|
They Met Jesus - Lesson 8 |
|
Written by Trong Du
|
|
Thursday, 05 March 2009 |
They Met Jesus:
Philip and Thomas
Discipleship is difficult for Philip and Thomas. It must seem to them that Jesus often demands the unreasonable. Not content to leave them with the degree of commitment and faith they already have, Jesus constantly stretches their faith. Philip and Thomas are realists and practical men, men who face facts, who are not given to sentimentality, so Jesus meets them, with facts, with the practical expression of his power. When Thomas becomes convinced of the resurrection and acknowledges Jesus as Lord and God, he leads the way for thousands of skeptics, many like C. S. Lewis, who said of himself that he came kicking and screaming into the kingdom of God.
Philip
John 1:43-51
1. Describe Philip's call to be a disciple. What is his first act as. a disciple? What does he apparently understand about what It means to follow Jesus? What does Philip tell Nathanael about Jesus? Why is Nathanael skeptical?
2. What is Philip's answer to Nathanael's skepticism? What confidence does Philip have? How can we emulate Philip as we attempt to tell others about Jesus?
3. What, do you imagine, are Philip's reactions to the meeting between Jesus and Nathanael? What does Nathanael recognize about Jesus? Why? Consider the temptation to Philip to interfere in this conversation. Who convinces Nathanael? How can we know when to keep quiet, and how can we bring people to the place where Jesus can convince them of who he is?
John 6:1-14
4. Why are the multitudes following Jesus at this point in his ministry? What indicates the crowd's eagerness to find him? What is Jesus' reaction to the crowd?
5. What question does Jesus ask Philip? Of what sort of man would you ask such a question? What information or abilities does Philip perhaps have? In what way, do you think, does Jesus want to test Philip? How does Philip answer? What does his answer show? Contrast the significance of Philip's answer and Andrew's suggestion.
6. Consider the use Jesus makes of Andrew's discovery of the boy with a lunch. Why is Philip unable to contribute positively to the situation? What opportunity does he miss? Why? Discuss how we can better meet the tests the Lord gives us through the circumstances of need in our own lives and the lives of others.
John 12:20-26
7. What may it indicate about Philip that of all the disciples, the Greeks choose to approach him to request an interview with Jesus? What suggests that Philip feels unsure as to how to handle their request? What do you do when you are unsure about the Lord's will in a particular situation? What do Philip and Andrew do?
8. What does it mean to Jesus that these representatives of the Gentile world want to see him? What does Jesus teach here about himself? What does he teach about those who serve him? What does Jesus promise?
John 14:6-11
9. Consider the claim of Jesus in verse 6. How does this answer the often-heard statement that there are many ways to God? What does verse 7 add to Jesus' claim in verse 6?
10. What do you think that Philip has in mind by his implied request in verse 8? How does Jesus answer Philip? What has Philip failed to see? What evidence has been given to Philip? What two reasons for belief does Jesus suggest to him in verse II?
Thomas
John 11:5-8, 14-16
11. Why are the disciples afraid for Jesus to go to Judea again? How does Thomas react when he sees Jesus is determined to go to Bethany in spite of the fact that Lazarus is dead? What loyalty does Thomas put before his personal safety? What does he think is going to happen? What other characteristic of Thomas besides loyalty is seen here?
12. Through the years Christians have been accused variously of being "Pollyannas," or of being fatalists. How would you describe the Christian philosophy of life?
John 20:19-31
13. Describe Jesus' resurrection appearance to the disciples in verses 19-23. How is their mood changed by the appearance of the Lord? What commission does he give them and how does he empower them for the job?
14. Imagine several possible reasons why Thomas is not present with the disciples when Jesus appears to them. Remember the mood of the disciples as suggested by verse 19.
15. If you were writing a script for the scene outlined in verses 24, 25, how would you develop the argument and the emotional conflict between Thomas and the others? Describe Thomas' position. In what way is he rejecting his fellow disciples by his position? How has Thomas' earlier pessimism about the danger to Jesus in Judea proved' correct? Why doesn't Thomas just say that he believes in order to please the others?
16. What would Thomas' week between verse 25 and verse 26 be like? What do we owe Thomas for his uncompromising honesty? How do you know Thomas doesn't completely withdraw from the society of his fellow-Christians in spite of the discomfort he must feel in their presence?
