One of Jake’s gifts that he gets to use with the Croc staff is leading and writting devotionals. These are written with a specific group in mind, but perhaps it will be helpful to you as well. Use as you please:
#7 Sixth Week of staff study (Luke 16-17)
Luke 16:1-15
1) (v.9) How can you use your material wealth to gain friends?
2) What does being trustworthy with worldly wealth look like (v. 10-12)?
3) Read verse 15, how do you justify yourself to others? Try to go this whole day with out justifying yourself; this will be harder than you might first imagen. We often try to use words to explain so many of our daily actions so others will ‘understand’. Really we’re trying to make sure people like us. Just watch your words today, you’ll find that most of your explainations are actually attempts to be well thought of by others. Maybe these aren’t all bad, but fasting from them for a day will reveal a lot about how much we care about what other people think.
Luke 16:16-31
1) In the parable, what did the rich man do wrong?
2) Do you fill like your life has been filled with good things like in verse 25? If so, does this passage give you a little fear? Is that a good thing? How should you respond to that fear?
Luke 17:1-10
1) How have you taught others to sin? How can you watch yourself (be on guard–v.3) in the future?
2) Why is it hard to forgive? How would you respond if someone sinned against you seven times in a day and seven times told you ‘I repent’? Is Christ’s command to forgive seven times resonable, why or why not?
3) Have you ever said verse 5 to Jesus? Does his response in verse 6 help you? How?
4) (v.7-10) Do you expect God to honor/bless you for your service, or do you feel what you do is (at best) only living up to your duty? We rarely hear about Christ’s desire that we have this latter type of attitude (I think because leaders fear it can be a little discouraging), why do you think he wants us to have it?
Luke 17:11-37
1) Reread verse 18, is Jesus racist (he appears here to favor Jews)? Such a discription would not have evoked a negative response in his time, or even (I think) through much of Church history. Yet now it was hard even to write and I bet hard for you to read. How mixed are modern morality and Christian morality in you? Is that dangerous, why?
2) Do verses 26-30 put a new perspective on your plans and pressures today? How can you change in response to this paradigm shift?
#6 Fifth Week of staff study (Luke 14-15)
Monday October 27th
Luke 14:1-14
1) How can you humble yourself today (v.11)?
2) It seems verses 12-14 are commanding you to throw a party for those who cannot repay; organize one this morning!
Tuesday October 28th
Luke 14:15-35
1) What excuses do people in Croc give for not coming to God (v. 18-20)
2) Christ tells at the end of this chapter to count the cost of being a disciple–we must hate everything/one, nothing must hold a place in our heart but Jesus. Take some time to think through this, what does it mean in your life?
Thursday October 30th
Luke 15:1-10
1) When people criticize you as a minister (see v. 2), do you get mad of justify yourself? Of do you, like Christ, try to teach God’s truth that is motivating your actions (parables that follow verse 2)?
2) For what have you called your friends and neighbors together to rejoice over recently?
Friday October 31st
1) Think over each of the two sons and the father. With whom do you relate the most right now?
2) In view of which one you chose, what can you learn from their actions and feelings in this parable about the best way to live?
#5 Fourth week of staff study (Luke 12-13)
Monday, October 13th
Luke 12:1-34
1) Christ calls us to be on guard against hypocrisy (v.1), how are you hypocritical? Confess it to another Christian today and pray with them about it.
2) What does it mean to be rich towards God (v.21)? What is a practical action that would help you live that out?
3) Fear is mentioned several times in this passage (v. 4-7, 32). Are you afraid of any of the things mentioned? How does this passage help you to obey Christ by not being afraid of anything besides God?
4) Verse 33 commands us to sell (I think you could also use the word sacrifice here, for example if you don’t buy a TV, but give the money to the poor, I think that would be the same as selling your TV for the same reason) our stuff and give to the poor. What could you sacrifice for the poor?
Tuesday, October 14th
Luke12:34-59
1) What has God entrusted to you that is to be shared with others? (v. 42-48)
2) Is Christ a source of division (v. 49-53) in your relationships? Or do you, like me, focus on telling people about the easily likable parts of Christ in you (I help poor people) and glaze over any parts that would make the conversation awkward? Why does Christ not want that?
