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Table Service (Luke 14:1-14)

Ready for Impact (10 minutes)

Catch up on how things have been over the past week (over drinks and snacks if possible). Then ask group members to:

  • Tell a story about sitting in the wrong seat. (This could be where you accidentally sat in the wrong place, or where you got an upgrade to a better seat for some reason).

This term, we’re exploring some of the meals Jesus shared. Not only is this helping us get to know Jesus better, but we’re seeing how the way he shared meals has loads of implications for how we experience student life today.

Ask for a volunteer to read Luke 14:1-14 to the group, praying a short prayer that, however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d know him better as a result of your time together.

Watch

If you’re not gathered in person, the leader should project the video for the group through sharing their screen. If you’re using Zoom, make sure you have optimized your screen share for video. You can download the video to watch offline.

Impacted by the Word (15 minutes)

Suggested questions to help your discussion.

  • Jesus’ interaction with people with disability was an important aspect of his identity. What do we learn about him here? (verses 1-6)
  • What makes Jesus’ interaction different to how disabled people are sometimes treated?
  • In Jesus’ day, social rank was indicated by where a person sat at the table. In what ways is social rank displayed today among students?
  • What reasons does Jesus give for inviting ‘the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind’ instead of ‘our relatives or rich neighbours’?
  • What holds us back from obeying Jesus’ instructions in verses 12-14?

What does Jesus mean when he says that those who offer hospitality to those unable to pay them back will be ‘repaid at the resurrection of the righteous’?

Jesus is referring to the time in which those who are right with God will be resurrected to physical eternal life, when Jesus returns again. On that day, Jesus says those who have held parties for those least likely to normally be invited, will be rewarded by God.

Jesus isn’t saying that we can earn eternal life – it’s only through his death and resurrection we are made righteous. Yet, in some way, our godly actions now will be honoured by God in eternity. This provides extra motivation not to merely care about present popularity and status, but to sacrifice these things now, knowing that God will ensure we do not at all lose out in eternity.

For more on the idea of heavenly reward, check out this article from John Piper.

Impacting Our Hearts (10 minutes)

Jesus has shown extraordinary generosity in inviting us to his banquet: life with him in the new creation. Our response begins in gratefully receiving the grace of God – yet this gratitude should then overflow in showing generosity to others.

  • How does it make you feel known knowing Jesus has invited you – and that you can never repay his hospitality?
  • If we were regularly inviting a very wide range of people into our lives, as Jesus commands, what might the effect be on us?

Impacting the University (15 minutes)

Jesus uses the word ‘invite’ seven times in verses 8-14.

  • What kind of person is rarely invited to join in with others at your university? (perhaps: those with disabilities or long-term illnesses, those in financial hardship, commuting students, those with less confidence speaking English, and others).
  • How do you want to relate to these students in the light of this session?

Feedback on how you got with last week’s activity, then choose another to undertake together this week (ideally a different category to whatever you did last time).

Get nourished: for group bonding

Make a list of everyone’s birthday in your Impact Group. Each time someone’s birthday occurs, mark it by gathering or going for a meal, actively remembering to invite those it’s easy to miss.

Offer a taste: to do together

Do your CU or the churches in your city run a café for befriending international students away from home? Consider volunteering together to help out one week. You may make some wonderful new friendships, or find you get the bug for volunteering more regularly!

Add spice: a personal challenge

Think about someone God has put in your life who’s probably rarely invited to join in with others. Go out of your way this week to make a start in inviting them into your life and growing a friendship.

  • Commit to at least one of these activities in the week ahead, and pray for what you have planned. Make the necessary plans, then keep each other updated with progress during the week in your group chat!
  • Spend time also praying for any other specific prayer requests group members have.

Wrap-up – think TACOS 🌮

  • Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.
  • Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate Jesus for themselves alongside one of you.
  • Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?
  • Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.
  • See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or hanging out socially in the meantime!