Why we struggle with befriending people/sinners just like us…

We are

We have forgotten about the power of

We are scared to

with people

We have no relational

We forget how much God loves

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect… —1 Peter 3:15

The Example of Jesus
_{LUKE 5:27-32}

²⁷ After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. —Luke 5:27

Three kinds of tax collectors:
1) Gabbai (collected property, income and poll taxes)
2) Great Mokhes (import and export taxes)
3) Little Mokhes (set up random toll taxes)


Levi was a Little Mokhe. Why does that matter? Jesus invited someone who was considered the

to follow him.

^27b “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, 28 and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. —Luke 5:27b-28

There is a quantum difference between

Jesus and actually

Reveal Answer

Jesus.

²⁹ Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. —Luke 5:29

Jesus was completely comfortable with

.
As a follower of Jesus, shouldn’t I be as well?

³⁰ But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”
³¹ Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” —Luke 5:30-32

When was the last time you practiced repentance?


The only name and character attribute of God that I can actually attain:

Jesus told us exactly why he did—and did not—come.
In truth, Jesus came to

Reveal Answer

for sinners to find their way home.


Small Group Questions
1. What’s your favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal?
2. What excuses (if any) do you find yourself making when it comes to befriending a “sinner”?
3. Share what your life was like before Jesus found you. In what way did Jesus become your friend? How did your life change after meeting Jesus?
4. Read 1 Peter 3:15 again. How do you go about sharing the hope that you have?
5. Read the final two points in the outline. What do those statements do in your heart?
6. How can we pray for you right now and throughout the week?