What can we learn from Luke 4:12 about the importance of prayer? Why do you think that Jesus finds it necessary to spend time in prayer to God (even though Jesus Himself is God)?

 

From all the masses (that come to receive from Jesus), some are called to be disciples (to follow Jesus), and a small number are chosen to be apostles (to be sent out to represent Jesus). What does it look like for us, as Christians, to embody these responsibilities well:

  • Come to Jesus, to receive His grace. -Follow Jesus, in radical, costly discipleship.
  • Represent Jesus to the onlooking world.

How can you be working to grow in each of these 3 areas?

 

Several of the apostles were deeply flawed individuals - impetuous, rash, prone to violence, prideful, and self-absorbed. Several of the apostles committed egregious sins against Jesus - they denied Him, doubted Him, deserted Him, abandoned Him. Why is this significant? How can we, as Christians, be encouraged when we look at the 12 apostles that Jesus called?

 

The community of apostles was broadly diverse. Several of them had little in common, except for Jesus. Several had every reason to resent one another, except for Jesus. (e.g. Matthew the tax collector, and Simon the Zealot.) How does Jesus help us to be reconciled to people that are different than us? How can you be working to have stronger relationships with people that are different than you in the body of Christ?

 

Apostles like Andrew (Peter’s brother), and Bartholomew, and James (son of Alphaeus) toiled for much of their life, in service to Jesus, in relative obscurity and anonymity. While many of their colleagues were recognized, and celebrated, and have been remembered throughout history. What does it look like to be faithful to the mission that God has called us to, even if we never receive the recognition that we deserve?

 

Seemingly, the primary difference between someone like Judas (who betrays Jesus for money) and Peter (who denies Jesus publicly) is that Peter repents and comes back to Jesus. Meanwhile, Judas is overcome by guilt, and self-loathing, eventually culminating with him committing suicide. How can we, as Christians, deal with sin in our lives in a way that is healthy and Biblical?

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