Jesus Friend of Sinners - Discussion Sheet

Young Adults Discussion Sheet 
“Friend of Sinners” 
(Printable Version)

1. Jesus was known as a ‘friend of sinners’. What are your initial impressions about this phrase – what do you think it means?

2. Matt 11:19 & Luke 7:34– In these passages, Jesus puts these words in the mouths of His critics. When you look at this in connection with what they had to say about John the Baptist (in the verse before), what was Jesus’ point? And what were His critics trying to say about Him? 

3. Can we or should we follow Jesus in this today?

4. John 8:1-11 – Assuming this is a part of the legitimate story of Jesus, what does this tell us about Jesus’ approach to sin and sinners? Would this bring criticism today or praise? 

5. Luke 23:38-43 – The thief on the cross story also speaks to this issue – what does this tell us about Jesus’ approach to those who are sinful? 

6. Luke 19:1-10 – The story of Zacchaeus the tax collector may seem like a weird story, but tax collectors were possibly considered the worst sinners in Israel. Considering this, what can we learn aobut Jesus’ attitude to people living in a lifestyle of sin? Are there any comparable situations for us today? 

 7. Matt 9:9-13 – Similarly, Jesus called a tax collector to be one of His disicples (Matthew). What other things could Jesus have said or have asked Matthew to do that He didn’t? What does it say that Matthew became one of the Twelve and eventually wrote one of the gospels?

 For next time…. Let’s read through the start of the church and the first people to become Christians. In Acts 1-2, we see how the church started. What can we learn about what a church should be and how it should operate from this? Is there anything here that challenges us, confuses us, or teaches us?

Study Sheet for 5-5-2014

Young Adults Discussion Sheet

“Friend of Sinners”

 

 

1.                Jesus was known as a ‘friend of sinners’.  What are your initial impressions about this phrase – what do you think it means?

 

 

 

2.                Matt 11:19 & Luke 7:34– In these passages, Jesus puts these words in the mouths of His critics. When you look at this in connection with what they had to say about John the Baptist (in the verse before), what was Jesus’ point?  And what were His critics trying to say about Him?

 

 

 

3.                Can we or should we follow Jesus in this today?

 

 

 

4.                John 8:1-11 – Assuming this is a part of the legitimate story of Jesus, what does this tell us about Jesus’ approach to sin and sinners?   Would this bring criticism today or praise?

 

 

 

5.                Luke 23:38-43 – The thief on the cross story also speaks to this issue – what does this tell us about Jesus’ approach to those who are sinful?

 

 

 

6.                Luke 19:1-10 – The story of Zacchaeus the tax collector may seem like a weird story, but tax collectors were possibly considered the worst sinners in Israel.  Considering this, what can we learn aobut Jesus’ attitude to people living in a lifestyle of sin?  Are there any comparable situations for us today?

 

 

 

7.          Matt 9:9-13 – Similarly, Jesus called a tax collector to be one of His disicples (Matthew).  What other things could Jesus have said or have asked Matthew to do that He didn’t?  What does it say that Matthew became one of the Twelve and eventually wrote one of the gospels?

 

For next time….  Let’s read through the start of the church and the first people to become Christians.  In Acts 1-2, we see how the church started.  What can we learn about what a church should be and how it should operate from this?  Is there anything here that challenges us, confuses us, or teaches us?

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Study Sheet for 4-21-2014

Young Adults Discussion Sheet

Revelation 1-3

 

 

 

1.      Unmistakably God’s work – can you share a time in your life where you absolutely knew that you could see God at work in your life?  What happened?  How were you sure that it was God at work?

 

 

 

REVELATION 1-3

 

2.      This book is generally considered to be prophecies about the ‘end times’ or the time when God brings a close to the normal history of mankind.  As John the Apostle opens the book, he makes a point to say that this will happen ‘soon’ and that ‘the time is near’.  It has been about 2000 years since John wrote this book, so what’s the deal?

 

 

 

 

3.      In the first chapter, Jesus describes Himself using some unique terms (v. 8, 17-18).  What do these descriptions tell you about Jesus? 

 

 

 

 

4.      Also in chapter 1, John himself describes what Jesus looks like – how would you summarize what John says?

 

 

 

 

5.      John goes through seven churches of the first century and gives each of them an inspired message from Jesus.  How would you describe what Jesus says to each church?

 

Ephesus

 

 

Smyrna

 

 

Pergamum

 

 

Thyatira

 

 

Sardis

 

 

Philadelphia

 

 

Laodicea

 

 

 

 

6.      Which of these churches would you say is most like the American church (in general) in 2014?

 

 

 

 

7.      Which church do you think is the worst?  The best?

 

 

 

 

8.      The church at Laodicea was called ‘lukewarm’ – what does this mean?

 

 

 

 

9.      Jesus says He stands at the door and knocks – why does He knock?  On whose door?

 

 

 

 

For next time….  Jesus was known as a ‘friend of sinners’ (Matt 11:19; Luke 7:34).  What does this mean and how can we follow Jesus in this today?  (see also John 8:1-11; Luke 23:38-43; Luke 19:1-10; Matt 9:9-13)

4-7-2014 Note Sheet

Young Adults Discussion Sheet

The Pressure to Couple

 

 

 

1.      Rubber Meets the Road – where faith and real life collide….  Where is the spot where you are finding it most challenging to let faith determine the choices you are making or how you view your life?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Any place you feel at a loss for answers or guidance in your life?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coupling

 

2.      Do you think there is pressure on most people to be a part of a couple (to feel like there is something wrong with them or less to them if they aren’t)?  Where do you think this pressure primarily comes from?  Is it internal or external?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.      In what ways do people interact that suggest being a part of a couple is more desirable or valuable than being single?

 

 

 

 

4.        Have you ever noticed someone who seems to need to be in a relationship?  What do you think was the biggest factor in making them feel like that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.         In 1 Corinthians 7:8, Paul seems to suggest that it is better (more desirable) to be single.  Is this a timely truth or outdated?  How do we use this teaching in our lives today?

 

 

 

 

 

6.         How does Genesis 2:18 add to our understanding of singleness, coupling, marriage, and dating?

 

 

 

 

 

7.         It seems that the point of ‘dating’ in our culture today is to have someone you can belong with – to feel loved and accepted.  Is there any deeper purpose in dating for a believer?

 

 

 

 

 

8.         Assuming God has called some to be single at this moment, what are some ways that the rest of the church can encourage them, support them, and uphold them in this calling?

 

 

 

 

 

 

For next time….  A two-fold concept – First, we’ll give you a chance to share a life experience where you believe God has been at work in your life so clearly that you can’t miss it

                          Second, Revelation is a heavy book and we’d never have time to do the whole thing at YA, but read the 1^st 3 chapters and let’s talk about the stuff we see in the intro to Revelation – what can we learn, what can we apply, what questions do we have?