victory shared

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SESSION 6

VICTORY SHARED

The Point The victory we have in Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.

The Passage Luke 24:44-49

The Bible Meets Life Businesses love viral marketing. They may initiate an ad, but through social networking individuals grab on to it and pass it along. When you like something, you share it with your circle of friends, and those friends pass it along. Followers of Christ have something far greater than a marketing message; they have a message of victory and hope in Christ. The message of Christ—the gospel—is lifechanging and worth passing along.

The Setting Jesus is risen! A group of women discovered the empty tomb. Angels shared the good news with them (Luke 24:1‑8). Peter and John ran to the tomb to investigate (v. 12; John 20:3‑4). Jesus appeared to two disciples on their walk to the village of Emmaus (Luke 24:13‑35). On Easter evening, Jesus appeared among His disciples (vv. 36‑43). Then, Jesus told His disciples the words of our focal passage (vv. 44‑49).

© 2016 LifeWay

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What does the Bible say?

Luke 24:44-49 (CSB) Empowered from on high (v. 49)—That the empowerment would come “from on high” points to the true source that enables disciples to be bold witnesses for Jesus—the Holy Spirit.

He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 44

45

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 46

and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 47

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You are witnesses of these things.

And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

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© 2016 LifeWay

THE POINT

The victory we have in Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.

GET INTO THE STUDY

10 minutes

ACTIVITY (OPTIONAL): In advance,

Notes

collect a list of ten catchy commercial jingles. Divide your group members into two teams and provide them with paper and pens. Explain that they’ll compete to see who can remember the most ad slogans. Share the first line or two of the jingle, and ask groups to complete the rest. Afterward, give the correct answers. Share with your group that ad campaigns have one purpose: to share a message. (Note: A quick Internet search of “commercial jingles” leads to several websites listing the most memorable product slogans.)

TIP: This is the last session of this 6-week study. Be sure to offer group members a time to review and share what God has taught them through this study.

DISCUSS: Invite your group members to discuss Question #1 on page 53 of the PSG (Personal Study Guide): “What are some marketing campaigns you will always remember?” Allow time for each person to respond. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 54): Ad agencies live for this: creating that one slogan or campaign that is remembered for years. Just do it. got milk? Yo quiero Taco Bell! Can you hear me now? Nothing helps a product quite like an ad campaign that explodes and takes off. Ads get people talking—and things get even better for the company when people spread the word about a product. Viral marketing, getting people talking and spreading the word like a virus, is a business owner’s dream. SAY: “In Luke 24, Jesus reminded His disciples they were witnesses of some incredible events. Like any good news, the story of God’s saving work in Jesus had to be told.” GUIDE: Call attention to The Point on page 54 of the PSG: “The victory we have in Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.” PRAY: Transition into the discussion with prayer. Ask God for opportunities to tell others about the difference Jesus has made in your life.

© 2016 LifeWay

Display Pack Item #6 to use with your discussion of Luke 24:48-49 on page 76.

PLAYLIST PICK: “Mountain” By Jesus Culture BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Luke 24:44-45 (CSB)

Notes

He told them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you — that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

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READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Luke 24:44-45. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 55): Earlier that morning, Jesus came out of the tomb—fully alive. When two disciples who encountered Jesus during their sevenmile walk to Emmaus realized who He was, they hurried back to tell the other disciples (vv. 13-35). And now, at the very moment these two disciples were telling of their encounter with Jesus, He appeared before them!

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Jesus’ disciples surely were caught off-guard by Jesus’ words in these verses, but they shouldn’t have been.

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On more than one occasion, Jesus had predicted His death. He warned the disciples He would be arrested, killed, and resurrected (9:22,44; 17:25; 18:31-33; 22:37).

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As young boys, the disciples had learned the Hebrew Scriptures—the very same Scriptures that pointed to what would happen to Jesus.

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The disciples didn’t yet understand what Jesus was saying to them. So He reminded them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you” (v. 44).

SAY: “Jesus wanted them to fully understand that He was the much-anticipated Messiah that the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms all prophesied would come. These Scriptures—the same passages that were well known by every Jew—were ultimately about Him.” ALTERNATE QUESTION: Why is it important that Christ connected His life to the Old Testament?

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DISCUSS: Question #2 on page 55 of the PSG: “What practical tools help you engage and understand the Scriptures?” TRANSITION: In the next verses Jesus explained another truth from Scripture: His resurrection would mean the forgiveness of their sin.

