Watch the Sunday School video for April 3, 2022
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Listen to Him: Forty Steps on the Road to Resurrection

Luke 16:13-31 (begins on page 109) 

You can think of the parable of the rich man and Lazarus as a drama. In the first scene the rich man is a picture of self-indulgence. In a culture where most people struggle simply to survive, the rich man feasts on delicacies, taking no notice of the poverty around him. Lazarus, who is a diseased and helpless beggar, longs for any morsel of nourishment — even the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. The scene shifts and we find that Lazarus is now comfortable in glory and the rich man lives in torment. 

J.D. Walt points out that it is easy for us to villainize the rich man. The reality is that the rich man never did anything deliberately to hurt Lazarus. He simply never did anything to help the man who begged at his gate. The rich man didn’t care enough to get involved. 

The first step in caring for the person in need is to see the individual. We often avert our eyes from the painful things around us because it makes us uncomfortable. Perhaps we choose to ignore the person so we won’t feel the need to respond. Jesus never looked away from the painful parts of life. Throughout his ministry, Jesus focused his attention on those who lived on the bottom rung of society. He saw them clearly, and he was moved with compassion. His compassion led him to engage with the “least of these” in meaningful ways. Time and again, Jesus not only met the physical need, he also restored dignity to the individual as he affirmed their worth in a personal way. 

As discussed in this week’s video, those of us who are members of First Methodist have chosen to belong to a downtown church. God has planted us in this place, for this time in history. We have the opportunity and responsibility to follow the example of Jesus as we interact with the community around us. 

Sunday Evening with the Neighbors (SEWN) is one beautiful way we engage with the poor in our community. Kairos prison ministry, Partners in Excellence (a ministry to Morningside Elementary and Northside Elementary schools), and Helping Hands (a ministry to impoverished families) are other ways our church has chosen to minister. Each of these ministries requires personal involvement and financial resources. There are also wonderful non-profits working to alleviate suffering and promote the well-being of the most vulnerable in our community. 

The problems associated with poverty are complex. There are wise ways to address the needs we see around us. We have learned that the best way to help is to choose to support a ministry with our time and resources; however, as we consider our response, we should also be open to the prompting of the Spirit. Sometimes God may call us to engage in more direct ways. 

Why do you think Jesus spent some much time teaching about meeting the needs of the poor? What happens to the one who chooses to get involved in meeting those needs? How is compassion for the poor connected to discipleship? 

Luke 17: 11-19 (begins on page 116)
 
In the previous verses, the disciples have asked Jesus to help them increase their faith (Luke 17:5-6). In these verses we have the opportunity to see faith in action. 

In his discussion of this passage, J.D. Walt points out that the lepers out for healing, they called Jesus, “Master” indicating that they had greater insight into his identity than the religious leaders. They expected Jesus to respond with compassion and they believed he could do something about their situation. 

How might a similar confidence in God’s power and compassion influence our times of prayer?
 
Jesus instructed the lepers to show themselves to the priests as a way to “certify the cure and readmit them to the community” (page 118). Typically, this action was taken after a person had experienced healing. In this moment, Jesus is calling upon the lepers to move forward in faith knowing that the healing they requested would follow. The lepers were healed as they moved in obedience to the instructions of Jesus. Their obedience was the active demonstration of their faith. They had not yet been healed but they were willing to move forward because they trusted in the power and the love of their Master. “They moved as though the miracle happened. And it only happened as they moved” (page 119).

How is your belief in Jesus connected to your obedience? What application does this understanding have to your experience of prayer? Can you think of a time God answered your prayer as you moved forward in faith? 
 
Luke tells us that only one leper returned to express his gratitude. He knelt before Jesus, indicating his worship and praise. Notice Jesus’ response. “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” 
 
The grateful leper has already experienced physical healing. Something more seems to occur as he expressed his gratitude to Jesus. His gratitude provided opportunity for God to do a deeper work in his life. 

What might have happened to the leper in that moment with Jesus? In what way is your attitude connected to the movement of God in your life? 


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