Week of October 29, 2023
Reversal in the Kingdom
Jesus had many surprises for people regarding the Kingdom of God. He taught that many of the outward signs that people understood as proof of righteousness, or proof of God’s blessings were false. The outwardly religious people were not necessarily righteous in God’s eyes. Wealth was not a sign of God’s approval, nor was poverty a sign of God’s disapproval. What is important in the Kingdom, is what is in the heart and letting our love for God and others guide our actions. In our key verses for the week, Jesus is especially concerned about our attitudes towards wealth and poverty.
Monday | Luke 16:19-31; Luke 16:14-15
As you read this story, what details stand out to you most? Why?
Why would it have been surprising for the rich man to be in Hades while Lazarus is in heaven with Moses? Of what is the rich man “guilty”? How does this story speak to modern-day attitudes about wealth and poverty?
Tuesday | Matthew 5:2-12; Matthew 23:23-36
In these verses, Jesus points out in a strong way how religious people can get things wrong regarding the Kingdom of God. What has surprised you about what Jesus teaches about the Kingdom of God? What attitudes and desires can turn our minds backward regarding God’s blessings and true righteousness? How can you guard against such attitudes?
Wednesday | Deuteronomy 15:7-11
Jesus takes his hearers back to Moses and the prophets. How does this section from the law of Moses speak to the attitudes and actions of the rich man? What is God’s heart and desire toward the poor in our community? What is our responsibility?
Thursday | Isaiah 58:6–11; Ezekiel 16:49-50
Fasting was an outward action that God’s people would do to offer prayers that God would act in their lives. What does God say is more important to him than fasting? How do the prophets say we can show God what is in our hearts? What do we sometimes hold up to God as significant acts of faith while harboring selfishness and other sinful attitudes in our hearts?
Friday | 1 Timothy 6:17-19
What dangers of wealth does Timothy point out in these verses? What happens when we think that our wealth is our security and that primary blessing that God has for us?
