Archbishop Peter Jensen’s weekly online series on The Essential Jesus (the gospel of Luke). In each study the Archbishop will lead us through the book we intend on giving away to as many people as possible.
STEP 1: READING
Read Luke chapter 12, verses 1-21.
STEP 2: REFLECTION
How can you be 'rich towards God'? The law-obsessed of the days of Jesus thought that they were rich towards God. Jesus called this hypocrisy, since confidence that you can keep the law of God must be based on self-deception and the deception of others. God will make all things clear in the end. Rather fearing the power or opinion of others, we must recognise that it is God we must fear, his good opinion which is the only one worth having. The disciples of Jesus can be confident, not because they are good people simply because they belong to Jesus and identify themselves with him. The Holy Spirit points to Jesus: to slander his testimony is unforgivable. But the money-worship is also fatal, as the parable of the rich farmer shows. We are always living on the very edge of God's final judgement. Be rich towards God!
STEP 3: DISCUSSION
1 How do we establish our identity? What part do other people play in this? What part should God play?
2 What picture of God is revealed in this passage?
3 Why is wealth so spiritually dangerous? Why is legalistic religion also dangerous?
Ask your questions
Ask your questions about each study as it goes up.
Previous studies click here and scroll down
Prepare for the next study by reading the rest of Luke chapter 12.
