Title: Participants in the Mission of Jesus

Objective: Reflect on how one can participate in the mission of Jesus as it relates to his or
her reputation in the eyes of others.

Text: Luke 4:14-21

Luke 4 (NIV)
14
Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the
whole countryside.
15
He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16
He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into
the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,
17
and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah
was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:
18
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the
poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the
blind, to set the oppressed free,
19
to proclaim the year of the Lords favor.
20
Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of
everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.
21
He began by saying to them, Today this
scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
Materials: Bible, personal journal/ notebook and pen
Discussion:
I. The Popularity of Jesus

Our text tells us that Jesus is already popular in Galilee when he returned and news
about him is spreading through the whole countryside.

1. Would you consider Jesus popular today? In what way is he popular?

2. How would you feel if someone you knew (from childhood or family) becomes
popular?

3. What do you think popularity does to a person? Have you dreamed of becoming
popular?

II. The Eyes of the People

Being popular may sound good, but in reality it is not easy. People have expectations
and expectations give pressure (or stress if you will) to individuals.

1. Describe an experience when you think that peoples expectations from you were
high. How did you feel? Do you look forward to having more of such experience?
Why or why not?

2. How does it feel to fail on or fulfill other peoples expectations? Whose
expectations matter to you most?

3. In our text, do you think that Jesus tried to fulfill the expectation of the people in
the synagogue? Why or why not?

III. Today, this is Fulfilled

1. Discuss within your group the things that are happening (or being fulfilled if
you will) today in your time or on this generation.

2. What do you think is your participation on this (these) event (events)? How would
you assess the importance of your participation?

3. How do you think Jesus mission is essential to this generation (see verse 18-19)?
Do you see yourself in any of the subjects of Jesus mission (the poor, prisoner,
blind and oppressed)?

The Journal:

Write in your journal how you intend to participate in the mission of Jesus.

- FBC 20130130 -