Intensity in Tent City

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John the Baptist was a strong and passionate follower of Jesus, sent by God with a specific mission. Isaiah and Malachi prophesied about him, writing, “See, I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.” John fulfils this role and, because of it, finds himself in prison. While there, he hears reports about Jesus and sends his disciples to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

What do you think of the question John asks?
What is Jesus’ response to John’s question?
If you could ask Jesus one question about his identity and mission, what would it be?
How do you seek answers to your questions about Jesus?

Jesus encourages John’s disciples to look around and share with John what they have witnessed. At the same time, he reflects on the generation around him and their response to his message.

Let’s read Luke 7:18-35.

Luke 7:18-35

18 John’s disciples told him about all these things. Calling two of them,

19 he sent them to the Lord to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”

20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?’”

21 At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases, sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were blind.

22 So he replied to the messengers, “Go back and report to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.

23 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”

24 After John’s messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?

25 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxury are in palaces.

26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.

27 This is the one about whom it is written: “‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’

28 I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John.

30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

31 Jesus went on to say, “To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like?

32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to each other: “‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not cry.’

33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’

34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’

35 But wisdom is proved right by all her children.”

What does this passage reveal about Jesus?
What signs point to who Jesus is and show that his Kingdom is near?
How do the people around Jesus respond to what they see?
How do people around you respond to the evidence of Jesus and his Kingdom? What does their response mean for your generation and the next?
Jesus came “proclaiming freedom to the captives” (Luke 4). How might that mean more today than just setting prisoners free from physical prison?

Jesus calls John’s disciples to look around and see the transformation happening around them — evidence of lives being changed through repentance and salvation. It is a call to pay attention to the signs of the Kingdom of God, to reflect on who Jesus truly is, and to consider how you respond to what you see.

Who is Jesus to you?
When you intentionally look around, what evidence of Jesus and his Kingdom do you see?
How does what you see deepen your faith and move you to action?
What role do you have in shaping the next generation? What step can you take this week to make an impact?

Let’s take a few minutes to give thanks and pray in small groups. Thank God for what you see today of Jesus and his Kingdom. Pray for your generation, asking that they will not overlook or ignore the evidence of God’s Kingdom but will discover what it means to live as part of it. Ask for courage to follow Jesus and to reach out to the next generation, so they too may experience the life-changing power of his Kingdom.

In this episode, we see tension between Tamar and Mary. At first, their conversation touches on cultural differences, but soon the deeper issue becomes clear. They are comparing themselves to one another. This leads to feelings of inadequacy and jealousy, which then manifest as accusations toward each other.

Can you relate to the struggle between Tamar and Mary? Where do you see similar tensions in your own relationships?
How do you typically deal with feelings of comparison or jealousy?

When we look at ourselves and others through God’s eyes, we begin to see the goodness, wisdom, and beauty of his unique plan for each of his children. Instead of comparing ourselves to others, we can grow in gratitude for the unique role God has given each of us, and we can learn to be a blessing to one another.

Let’s read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.

13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.

16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?

18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?

20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”

22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,

24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,

25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

What does Paul’s body metaphor tell us about our relationships as followers of Jesus?
What does it mean that God has placed you and others in specific roles in this body?
How can realising that you are not everything and do not have everything give you freedom and space as you walk alongside others?

It is not always easy to avoid comparing ourselves to others. We all fall into that trap sometimes. We might see someone as more attractive, smarter or better than us. At times, we fail to look honestly at ourselves — overlooking our strengths and our weaknesses. We might even try to make ourselves look better by putting others down.

Often, we judge others based on incomplete information, forgetting how little we truly know about their lives. For Mary, her comparisons stemmed partly from shame about her past. In this episode, she admits to Tamar, “I judged your strength against my weakness; pitied myself. Forgive me?” [23:18-23:38 min]. Tamar reminds her that Jesus has already forgiven her and encourages her to forgive herself, too.

How do you see yourself? How does Jesus see you?
How do you see others? How does Jesus see them?
Do you know that Jesus has forgiven you? Have you forgiven yourself? How does this forgiveness shape how you see others?
Instead of comparing yourself to others and feeling jealous, how can you see and appreciate the beauty and strength in them? • What can you learn from others? • How can you encourage, help and complement others with the different gifts and talents God has given you in the next week?

In this episode, Jesus says, “Beware of this. Wisdom means nothing if it’s not acted upon. Wisdom is justified by all her works” [55:50-56:02 min].

What do you think Jesus means by this statement?

Jesus’ words remind us that wisdom must be lived out to have true meaning. James echoes this idea in his letter, where he talks about the connection between hearing and doing.

Let’s read James 1:19-27.

James 1:19-27

What does James teach us to do and not do in this passage?
What is the relationship between hearing God’s Word and doing it?
How can you apply this teaching to your life?

Take a moment to read the passage from James 1 again, this time slowly and prayerfully. Ask God’s Spirit to reveal what he wants you to focus on and act on today. (Give the group a few minutes to read in silence.)

What do you hear the Lord speaking to you through this passage?
What are you doing with the wisdom God has given you?
What steps can you take to seek wisdom from God?

In this episode, we see two beautiful examples of friendship:

Barnaby brings his blind friend Shula to Jesus. He is entirely focused on her need for healing, to the point that he does not even think about his own disability. She would not go to Jesus herself because she was afraid to bother him.

Mary and Tamar work together to improve the soil in Zebedee’s olive grove. They collaborate in searching for the right ingredients and involve others in the process, showing how friendship can be about teamwork and shared purpose.

Do you have a good friend? What makes this person a true friend?
What does Barnaby’s example teach you about friendship?
What does Mary and Tamar’s example teach you?
How is the “soil” of your life? What ingredients do you need for healthy growth, and how can you get them?

Jesus taught his disciples something beautiful about friendship.

Let’s read John 15:9-17.

John 15:9-17

What do we learn from Jesus’ teaching here about the foundation of our friendships?
According to Jesus, what does it mean to be a true friend?
How can you apply Jesus’ teaching to your current friendships?

Good friendships are valuable and require time, care and intentionality. Sometimes, the friends who can make the most impact in our lives — or whose lives we can impact most — are closer than we think …

Consider your current friendships. How might God be calling you to set aside your own priorities and comfort to love them well?
Is there someone in your life like Shula — someone hesitant or unable to approach Jesus on their own? How can you be like Barnaby and help them come to Jesus?

Let’s spend time praying in small groups. Ask God to show you someone in your life — whether at work, school, church or elsewhere in your community — who you can come alongside as a true friend. Ask him to fill your heart with his love for that person and to give you opportunities to reach out to them in the coming days and weeks.

SEASON 3 - EPISODE 6

Intensity in Tent City

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Initial Reflections

Dig In

Luke 7:18-35

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Initial Reflections

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1 Corinthians 12:12-27

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Initial Reflections

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James 1:19-27

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Initial Reflections

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John 15:9-17

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