February 8th

Introduction question: What are some things that make you happy?

Read Luke 6:17-26 as a group, and then again individually.

17 Jesus went down the mountain with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there. A large number of other people were there too. They came from all over Judea, including Jerusalem. They also came from the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had all come to hear Jesus and to be healed of their sicknesses. People who were troubled by evil spirits were made well. 19 Everyone tried to touch Jesus. Power was coming from him and healing them all. 20 Jesus looked at his disciples. He said to them, “Blessed are you who are needy. God's kingdom belongs to you. 21 Blessed are you who are hungry now. You will be satisfied. Blessed are you who are sad now. You will laugh. 22 Blessed are you when people hate you, when they have nothing to do with you and say bad things about you, and when they treat your name as something evil. They do all this because you are followers of the Son of Man. 23 Their people treated the prophets the same way long ago. When these things happen to you, be glad and jump for joy. You will receive many blessings in heaven. 24 But how terrible it will be for you who are rich! You have already had your easy life. 25 How terrible for you who are well fed now! You will go hungry. How terrible for you who laugh now! You will cry and be sad. 26 How terrible for you when everyone says good things about you! Their people treated the false prophets the same way long ago.”

Word list:

disciples – followers or students.
Tyre and Sidon – cities on the southern coast of modern-day Lebanon.
Blessed – happy.
kingdom – a nation ruled by a king.
Son of Man – the title that Jesus gave himself most of the time.
prophets – men living before the time of Jesus, who spoke messages from God.
false prophets – men living before the time of Jesus, who said they were speaking messages from God, but were not.

Discussion questions:
1. According to verses 17-19, why was Jesus so popular 2000 years ago? And why is still popular today?
2. How can followers of Jesus be happy when they are needy, hungry, sad, hated and mistreated?
3. What is Jesus saying is wrong with having lots of money, food, happiness and friends?
4. Do you know of any false prophets today or from the past? If so, why do you think they are or were so popular?
5. Are you a happy disciple of Jesus? If so, what makes you happy about following him?