17. What does the risen Lord know about his servant Thomas? Why does he use Thomas' own words in verse 27? What does Thomas do? When and how is he convinced? Consider Thomas' words as he, a Jew, acknowledges the risen Jesus to be God.
18. What comment does Jesus make on Thomas' faith? According to verses 30, 31, why was the Gospel of John written? What opportunity and what promise are ours?
SUMMARY
1. What similarities do you notice between Philip and Thomas? Describe some people today who are like them in their approach to Christianity. How did Jesus handle their practical "it can't be done, you've got to prove it to me" attitudes? What did Philip and Thomas learn about Jesus? Be specific from the incidents discussed.
2. If you are a hardheaded realist like Philip and Thomas, consider these points made by John Stott in his booklet, Becoming a Christian; "The Lord Jesus Himself constantly discouraged people from following Him if they were in danger of being swept into His allegiance by irresponsible emotion .... What demands does Christ make on me, both at the time of accepting Him, and afterwards? (1) I must repent of my sin. "Repent and believe," he said (Mark 1: 15). The faith which receives Christ must be accompanied by the repentance which rejects sin .... (2) I must surrender to Christ. He wants to be my Lord as well as my Saviour .... (3) I must confess Christ before men. I realize that I cannot be a secret disciple."••
CONCLUSION
At the feeding of the five thousand, Philip evaluated the situation in terms of dollars and cents. He could see only that it would take six months' wages to feed the crowd. He lacked the spiritual insight to see the possibilities for the power of Jesus in a boy's lunch. How often we are hindered by a calculation of the facts which leaves out the fact of God. Although through the years Thomas has had to bear the adjective "doubting" in the situation described in John 20, he showed virtues we can well emulate. Thomas showed. balance and maturity in not being swept up in the enthusiasm of the other disciples because he first wanted to test the truth. Yet he did not withdraw himself from the influence of the Christian fellowship with whom he was temporarily in conflict. Once convinced of the truth that Jesus was alive from the dead, Thomas committed himself wholly, acknowledging Jesus as his Lord and God. |
|
Last Updated ( Sunday, 08 March 2009 )
|
|
|
They Met Jesus - Lesson 6 |
|
Written by Trong Du
|
|
Saturday, 27 December 2008 |
Discussion 6
They Met Jesus: Peter
Peter is a participant in life, not a viewer of the action. He is overtly involved with all and by all who come his way. In today's vernacular he probably would consider himself an idea man (he is a natural leader) and impetuously would offer himself to the nearest "think tank." He must often find the discipline of submitting to the authority of Jesus difficult, yet he chooses Jesus as his captain. As a disciple he may often say "But, but," though eventually he always says "Yes, Lord," never "No." Once when Jesus gives his disciples the option of leaving him, Peter says, "To whom shall we go?" Peter understands that Jesus not only is his captain but the one who alone has the words of eternal life.
Peter
Matthew 14:22-33
1. What reasons may Jesus have for sending his disciples away at this point?
What would be the mood of the crowd after Jesus has fed the 5,000 (verses 15-21)?
Compare with John 6: 14, 15. Why would Jesus want to be alone at this time?
2. What difficulty do the disciples in the boat encounter?
Why don't Jesus' followers have "storm-free" lives, even when they obey him?
What comfort is there for us in the fact that when the disciples were in trouble, Jesus went to them?
3. Why should people today find it strange or impossible that the Son of God walked on water when in our time men have walked in space?
4. How do the disciples react to Jesus' walking on the sea?
Describe Peter in this situation. What reasons could Peter have for wanting to join Jesus on the water?
What characteristics in Peter does this incident reveal?
What series of emotions does he experience?
5. At what point does Peter begin to sink?
Why doesn't he drown?
What does Jesus say about Peter's experience?
For what is Peter criticized?
For what is he not criticized?
What do the others in the boat conclude?
Luke 9:18-26
6. What two questions does Jesus put to Peter and the others (verses 18-20)?
How do these two questions differ?
Which one demands a personal commitment?
How does Peter answer?
7. What does Jesus teach his disciples after Peter acknowledges him to be God's Messiah?
What does Jesus predict will happen to him as Messiah?
8. What does Jesus teach Peter and all of us about discipleship in verses 23-26?
What does it cost to be a Christian (Jesus' disciple)? What does it cost not to be a Christian?
Why would anyone be ashamed of Jesus or of his words?
