Discussion Questions: Luke 5:27-39

For the message, Youre Invited to the Celebration, given by Pastor John at New City Church on June 9, 2013

These discussion questions are designed to help you reflect upon and apply the message from the Scriptures. You can use these by yourself for reflection, or you could use these with your family or small group for discussion.

Introduction: The Bible says, For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him might not perish, but have eternal life. For many people in Calgary, this actually presents an obstacle to belief. Where some see grace, others see unfairness. How have you or someone you know wrestled with the exclusivity of Christianity? How does every religion & worldview have insiders & outsiders, even the ones who claim that there are no outsiders? (Think especially of those who disagree with what Jesus says.) Questions: 1. What do you think went through peoples minds when Jesus invited Levi the tax collector to follow him? From what you may know about the unpopularity of tax collectors, how is this move by Jesus risky? Surprising? What if you had been one of the other early disciples like Peter? 2. Phillip Ryken wrote in his commentary on Luke, Some rabbis said that if a tax collector set foot in someones house, everything and everyone inside became impure. How much more so is this the case in their thinking about someone who goes into the house of a tax collector! What statement do you think Jesus is making to the religious authorities by audaciously accepting the invitation from Levi to attend a dinner party? If you were Levi, how would you find Jesus refreshing?

3. In this text, Jesus gives us one of those summary statements that helps us see how he viewed his mission. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (5:32). How is this a different mode of operation than what the Pharisees did? How would this be good news for the people of Calgary? 4. Jesus also said, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. How does this statement serve as a filter for people when thinking about Jesus. In other words, who are those who see their need for a physician? What kind of Physician is Jesus?

5. What point is Jesus making when he talks about the new garments, new wineskins, and new wine? How is his ministry a different kind of thinking about spirituality and ones relationship to God, especially in light of what the Pharisees were saying?

6. Jesus admits that some people are not going to want the new wine that he has to give. They will be satisfied with their old wine saying, The old is good (vs. 39). What are some old wines that people cling to instead of drinking the wine that Jesus gives? 7. How does the notion of being invited to a celebration that you never thought youd be invited to inspire you to want to invite others to join the celebration with you? How does this imagery help you understand something about life in the Kingdom of God that Jesus talks so often about? Conclusion: What is the one thing you want to take away from this study to remember or to make a change in your life? How does this text challenge you to follow Jesus?

Renewing your mind: Luke 5:31-32, And Jesus answered them, Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.