© 2016 LifeWay

THE POINT

The victory we have in Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.

Luke 24:44-45 Commentary The whole of Scripture points to the truth of Jesus. Verse 44: Here, Jesus reminded His disciples of the words He had spoken to them while He was with them prior to His crucifixion, death, and resurrection (Luke  9:22,44; 17:25; 18:31‑33; and 22:37). Thus this was not a new teaching but a continuation of His previous instruction. Jesus called attention to the three divisions of the Old Testament: the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms. The Law of Moses refers to the Pentateuch (Genesis–Deuteronomy). The Prophets means the books of the prophets and includes both the “former prophets” (the “historical books”) and the “latter prophets” (the “major and minor prophets”). The words show that Jesus viewed the Old Testament as a unitary whole. Bible students debate whether the Psalms refers to just the Old Testament book by that name or if it was meant to stand for the third major division of the Old Testament Scriptures that began with the Book of Psalms. (The view taken in the Personal Study Guide is that Psalms referred to the third major division of the Old Testament.) Jesus’ words “everything written about me” and “must be fulfilled” emphasize that Jesus is the focus of both the content of the Scriptures and the fulfillment of the Scriptures. “Everything written … in” means “everything found in.” While Jesus did not here cite specific passages, this is the second time in this chapter that Luke stressed these truths. Luke recorded Jesus’ words to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus in verse 27 where Jesus apparently did cite specific passages. No proof-texting was necessary, however, the whole of the Scriptures points to Him. The emphasis here is on the totality of the Old Testament’s witness to Jesus the Messiah and His ministry. Interestingly, Luke began his Gospel record of Jesus’ ministry with Jesus reading from the Book of Isaiah in the synagogue at Nazareth, where He stated, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled” (Luke 4:21). Now, at the end of His earthly ministry, Jesus stated that everything written about Him in the Scriptures “must be fulfilled.” The two narratives stand like bookends to Jesus’ earthly ministry and stress that the fulfillment of the Scriptures is found in Jesus from beginning to end. Verse 45: Jesus “opened their minds to understand the Scriptures” (contrast 9:45; 18:34). The Scriptures refers back and clarifies the character of the Law of Moses, the Prophets, and the Psalms in verse 44. Now the disciples had a real and clear understanding not only of what the Scriptures prophesied but of what they had witnessed during their time with Jesus. The risen Lord is not only the content and fulfillment of Scripture; He, the Living Word, is the interpreter of the written Word.

© 2016 LifeWay

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Luke 24:46-47 (CSB)

Notes

He also said to them, “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day, 47 and repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” 46

READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Luke 24:46-47. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 56): Jesus got specific. The Hebrew Scriptures do more than just point to a coming Messiah.

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The Old Testament points to what He would do. “This is what is written: The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day” (v. 46).

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Both the Old and New Testament tell the gospel. From the beginning, God had been working across the generations so that at just the right moment in history, His Son, Jesus Christ, would be born. Jesus’ arrest and death were not merely unfortunate events. They were all a part of God’s perfect plan.

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Earlier in verse 44 Jesus made the point that every promise of God had to be fulfilled. And, He fulfills all of these promises.

ALTERNATE QUESTION: In what ways was Jesus’ resurrection a moment of victory?

DISCUSS: Question #3 on page 56 of the PSG: “What are the basics of the gospel?” (Note: If they aren’t mentioned, be sure your discussion includes: our sin, Jesus’ death on the cross, His resurrection, and the life of freedom from sin He offers.) DO: Instruct group members to complete the activity on page 57 on their own. If time allows, invite volunteers to share their responses aloud. GOOD NEWS: We may not be eyewitnesses of Christ like the disciples, but we are eyewitnesses of what He’s done in our lives. Fill in the following blanks to describe how God has changed your life.

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Christ has freed me from _____________________________. Christ has restored __________________________ in my life. God has given me __________________________ in Jesus that I never would’ve had without Him.

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God has changed ________________________ in me.

© 2016 LifeWay

THE POINT

The victory we have in Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.

