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Week of 4-26-26

John 10:1-10

[Jesus said:] 1“Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. 2The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” 6Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

 7So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Acts 2:42-47

42[The baptized] devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

 43Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. 44All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

Discovery Questions:

1. As a kid, did you have a favorite pet? How did this pet respond when it heard your voice?

2. Who have been the comforting voices in your life?

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3. What is Jesus describing with this metaphor of a shepherd and the sheep?

4. What does it mean to hear Jesus’ voice? How do you hear it or recognize it?

5. Have you ever wondered whether it was Jesus speaking to you or a spiritual stranger’s voice that was leading you astray? How do you tell the difference?

6. How do you discern the voice of Jesus from other voices that vie for your attention?

7. What are favorite Bible verses that speak Jesus’ voice to you?

8. Jesus speaks of offering abundant life. What does abundant life mean to you here? What are the elements of abundant life that Jesus offers?

9. Acts 2 describes a time of abundance in the early church. What does it mean to be “devoted to the apostle’s teachings”

“devoted to fellowship.”

“devoted to the breaking of bread and prayers”?

10. How do these practices connect with Jesus’ words on hearing his voice? How might they lead to a sense of abundance? Which are most important for you?

A: apostle’s teachings

B: fellowship

C: breaking of bread (communion)

D: prayer

11. What awareness do you have of the ways First Lutheran and its members pray? What would be on that list of ways prayer happens?

12. Acts 2 is a list of simple activities. How does First Lutheran live this description?

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13. Have you known people who are materially poor, but spiritually rich? Is that possible?

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Week of 4/19/26

Luke 24:13-35

13Now on that same day [when Jesus had appeared to Mary Magdalene,] two [disciples] were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, 14and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, 16but their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17And he said to them, “What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?” They stood still, looking sad. 18Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?” 19He asked them, “What things?” They replied, “The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. 22Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, 23and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.” 25Then he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! 26Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?” 27Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures.

 28As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. 29But they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.” So he went in to stay with them. 30When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. 31Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. 32They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” 33That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. 34They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” 35Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

Questions

1. When things are bad, where do you go to “get yourself together”?

2. Why do you think the two are walking away from Jerusalem? Even after they heard rumors about Mary and Jesus?

3. What things do you imagine they were talking about? What tone to the conversation would it be?

4. They said “We had hoped.” What hopes were dashed? See vs 21. What had they imagine would have happened?

5. Why didn’t the two recognize Jesus when he joined them? Too preoccupied. Never looked him in the eye. Just could see?

6. When they heard the report about the empty tomb, what did they assume?

7. Why did Jesus begin with Moses and the prophets to explain what happened? What meaning would this have for them? How is the OT necessary to know Jesus?

8. What opened their eyes to Jesus. Where had Jesus acted in a way like this before?

9. Why did Jesus leave them?

10. Where is your “Road to Emmaus” the place where Jesus surprised you recently?

11. Have you ever felt like running away or throwing in the towel spiritually? What kept you in the faith?

12. What has helped you recognize Jesus walking alongside you when you are down spiritually?