Even If Part 1

TALK-IT-OUT

Go through each main point and scripture from the message and use the corresponding questions in discussion with your group.  

Main Scripture: Luke 17:11-19
Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Opening Question: What stands out to you about this event in scripture? OR what questions do you have about this scripture?

Introduction to the Book of Luke: The book of Luke is one of the Gospel accounts meant to give a narrative of the life of Jesus. The author, Luke, was a Gentile and was also identified by the Apostle Paul as being a doctor (Colossians 4:14). This may give reason to why Luke is so detailed in both the book of Luke and his other book, Acts. Luke did not witness Jesus' ministry firsthand and actually became a believer after Jesus' resurrection. His account of Jesus was written using details from sources Luke had available: letters, speeches, songs, travel accounts, trial transcripts and biographical anecdotes. 

Scripture Context: Leprosy was a skin disease that was very visible and caused one to be secluded from the rest of society. Furthermore, the Jews at the time supposed that the disease was a result of some particular sin and even more than other diseases leprosy indicated them a sign of God's displeasure. Jesus was traveling from Galilee to Jerusalem, which Samaria was in between. The one who returned, a Samaritan, was part of a people group that was thought inferior by the Jewish religious elite. Jesus sent them to the priests before they were healed, most likely as a test of their obedience, similar to many other healing miracles he performed. He sent them to the priests because they were considered the judge of leprosy. Sending them to the priests while they still had leprosy certainly would have been a step of faith since they had already been judged and would surely be judged even more so for coming back to them again if they still had leprosy.

TALK-IT-OUT: Who do you feel like you have been like more often in life: the secluded leper or the judging priest?

TALK-IT-OUT: How did the lepors approach Jesus and what did the lepers ask of him in the scripture?

TALK-IT-OUT: How are you approaching Jesus, and what are you asking of him right now?

POINT 1: GENEROSITY PROVOKES GRATITUDE

Proverbs 11:25
A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. 

TALK-IT-OUT: What are you grateful for?

POINT 2:  THE 9 WHO DID NOT RETURN TO THANK JESUS WERE FOCUSED ON “SELF”

TALK-IT-OUT: Give one example of how you are going to focus on someone else this week rather than on yourself.

POINT 3: GRATITUDE IS THE RECOGNITION THAT LIFE OWES ME NOTHING AND ALL THE GOOD I HAVE IS A GIFT.

POINT 4: THE 9 WHO DID NOT RETURN TO THANK JESUS WERE FOCUSED ON THEIR SUCCESS.

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father

TALK-IT-OUT: Why is having an entitlement mentality dangerous?

POINT 5: THE 9 WHO DID NOT COME BACK TO THANK JESUS WERE FOCUSED ON THEIR STRUGGLE.

TALK-IT-OUT: What struggle in this world do you have the hardest time saying "even if" to?