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:
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 19:1-10 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.
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‘Salvation’ refers to when a person has been saved from peril. Another word we could use is ‘rescue.’ So, in verse 9, Jesus is saying that Zacchaeus has been rescued. Verse 10 adds that, to this point, Zacchaeus had been lost. Now he is found.
The ideas of salvation and rescue are important to the Bible. Christians are rescued by Jesus from the penalty, power and presence of sin. As Jesus sees the overflow of new life with him in Zacchaeus’ new-found generous spirit, he sees the fruit of one who has been rescued and brought to new life.
Abraham was the genetic ancestor of the Jewish nation. He had been a worshipper of other idols until he met with the LORD God. Having changed Abraham’s life, God made his family central to his plans for blessing the world. Circumcision was given to Abraham’s family as physical sign of the reality of these promises. In one sense, then, ‘son of Abraham’ meant to be a physical descendant of Abraham who had willingly adopted a part in God’s big story i.e. to be a Jew who had been circumcised.
By Jesus’ day, the idea emerged that a person’s standing with God was based upon their genetics and obedience to God’s law, especially their willingness to be circumcised. Jewish law-keepers therefore thought of themselves as ‘sons of Abraham.’ Those who weren’t Jewish or who blatantly broke God’s law were not given this title.
Now Jesus calls Zacchaeus ‘a true son of Abraham.’ Jesus is emphasising that national identity and obedience to the law cannot make anyone right with God. True ‘sons of Abraham’ (like Zacchaeus) share Abraham’s faith: this commitment to God starts inwardly but inevitably spills out in love for God and others.
Like Zacchaeus, Jesus loves us and saves us while our lives are still messy, while we are still self-absorbed, and while we have turned from God.
Encountering Jesus’ love changes Zacchaeus’ relationship with money and possessions. Then the entire town would have been changed as Zacchaeus shared his wealth!
Zacchaeus had an encounter with Jesus that transformed his life. We can encounter Jesus today through His Word - and so can our friends. We have the opportunity to invite others to see who he is through reading the Bible together.
You might like to alert those in your group to Uncover resources. See the “Notes for Leaders” below for more information.
Zacchaeus wasn’t someone anyone would have expected to become a follower of Jesus, but through an invitation he got to know Jesus more. Often, it just requires an invitation to investigate the claims of Jesus.
Uncover is a resource especially designed to help Christians open the gospels with their friends. They are short studies with pre-written questions that help people to explore Jesus’ life and teachings together.
Though you might read through the study in advance, if you’re leading a study you don’t need to be an expert and you don’t need to know all the answers! You’re merely exploring together and helping your friend encounter Jesus for themselves.
You CU may well have a stash of Uncovers that you could use. Why not ask if you can bring some copies to your group for people to take away with them? For access to the online versions of the studies, go to: uncover.org.uk
Spend some time praying for those you might like to open the Bible with in the weeks ahead.
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!
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