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Warm / Interactive / Relevant / Challenging / Action Oriented

When we get together, I want to encourage you in your faith, but I also want to be

encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-13 (Living Translation)

Conversations of Jesus

• Where did Jesus invest his time?• Who did Jesus hang out with?– How did he interact with people?– What did he talk about?– What was accomplished?

• Over the next few weeks, we are going to examine these questions through the biblical record of the conversations of Jesus.


• Zacchaeus (Luke 19)• Samaritan Woman (John 4)• Demon Possessed Man (Luke 8 / Mark 5)• The Invalid at the Pool (John 5)• Nicodemus (John 3)• The Adulterous Woman (John 8)• The Family of Lazarus (John 11)• Levi (Mark 2)

Jesus Friend of Sinners

Next Week

Zacchaeus(Luke 19)

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Zacchaeus(Luke 19)

Dissecting the Story

1. Read Luke 19:1 – 92. Who are the principle characters and what

are their backgrounds?3. Why was Jesus in Jericho? What was His

purpose for being there?4. Why did Zacchaeus want to see Jesus?5. What was the first thing that Jesus said to

Zacchaeus?6. What was the response of “others”?7. How did Zacchaeus respond?

Digging Deeper

1. Initiative is important. Summarize the initiative(s) that were taken in this story and who demonstrated the initiative.

2. Who made the first move?3. What barriers were crossed in this story?4. What risks were taken?5. What is surprising about what Jesus did

and did not say to him?6. Why did Salvation come to Zacchaeus?

Application

1. Changed hearts normally yield evidence.2. “Religious” people will not always understand

and be your cheerleader.3. We shouldn’t worry so much about whether

people approve of who we hang out with when we’re on mission.

4. To find the lost, you may have to go where lost people hang out. Should that be the routine for you?

5. As you journey through life, keep a lookout for people in need!

Next Week

Samaritan Woman(John 4)

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Haunting Lyric of the Week

“Open our eyes to the world at the end of our

pointing fingers”

Samaritan Woman - Intro(John 4)


1. Read John 4:1- 421. The Thirst (1-26)2. The Witness / The Work (27-38)3. The Results (38-42)

2. Who are the principle characters and what are their backgrounds?

3. Why was Jesus in Samaria? What was His purpose for being there?

4. What did Jesus ask for and how did the woman respond? Why the parenthesis in v8?

5. Was Jesus really thirsty?6. Why did Jesus ask for the husband?7. What did the statement about Messiah (v25) reveal about the

woman?

Dissecting the Story(Part 2)

7. Why did Jesus have to reveal who He was, did She not recognize Him?

8. Why were the disciples surprised about the conversation?

9. Why did Jesus “snap” back when they tried to get him to eat something?

10.What impact did the conversation with the woman have in the community?

11.What convinced the townspeople to accept Jesus as Messiah

Samaritan Woman – Part 2(John 4)


“The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over

me”

Remember The Story

1. Scene 1 – The Thirst (1-26)2. Scene 2 – The Witness / The Work (27-

38)3. Scene 3 – The Results (38-42)

Digging Deeper

1. Initiative is important. Summarize the initiative(s) that were taken in this story and who demonstrated the initiative.

2. Who made the first move?3. What barriers were crossed in this story?4. What risks were taken?5. What is surprising about what Jesus did

and did not say to her?6. What was the woman’s great need?

Digging Deeper

1. The storyline is wrapped around two of mankind’s most basic needs; water and food, both of which have literal and figurative meanings in this text.

2. What are the two meanings of water?3. What are the two meanings of food?4. The conversation with the woman was

intended to guide her to belief.5. The conversation with the disciples was

intended to guide them to mission.

Application

1. What are some modern day “people groups” where the bias may approach the “anti-Samaritan” bias from a Christian perspective?

2. God uses “unlikely” instruments (e.g. the woman) to do great things (e.g. win the town).

3. The lost will get tangled up in unimportant questions (e.g. “this mountain”). We must stay focused on the true question.

Application

4. When the question of salvation is on the line, the smaller things (e.g. left jar) fade into the background.

5. You may not be able to see “the needs” until you visit “the fields”

6. It may surprise us where the harvest work is needed to be performed (e.g. Samaria)

7. Living Water, once received, is sufficient for eternity (Once saved, always saved).

8. Salvation, once received, starts one on a journey, where one is continuously refreshed by a never ending source of water.

Application

1. When sinners ask for salvation they must first acknowledge their life of sin

2. Living with a person does not constitute marriage (v 17-20).

3. Erroneous doctrines can be an impediment to salvation.

4. Don’t always expect to be the harvester, you may be the sower, and vice versa.

Next Week

Demon Possessed

Man(Luke 8 / Mark 5)

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encouraged by yours. Romans 1:11-13(Living Translation)

Demon Possessed Man(Luke 8 / Mark 5)


“We cut down people in your name but the

sword was never ours to

swing”


1. Read Luke 8:26-392. Is this a literal or a figurative story?3. Why was Jesus in Galilee? What was His purpose for

being there?4. Who are the principle characters and what are their

backgrounds?5. How did the man know who Jesus was?6. Why did he fear Jesus?7. What part did pigs play in the story?8. Why were the towns people afraid?9. What was the man’s desire after Jesus changed his

life?

