Meals with Jesus #5: Why it’s not always good to sit on life’s top table

Ready for Impact (10 minutes)

Catch up on how things have been over the past week (over drinks and snacks if possible), taking time to let any new members introduce themselves. Then ask group members:

Tell a story about sitting in the wrong seat. (This could be where you accidentally sat in the wrong place, or where you got an upgrade to a better seat for some reason).

This term, we’re exploring some of the meals Jesus shared. Not only will this help us get to know Jesus better, we’ll see how the way he shared meals can teach us a lot as we experience student life today.

Ask for a volunteer to read Luke 14:1-14 to the group, praying a short prayer that, however much they’ve come to know Jesus, they’d know him better as a result of your time together.

Watch

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Impacted by the Word (15 mins)

Jesus’ interaction with people with disability was an important aspect of his identity. What do we learn about him here? (verses 1-6)
What makes Jesus’ interaction different to how disabled people are sometimes treated?
In Jesus’ day, social rank was indicated by where a person sat at the table. In what ways is social rank displayed today among students?

Jesus says that ‘all who humble themselves will be exalted’. As we humbly come to Jesus in our sin and mess, he promises to forgive us and honour us. He achieved this by dying for us. This humility also influences how we relate to other people.

What reasons does Jesus give for inviting ‘the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind’ instead of ‘our relatives or rich neighbours’?
What holds us back from obeying Jesus’ instructions in verses 12-14?

What does Jesus mean when he says that those who offer hospitality to those unable to pay them back will be ‘repaid at the resurrection of the righteous’?

Jesus is referring to the time in which those who are right with God will be resurrected to physical eternal life, when Jesus returns again. On that day, Jesus says those who have held parties for those least likely to normally be invited, will be rewarded by God.

Jesus isn’t saying that we can earn eternal life – it’s only through his death and resurrection we are made righteous. Yet, in some way, our godly actions now will be honoured by God in eternity. This provides extra motivation not to merely care about present popularity and status, but to sacrifice these things now, knowing that God will ensure we do not at all lose out in eternity.

Impacting our Hearts (10 mins)

Jesus has shown extraordinary generosity in inviting us to his banquet: life with him in his new creation. As he died for us on the cross, Jesus made a way for anyone who trusts him to be welcomed in.

We have done nothing to earn this invitation, all we need to do is gratefully accept it. Yet this gratitude should then overflow in showing generosity to others.

How does it make you feel known knowing Jesus has invited you – and that you can never repay his hospitality?
If we were regularly inviting a very wide range of people into our lives, as Jesus commands, what might the effect be on us?

Impacting the University (15 mins)

Jesus uses the word ‘invite’ seven times in verses 8-14.

What kind of person is rarely invited to join in with others at your university?
(perhaps: those with disabilities or long-term illnesses, those in financial hardship, commuting students, those with less confidence speaking English and others).
What could you do this week to relate well to these students?

Spend some time praying for students in your university who are often on the margins. Pray that they would know the welcome and love of Jesus. Ask God to bring those people into your path in the week ahead.

Wrap-up – TACOS 🌮

Thank You – Thank everyone for coming, and ask someone to thank God for your time together in prayer.

Ask – Ask those who are new to reading the Bible if they’d like to explore Uncover, a set of sessions in Mark’s Gospel, allowing them to investigate one of the earliest accounts of Jesus’ life alongside one of you.

Church and CU – What does the CU have planned ahead? And what help would group members value in finding a local church?

Others – Who else could you invite to join your CU Impact Group next week? These friends don’t need to be followers of Jesus and may really appreciate being invited.

See You Soon – Tell the group where and when you’ll meet next week, and arrange who will bring snacks. (You might like to alternate healthy and less healthy weeks!). See if anyone would be up for sharing a meal or just hanging out in the meantime!