Episode 095 – Parable of the Lost Son Pt 2: Worth Pursuingi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-105{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-105:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-105.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #ee2e31, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #ee2e31, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #ee2e31, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 15:3-10Right before Jesus told the Parable of the Lost Son, he told the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. That’s because these three parables go together. And in order to understand what Jesus was challenging his hearers with in the Parable of the Lost Son, we must first understand what Jesus was communicating with the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. Hence, this episode. And as we’ll be questioned with, if all people are worth pursuing, and God is passionately pursuing all people, shouldn’t followers of Jesus be doing the same? Let’s find out.

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

What was new for you in the Parables of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin?

Where do you feel most challenged in what you learned?

Who is lost in your life that needs pursuing? Have you noticed that they are lost?

What does “pursuing” them look like? What does restoration and celebration look like?

What may be God calling you to do?

How will you begin taking a step in that direction this week?

For Further Study

Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 117-143

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth Bailey – Pages 142-158 in Poet & Peasant

Jesus, The Middle Eastern Storyteller by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 6 

The Parables by Brad Young – Chapter 10

Episode 094 – Parable of the Lost Son Pt 1: Live The Storyi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-108{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-108:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-108.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s):Luke 15:1-2Traditionally known as the “Parable of the Prodigal Son,” this story of Jesus has captured the hearts and minds of people for two thousand years. It’s among his most famous teachings, and it highlights the essence of his mission. And like every story of Jesus (and of the Bible), it has a context that is often lost on readers. Which is why in this episode, we begin laying out that context by looking at the reason Jesus tells the parable in the first place. And as we’ll discuss, too many are content knowing the stories of Jesus. But we’re not just called to know the stories of Jesus; we’re called to live the stories of Jesus.

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

Were you aware that the reason Jesus told the Parable of the Lost Son (Prodigal) was due to the muttering of the religious leaders? How does that change or enhance your understanding of the parable?

As mentioned in the teaching, the series will explore additional reasons why the religious leaders took issue with Jesus’s love and acceptance of all people, but what do you think some of those reasons were? Do you struggle with any of the reasons you’ve identified? If so, why?

Where might God be challenging you with the possibility that you’ve been too content simply knowing the stories of Jesus (and of the Bible), but not fully living them out?

Is there a rhythm or a practice that you can employ this year that will help you engage God’s Word more deeply and allow God more access to purifying your life?

How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

Episode 093 – Parable of the Rich Fool Pt 4: Setting Rich Goalsi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-111{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-111:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-111.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 12:13-2192% of New Year’s resolutions fail. Clearly, there’s something wrong with the way we execute our goals. But the biggest problem isn’t with the execution; it’s with the goals themselves. Many of us are setting bad goals, and we don’t even know it. They’re having a negative impact on us, and we’re totally unaware. In this final part on the Parable of the Rich Fool, we’re going to challenge the way we think about goals, assess the ones we have, and ensure that we’re setting the right kind of goals. Because if we don’t set the right goals, we’ll pursue the wrong ones, and find ourselves in poverty to the purposes of God.

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

In what ways have past goals for you been more enslaving than liberating (and perhaps you didn’t even realize so until now)?

What goals do you have for 2020 (or what goals do you have in general)?

In assessing those goals in light of this teaching, are they the right ones to have?

Gary Burge wrote, “The issue is not whether a person is ‘rich’ toward God (the usual translation) but whether he or she is contributing to a wealth valued by God. People choose: either to enrich themselves or to enrich their relationship with God.” How does this quote encourage or challenge you?

Are there certain areas of your life that you need more of a “Kingdom” focus than a “me” focus?

What goals can you make that will challenge and remind you on a regular basis to orient your kingdom to God’s Kingdom, and pursue those things that God sees as valuable?

