Catch up on how things have been over the past week (over drinks and snacks if possible). Then ask group members:
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 19:1-10 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.
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.
Suggested questions to help your discussion.
‘Salvation’ refers to when a person has been saved from peril. Another word we could use is ‘rescue.’ So, in verse 9, Jesus is saying that Zacchaeus has been rescued. Verse 10 adds that, to this point, Zacchaeus had been lost. Now he is found.
The ideas of salvation and rescue are important to the Bible. Christians are rescued by Jesus from the penalty, power and presence of sin. As Jesus sees the overflow of new life with him in Zacchaeus’ new-found generous spirit, he sees the fruit of one who has been rescued and brought to new life.
Abraham was the genetic ancestor of the Jewish nation. He had been a worshipper of other idols until he met with the LORD God. Having changed Abraham’s life, God made his family central to his plans for blessing the world. Circumcision was given to Abraham’s family as physical sign of the reality of these promises. In one sense, then, ‘son of Abraham’ meant to be a physical descendant of Abraham who had willingly adopted a part in God’s big story i.e. to be a Jew who had been circumcised.
By Jesus’ day, the idea emerged that a person’s standing with God was based upon their genetics and obedience to God’s law, especially their willingness to be circumcised. Jewish law-keepers therefore thought of themselves as ‘sons of Abraham.’ Those who weren’t Jewish or who blatantly broke God’s law were not given this title.
Now Jesus calls Zacchaeus ‘a true son of Abraham.’ Jesus is emphasising that national identity and obedience to the law cannot make anyone right with God. True ‘sons of Abraham’ (like Zacchaeus) share Abraham’s faith: this commitment to God starts inwardly but inevitably spills out in love for God and others.
Encountering Jesus changes Zacchaeus’ relationship with money and possessions. Then the entire town would have been changed as Zacchaeus shared his wealth!
Today’s episode shows how much a person’s life can be changed when they meet Jesus personally. Watch this video:
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
Perhaps this term’s Impact Group is giving you a taste for Luke’s Gospel! Commit together to reading a chapter a day of Luke over the next 24 days, with a view to encountering Jesus personally and hosting an Uncover seeker discussion together with friends next term.
Offer a taste: to do together
Host an Uncover ‘taster session.’ Get together over coffee or food, each inviting friends to commit to trying just the first session. Let those who want to stop there, but be prepared to keep meeting with those who’d like to find out more about Jesus.
Add spice: a personal challenge
Prayerfully commit to asking a friend whether they would like to read one of the biblical accounts with you. You could pair up with others and work through the Uncover seeker studies together – perhaps over coffee or a meal.
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