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Living Beneath Our Privileges |
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LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
Wednesday Night, March 28, 2007
“Living Beneath Our Privileges”
5 Minutes - Welcome / Prayer
5 Minutes - OPEN
Would you consider yourself to have grown up being privileged? If so, why do you feel that way about your circumstances? What is the basis of the privileged state your feel?
Describe someone you know about right now that is “living beneath their privileges.” What is it about their life that causes you to characterize them in such a way?
15 Minutes - DIG
Remember Jesus’ parables in Luke 15 were prompted by the arrogance and judgmental spirit of the religious leaders of his day (Luke 15:1-2). By closing this section with the reference to the elder brother (which is the focus of our attention in our discussion tonight), he says in effect – “this is what you look like, filled with no concern about the sinners around you.”
Why does it seem this was such a common problem with the religious people of his day? As bad as we feel toward these people, are we really any different? Justify your answer.
After reading the Parable of the Lost Son (Luke 15:11-32) again, identify all of the “heart issues” the elder brother displayed in this scene? What troubles you the most about his attitude?
One of the issues involved in his living beneath his privileged state is that it seems the elder brother didn’t know his father at all. Without question, this parable is told with the view of comparing this gracious and loving father depicted with our Heavenly Father.
In your view, how many religious people really don’t know the real character, personality, and heart of our Heavenly Father? How can we spend a lifetime going through the motions but never really come to know God? What care should we exercise to be assured such doesn’t happen to us or especially the generations which succeed us? What changes must we make to insure such doesn’t happen?
Why was the elder brother so resentful toward his young brother and his father?
What if the elder brother would have responded differently? How could this story have ended?
Have the group work together to draft a positive and inspiring ending to this story.
15 Minutes - REFLECT
List some people you know about tonight who are “lost.” Do your actions toward the lost people in your circle of influence compare with the spirit and actions you see demonstrated in the parables in Luke 15?
If you believe you are in step with God on this matter, what are the actions you are currently taking to reach out with love, forgiveness, and mercy to those lost individuals?
How serious is the problem of jealousy in your life?
The elder brother didn’t seem to be interested in anyone but himself. He had only his own concerns, preferences, and pleasures in mind.
You could say that at the beginning of the story, the same seemed to be true of the prodigal son.
What do we unknowingly do in our homes creating such self-centeredness in our children? Do you have any concerns about such with your children?
In your mind, what does it mean that you’ve been given a privileged status in the kingdom of God to be a blessing to others (Acts 20:35; 1 Peter 2:9)?
5 Minutes - CLOSING PRAYER
How have you been convicted by this discussion? What resolves have you made tonight that spring from this discussion?
Pray about these matters one by one and bring them before our Heavenly Father.
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