Read Luke 7 & 8 and meet in your Good Soil Group by Sun, Feb 5.

Remember: Formation, not information. Luke and Acts invite us to live differently than the world around us. Focus on the seeds of trust, hope, and compassion God is planting.

Reading

As you read, here are a few things to notice, in addition to everything you notice naturally.

In these chapters, people who are used to being rejected find acceptance, healing, and forgiveness with Jesus.

It starts with the centurion, commander in an occupying army. He does not come himself, but has respected elders plead his case, because he knows how much of an outsider he is and he desires not to offend. Consider his message: “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed.” Jesus reverses expectations by willingly helping the centurion and wholeheartedly affirming him, “Not even in Israel have I found such faith!”

This pattern repeats itself with the unnamed woman who washes Jesus’ feet. Simon the Pharisee scoffs, considering himself more than worthy and Jesus unworthy of water and a greeting kiss. ”Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” In naming Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Suzanna among Jesus’ chosen ministers, Jesus’ special concern for women, excluded and undervalued in society, is evident.

Notice all the welcoming and accepting that happens next, Jesus’ leaving Israel for outsider territory, his compassion on the wild and lonely man, his redefinition of “family,” his insistence that the woman who touched him know the healing is for her. What of your own attitudes and behaviors is Luke inviting you to examine? Or our attitudes and behaviors as a congregation? Who or what are we being invited to accept? What might the parable of the sower and the seed mean in your life and our life together?

Meeting

Getting to Know Each Other (10 min): You might ask each other, “How have you found acceptance in Jesus?” Or you could tell each other stories of being healed.

Talking about Luke (20 min): Here’s some good starting questions for any week, “What did God do in these chapters? What did people do?” You also might ask each other, “What in these chapters did I welcome? What did I resist? How was Jesus freeing me as I read?”

Praying (15 min): Start this time by asking, “Who or what do we have to pray about today?” Don’t censor yourself. Nothing is too big or too small to pray about. And no one is beyond God’s care. If nothing else, pray for each other and for all of the other Good Soil groups that God will open us to the seed of God’s Word.

After Reading & Meeting

Check back on this website, for art and more. Ask Pastor a question. Leave a comment and let us know how the Spirit is moving with you!