Obedience. At first glance, it’s not a word that’s often associated with a life of freedom. For many of us, it conjures up feelings of obligation, fear and even shame. But obedience is the essence of our relationship with Christ. God works. We respond. God commands. We obey. Far too often we find ourselves praying for God to show us what to do but dissatisfied with His response. So, we ignore. We fight. We struggle. We battle. And we get exhausted in the process. Obedience is simply our faith, no matter how small, acting on what God has asked. ~Pastor Dave
Open: Have you ever given up on something? Share your story. What made you give up? Did you regret giving up?
Read: Open: Luke 16-17; 12:1; 20:45-47; Romans 14
Discuss:
1. What do you think of when you hear the word obedience? Why does obedience have such a bad connotation in our culture? How did the Pharisees view obedience? In what ways does the Pharisees’ view facilitate fear and shame? Have you been motivated by fear and shame to obey? Share a story.
2. Describe the background of Luke 17. Jesus transitions from talking to the Pharisees to the disciples. What does Jesus warn His disciples of (17:3)? In your current Christian walk, what are some things that you need to pay attention to?
3. What does it mean to be a “stumbling block”? How did the Pharisees place “stumbling blocks” before people? What are types of “stumbling blocks” that we put in the way of other unbelievers and believers? Why does Jesus use such strong language to describe His view of those who do this to others?
4. What makes forgiveness so difficult? How is forgiveness different than acceptance? How does forgiveness honor the person needing forgiveness? How does forgiveness correspond with not being a stumbling block?
5. When we read Luke 17:5-6 we tend to view it as an impossibility. But Jesus is actually encouraging His disciples. Describe how these verses are meant to be encouraging. How does the object of our faith determine the power of our faith? How is God using your small faith to help you obey?
6. Have you ever struggled with your faith? Sometimes we think that we need stronger faith to have greater obedience. But the opposite is true. How does God use small acts of obedience to strengthen our faith? Describe how you have seen this in your own life. Read: Discuss: Open: Luke 16-17; 12:1; 20:45-47; Romans 14
Pray: Pray that your faith would be strengthened by obedience. Pray that you would obey God in the simple steps He is asking you to take right now. Pray that God would empower you to resist temptation, forgive others, and to live faithfully in a difficult world.
Memorizae/Meditate: So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ Luke 17:10