Luke 24:46-47 Commentary The cross and empty tomb are central to the gospel of Jesus. Verses 46-47: In helping the disciples understand the Scriptures, Jesus referred to “what is written.” Luke used three infinitives to summarize what had been written in the Old Testament Scriptures concerning the Messiah, which are translated: “suffer … rise … would be proclaimed.” The first two were now past; they were accomplished. The third item, the proclaiming, was about to begin. The first two—the cross and the resurrection—are the central elements in the proclamation. “Suffer” refers to Christ’s crucifixion, His “Passion.” For the third time in this chapter, the work of the Messiah was summarized in terms of His crucifixion and resurrection (see vv.  7,26). Jesus explained to His gathered disciples how the Scriptures foretold His death and resurrection (v.  46). On several occasions during His ministry, Jesus either shied away from the title Messiah (the Christ) or seemed to have wished to conceal the fact He was the Messiah (see Mark 1:43‑45; 8:29-30). Here, however, Jesus clearly identified all those predictions concerning the Son of Man with the Messiah (“the Christ”). Now that His messianic role had been clarified by His death and resurrection, the title became a common reference to Him in the early church’s proclamation. It’s on the basis of Jesus’ atoning death and glorious resurrection that “repentance for forgiveness of sins” can be “proclaimed in his name to all the nations.” Verse 47 adds for the first time the element of proclamation to the work of the Messiah (proclaimed is the third infinitive following “suffer” and “rise”). The words point to the following mission of the church, starting in the Book of Acts and continuing to today. What is to be proclaimed? “Repentance for forgiveness of sins.” The act of repentance involves turning away from sin and turning to God. It involves a total reorientation of one’s life and is a key feature of the preaching in the Book of Acts along with forgiveness. What is the basis for this forgiveness? It is “in his name.” The name represents the person of Jesus and all He stands for (see Luke 9:48). The recipients of the proclamation of the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ are “all the nations.” The message of Jesus is for everyone (though many choose to reject it). Jesus’ words anticipate the commission in Acts 1:8 and the proclamation that began on the day of Pentecost beginning in Jerusalem (Acts 2) but that was also intended to reach to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8). Where Jesus’ earthly mission ended, in Jerusalem, the mission of the church began. That Jesus’ disciples would proclaim the good news beginning in Jerusalem fulfilled Old Testament prophecy as well (Ezekiel 5:5; Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2).

© 2016 LifeWay

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10 minutes

STUDY THE BIBLE Luke 24:48-49 (CSB)

Notes

“You are witnesses of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you what my Father promised. As for you, stay in the city until you are empowered from on high.”

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READ: Ask a group member to read aloud Luke 24:48-49. SUMMARIZE THE PSG (PAGE 58): Jesus reminded His disciples, “You are witnesses of these things” (v. 48).

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Jesus sent out the disciples to proclaim the gospel, but He would not send them out alone. They would have the Holy Spirit. “I am sending you what my Father promised” (v. 49).

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The privilege of proclaiming Jesus was not just for the earliest disciples, nor was the gift of the Holy Spirit. We’re not alone—His Spirit indwells all believers—and we’re called to be witnesses of what Christ has done in our lives.

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What we proclaim comes out of the overflow of our own relationship with Jesus Christ. As Christ-followers, we are authentic witnesses of God’s power. We preach and teach what we know and have experienced in our own lives.

LEADER PACK: Bring your group’s attention to Pack Item #6, “Sharing the Gospel” poster. Share with your group that talking about Jesus doesn’t have to be long, complicated, or stressful. If they spot an opportunity to talk about Jesus, they can do so genuinely and easily by sharing the points listed on the poster. ALTERNATE QUESTION: How have you experienced the Holy Spirit’s power when sharing the gospel?

DISCUSS: Question #4 on page 58 of the PSG: “Where has God called you to represent Him?” (Note: Help your group to consider the unique opportunities they have to be a witness for Christ. For example: their workplaces, neighborhoods, classes, extended families, and so on.) DISCUSS: Question #5 on page 59 of the PSG: “Where has God called this group to represent Him?” TRANSITION: Don’t keep the good news to yourself. Share Jesus so that others can experience victory too.

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© 2016 LifeWay

THE POINT

The victory we have in Jesus is too big to keep to ourselves.