Matthew 26:30-35
9. "'On the night of his betrayal, for what does Jesus try to prepare the disciples (verses 31, 32)?
How does Peter react to Jesus' statement?
What is Peter's estimate of himself and of his fellow disciples?
What is the intention of Peter's heart as revealed in his promises in verses 33, 35?
What does Jesus know about Peter which Peter doesn't know about himself?
10. Note that the other disciples also claim what Peter does.
What can we as Christians do about the promises we make to the Lord but fail to keep?
Do you think that the Lord is surprised when we fail?
Why are we so surprised?'
What must be the source of our power if we would stand for Christ, no matter what comes?
(Romans 8:35-37; Philippians 4:12, 13; Colossians 1: 11, 12)
Matthew 26:56b-58, 69-75
11. Where are the other disciples when Peter follows Jesus and his captors at a distance?
What does this show about Peter? about the others?
12. Trace Peter's experience in verses 69-74. What progression do you see in his denials?
Why can't Peter escape being associated with Jesus?
Discuss what kind of "accent" Christians today should have which would perhaps even against their wills link them with Jesus in the minds of others.
13. What does the crowing of the cock mean to Peter?
How does he react?
Consider the pressures upon Christians in the twentieth century to deny Jesus in words or in deeds.
How can we live so that we do not deny him?
John 21 :1-25
14. What is the experience of Peter and his six friends back in Galilee?
What makes Peter realize that it is Jesus waiting on the shore?
How do you account for Peter's behavior in verses 7, 8?
15. Describe the scene that greets the disciples when they get to shore.
How does Peter respond to what Jesus tells them to do?
If we are not as eager as Peter is here to obey Jesus, can it be that we are not aware of our denials and of Jesus' forgiveness as was Peter?
16. Why would Jesus wait until breakfast is finished before he has his conversation with Peter?
Why would Jesus address Peter as Simon, son of John?
What must Peter consider if these to which Jesus refers (verse 15) are the boat, the nets, fish, and Peter's fishing career to which he has momentarily returned?
What does Peter have to think about if these means his fellow disciples?
17. When Jesus for the third time questions Peter's love, how does Peter respond?
What change do you observe in Peter here from the time described in Matthew 26: 33, 35?
18. Why would Jesus ask Peter the same question three times?
What has Peter recently done three times to Jesus?
What assignment does Jesus give to Peter in recommissioning him as an apostle?
See 1 Peter 5: 1-4 for how Peter's advice years later to fellow Christians is influenced by this experience with Christ.
19. Although Peter is now much less sure of himself than he was before the crucifixion, the Lord predicts that Peter will be a faithful servant to his death.
What is Jesus' answer to Peter's question about the future of his fellow disciple?
What is Jesus' advice to each Christian who focuses his attention on his fellow Christians rather than upon the Lord?
SUMMARY
1. What would you say was Peter's greatest strength, and his greatest weakness?
Why is a man's weakness often the corruption of his area of greatest strength?
Describe Peter's experience of the grace of God.
2. From the incidents in Peter's life considered in this study, what is revealed about Jesus Christ?
What will it mean in your life if you acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God as Peter did?
CONCLUSION
"How do I know that God is good? I don't.
I gamble like a man. I bet my life
Upon one side in life's great war. I must,
I can't stand out. I must take sides. The man
Who is a neutral in this fight is not
A man. He's bulk and body without breath,
Cold leg of lamb without mint sauce. A fool.
He makes me sick. Good Lord! Weak tea!
Cold slops!
I want to live, live out, not wobble through
My life somehow, and then into the dark.
I must have God ....
Well- God's my leader, and I hold that He
Is good, and strong enough to work His plan
And purpose out to its appointed end.
I am no fool, I have my reasons for
This faith, but they are not the reasonings,
The coldly calculated formulae
Of thought divorced from feeling. They are true,
Too true for that. ...
I can't stand shiv'ring on the bank, I plunge
Head first. I bet my life on Beauty, Truth,
And Love, not abstract but incarnate Truth,
Not Beauty's passing shadow but its Self.
Its very self made flesh, Love realised.
I bet my life on Christ - Christ crucified."
These words by G. A. Studdert Kennedy, chaplain in World War I, in his poem, "Faith,"
could be Peter's testimony in twentieth century language.
|
|
Last Updated ( Saturday, 27 December 2008 )
|
|
