Breaking Ground
Who is the most famous person you’ve ever met? What were the circumstances of you meeting them? What were they like?
The Dig
This Sunday, we continued our series Jesus the Christ by exploring the topic of making Christlike amends through the story of Jesus meeting Zacchaeus from the Gospel of Luke.
What do you think constitutes a genuine, sincere, & healthy apology or amends? By contrast, what does an unhealthy, insincere apology or amends look like?
Next, read Luke 19:1-10. Here, Jesus approaches a tax-collector named Zacchaeus & asks to be a guest at his home. As a tax-collector, Zacchaeus was despised for getting rich by extorting his own people for Rome, making him the last person this crowd of Israelites would’ve found appropriate for Jesus to associate with. However, in response to Christ’s graciousness, Zacchaeus upends his entire life & then commits to a radical act of restitution.
What stands out to you the most about this story? Why?
Why does Jesus seek out & approach Zacchaeus in the way that he does? What does this reveal about how he understands his own mission?
Why do you think Zacchaeus responds with such a radical commitment to transformation? What does this reveal about the power of grace?
In closing, Pastor Mike sat with what this story can teach us about making healthy, Christlike amends. In particular, he highlighted that such amends must…
- Be self-honest, accurate, & based on self-reflection..
- Not cause further harm to others.
- Take ownership of ourselves & our actions (i.e., focused solely on our side of the street, not anything that the other person has done).
- Made without expectations for a specific response from the other party.
- Include an attempt at restitution & a commitment to ongoing life-change (i.e., a living amends).
Which of these ingredients do you find most interesting or important? What happens when one or more of these ingredients is missing from an apology or amends?
Which of these ingredients do you find most challenging? Which do you most often avoid when attempting to make an apology or amends to others? Why do you think that is?
Where do you need to make an amends in this season? Which of these ingredients do you think you’ll struggle with the most? How can you overcome this challenge & make a Christlike amends to this person?
Getting Out of the Hole
In this series, take time each week to reflect upon the story from the story & how you can find yourself within it during this season of your life.
- Read Luke 19:1-10. First, break this story or teaching down into pieces. What is Jesus doing or saying? How are people responding to him? What changes by the end of the story?
- Next, close your eyes & reflect upon the story. Imagine yourself in it. Put yourself into the space of the various characters & imagine what it would be like to encounter Jesus in the story.
- What images, teachings, or ideas speak to you the most in this story? What intrigues or confuses you? What feelings arose as you thought about being in the story? How can this story impact your life & your relationship with Jesus in this next season?
Additional Resources*
TheBibleProject.com
Simply Jesus by NT Wright
The Ragamuffin Gospel by Brennan Manning
Coming Up This Week:*
Sunday, February 16th: Join us next Sunday as we continue our series Jesus the Christ!
* Please see mye3.org for details.