How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

For Further Study

Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 117-143

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth Bailey – Chapter 4 in Through Peasant Eyes

Jesus, The Middle Eastern Storyteller by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 7 

Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done by Jon Acuff

Episode 091 – Parable of the Rich Fool Pt 2: We Don’t Own Iti.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-117{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-117:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-117.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 12:13-21; 1 Chronicles 29:11; Deuteronomy 15:7-8One of the biggest mistakes we make is believing that what we have, we actually own. In God’s eyes, we don’t own anything. Everything we have – our accomplishments, our possessions, even our lives – all belong to God. We’re simply called to steward what we have on God’s behalf. The rich man in this parable failed to see this, and many of us do as well. Until we recognize this, we’ll struggle with our possessions and we’ll fail to live as generous as God would like. As we move into this Christmas season of giving, this is a teaching we all need to hear.

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

In addition to the “I” and “my” language Jesus used in this parable, is there anything else in this story that catches your attention that you may not have noticed before? If so, what do you think the significance is?

How did this teaching affirm or change your understanding of possessions and ownership?

What are the detriments of living tightfisted? What are the benefits of living open-handed?

In what ways have you been tightfisted toward God or others, and God is challenging you to be more open-handed?

How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

For Further Study

Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 389-401

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.)by Kenneth Bailey – Chapter 4 in Through Peasant Eyes

Jesus, The Middle Eastern Storyteller by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 7

Episode 90 – Parable of the Rich Fool Pt 1: Possessed By Our Possessionsi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-120{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-120:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-120.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 12:13-21Possessions can be tricky. On the one hand, many of them are needed and incredibly useful. But on the other hand, they can possess us in ways that we may or may not realize. In the Parable of the Rich Fool, Jesus warns, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” His point is easy to understand. But then the question becomes, “Do we actually live as if what he said is true?” Let’s find out.

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

Jesus warned, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” How did his words hit you in the teaching?

Where do you believe you’re using possessions in a helpful and life-giving way?

Where might you be blinded by the way your possessions may be possessing you?

What may God be saying to you about your relationship with possessions and how He wants you to think and live differently moving forward?

How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

For Further Study

Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 389-401

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth Bailey – Chapter 4 in Through Peasant Eyes 

Jesus, The Middle Eastern Storyteller by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 7

Episode 089 – Parable of the Mustard Seed: God Is At Worki.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-123{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-123:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-123.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s):Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-19Despite what we may think, many people didn’t believe Jesus’s ministry was all that impressive. In fact, they questioned whether or not God’s kingdom was really advancing through him. In response, Jesus told a parable about a mustard seed. Even though it’s incredibly small, its capacity for growth is massive. Jesus challenged his audience to recognize that even though things may not be unfolding the way we think, that doesn’t mean God isn’t at work. Quite the opposite. And what may appear to be small and seemingly insignificant may be germinating into something substantial.

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

Why do you think people were questioning whether or not the kingdom was really advancing through the ministry of Jesus?

In what ways does it feel like that God’s kingdom isn’t advancing here on earth (or perhaps through your life)?

What activities are you currently involved in that feel small and seemingly insignificant? How do the truths of this teaching encourage you or challenge you to think differently about those things?

Where may God be challenging you to have a “mustard seed” like faith?

How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

For Further Study

Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 216-228

Episode 088 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 5: The Common Humanityi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-126{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-126:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-126.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 10:25-37; 2 Chronicles 28:1-15; Leviticus 19:18Did you know that Jesus didn’t manufacture the Parable of the Good Samaritan out of thin air? He was actually drawing upon a story from the Old Testament (his Bible). And it’s one of the most incredible war stories on loving one’s enemies. It’s sitting behind the parable, and this story, coupled with Leviticus 19:18, gives us a window into how we can love all people well, and how we must find the common humanity in others long before we highlight the differences. This is the final episode in this series on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and so we must ask, “Have we become the neighbor Jesus has asked us to become?” Let’s find out.

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

Before this teaching, were you aware of the 2 Chronicles 28 story? If not, how did that enhance your understanding of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Were you once again reminded of the importance of understanding the Old Testament to understand the teachings of Jesus?

Where have you focused too much on loving yourself well first that you have not loved others well?

Where do you find yourself highlighting the differences in other people long before affirming the commonalities? How can you become more like a child and affirm the common humanity first?