Digging Deeper

1. Summarize the initiative(s) that were taken in this story and who demonstrated the initiative.

2. Who made the first move?3. What barriers were crossed in this story?4. What risks were taken?5. What was the Man’s need?6. What is surprising about what Jesus did

and did not say to him?

Application

1. The authority (and compassion) of Jesus is second to none.

2. No one is so far gone that they can’t benefit from receiving Jesus. Do not reject any of God’s creation from moving toward Him.

3. Be careful about introducing things into your life that can affect your mind.

4. When you yield your mind, you lose your purpose.

Next Week

The Invalid at the Pool (John 5)

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The Invalid at the Pool (John 5)


“A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a

heart divided”


1. Read John 5: 1-182. Why was Jesus in Jerusalem? What was His

purpose for being there?3. Who are the principle characters and what are

their backgrounds?4. Where did the healing of the invalid occur?5. What was the man waiting for?6. How did Jesus respond?7. What was the man’s response?8. What was the response of the Jewish leaders?

Digging Deeper


2. Who made the first move?3. Why did Jesus single out this one?4. What barriers were crossed in this story?5. What risks were taken?6. What was the Man’s need?7. Is this story an allegorical view of sin?8. What is surprising about what Jesus did and

did not say to him?

Application

1. Sometimes we get so focused on the “healing” that we forget to thank the “healer”

2. We need to ensure that “church rules” are aligned with God’s heart.

3. We might not be seeing healing in our churches because we don’t allow or make provision “invalids” near our doors.

4. God may offer physical healing sometimes to the unyielding as a part of His drawing them to Him.

5. Mercy and grace can first be demonstrated as an example given by physical ministry. Medical humanitarianism?

Application

6. We should be careful to rejoice with baby Christians and slow to rebuke them because they act like babies.

7. By example of Jesus, “faith healing” should not draw attention to the “faith healer”.

8. Jesus has a way of getting your attention.

Next Week

Nicodemus (John 3)

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Nicodemus (John 3)


“Always looking around but

never looking up I'm so

double minded”


1. Read John 3:1-212. Why was Jesus in Jerusalem? What was His

purpose for being there?3. Who are the principle characters and what are

their backgrounds?4. What time of day did this story occur? Why?5. Nicodemus made a “startling” statement

concerning the identify of Jesus. What was it?6. Was Jesus satisfied by the “recognition” by

Nicodemus?

Digging Deeper


2. What barriers were crossed in this story? What risks were taken?

3. Jesus enticed Nicodemus with a “double meaning”.4. Should a Pharisee have known about the “new

birth”; i.e. born again?5. What was the real need of Nicodemus?6. When Nicodemus exits in v9, what is his “spiritual”

condition?7. What is surprising about what Jesus did or did not

say to Nicodemus?

Application

1. The journey to light starts in darkness, for all of us.

2. Great knowledge can trip up our understanding of simple truths.

3. “So called” leaders do not have a lock on spiritual insight. We each are accountable for our on journey.

4. It’s not enough to acknowledge that Jesus is special (i.e. a teacher), you must acknowledge Jesus as savior. This requires recognition of who you are; i.e. a sinner in need.

5. Belief is personal; i.e. one on one.

Application

6. Positions of influence and power can be a stumbling block to faith. Belief results in & comes from humbling ourselves.

7. Some people do not immediately respond to the gospel but come to faith down the road.

Next Week

The Adulterous

Woman (John 8)

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The Adulterous Woman (John 8)


“Nobody knows what we're for

only what we're against when we judge the

wounded”


1. Read John 8:1-112. Why was Jesus in Jerusalem? What was His

purpose for being there?3. Who are the principle characters and what are their

backgrounds?4. Was it normal to bring an adulterous woman to the

temple?5. Jesus had an unusual response when “they” posed a

question meant for entrapment.6. How did Jesus answer the test question?7. What was the response to Jesus question?8. What happened to the woman?

Digging Deeper



3. Was it normal to bring an adulterous woman to the temple?

4. What was the real motivation for the action of the scribes and Pharisees?

5. Why did the accusers leave oldest to the last (v 9).6. What is surprising about what Jesus did or did not

say to Woman?

Application

1. God cannot be manipulated through our puny tricks.

2. Hypocritical judgment in the end shrinks back into the darkness from where it came.

3. Be careful the traps that we lay, for we might get caught in our own trap.

4. Calling sinners to repentance sometimes should be done with a gracious tone.

5. The way we cast the accusation of sin may be just as bad or worse than the sin.

Next Week

The Family of Lazarus

(John 11)

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The Family of Lazarus (John11)


“Help us reach with open hearts and

open doors”


1. Read John 11:1-16, 17-37, 38-432. Why did Jesus come to Jerusalem area? What was

His purpose for being there?3. Who are the principle characters and what are their

backgrounds?4. V4 reveals why the death of Lazarus occurred.

