Week 5, June 30 - July 6 What a Jesus Disciple Looks Like

Before we get started: Some things to keep in mind: 

• The section of Scripture this week is right after a series of conflicts with the Pharisee who have judged Jesus’ spirituality as lacking – who have even said he had committed a religious crime worthy of the death penalty.  These teachings on the differences of His disciples are in response to being judged by these religious leaders.  When Jesus says in verse 6:26, “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for that is how their fathers treated the false prophets.”  Be clear he was calling these people coming against Him, “false prophets.” A False prophet charge was also punishable by stoning. 
• This section of Luke’s presentation he uses the literary device of contrast with the previous section and irony in the sections of the “Blessings and Woes,” the fruit inspection, foolish builders, and the children’s rhyme.    
• The literary or rhetorical devise of contrast strategy is aimed at showing the flaws or fallacy of the other’s position and the superior position of the speaker.
• Irony as a rhetorical strategy seeks to emphasize the contrast between the way things are expected to be and the way things “really are” – reality. Studies have shown that when irony is used and understood, a person’s automatic psycho-physical response is “thoughtful or embarrassed” laughter.  
• So when you read this section of teachings on what a really Jesus follower looks like, the tone of Jesus is angry and confrontational.  Jesus is not being “nice, gentle or mild” mannered here. He is taking a direct verbal shot at the wrong thinking of the Pharisees who have just judged him and the ordinary people of Jesus’ day knew this and they most likely tried to choke back a giggle. 

Scriptural Encounter and Discussion – Week Five Luke6:12-7:35 

Let’s Get Started:  Read our selection of the Week Luke 6:12-7:35 

Observation Level

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

6:12-16  Jesus choose a diverse group to be His disciples.   What do you know about these guys?	6:43-49  Fruit Inspection and Foolish Builders.  What contrast do you see here?
6:17-26  Who are blessed and who will receive God’s right judgment?	7:1-17 Jesus shows compassion on the despised and desperate. What quality of faith do you notice of these people Jesus encounters here?
6:27-36  Loving Enemies – Jesus explains how tough love is.  What do you notice here?	7:18-35  John the Baptist is given assurance.  How does Jesus address John’s doubts about Jesus?
6:37-42  Judging.  What two activities does Jesus condemn and commend here?

Imaginative Level

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

Imagine yourself as a tree, based on the vision of a true disciples character found in this passage, what kind of fruit are you producing? 

Interpretive Level

What harmful “religious” tendencies is Jesus pointing out in the way he responses to the Pharisees by these teachings and the actions to reinforce the teachings?

Verse 6:37 is often misinterpreted or misunderstood, thinking we are never to approach a friend about something you notice they are doing that is harmful to them or confused about how to hold each other accountability. The word “judge” here is the Greek word, “krino” which means to sentence – punishment, to put on trial.  It has an adversarial or superior-inferior relational dynamic.  Jesus uses this directive in contrast to discerning or evaluation of motives and behaviors of fruit inspectors and the consequences of building on a foundation that is not stable.  

What is the difference Jesus wants his disciples to know about between Judging – “krino” and the right basis for making evaluations of a person or behaviors?  How does his teaching on loving enemies inform this difference?

What was Jesus getting at by using the “blind guide” image?

Maieutic Level

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

Have you ever known someone who made it their mission or quest to “fix” you?  If so how did it feel?  Controlling? Confusing? Happy? Angry?  How does this teaching from Jesus help us understand what was the heart of the problem with such a relationship?

Have you ever had someone helped you see something about yourself that was hard or difficult to admit but didn’t have a “let me fix you” attitude but instead it helped you grow in your faith?  What was at the heart of this relationship? How was it different?

Week Five Summary of possible questions for discussion or reply:

1. What did you notice about how Jesus used these teachings to address the conflict he was having with the Pharisees?
2. What harmful “religious” tendencies is Jesus pointing out in the way he responses to the Pharisees by these teachings and the actions to reinforce the teachings?
3. What is the difference Jesus wants his disciples to know about between Judging – “krino” and the right basis for making evaluations of a person or behaviors?  How does his teaching on loving enemies inform this difference?
4. What was Jesus getting at by using the “blind guide” image?
5. Have you ever known someone who made it their mission or quest to “fix” you?  If so how did it feel?  Controlling? Confusing? Happy? Angry?  How does this teaching from Jesus help us understand what was the heart of the problem with such a relationship?
6. Have you ever had someone helped you see something about yourself that was hard or difficult to admit but didn’t have a “let me fix you” attitude but instead it helped you grow in your faith?  What was at the heart of this relationship? How was it different?