Based on the four aspects we’ve highlighted in this series on “Becoming a Neighbor” (1. Shift the Focus, 2. Empathy and Action, 3. Imagine the Good, 4. Find the Common Humanity), are you becoming the kind of neighbor Jesus has asked us to become?

In thinking through the series, what is the most significant thing you’ve learned or been challenged with?

How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching or this series this week?

For Further Study

Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 338-362

Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine – Chapter 2

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth E. Bailey – Chapter 3 (in Through Peasant Eyes) addresses this parable.

The Parables  by Brad Young – Chapter 5

Episode 087 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 4: Imagine The Goodi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-129{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-129:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-129.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 10:29-37Jesus didn’t tell the Parable of the Good Samaritan so that we would help people in need. That was a byproduct. He told the parable to smash our categories of who’s “in” and who’s “out” to smithereens. The Samaritans were the most hated people on the planet for Jesus’s audience. And yet, to their utter shock and anger, the Samaritan was the hero of the story. Tantamount to saying, “The Good Hamas Member,” Jesus’s audience was confronted with their inability to love their enemy and to imagine that they could be good. If our world is going to change, it requires a radical love that begins with a better imagination.

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

What are you feeling right now as a result of this teaching? Hope? Anger? Frustration? Confusion? Gratitude? Why do you think you feel the way you do?

It was stated in the teaching, “If we can’t love those we don’t agree with, then we don’t have a clue as to what it means to follow Jesus.” What are your thoughts on this?

It was also stated, “Jesus loved and accepted people without ever watering down his values and convictions.” Where is this most challenging for you to do?

Who do you identify as “enemies” in your own life?

If Jesus clearly wants us to love all people, including our enemies, how well are you doing with this? If you’re struggling to do so, what in your own heart needs to change in order to love them well?

What does loving your “enemies” look like for you?

How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

For Further Study

Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 338-362

Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine – Chapter 2

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth E. Bailey – Chapter 3 (in Through Peasant Eyes) addresses this parable.

The Parables  by Brad Young – Chapter 5

Jesus The Middle Eastern Storyteller by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 4

Episode 086 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 3: Empathy and Actioni.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-132{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-132:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-132.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 10:33-37There’s a marked distinction between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy stands at a distance and says, “I’m sorry you’re going through this.” Empathy stands in the other person’s shoes and says, “I want to understand your situation so that I can respond in a way that’s truly loving and helpful to you.” Too many of us choose the former. The Good Samaritan chose the latter. And that’s precisely what Jesus was after when challenging his followers to respond in love to those in need. Love must be manifested in action. And in this episode, we learn how to do just that.

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

How well do you do in empathizing with someone versus sympathizing with them?

Are you making efforts to understand people’s situations? Do you ask enough questions to understand? How could you improve upon this?

Where have you empathized well with people? What was the result?

Where are you being challenged to respond in love more fully to someone in need? What may God be asking you to do?

How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

For Further Study

Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 338-362

Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine – Chapter 2

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth E. Bailey – Chapter 3 (in Through Peasant Eyes) addresses this parable.

The Parables  by Brad Young – Chapter 5

Episode 085 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 2: Shift The Focusi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-135{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-135:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-135.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 10:28-33So often, we allow fear or inconvenience drive our response to someone who is in need. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, we meet a priest and Levite who fail to help a man who is in great need. But a Samaritan does what they were unable or unwilling to do. The priest and Levite were more focused on the implications for themselves than they were for the implications of this man. In this episode, we unpack the stunning details of this remarkable story, and why we must shift the focus from ourselves to others in order to be the kind of neighbors Jesus is challenging us to become.

Discussion Questions

What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?

How is the Holy Spirit encouraging or challenging you based on what you learned in this episode?

Have you been reluctant to help someone in need because you did not feel a responsibility for them? What did that look like?

Where have you allowed fear and self-preservation to get in the way of helping people who are in need?

Where has inconvenience prevented you from responding in compassion?

Where do you need to shift the focus from yourself to others in your life?

How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?

For Further Study

Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 338-362

Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine – Chapter 2

Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth E. Bailey – Chapter 3 (in Through Peasant Eyes) addresses this parable.

The Parables  by Brad Young – Chapter 5