Luke 24:48-49 Commentary We are to share the message about Jesus. Verse 48: Jesus told His disciples that they were witnesses to the events concerning Himself. While up to this point the disciples had been mostly observers as they accompanied Jesus, now they were to actively champion the message of repentance and forgiveness of sins as His witnesses. The disciples were witnesses to the fulfillment of the Scriptures, and they could testify to what had occurred because they had seen those events happen (1 John 1:1‑3). “These things” refers to the content of verse 46. This theme is repeated in Acts 1:8 and then throughout the Book of Acts. Verse 49: The disciples could be effective witnesses because Jesus was “sending [them] what my Father promised” and because they would be “empowered from on high.” What the Father promised Jesus did not specify here, but it clearly was the Holy Spirit (John 14:16‑17,26; Acts 1:4‑5,8). The Holy Spirit would make them effective and bold witnesses. This was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4,32-33). To be empowered literally is to be “clothed with power.” The Greek verb refers to putting on a garment, a metaphor Paul often used in his letters (see, for example, Romans 13:12; Galatians 3:27). “From on high” keeps before us where the real power for evangelism and witnessing comes from. The words may be another way of referring to God or merely a reference to heaven (compare 1:78). In either case, these words remind us that Jesus’ disciples do not witness in their own power. Until Jesus sent them this gift (“I am sending you”), the disciples were to “stay in the city,” that is, in Jerusalem (v. 52; Acts 1:4). Their staying and waiting was intended to be done together, not in isolation. (See Acts 1:12‑14 for how they obeyed this command.) The reference to Jerusalem (Luke 24:47) and “the city” (v. 49) is the first time it is indicated that the place where Jesus’ ministry and atoning work ended was to be the same place where the church’s mission would begin. From there, the good news would go forth to “the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8). In Luke’s second volume, the apostles remained in Jerusalem through chapter 7 of Acts. Then Peter and John, upon hearing the people of Samaria “had received the word of God” through the preaching of Philip, went to Samaria and witnessed to the Samaritans (Acts 8:14‑17). Peter next went to Caesarea after he experienced a heavenly vision and witnessed to the Roman centurion Cornelius (10:1–11:18). Paul took the gospel to the Gentiles but often returned to Jerusalem (11:29-30; 15:2; 19:21; 20:16,22; 21:13). In Romans 15:18-19, Paul summarized his ministry up to that point: “I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum” (Romans 15:19). The gospel was well on its way to all nations (Matthew 28:19) and to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8).

© 2016 LifeWay

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5 minutes

LIVE IT OUT SAY: “How will you live out the truth of this passage?”

Notes

GUIDE: Lead group members to consider the responses to the Bible study listed on page 60 of the PSG.

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Pray. Carve out some time this week to spend in prayer. Thank God for sending Jesus to conquer sin and death so that you can experience victory over these things.

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Invite. If you’ve never told someone of the victory you have in Jesus, pray for the opportunity to do so with a friend or two. When God prompts you, follow through by telling them what He has done in your life.

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Share. As a group, plan a party or a cookout and encourage everyone to bring a friend who may not know Jesus. Make a point to tell them when and where your Bible study group meets and invite them to be a part.

Wrap It Up
 SAY: “Jesus came to save sinners. Jesus calls the lost to come home. And, Jesus said He’s coming again. That news is just too good to keep to yourself.”

Grow with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog. LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry 78

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© 2016 LifeWay

CARE FOR EVERY PERSON BY DAVID FR ANCIS

One of the things that sets apart a healthy Sunday School from a struggling one is a commitment to care for every person. Nothing says “we care” like a Sunday School with a vital and functioning system of care groups. Ideally, this means that every person is assigned to a care group and that every care group has a leader. The mission of the care group and the job description of the care-group leader are the same: Contact Every Member Every Week Do you mean every absent member every week? Nope. I mean every member every week. The contact can be face-to-face, by phone, or by email. Or on a really special occasion, like a birthday or an anniversary, the care-group leader might make the special effort of mailing a card. The responsibility of the care-group leader is not to get people to come to class. The role of the care-group leader is to help members connect in community. In fact, caregroup leaders should seldom mention class attendance. Rather, their role is:

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“Just keeping in touch.” “Just checking in to see how you’re doing.” “Anything going on you’d like the class to pray about?”

