Outliers, Outcasts, and the Outrageous Mercy of God

Opening Group Activity (10–15 MINUTES)

WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

One sheet of blank paper for each person. Pens, markers, and/or colored pencils.

1. Use the paper and drawing/writing tools to write the words, “I Am Seen, Accepted, Included, and Deeply Loved” on the top of the page. Then Circle the phrase that’s easiest for you to believe and underline that one that’s the most challenging for you.
2. Share your words or phrases with each other as you discuss the following questions: Which phrase or word is easiest for you to believe? Why?

Which phrase or word is hardest for you to believe? Why?

Reflecting on those words or phrases and any others that come to mind, what do you hope to get out of this study?

Watch Session One Video (21 MINUTES)

As you watch, take notes while thinking through:

What caught your attention? What surprised you? What made you reflect?

Those closest to Jesus were a motley crew

The big riff between Samaritans and Jews

Tax collectors and sinners

 Women: Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna

The poor: Lazarus

The Gospel isn’t a Cinderella story

Scripture covered in this session:

Luke 8:1–3, Luke 16:19–31, Luke 18:9–14

Group Discussion Questions (30–45 MINUTES)

Leader, read each numbered prompt and question to the group and select volunteers for Scripture reading.

1. We begin our study of the Gospel of Luke in an overview. This allows us to understand the magnitude of context in this book and in each of the Gospel accounts. Lisa said, “Luke is the only known Gentile or non–Jewish author of Scripture. In that era, to have a non–Jew write a religious book, especially one of the Gospels, was like having a barbecue truck at a vegan festival. That’s just a big deal. Because Luke probably felt like an outsider, he gears his writing to show how Jesus reached out to the outliers and outcasts like the Samaritans, the tax collectors and sinners, the women, and the poor.”

Describe a time when a person went out of their way to reach out and make you feel seen, included, and loved. How did the encounter impact you?

None of the other Gospel writers include Samaritans as much as Luke did. They were considered outliers — the worst kind of traitors since they had chucked everything the orthodox Jews held sacred to the curb. By the time you get to the first century and the early life and ministry of Jesus Christ, the enmity between Jews and Samaritans ran so deep that Jews would pray curses on Samaritans when they went to Temple. Yet, Jesus seeking out Samaritans and making them evangelists demonstrates His deep compassion. ~ Lisa

What kinds of people do you tend to judge, hold at arm’s length, or look down on?

Why does Jesus make a beeline toward the Samaritans and extend unconditional love?

Who do you relate to more in this scenario? The Samaritans or the Orthodox Jews? Have you considered your relationship with each?

Who do you see as having more contempt for the other? If the Jews knew of the Messiah and his value, why do you think they would have not wanted to share him with those who did not? Have you ever been there? Holding onto something as if it were only yours and others were not worthy of it too?

2. Select a few volunteers to split reading the passage Luke 16:19–31. Ask the following questions regarding the passage:

How does the wealthy man treat the beggar?

How does Jesus show compassion toward the beggar?

How does Jesus challenge the wealthy man to consider his sinful posture?

How does Jesus equally love all sinners?

3. Go around the group answering a selection of the following questions:

Take a moment to consider the invisible people in your daily life — those you pass by and subtly overlook or simply don’t consider. Who are they?

What changes do you need to make to truly see and engage them?

Close in Prayer

Consider the following prompts as you pray together for:

• Eyes to see Jesus’ acknowledgment of the likes of me
• Ears to hear the response to my unspoken needs
• Opportunities to engage outliers and outcasts just like Jesus

Preparation

To prepare for the next group session:

1. Read Luke 1–2.
2. Tackle the three days of the Session One Personal Study.
3. Memorize this week’s passage using the Beautiful Word Scripture memory coloring page. As a bonus, look up the Scripture memory passage in different translations and take note of the variations.
4. If you’ve agreed to bring something for the ne xt session’s Opening Group Activity, get it ready.

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Your Turn

Come share your thoughts on Beautiful Word: Luke with us. We want to hear from you!