New Testament Community
March 9, 2003
Dave Johnston
Introduction: What makes relating to “different” people difficult?
Jesus’ plan to build community
We can learn how Jesus built community by how he related to his disciples.
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Luke 8.1-3: Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Herod's steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources. |
How do you think the disciples responded to Jesus’ decision to give women a prominent role in their community and ministry?
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Matthew 4.18-22: As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea--for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him. |
How might have a rivalry developed between brothers, how might have this affected the group?
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Mark 10.35-45: James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward to him and said to him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you." And he said to them, "What is it you want me to do for you?" And they said to him, "Grant us to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your glory." But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" They replied, "We are able." Then Jesus said to them, "The cup that I drink you will drink; and with the baptism with which I am baptized, you will be baptized; but to sit at my right hand or at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared." 41 When the ten heard this, they began to be angry with James and John. So Jesus called them and said to them, "You know that among the Gentiles those whom they recognize as their rulers lord it over them, and their great ones are tyrants over them. But it is not so among you; but whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many." |
How did Jesus respond to the situation? How does this teaching relate to the value of inclusion?
The political perspectives between Matthew, a Roman tax collector, and Simon, the revolutionary Zealot, would have created enormous tension. Why did this not get in the way of their ministry?
What similarities or differences exist between us? What growth have you experienced as a result?
1. Scripture references taken from New Revised Standard Version Bible, © 1989.
2. Many discussion questions taken from “What Community Can’t Do Without,” © 2003. Willow Creek Community Church.
