The Third Option-Talk It Over
Conversation Starter:
What are some cultural differences that tend divide people?
Discussion Questions:
1. What are some things/people that have helped shape our thoughts about people who are different from us?
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?” The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. -Joshua 5:13-15
2. Read Joshua 5:13-15. Why do you think the commander of the army of the LORD refused to take sides? What made the place where Joshua was standing “holy ground?”
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” -Luke 10:25-29
3. Read Luke 10:25-29.
- What was the “expert in the law” seeking?
- Where did Jesus point to for the answer?
- Did the man already know what the law said?
- Why did the man ask that last question in verse 15?
4. If you have time, read the rest of this this man’s encounter with Jesus to get the answer to the man’s last question (Luke 10:30-37)
- Who is our neighbor?
- What does this do to the “us/them” mentality?
Application:
In what way will this message affect the way you think about and treat those who are different from you?