11/17 "Jesus Sends Out the Seventy"

Text:   Luke 10:1-24  In a Nutshell: On His road trip to Jerusalem, Jesus knows that the time is running short before His crucifixion, and that there were still many villages that had not yet heard His message.  So, he needed a larger group of disciples to help get the message out.  That "the harvest is plentiful" is still a fact today, and we can learn some lessons about how we go forth with the gospel by summarizing the work of these seventy men.   

 Ice Breaker: Picture yourself ready to go on a mission trip with your church or fellowship. Why would you go? How would you prepare? What would you say to those whom you’d meet?

 Questions related to our text: 

1. Read Luke 10:1-24. In verses 1-12, what do we learn about the seventy followers and the purpose of their mission? How are they to prepare? What is their message? How will their needs be met? (Note: Some ancient authorities read “seventy-two.” Whatever the number, the point is that they were sent ahead of Jesus.)

2. What do you think Jesus means in verse 3 when he says that he sends them out “like lambs in the midst of wolves?” How can you relate to this metaphor? What are your feelings as you seek to be a witness every day?

3. In verses 3-7, what is Jesus trying to teach about being witnesses?

4. What do you think “the kingdom of God” means in verses 9 and 11? How is it that the kingdom of God comes near? 

5. In verses 10-12 and 13-16, Jesus speaks of rejection. How are these seventy to deal with the rejection they will receive? What or whom are these inhospitable people ultimately rejecting?

6. Verses 17-20 recount the return of those who were sent out. How do they describe their mission experience? What are they excited about? How does Jesus respond to their report?

7. What is to be the source of the disciples’ joy? Why? What is the source of Jesus’ joy (verses 21-22)? 

8. In a private word to the disciples (verses 23-24), Jesus talks about what they have seen and heard. They were witnesses. What did they see and hear?

Personal Reflection:

In what situations is Jesus calling you to bear witness to the nearness of the kingdom of God? 

What will it mean for you to respond to his call? 

In what can you rejoice?