Jesus healed the 10 lepers as soon as they asked, but only one returned.
This week’s podcast episode will be late, due to technical difficulties. Sorry about that. I will get it popted here as soon as possible. If you subscribe, it should arrive automatically on your device as soon as it gets published.
Lifegroup discussion questions are up next!
If you are the discussion leader, have everyone open to this page on their mobile device. Be sure to take turns reading, asking questions, and participating in the group.
Have you ever had a time when someone did something for you that you could never repay? How did that make you feel? How did you thank that person?
What does gratitude reveal about our hearts? Do you see yourself as a grateful person?
Luke 17:11-13 NLT
As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
These lepers stood “at a distance.” Why do you think that is important here?
These men were separated from Jesus… From everyone by their disease. What they had isolated them from their friends, their family, and everything they ever knew. It even separated them from Jesus.
How is this like us? What do we carry that separates us? Isolates us? Who or what have you been separated and isolated from in the past? What is that like?
Luke 17:14 NLT
He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.
What is Jesus’ response to the lepers? How would any other person in the first century likely respond to a leper?
How is this like Jesus’ response to me? (See the verses below.)
Ephesians 2:1- NLT
Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.
But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.
In light of what He has done for each of us, what kind of response should I have?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
How are joy, prayer, and gratitude related? What role does prayer have for gratitude? How has prayer influenced your own life of gratitude?
When Paul says it is God’s will in Jesus Christ for us to be thankful, what does he mean? Do you see gratitude as being this important?
As I type this, the election is underway. The results will not be known until well after these questions are published. No matter the outcome of this important day, what are things you and I should be thankful to God for? How can we express gratitude to Him on an ongoing basis?