Connect As we begin a new series, how do you think you could best prepare for it?
Warm-Up
- What do you value the most when sharing a meal with other people?
- Where in the Gospel of Luke can you recall that Jesus shares a meal with someone?
Read Luke 5:27-32
- In Jesus’ time, why was a tax collector despised by Jewish people and treated like a “sinner”?
- Why would Levi’s occupation make Jesus’ call: “Follow me” surprising or even scandalous?
- What does Levi do after following Jesus (v.29)? What might this reveal about the joy of being welcomed by Jesus? Do you have experiences similar to Levi's?
- Why do the Pharisees and teachers of the law object to Jesus sharing a meal with tax collectors and sinners? Are they mainly concerned about food, morality, religious purity, or something deeper?
- With what analogy does Jesus answer the Pharisees? Who is Jesus in that analogy? Who are we? When then do we need him?
- How would this help you to respond to the idea of “I must clean myself before Jesus will receive me?”
- In this passage, who is in the greater spiritual danger - Levi or the religious leaders? Why?
Read Luke 5:33-35
- What contrast do people notice between Jesus’ disciples and the disciples of John and the Pharisees?
- Why does Jesus compare himself to a bridegroom? What does this communicate about his presence?
- Jesus' presence means God’s mercy is at the table; e.g., the sick are being healed. How does this challenge the idea that Christianity is mainly about looking respectable, serious, or religious?
- Share one or two ways we can make meals less about impressing people and more about presence, listening, prayerfulness, and genuine welcome?
- From your experience, what are some simple ways to naturally include Jesus in the conversation without making the meal feel awkward or artificial?
- As a group, how could we use meals to include people who may otherwise be isolated: newcomers, migrants, older members, single people, young families, or those who feel socially awkward?
- What practical barriers stop us from sharing meals, e.g., busyness, cost, house size, perfectionism, fear, and how could the gospel (Jesus first welcomed us) free us from those pressures?
Apply Who is one person or household God may be calling you to welcome in the coming weeks?
