Luke 17 NASB

17 He said to His disciples, “It is inevitable that stumbling blocks come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he would cause one of these little ones to stumble.

skandalon – bait stick – to capture an animal

We are all subject to temptation.

How do we cause others to stumble?

False doctrine.

Lifestyle choices.

How we treat others.

Jesus takes leadership seriously.

We are either drawing people closer to God

or further away.

There is something worse than going to hell.

3 Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.”

Warning! - Conflict happens in community.

What is a rebuke?

Proverbs 27:6 NASB

6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend,

But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

Jesus is saying don’t be too spineless to rebuke and too resentful to forgive.

We can forgive or grow bitter.

5 The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 And the Lord said, “If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea’; and it would obey you.

Lord - How can this be done?

It’s not the size or the quantity of the faith that matters, it’s the quality.

Great faith is not required but faith in a great God.

Faith clings to God, casts itself upon God’s power, rests in God's strength and relies upon God's adequacy.

7 “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? 9 He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? 10 So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’”

Unworthy – unprofitable.

What hinders faith? pride.

It is better to be a servant in God’s kingdom than a master of our own.

In His kingdom by faith we:

Overcome sin.

Set a Godly example.

Rebuke and forgive each other.

Serve the King.

Jesus the Philosopher: Answers for Life

June 23 & 26, 2022

Prayer Requests:

Group Discussion: What is the greatest benefit of living together in a community with other believers?

Read out loud: Luke 17:1-11

#1. When Jesus said do not cause the little ones to stumble, do you think he is talking about in age or new to the faith? What role do we the church play in helping families raise kids and new believers grow in their faith? Who do you know that you can help?

#2. Why do we avoid conflict? Have you had an experience that Jesus is talking about where you shared an offense or somebody else share they were offended and you were able to reconcile? Did it make you closer? What friend or friends do you have in your life that can tell you the truth?

#3. We are saved by grace through faith. What other role does faith play in our lives? When do you feel like you lack faith? How do you overcome a lack of faith? What’s one area in your life that is requiring faith right now?

#4. Do you see Jesus as Lord? When you think about the word ministry what does that mean to you? Why do we struggle with not being in charge? What benefits are there in submitting to God?

Family Time: Read Luke 17:1-11 Find a small seed or spice and compare it to a tree. How is it something so small could move something so large? Ask about a situation in your life that seems really big right now and explain how just a little bit of faith can make a difference.