In Explaining Jesus | Experiencing Christ, we will together explore how understanding the historical Jesus can shape our own faith, actions and experience with him today.

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What’s the Issue Anyway?

If we never experience _______________, we will never experience _____________.

What Wisdom does Scripture offer us?

The Historical Jesus saw _______________ __________ as the perfect time to challenge the conventional wisdom of his day. (Luke 9:51)

That week, Jesus staged two _______________ demonstrations:

The way Jesus entered ______________ was a demonstration against __________ path to peace. (Zachariah 9:9-10 and Mark 11:1-11)

The way Jesus entered the _____________ was a demonstration against _____________ path to God. (Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:4-11 and Mark 11:15-17)

That week, Jesus _____________ the danger that comes when these two paths collide. (Mark 12-13)

That week, Jesus and his challenge became __________________ to Roman and Jewish leadership.

Don’t Miss This!

Explaining the Historical Jesus as a challenge to his people invites us to experience the living Christ as a source of _____________ to challenge the structures _______________ to Jesus’ way of peace.

How can I live this in my everyday, normal life?

Challenge policies and systems that result in ______________, _______________ and _______________. Challenge structures with _______________ and compassion.

Expect _______________ from those who benefit from the conventional wisdom.

How does this make me a better person and the world a better place?

When we challenge the violent and exclusionary structures of our day we live in __________ with the spirit of Jesus.

What is God inviting you into today?

1. Attend the Good Friday Experience
2. Get baptized as a demonstration of following the peacemaking path of Jesus (April 16)
3. Look for a place of exclusion or violence and actively challenge it

Thought provoking questions:

1. How do you typically respond to having your way of thinking or behaving challenged?
2. Have you ever had someone that challenged you in ways that helped you grow?
3. Does the idea of Jesus planning these events as intentional demonstrations make sense to you? Why or why not?
4. Do you think the historical Jesus thought he would be arrested and crucified that week? Why or why not?
5. Where in your life do you see exclusion or lack of compassion? How do you see it at work, in your neighborhood, at school or even society at large? What could you do to show compassion and inclusion in those settings?