Thursday, October 16th
Luke 13: 1-17
1) Who do you think are the two men in the first parable (v. 6-9)? Do you stand up in prayer for those who have failed to respond for God over the past several years?
2) Do you think that leaders today try to stifle what Christ is doing, not by confronting Him, but by laying down laws for the ‘little people’ (like in v. 14)?
Friday, October 17th
Luke 13:18-35
1) How is what we are doing in Croc working all through the community; specifically? (v.21)
2) What is the narrow door for someone in Croc? How do we help them to find/enter it?
#4 Third week of staff study (Luke 11-12)
Monday (September 29) Luke 8:1-25
1) Even Christ was ministering on support (v.3), what are the advantages/disadvantages of this type of financing?
2) Are there worries, riches, or pleasures of life (v.14) that are keeping you from maturing? How can you preserve and produce a crop?
3) In V. 17-18, Christ tells us that all will eventually be disclosed, so we should consider carefully how we listen. Take a moment to consider this carefully.
Tuesday (September 30) Luke 8:26-56
1) Jesus leaves a successful ministry spot to go across the lake, when he arrives his approach is to bring salvation to one outcast man and then send him alone (with at most a day’s knowledge of Christ) to evangelize to the whole area. Probably not the way we would try to reach the area across the lake. What can we learn from this?
2) Have people ever laughed at you because of your faith in the Power of God or your actions in response to that faith (see v.53)?
Thursday (October 2) Luke 9:1-36
1) Christ tries to take his disciples on a retreat, but is found by a crowd in need. In this instance, Christ welcomes them, speaks to them about the kingdom, and healed those who needed healing. How do you respond when the needy find you?
Then Christ prays and delivers miraculously (and creatively) for there needs. How would this look in Croc? Pray about it.
2) Who do the people of Croc say Jesus is? Ask two people about it today.
Friday (October 3) Luke 9:37-62
1) How have you welcomed a child this week? (see v. 48)
How can you do so today?
2) V.58 always reminds me now of my couple of days living on the road while I hitch-hiked. I never before realized how much your thoughts could be consumed by the uncertainty of where you would sleep tonight and also how uncomfortable nights in the grass without protection can be. What suffering have you experienced (big or small) that helps you appreciate what Christ went through during his life on earth?
#2 While in Cuernvaca the Staff asked me to write some questions out for their group study of Luke. This first week we tried to cover a chapter a day:
Thursday Sept 18th Luke 1
1) Why does Gabriel respond differenly to Zechariah´s & Mary´s first responses to the messages he gives them? What was different about their responses?
2) What stood out to you from the two songs? If you were to sing a song of praise in and around you, what would some of the lyrics be?
3) John lives in the desert for a significant amount of time before starting his ministry. How can solitude prepare a person for ministry? Have you ever thought of spending a significant amount of time in solitude?
Friday Sept 19th Luke 2
1) Do verses 1-7 remind you of how things go in Croc? How so? Is it comforting or disturbing to know that Jesus was born amongst goofy government rules, uncomfortable conditions, and flex and flow plans for housing?
2) Does Jesus continue to be someone around whom peoples hearts are revealed (see v.35)?
3) Twice in this chapter Mary treasures up her experiences (v19,51) that amazed/bewildered her about Christ. What personal experiences with Christ do you treasure?
Saturday Sept 20th Luke 3
1) JOhn warns people not to think of themselves as “in a holy group”. He then gives specific advice to people about how to bear fruit. What advice would he give to us? to you?
2) God claims and praises His Son (v. 22), do you think it is important for earthly fathers to do the same for their children? How can we encourage that in Croc?
Sunday Sept 21 Luke 4
1) Jesus, like John, is led to a place of solitude before starting his ministry. Why?
2) Do you, like Jesus, feel people can accept you more as a minister away from your home town?
3) Jesus meets peoples needs well into the night, but he also knows when to say no (v. 43). Do you think his time in solitary prayer (in between the two events) helped him to discern when to say yes/no?
