Stuck, Searching, and Self-Righteous | Message Study Questions

Message Summary

Building God’s Kingdom is about individuals pursuing Jesus, and being intentional about ministering to the person that God reveals to them.

When we look for just one person to encourage and show the love of God to, it adds up. Jesus had huge crowds, but he also focused on one on one interactions. This week we’ll look to His examples in the calling of Levi, Zaccheus, and how he reached out to the Pharisees.

Levi was stuck in a prosperous but unsavory job, yet Jesus saw into his heart and called him to be a disciple, the Apostle we know today as Matthew. Zaccheus was searching for something greater, and although he was a social outcast, Jesus extended a welcome to him. The critics of Jesus’ day thought they were superior and didn’t need to repent. The Pharisees focused on their own rules to prove themselves rather than actually knowing and encountering God. Jesus was harsh with the Pharisees and called them out – but he didn’t reject them (John 3 – Nicodemus). They, too, are invited to repent and follow Jesus. And later in the book of Acts, it records some of the Pharisees coming to faith, like Paul.

Today, believers need to step into their calling, like Levi who left everything and followed Jesus, Zaccheus who repented and even made restitution to those he had harmed, and Paul, who also left his position of worldly authority and honor to reach the despised Gentiles.
Believers also need to live in the joy of repentance and be like Levi and Zaccheus, who threw parties for others to meet Jesus. Finally, believers also need to guard against self-righteousness, which can creep into our relationship with God and others.

What do you feel when you hear the words IRS applied to you?
What types of jobs are most vulnerable to the temptation of bribery or swindling others?

Consider This

Our job is not to figure out who might respond to Jesus’ word, and who is worthy of our love and hospitality. Our job is to follow Jesus’ example, and with kindness and humility, seek out the marginalized and offer truth with love to critics.

What did God expect of tax collectors who wanted to follow Him? (see Luke 3:12-13)
Read Luke 5:27-31. What did Levi do when Jesus called him? What do you think he left behind?
How do you think Levi (Matthew) felt about his decision? What did he do (see verse 29)? Why?
How does Jesus call people to follow Him today?
- What is the toughest thing for people to leave behind today?
Read Luke 19:1-10. How is Zaccheus described? (verse 2)
- Zaccheus was wealthy, yet he knew he was missing something. What did he do when he heard that Jesus was in town?
Why do you think the Pharisees disapproved of Jesus partying with Matthew and his tax collector friends?
What can go wrong with judging people based on their reputation, what others have said about them? How can we avoid those pitfalls?
The Pharisees were proud. They thought they could act perfectly. Do you ever try to defend your own self perfection? What does that look like?
Why do you think Jesus was at ease in a house full of social outcasts with questionable ethics? What can we learn from that?
Why did Jesus come according to Luke 5:32?
How do you reach a self-righteous person, lead them to see their needs (imperfections)? (Ephesians 4:15, 1 John 3:18, Proverbs 15:1)

Next Steps – Application

How can you more completely leave your old life behind to more fully follow Jesus this week?
How can you show gratitude to Jesus for his acceptance of you this week?
Can you look for an opportunity to be less defensive of your actions and more open to humility this week?
What stuck person, someone of bad reputation or low status, could you spend some time with this week?
Who in your sphere of influence is searching? How could you introduce them to Jesus this week?
Who do you know who is arrogant and judgmental that you could pray for this week?