June 22-28, Week Four:  Jesus’ Mission Identified

Before we get started some things to keep in mind:  This week there are some cultural context you need to keep in mind as you are trying to understand and interpret the scripture selection for the week. First, Palestine during this time had three major regions:  North was Galilee (the scripture this week has Jesus in the region of Galilee); Middle region was Samaria and the Southern region was Judea.  Judea was where Nazareth and Jerusalem was located.  Then, which is not unlike today, certain geographical regions had its stereotypical associations or attitudes that come with it. Judea has a “superiority” idea – this region thought themselves to be more culturally rich or sophisticated.  The best schools and best or more intellectual rabbis were from Judea. Samaria, were near outcasts in relationship to Judea, because politically they did not recognized Jerusalem as the main place of religious authority and because racially they were considered inferior Jews due to the high percentage of mix marriage relationships.  Galilee was considered too unsophisticated by Judeans.  To be identified primarily as a Galilean would carry with it the same kind of connotation as being called a Hillbilly or Redneck today. 

Second, Scribes were the teachers of the law – Rabbis and Pharisees were the religious lawyers and judges.  These were considered the spiritual and religious elites -- scholars.  In the Gospel of Luke, the connotation that comes with this identity is one of arrogant elitism, especially in the passages of conflict.  This group of people were the “hyper spiritual/hyper religious” people in his world.  That is not to say that they were all like this; there were a number of Scribes and Pharisees that did stay open minded as they listened and responded to Jesus, for we have examples of these as Jesus’ followers.             

Scriptural Encounter and Discussion – Week Four Luke 4:14-5:32 Jesus’ Mission Identified

Let’s Get Started:  Read our selection of the Week Luke 4:14-5:32             

Observation Level

(First step in Bible study is to start by observing what is actually there before you start trying to interpret or apply)

First, Observe that Jesus starts out in Galilee and then goes to Nazareth (region of Judea, then moves to Galilee)  We don’t know how long Jesus had been teaching, preaching, doing miracles before he made his way back to his home town of Nazareth, but certainly before he arrived many had heard about the success of this hometown boy. (v 4:14-16 & 23)

Using the following chart – what do you notice that is significant in each of these sections?

4:14-30  What did Jesus understand to be his fivefold purpose? What happened that cause his hometown to try to kill him?	5:1-11  Notice the sequence of events.  This miracle of the fish seems to have more of an impact on Peter than the healing of his mother in-law and others in 4:42-44.
4:31-37   What about Jesus’ teaching impressed people the most?	5:12-15   What do we see Jesus doing again as he did in 4:42-44?  Solitary time seems important to Jesus.
4:38-41   What do you see as the relationship between what Jesus said and how he backed-up what he said?	5:17-26   The section starts with Jesus’ teaching causing controversy and ends with controversy.  What is this controversy over?
4:42-44   What do you see Jesus doing here to balance his needs with the people’s needs and God’s direction?	5:27-32   What is the controversy in this section about?

Compare verses 3:21, 4:1, 14, 18 and 5:17 – What is the common element in each verse?  What does this reveal about the source of Jesus’ power?

Imaginative Level

(Use your imagination and memory to dialogue with the text)

Re-read 5:1-11.  Imagine yourself as Simon Peter, you have a profitable fishing business.  You like your partners in the business, James and John.  You have a family you care and support. You have a modest but nice home near the beach.  What might you be thinking and feeling in this miracle event of the fish and then when Jesus calls you to give it up to become his Disciple full-time?

Re-read 5:17-26.  Try to imagine yourself as Jesus.  You are most likely in the modest home of Peter, you are aware of the make-up of the crowd – who is all there?  What do you sense they looking for or want from you?  Note, in the crowd there is an “advance party” of Scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem and other synagogues. What is it that you want from those gathered?

Interpretive Level

(What does it all mean?)

Note the reasons for the controversy in 4:24-28; 5:17-26; and 5:27-32.  What does Luke want us to understand about Jesus by the dynamics of these controversies that Jesus teachings and actions caused? 

Where do you see this story continuing in the world today? Or, Where do you see this taking place in the world today?  Have you encountered the “hyper spiritual/hyper religious” people in your world – what problems arise in these encounters or relationships? 

Spiritual elitism seems to be a problem for Jesus, how do you see that connect to his understanding of his fivefold mission?

Maieutic Level 

(Maieutic means making meaning or connections with reality.  It’s about discerning wisdom)

What does this passage have to say about the way life is? Is this true?  If you believe it is true – what implication does it have for your life right now?  What do you feel that you need to do with this truth?

Miracles abound in this section, what seems to be the purpose for these miracles?  Does God still do miracles today? 

Share Your Life:  Share a life event where God just amazed you and it changed the way you understood God. 

Week Four Summary of possible questions for discussion, comment or reply:

1. Compare verses 3:21, 4:1, 14, 18 and 5:17 – What is the common element in each verse?  What does this reveal about the source of Jesus’ power?
2.  What might you be thinking and feeling in this miracle event of the fish and then when Jesus calls you to give it up to become his Disciple full-time?
3. Note the controversies.  What does Luke want us to understand about Jesus by the dynamics of these controversies that Jesus teachings and actions caused? 
4. Have you encountered the “hyper spiritual/hyper religious” people in your world – what problems arise in these encounters or relationships? 
5. Spiritual elitism seems to be a problem for Jesus, how do you see that connect to his understanding of his fivefold mission?
6. What does this passage have to say about the way life is? Is this true?  If you believe it is true – what implication does it have for your life right now?  What do you feel that you need to do with this truth?
7.  Miracles abound in this section, what seems to be the purpose for these miracles?  Does God still do miracles today? 
8. Share Your Life:  Share a life event where God just amazed you and it changed the way you understood God.