The contacts need not be long. Just a quick phone call during a daily commute will do. The goal is simply to stay connected with every person in the group and to report news and needs to the teacher and, in urgent cases, to the pastor so that the appropriate person can make a timely ministry response. Many people, properly enlisted, will be ready to accept this entry-

© 2016 LifeWay

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level leadership position—one that’s very important yet not overwhelming. 5-7 Men or Women Best practice suggests that each adult care-group leader will assume responsibility for five to seven men or women. Men should contact men and women should contact women. Why not have couples’ care groups? Because usually the women will contact the women but the men won’t. Besides you don’t want to place people in potential positions that could lead to a compromise. Not surprisingly, this sets up a perfect organization to communicate information related to women’s or men’s ministries, too, without creating a separate organization! Every Person Assigned Each member should be assigned to a care group. Some classes call these ministry groups. You might even call them connect groups. I have also heard the groups called CPR groups to signify the three purposes of the group: care, prayer, and reaching. It matters less what you call them than that you do them! Groups should start with about five members, with a maximum of seven. Starting with fewer allows you to add new members. Seven is a good maximum because there are seven days in a week, which means a group leader could contact one member each day. Once several group leaders have seven members, enlist new group leaders so you can get group numbers back down to five. Care Groups on Steroids The previous paragraph describes a relatively passive care group. Nobody except the care-group leader might even know who is in the group. That’s OK. It’s a start. And it’s certainly preferable to not having care groups at all. But care groups can be and do more, especially if your class is intentional about becoming a community. One step forward is to reserve 10 to 15 minutes at the beginning or end of every class session for the class to gather into care groups. Some classes even check attendance in these groups. During this time the group has two primary objectives:

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Calling the names of all absent group members to identify ministry needs Sharing and praying with one another

This is one of the primary reasons for having single-gender care groups. Women and men often have different kinds of prayer needs and are usually more likely to share them if the group includes only their gender.

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© 2016 LifeWay

This article is an excerpt from David Francis’ book One Hundred: Charting a Course Past 100 in Sunday School, a 64page booklet filled with practical ideas for creating, sustaining, and growing Bible study groups in your church. You can download the book for free at lifeway.com/davidfrancis.

5 WAYS TO MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION BY KEN BRADDY

It’s corny but true: “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Once made, first hand-withthumb-up-and-down impressions can become lasting impressions.

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Bible study materials. Having extra Personal Study Guides available for guests to use (and take home) communicates they were expected, and that they were valued enough by the church and the group to have received the Bible study materials being used by the group members. I’ve also visited groups that did not have extra study materials, and it seemed as though everyone in the group knew what was going on (except for me).

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Declutter. When I sold a home a few years ago, the realtor told my wife and me that we needed to declutter the house. His statement caused a poor reaction on our part! We thought our home looked great as-is. But because he had “fresh eyes,” we realized in time that he was right. We took out extra furniture and clutter we’d become accustomed to, and it made a huge difference in the impression our home made on potential buyers. The same thing is in effect in our classrooms where we meet (assuming your group meets on a church campus!). We can become so accustomed to clutter that we quit seeing it. How many rooms have old posters, picture frames, clocks that don’t work, a stain on the carpet, a tear in the fabric of a chair, or a pile of junk in one corner that we turn a blind eye to week after week? Guests quickly notice these things. Decluttering helps groups make a good first impression.

While visiting churches a few years ago as my family and I sought to find a new church home, we visited a half-dozen or more churches. Some made better impressions than others. Some were intentional in preparing for guests; others were not. How can a Bible study group put its best foot forward? Here are five simple but needed improvements most groups can make with minimal effort:

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Name tags. Simple, powerful, and inexpensive, stick-on name tags help everyone in the group know one another. Name tags put everyone on equal footing and level ground. As a guest, it’s uncomfortable when people in the group are able to call each other by name and I am not. Name tags are great equalizers.

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Empty chairs. You need a few empty chairs for guests. I’ve visited Bible study groups and have had to wait for chairs to be brought to the room before I could sit down. When that happens it communicates the group didn’t really expect me to be there. They weren’t overly concerned about having guests in the first place and were probably an inward-focused group.

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Greeters. People in the group who are designated as greeters help guests quickly assimilate into the group. Greeters should be outgoing, friendly, and people-oriented. It’s their job to introduce the guest to a few others, and to sit with the guest during the Bible study (and hopefully the worship service).

© 2016 LifeWay

Ken Braddy blogs weekly with great ideas for becoming a better Bible study leader. Follow his blog at kenbraddy.com. He is the manager of Adult Ongoing Bible Studies at LifeWay. BIBLE STUDIES FOR LIFE

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