MOnday Sept 22 Luke 5
1) What did you find interesting about the blessing of the catch of fish? Simon Peter responds to it with a new understanding of who Jesus is in relation to him (v. 8); have any blessings helped you better understand who you or Jesus is/are?
2) In verse 11, Simon leaves everything to follow Christ. Everything includes the blessing of fish he had just recieved from Jesus. Do you hold onto things God has miraculously given you? What or Whom would you struggle to give up if Christ asked you to? Pray about it.
3)THe paralytic´s friends are creative and willing to destroy a little of someone else´s property to get their friend-in-need to Jesus. Have you ever done something unconvintinal and perhaps illegal to get a friend-in-need to Jesus?
Tuesday Sept 23 Luke 6
1) Again (v. 12) Jesus goes into solitude to pray. This time before deciding on his disciples. Do you spend time in solitude praying before big decisions?
2) Verses 20-26 often get overlooked while the more ´spiritual´ Matthew 5:3-12 is often quoted. Why do you think that is? Did Christ mean blessed are the poor materially, poor in spirit, or some combination?
3) What was the last loving thing you did for an enemy specifically? What is something you could do today?
4) What measure do you use in being generous?
Wednesday Sept 24 Luke 7
1) The centurion understands something about Christ because of his work experience. Is there some insight you have because of your past work?
2) It seems that even John has doubts in verse 19. The solution given to him is to take note and reflect on the activities of Christ. Would this action help you when you doubt?
3) Did Christ´s words to Simon the pharies turn upside down your view of who loves God more (the righteous or unrighteous)?
#1 Origninally for missionary training with some post highschool people who spent about 10 days in Croc. The Topic of this study was guidence:
September 9th
Jeremiah 23:16-40
1. What is the difference between “running with your own message” or “standing in God’s council” (verses 21-22)?
2. How can you follow verse 18?
3. In verse 36 God commands the Israelites of Jeremiah’s day not to mention the oracle (revelation) of the Lord, because they have been claiming that their own words were those of God. Do Christians today do the same thing? Do you?
4. What are your struggles as you wait for God’s revelation? Pray about them. Listen to God’s response.
Wednesday September 10th
John 16:5-16
1. Why do you think Christ considers it good for us that He has left so that the Holy Spirit would come?
2. The Holy Spirit comes to convict the world of guilt in three ways (verses 8-11). What do those three types mean; how are they different/important? (If you don’t understand them, or just want to hear a funny story, ask Jake about a date with a girl named Stacy.)
3. It is the role of the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth (verse 13); do you look to Him for guidance and truth? How? What are some other ways you could open yourself up to Him?
Thursday September 11th
1st Samuel 3
1. Do you know the voice of the Lord?
2. Think back over the times God has spoken to you. What led up to the event? How did you know it was His voice? How did you respond?
3. What is Eli’s advice to Samuel in verses 8-9? Often when God has spoken to me, like in this case with Samuel in verse 15, He’s asked me to do something that I’m scared to do. What can you learn from “Speak, Lord, your servant is listening” about how to respond to God’s word?
4. We see God’s response in verses 19-21 to Samuel’s truthful testimony of God’s word. Which of these blessings appeals to you the most?
Friday September 12th
Judges 6
1. Do you, like Gideon in verse 13, have problems with your situation and what appears to be God’s lack of activity? What are those problems specifically? How would you respond if God called you to be His agent of action to fix those problems? (note your response might not be heroic, see verses 14-15, really think through it)
2. How does God show patience in this chapter?
3. Gideon repeatedly asks for a sign (verses 17, 36, 39), do you think he was doubting God, or himself? When you struggle with doubt is it rooted in fear that God can’t do something, or that He can’t do it through you?
Saturday September 13th
Judges 7
1. How would you feel if you were Gideon and God told you to fight an army that was stronger than yours? How about when He says to send away more than two-thirds of your army (verse 3)? What about after He separates out your army into less than 1% of what you started with (300 out of 32,000)? Think about how hard it would be, not only to be willing to fight such a battle yourself, but to lead a group to do it.
