or "Christians," we're working on Jesus' layer. When we speak to outsiders (those who have little or no faith in Jesus) ... we need to introduce them to things in a simpler way, like Luke.
Also we introduced the idea of the Disciple's lifecycle:
- Curiosity/interest
- Full commitment
- Rebirth
- Infant
- Teenager
- Young Parents
- Full-grown shepherds
And now we'll see these stages and how Jesus produced this development in the gospel of Luke, beginning with "Preparation."