Although we are back on-campus for worship, you, your family and friends may connect to our worship service on Zoom by clicking HERE or you can join us on YouTube at youtube.com/graceumcla!
Grace UMC prepares for Sunday worship by reading the scripture for the coming Sunday’s sermon. Below, you fill find questions that can be used for Bible Study, small groups or personal devotion. Let the scripture speak in to your life! Expect great things!
Opening Prayer
Kind and gracious Lord, you are the creator of all things, the author of life, and our loving God. We thank you for your faithful presence in our lives, and we thank you for the Word of God.
As we prepare to study your Word together, we ask you to open our minds. Help us clear away the clutter and quiet any outside voices so we can hear only what you long to speak to us.
Scripture: Luke 17:11-19 (Common English Bible)
11 On the way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten men with skin diseases approached him. Keeping their distance from him, 13 they raised their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, show us mercy!”
14 When Jesus saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” As they left, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw that he had been healed, returned and praised God with a loud voice. 16 He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus replied, “Weren’t ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 No one returned to praise God except this foreigner?” 19 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
Summary:
What is God’s future for our lives? Our families? The church? The world? As believers, we are not called to wait on the future, but to walk into it. We are marching to Zion! The future is now!
Ten lepers approached Jesus for healing. “As they went” they were made clean. We don’t heal and then “go.” We heal as we go. The future is now!
Reflection Questions:
- What is a word, phrase or image that comes to mind when you read or hear the text?
- In this scripture, the ten come to Jesus for healing. Jesus instructs them to go to the priests and “as they went” they are healed. The priests had decided they were unclean because they taught that their condition (leprosy) was a punishment from God. Jesus declares that they are free from that stigma and sends them to the the priest to confirm that they are healed. Why do you think is it important that Jesus told them to go to the priest? How do you think the priests will treat them now that they are healed?
- What does this scripture teach you about healing?
- What does God invite you to do, change or be through this passage?
Discipleship Huddle Questions:
- How is it with your soul?
- How does your soul prosper?
Closing Prayer
God, who lifts up the humble, give us guidance to see how we might be part of your mission of the redemption of the world. Give us the hands of compassion to extend your love and grace. Amen.