40 Days: A Simple Question, week 1If you could ask one question of God, what would you ask?
Read Matthew 22:15-46. What were some of the questions asked of Jesus? Who asked the questions? How sincere, in your opinion, were they?
In response to a question regarding which law was greatest Jesus replies by giving the Great Commandment quoting from the familiar passage in Deuteronomy 6:5 (known as the Shema) then adding to it from Leviticus 19:18. Scot McKnight refers to this amended “Shema” as the “Jesus Creed.” Compare and contrast the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and the Jesus Creed in Matthew 22:37-40 and Mark 12:29-31.
What are the similarities?
What are the significant differences?
Quoting Rick Warren, Scot McKnight writes, “Life minus love equals zero… and the best use of life is love. The best expression of love is time. The best time to love is now.” What insight does this quote provide to understanding and applying the Jesus Creed?
Imagine your life—with your family, with your co-workers, with your Life Group, along with the Zion community committed to a lifestyle of loving God and loving others. What does this look like?
In The Jesus Creed: Loving God, Loving Others, Scot McKnight shares a story of how one church put this principle into action by putting together a “prom night” for disabled young people. He writes, “Donors in the church provided tuxes and dresses and limousine services, as well as a lavish banquet and the dance. These kids might not be graceful dancers or have the quickest feet, but the joy on their faces when they experienced (the evening) thrilled hearts and brought a little bit of (God’s) kingdom to (the city).
Take some time to share your ideas.
No comments:
Post a Comment