2. Do you take comfort from God’s recognition of and sympathy for Gideon’s need of encouragement in verses 10-14? How has God given you courage? Do you still need more; ask Him.
3. Gideon and his insanely small army have victory, where Israel’s full army had failed in the past (see the beginning of chapter 6). How can you open yourself up to the unconventional means of God and find the courage to follow Him to victories that are impossible for man-powered, sensible methods?
Sunday September 14th
Acts 10
1. Three times Cornelius’ gifts to the poor and prayers are mentioned as a predecessor to God speaking to him (verses 2, 4, 31). Do you think there is a link to our lifestyle and hearing from God? What specific actions could you take to prepare yourself to hear God?
2. How often do you spend a significant chunk of time, like Peter on the roof, in prayer?
3. Peter could have disregarded the dream as caused by his hunger and the talk of lunch plans mentioned in verse 10 just before his vision. Do you think sometimes God speaks to you in the midst of your regular thoughts and activities? Do you miss out on His voice in those times because you fail to wonder and reflect (verses 17, 19) on those thoughts and experiences?
4. Peter receives direction from God in many different ways in this chapter: a vision (verses 10-16), the Holy Spirit’s voice (19-20), other people’s message from God (22), and from witnessing the Holy Spirits movement outside of himself (47). Which of these ways has God spoken to you? This is surely not an exhaustive list, what other ways are there?
Monday September 15th
Acts 13:1-4, 15:1-21
1. In the beginning of Acts 13 we see that community can be a source of guidance. Do you have a community of believers with whom you worship and fast? Do you have strong Christians around you with whom you seek God’s guidance? Do you ask these people to affirm and support what you have heard God say to you?
2. In Acts 15 the Church is facing a major dilemma of uncertainty; different factions strongly believe their opinions and ‘what is right’ is unclear. They did several things as they sought the answer: welcomed and listened to those who brought the question (verse 4), allow the opposition to speak (5), heard testimony of how the power of the Holy Spirit approached the question (7-9, 12), they listen to practical points from history (10), look at the question in light of theology (11), they back up their experiences with scripture (16-18). Think back to particularly divisive and uncertain topics that have come up in your Church or group of believers. What methods have you seen that are different from the early Church? Which methods have you seen left out? What can you learn from the early Church about seeking answers to difficult questions?
3. What is the benefit of discussing hard questions or seeking guidance within a Church?
Tuesday September 16th
Exodus 33:7-11
1. Do you have a physical location set apart from your daily life for the sole purpose of meeting with God? What are/would be the benefits of such a place?
2. In verse 11, God and Moses’ discussion is described as that between two friends. Read John 15:9-17. What does it mean to you that Jesus calls his disciples friends? What do you learn from these two passages about friendship with God?
3. Joshua lingers in the presence of the Lord. What do you think that reveals about the young man? What stops you from this response to God? Commit to linger the next time you are in God’s presence, then later reflect on the action—was it hard, was it beneficial?
Wednesday September 17th
1st Samuel 16:1-13, 23:1-5
1. Given a practical question, God gives a practical answer in verses 2-3. Do you, upon hearing what God wants you to do, ask him for help with the major problems you foresee in taking His actions?
2. Samuel thinks he has things figured out in verse 6, but is corrected by God. It is easy for us, when given God’s instructions, to run after them with our heads down; how important is it to stay open to God’s further instructions?
3. In chapter 23, David has been running for his life with a small band of men. Saul, the king, is trying to kill him and David has been jumping from one hiding spot to the next. Then in verse 1 David is told that the people of Keilah are in trouble. He knows he can help, but to do so would undue the hiding he has focused all his energies on. When you see suffering that would require you to stop what you’re doing and risk a lot, do you ask God “what should I do?
4. David’s men make a very good point about how foolish it is to expose themselves. Often what God wants us to do won’t be accepted. In this instance it shakes David to the point of needing to ask God a second time what to do, but then he follows God and is successful. How do you respond when people are against what you feel God is leading you to do?
