Scripture: Luke 7:18-35
Main Themes: Expectations of the Messiah, the Kingdom of God, faith in uncertainty, power vs. humility
Discussion Questions:
1. Wrestling with Expectations:
• John the Baptist sends his disciples to ask Jesus, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect another?” What do you think John was feeling in that moment?
• Have you ever expected God to show up in a certain way, only to find that God was working differently than you imagined? How did that shape your faith?
2. The Kingdom of God vs. The Kingdoms of the World:
• Jesus describes the signs of God’s kingdom—healing the sick, raising the dead, and bringing good news to the poor. How does this differ from the worldly power John may have been expecting?
• We often look to political or institutional leaders to fix problems in our world. What does this passage say about our role in bringing about God’s kingdom?
3. Seeing God in Unexpected Places:
• In the sermon, Pastor Mark shared a story about a little girl asking her newborn brother, “Tell me about God. I’ve almost forgotten.” What does this story say about how we experience God?
• Jesus says that wisdom is found in unexpected places, even among children. How might we cultivate a childlike openness to God’s presence in our lives?
4. The Challenge of Following Jesus:
• Richard Rohr writes, “One can be warlike, greedy, racist, selfish, and vain, and still believe that Jesus is one’s personal Lord and Savior.” How does this challenge common understandings of faith?
• What does it mean to follow Jesus rather than just believe in him?
5. Living the Sermon:
• What is one way you can begin looking for God’s presence in unexpected places this week?
• How can our church better embody the values of Jesus—healing, justice, and good news for the poor?