Why?5. What was the family’s expectation of Jesus? How

did it effect Jesus?6. Was there any question about the status of Lazarus

prior to Jesus’ arrival.7. Who witnessed the resurrection of Lazarus?

Digging Deeper



3. Did the family understand the symbolic nature of the events?

4. Thomas spoke as the rep for the disciples. What kind of attitude did he display?

5. What does v. 25 – 26 teach us about fear of death?6. What is surprising about what Jesus did or did not

say to the family?

Application

1. A man must die to sin in order to experience a rebirth to new life.

2. God’s timing is not our timing.3. God’s response is up to God. We may be expecting

something adequate (e.g. healing), whereas he may intend something stupendous (e.g. a resurrection).

4. Physical death is real and traumatic. Spiritual death is much more to be feared, it is forever

5. Grief is real but only for a season6. Jesus gives real life now – it’s not just a promise for the

future.7. One should never be so busy that he (she) can’t grieve

with family.

Next Week

Levi(Mark 2)

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Levi (Mark 2)


“Oh Jesus, friend of

sinners, break our hears for what breaks

yours!”


1. Read Mark 2:13-172. Why was Jesus “beside the lake”? What

was His purpose for being there?3. Someone caught Jesus’ attention. Who?4. Who are the principle characters and what

are their backgrounds?5. Jesus ended up at Levi’s house and the

Pharisee’s had a problem. What was it?6. What reason did Jesus give for his visit to

Levi’s house?

Digging Deeper


2. Why did Levi catch Jesus’ attention?3. How did Jesus end up at Levi’s house?4. What barriers were crossed in this story?

What risks were taken?5. What does this story teach us about

evangelism?6. How do you know where the line is between

“pursuit” and “compromise?

Application

1. God looks at someone’s potential, not necessarily their present.

2. Evangelism is done where there is need.3. Evangelism requires social contact!4. Maybe our search for leadership should

cast a broader “net”?5. It’s contrary to our mission to pull the

circle too tight!

Next Week – A Review

What can we learn about

ministry from these

examples of Jesus?

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• Zacchaeus (Luke 19)• Samaritan Woman (John 4)• Demon Possessed Man (Luke 8 / Mark 5)• The Invalid at the Pool (John 5)• Nicodemus (John 3)• The Adulterous Woman (John 8)• The Family of Lazarus (John 11)• Levi (Mark 2)

Outline

1. Technique / Approach2. Preparation3. Barriers4. Results

Approach / Technique

1. Normal part of daily life2. Occasional intentional dispatch3. There is preparation; sometimes light and

sometimes heavy.4. Sometimes you have to break barriers /

take risks.5. Sometimes we sow, sometimes fertilize,

sometimes reap6. Sometimes we engage, sometimes we

are engaged.

Approach / Technique

7. Sometimes we have to deal with distractions before we can accomplish the mission (e.g. Legion, Invalid, Lazarus, Adulterous woman).

8. We must keep the focus on our mission and not be sidetracked by humanitarianism.

9. We need God’s insight to see potential.10.The compassion of Jesus was evident.11.Did Jesus respect personal space?12.Salvation involves acknowledge of sin and

turning toward a new life.13.Evangelism is “house-to-house”

Preparation

1. What are some techniques that Jesus used that indicate that preparation is required?

2. Should Baptist / Christians have humanitarian “arms”? What is the purpose?

3. How should we prepare for those that cross our path?

Barriers

1. What are some of the barriers that Jesus had to cross to do ministry:– Racial– Religious ethnicity and rules– Cultural– Gender– Disabled / Infirm– Superstition– <others>

Results

1. Each person in these stories had a different context but the same need; i.e. salvation.

2. Jesus compassionately dealt with the situations in order to ultimately focus on the need.

3. Compassionate God-directed ministry is highly effective (to individuals and communities)

4. I’m sure that God has put people in your path that need to hear the gospel.

5. In most of these stories entire communities were impacted for Christ.

6. What is the most surprising thing that you learned from the ministry of Jesus in this series?

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far awayWe cut down people in your name but the sword was

never ours to swingJesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to seeThe world is on their way to You but they're tripping over

meAlways looking around but never looking up I'm so double

mindedA plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinnersOpen our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing

fingersLet our hearts be led by mercy

Help us reach with open hearts and open doorsOh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what

breaks yours

Jesus Friend of Sinners

Next Week

The Bible Speaks to the Culture (An Introduction)

The Gospel According to Java Bistro

“Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I

will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing

love I promised to David.”

Isaiah 55:3


“Those who love money will never have enough.

How meaningless to think that wealth brings

true happiness!”

Ecclesiastes 5:9-11


“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor

for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”

Hebrews 6:18-20


“To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to

hate correction.”

Proverbs 12:1-3


Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see

the kingdom of God without being born again”

John 3:3


“Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can

forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.”

Romans 3:30-31


“See Harriett.”

Romans 3:30-31

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