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Bible Study: Sept. 16, 2018


NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from the YOU curriculum.

Bible Passage: Luke 9:57–10:3

Discussion Questions: What does it mean to be “All in?” What does Jesus expect of His disciples?

Food for Thought:

How would you feel if a salesperson at a store gave you about half of the customer service you expected? How would you respond if the cashier at a fast-food restaurant gave you most of the food you ordered? The fact is that while none of us want to be shortchanged in our daily transactions, Jesus doesn’t want to be shortchanged by the efforts of His disciples.

Don’t Look Back (Luke 9:57-62). As the Master journeyed toward Jerusalem for the final time prior to His death, His teaching on discipleship became a primary focus. Along the way, Jesus and His followers met three people who desired to become His disciples. Jesus’ response to each of these individuals emphasized the stringent demands of discipleship.

The first would-be disciple proclaimed his willingness to follow Jesus anywhere. He had no idea that Jesus had already set His face toward His crucifixion. Another man, when called to follow Jesus, replied that he must first bury his father. This individual made plain that his duty to family took precedence over his devotion to Jesus. A third aspiring disciple requested permission to first say goodbye to those at his house. This man was looking backward instead of forward. He did not have his eyes set on the Kingdom of God.

In each of these three cases, Jesus made shocking demands. Through these demands He pointed out the urgency of the coming Kingdom and the stringent requirements of discipleship. Discipleship requires a radical shift in an individual’s priorities. It requires an individual to be “all in.”

Go Forward (Luke 10:1-3). Refusing to live in the past is important, but following Jesus also requires moving forward. After encountering the would-be disciples at the end of Luke 9, Jesus summoned those who were willing to follow Him. Jesus commissioned 70 people other than the original 12 to preach in the towns to which He was headed.

Jesus’ sending out the 70 underscores that the 12 disciples were not the only ones with a responsibility to proclaim the coming of God’s Kingdom in Jesus Christ.

Jesus focused on the potential harvest because the harvest was plentiful, meaning that many were ready to accept the message of Jesus as Lord and Savior. How would a few disciples and 70 witnesses reach so many?

Prayer was the key. Jesus instructed them to pray that God would send out more workers. He also warned them that He was sending them on a dangerous mission. They would be like defenseless lambs among hungry wolves.

We will face opposition for our faith in this world. This is why we must decide if we’re “all in.” Believers should be faithful to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with compassion and conviction. A true disciple can’t hang onto the old life and be prepared for the adversity of discipleship. Either you are all in or you are not. Your decision is a matter of life and death — eternal life and death — for the lost.

YOU
Intentionally focused on urban and multicultural believers, YOU is biblically based with culturally relevant and affirming lessons to help people connect, grow, serve, and ultimately be engaged in impacting the world for Christ. This flexible, non-dated all-in-one quarterly resource offers weekly Bible study for leaders and learners, devotionals, and teaching plans, as well as articles on hot topics and missions. For additional online downloadable teaching resources, visit LifeWay.com/YOU.

Other ongoing Bible study options offered by LifeWay for all ages can be found at LifeWay.com/SundaySchool or ordered at LifeWay Christian Stores.

    About the Author

  • Staff/Lifeway Christian Resources