WEEKLY DISCUSSION GUIDE

by | Apr 15, 2021 | adult ministry, Church Wide, LifeGroup Guide

Week of April 18, 2021 

SERIES: Jesus at the Table         

Week #2- The Table of the Lost   

Luke 19:1-10

MESSAGE PREVIEW: 

Pastor Brian is back to continue our series Jesus at the Table. All throughout the gospels, we see stories of Jesus sharing meals with others. Jesus used his time at the table to engage with people and even teach some important lessons. We look at what Jesus did at the table, what Jesus said at the table, and just as importantly, who was at the table with Jesus. 

This weekend, we will dive into the story of Jesus and Zacchaeus. Jesus came with a clear mission. Let’s unpack both this story and the mission of Jesus found within. 

JESUS AT THE TABLE 

  1. “Jesus came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10) 
    1. Came (19:1-4)
      1. Jesus is traveling from the North from Galilee through Samaria along the Jordan River Valley. He passes through Jericho on his way up to Jerusalem for Passover. Jericho is a significant toll stop along the beginning of the road from Jericho to Jerusalem. Everyone bringing goods to sell in Jerusalem from anywhere East of Jericho would be taxed. Anyone who sold goods in Jerusalem and passed back through Jericho to return east would be taxed.
      2. Zacchaeus was the Chief Tax Collector – 
        1. A Jew working for the Romans. He oversaw the tax collectors in that region. He was rich according to the text. Probably he had cheated everyone in Jericho in one way or another. He stuck out because he was small. He’s a known personality and He is not revered.
      3. Zacchi is seeking Jesus. He hears that Jesus will pass by and realizes the crowd will block his view. This is more than curiosity. He “runs” ahead of the crowd. He “climbs” (not a distinguished move) a Sycamore tree. Jesus came to that place for a purpose. 
  1. Seek (19:5-7) 
    1. Jesus looked up in the tree at Zacchaeus. He called him by name. He tells Zacchi to come out of that tree and take me to your house. I MUST be at your table today. Jesus was seeking Zacchi even as Zacchaeus was seeking Jesus.
      1. To be seen by Jesus was an honor. To be afforded the opportunity to host him was through the roof awesome. Zacchi hurried down and received Jesus joyfully into his home.
    2. The people (crowd) who were following Jesus grumbled. 
      1. Luke 19:7 ESV “He has gone to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”
      2. Zacchaeus stole from many of them. He cheated them to line his own pockets. They probably wanted a King who would execute guys like Zacchi in the name of justice, but Jesus was up to something different. 
  1. Save (19:8-9)
    1. Spending time with Jesus changes Zacchi’s heart. 
    2. How do we know? Zacchaeus’ actions and Jesus words. Zacchi stood up (from the table I presume) …
      1. Zacchaeus gives an offering expressive of a changed heart. (Generosity)
        1. Luke 19:8 ESV “And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor.” 
      2. Zacchaeus gives to make his wrongs right. (Repentance)
        1. Luke 19:8 ESV “And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.”
      3. Jesus says to Zacchaeus. (add a period like the rest)
        1. Luke 19:9 ESV “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.”
        2. “Salvation” = (Soteria (GK) – saved from the impending destruction and judgement as a result of his sin. Not saved by law (Torah) which would have condemned him, but saved by grace as a “Son of Abraham” by the One who came to seek and to save the lost.(close quotes)
  1. Lost (19:10) 
    1. Like lost sheep.
      1. Isaiah 53:6 ESV “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
      2. Psalm 119:76 ESV “I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.”
    2. Like someone destined for death and destruction.
      1. 2 Peter 3:9 ESV “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish.”
      2. The Bible describes anyone who has not trusted Jesus for the forgiveness of sin as “lost.” This kind of faith is evidenced by a new obedience to Jesus in life. 
      3. We know this about Jesus: He came for the lost. At some point you were lost. Maybe you are now. 

RESPONSE 

  1. Who do we know that is LOST according to the biblical definition of lostness? Those are the tables we need to sit at as ambassadors of Jesus. He came to seek and to save the LOST.
  2. Who are your “Top 5?” Invite them to your table. Be quick to accept opportunities at their table. Love them where they are at. Share the good news with your words.

ICEBREAKER QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION

Opening Discussion: 

Begin your discussion by sharing God moments and praying together. Use the following questions to encourage dialogue. 

  1. What are the “God moments” from this past week?  How have you seen God at work that is unmistakably Him? 
    1. Did anyone have any “table” moments with others –were you able to make an intentional connection with someone new, encourage someone spiritually, or share about your faith with someone this past week? 
  2. How did God speak to you through His Word this past week? 
    1. How are you hearing and obeying? 
  3. How can we specifically pray for you this week? 

Pray as a group – thanking God for how He is at work and asking Him to answer the requests that were mentioned. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Ask and discuss the following questions.

Q: Read Luke 19:5-7. What stands out to you as significant in these verses? 

Q: Why do you think the crowd grumbled when Jesus went to Zacchaeus’ house to eat at his table? 

Q: Why do you think Jesus chose Zacchaeus as the one to eat with on that day?   

Q: What does this story teach us about Jesus?

Q: How does the Bible define being lost? What metaphors or pictures does the Bible use to describe our lostness?  How do they help us better understand out spiritual condition without Jesus? 

Q: Read Luke 19:8-9. How do we know Jesus’ visit to Zacchaeus’ house changed Zacchi’s heart? 

Q: What does this story teach us about us?  

Q: How does Jesus express his mission? (Luke 19:10) How should his mission be reflected in our lives? 

WRAP-UP

If you grew up in church, how many times has the kid’s song about Zacchaeus gone through your mind during the sermon or our discussion? (“Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he…” If it hasn’t, it will now! 

For some, this story and its insights will be new.  For others, the story may not be new, but God can and will speak in fresh ways when we listen and lean-in. 

Use the following questions to wrap-up your discussion of today’s message and talk more about how we can apply it to our lives. 

  1. What did you hear? 
    1. What is your one “take-away” from this week? 
    2. How did God speak specifically to you through this passage and study? 
  2. What do you think? 
    1. How did this passage and study affirm, challenge, or change the way you think about the love of God?  
  3. What will you do? 
    1. What is your next step? How will you take the truth of God’s Word and apply it to your life this week?   

We again see through this story that everyone is invited and welcomed at the table with Jesus! Just as Jesus came to “seek and save the lost” – we too have been given that same mission. It’s important to ask ourselves: Who is invited to our table? 

Pastor Brian closed the message this week encouraging us to identify those in our lives who are lost – those living without salvation through faith in Jesus. As we close our group time, let’s take a minute to identify these people, pray for them, pray for their salvation, and think about how God could use us to love them well and share the good news of Jesus with them this week. 

  1. Who do you know that is “lost” according to the Bible? 
  1. How can you love them like Jesus loved Zacchaeus? 

Close in prayer – praying for those mentioned, their salvation, and for those in your group to love them like Jesus loved Zacchaeus. 

SCRIPTURES FROM THIS WEEK’S MESSAGE: 

  • Luke 19:1-10, Isaiah 53:6, Psalm 119:76, 2 Peter 3:9

UPCOMING MESSAGES: “Jesus at the Table”

April 11, 2021 Jesus and the Tax Collector Matthew 9:9-13

April 18, 2021 Jesus and Zacchaeus Luke 19:1-10

April 25, 2021 Jesus and the Sinful Woman Luke 7:36-50, Matthew 14:3-9

May 2, 2021 The Last Supper Luke 22:14-23