Luke 12:19-53
Lead in: The journey of faith is a marathon – not a sprint – requiring perseverance. “Persevere in running the race that is set before you, keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Prompt: In running the race that is set before you, what has helped you stay in the race?
Prompt: What have been some struggles while staying in the race?
Lead in: In Hebrews 12, we hear how we are surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses who are cheering us on as we run the marathon that is faith.
Prompt: Knowing this, what does that do for your faith?
Lead in: “Do you think I have come to establish peace on earth? No, rather division.” (Luke 12:51) How can this Jesus who is the Prince of Peace say such a thing? Jesus did not come simply to make things smooth so that everyone would be happy. The fire of his Spirit challenges the status quo of our lives and makes us squirm. Jesus came to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the
comfortable.
Prompt: Where is Jesus and the fire of his Holy Spirit challenging the status quo of your life?
Lead in: “There is a baptism with which I must be baptized, and how great is my anguish until it is accomplished.” (Luke 12:50) Jesus shares these hard words with his disciples on his way to
Jerusalem, the place where he will die. His death is his baptism.
Prompt: Reflect on your life. What baptisms of fire have you undergone?
Lead in: The prophet Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern sinking in mud and left to die. But then a court official interceded on his behalf and Jeremiah was rescued from the pit.
Prompt: Has there ever been a time when it seemed like you were “stuck in the mud” with no way out? In what way was God there for you?