Today’s lesson is Luke 19:1-28
“And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.” And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭19:5-10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.19.5-10.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Do you have a loved one that is “lost”? Do they know Jesus or just know how a religious person is supposed to act? How else will they know the difference? Does God have a plan for you in their life? Please pray that we and our friends follow God’s nudges today. We may be part of His plan to save a particular lost person. Please pray for Darren Short as he is building his group. 

Today’s reading is Luke 18:18-43
“And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'” And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:18-22‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.18.18-22.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone”. Is Jesus just a “Good Teacher”? Do we go to Jesus as a “good teacher” or as God? Here He tells the ruler about the commandments, but He purposely leaves out the first three about worshipping only God. The ruler’s idol was money and Jesus recognized that and pointed it out to him. Has Jesus pointed out a idol in your life? He points them out to me, but I’m tempted to serve Him in other ways than get rid of the idols. Please pray that we and our friends ask God to point out the idols in our lives and give us the strength to get rid of them. Please pray for Michelle, Nichole, Torrie and Annie Thrash. 

Today’s reading is Luke 18:1-17
“He also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and treated others with contempt: “Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:9-14‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.18.9-14.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Do you ever try to impress God? Andy Stanley made a comparison one time of a 3 year old drawing a picture for his parents. The parents put it on the fridge because they love the child, not because of the artistic quality of the drawing. Do we see how great it is that we have a relationship with God? God created us. He created the world. He sees next year and next decade as easily as He sees today. Why would we ever question to obey anything that has this knowledge. We are human beings with a sin nature. The greatest thing we can do is to stay on the path with God. Please pray that we and our friends trust and listen to God today. Please pray for the CLC lunch today in Gwinnett county. 

Today’s reading is Luke 17:20-37
“And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:22-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.17.22-27.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.” Could today be the day? Is there a loved one or friend that may not be ready if today is the day? Are you praying for them? Please pray that we and our friends follow the nudges that God gives us today. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

Today’s reading is Luke 15:11-32
“And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”‘ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:11-20‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.15.11-20.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “But when he came to himself”. The prodigal starts the story with a sense of entitlement and self-centeredness. The father let him “come to himself”. The father always loved him and didn’t change and he didn’t go after his son. Repentance is a sweet moment in all of our lives. It’s the moment after we “come to ourself”. We can either keep going or repent and take a 180 and turn around towards the Father. The father will be waiting no matter what we have done, but He will not force us to turn around. Please pray that we and our friends run to the Father “when we come to ourself”. Please pray for Brad Pope and Jeff Nicholson as there group is starting. 

Today’s reading is Luke 15:1-10
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭15:1-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.15.1-7.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents”. The joy in Heaven comes when the sinner repents. We are all sinners and have found this peace and joy after repentance. We will continue to sin and will only get back on the path after repentance. We have loved ones that need to hear the joy of repentance. The world will tell them there is no need of repentance because it doesn’t want to call a sin a sin. Jesus loves everyone and knows our true joy comes from repentance not acceptance. Please pray that we and our friends ask God to reveal the log in our own eye so we can help our friends with the speck in theirs. Please pray for Stephen and Hunter as they are building their group. 

Today’s reading is Luke 14:25-35
“Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:31-35‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.14.31-35.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” This is tough! How do we renounce all we have. I like my wife, kids, parents, friends, house, etc. Does God want me to leave my family and give it all away? God gives us all these things because He loves us. However, He knows we are imperfect and can put these relationships and things above Him. He also knows we cannot truly be in these relationships or enjoy these things unless we keep them in the proper perspective and that is under His authority. Please pray that we and our friends enjoy our relationships and things knowing our most important relationship is with Jesus Christ and obeying Him. Please pray for Lynn Schuessler(Carl’s mom) as she recovers from a stroke. 

Today’s reading is Luke 14:1-24
“When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:15-24‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.14.15-24.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.'” Does this seem harsh? We all have things we have bought or families with whom to spend time. Is he saying leave our possessions and family? I don’t think so. However, Jesus knows where these things place in our heart in relation to Him. Are they competing for the top spot or does Jesus have the top spot? Are we making time for Jesus after these things or are we making time for these things after sending time with Jesus? Jesus wants us to have life to the full and that’s only possible if He is first. Please pray that we and our friends recognize the possible idols in our lives today. Please pray for Debbie, Makenna and Kole. 

Today’s reading is Luke 13:22-35
“He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us,’ then he will answer you, ‘I do not know where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ But he will say, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of evil!’”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭13:22-27‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.13.22-27.esv
All,
This stands out because Jesus says, “Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ There are many people who know of Jesus but may not know Jesus. The world will tell them they are fine and just be a good person. We know the peace that comes with knowing Jesus and we want or friends to know Jesus instead of knowing of Him. Please pray that we and our friends follow the nudge today if we sense a friend knows of Jesus and doesn’t know Him. Please pray for Dusty and Forrest as they are starting their group. 

Today’s reading is Luke 11:29-54
“When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭11:29-32‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/luk.11.29-32.esv
All,
This stands out for several reasons. First, Jesus says, “For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh”. Was Jesus saying that Jonah was a fairy tale and it’s just a good story or was He referring to a actual event? Second, Jesus says, “for they repented at the preaching of Jonah”. Third, as my buddy Robert likes to say, Jesus wasn’t some meek hippie walking around being nice to everybody. All three of these describe Jesus as speaking the truth. We know He loved everyone and some people needed to hear the truth more strongly. Jesus didn’t laugh off a Old Testament story as a fairy tale, He used it as a lesson to encourage His audience that included the rulers of the day. Please pray that we and our friends speak about the truth of Jesus Christ boldly in love. Especially to people who may be overwhelmed with pride. Please pray for John and Brack as they are building their group.