Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Jesus at a Pharisees House

Scripture Reading
Last Sunday we learned a new word.  Who can tell me what that new word was? (humble)  That’s right?  What does it mean to be humble? (Help others, put others before yourself).  Those are great answers!  Today we are going read a story from the bible to learn more from Jesus about how important it is to be humble!

Say: Read Luke 14:1-14 from The Message

Luke 14:1-14

14 1-3 One time when Jesus went for a Sabbath meal with one of the top leaders of the Pharisees, all the guests had their eyes on him, watching his every move. Right before him there was a man hugely swollen in his joints. So Jesus asked the religion scholars and Pharisees present, “Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath? Yes or no?”
4-6 They were silent. So he took the man, healed him, and sent him on his way. Then he said, “Is there anyone here who, if a child or animal fell down a well, wouldn’t rush to pull him out immediately, not asking whether or not it was the Sabbath?” They were stumped. There was nothing they could say to that.

Invite the Misfits

7-9 He went on to tell a story to the guests around the table. Noticing how each had tried to elbow into the place of honor, he said, “When someone invites you to dinner, don’t take the place of honor. Somebody more important than you might have been invited by the host. Then he’ll come and call out in front of everybody, ‘You’re in the wrong place. The place of honor belongs to this man.’ Red-faced, you’ll have to make your way to the very last table, the only place left.
10-11 “When you’re invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come up to the front.’ That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I’m saying is, If you walk around with your nose in the air, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself.”

12-14 Then he turned to the host. “The next time you put on a dinner, don’t just invite your friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Invite some people who never get invited out, the misfits from the wrong side of the tracks. You’ll be—and experience—a blessing. They won’t be able to return the favor, but the favor will be returned—oh, how it will be returned!—at the resurrection of God’s people.”
Lesson
Who did Jesus visit in the story? (A Pharisee) Why did Jesus say you shouldn't sit in the seat of honor? (asked to move to a seat that is not as good/humiliated) What may happen if you sit in the worst seat? (asked to move to a better seat) Do you think it is a good idea to act like you? are better than others? Why or why not?  (take responses) Why do you think Jesus told this parable? (take responses; to teach us to be humble)
Jesus wanted the people to learn that everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.  Jesus also taught the people to invite all kinds of people when having a feast. Even though they cannot repay you, you will receive your reward in heaven.
Jesus cares about the people around and Jesus wants us to help them.  

Memory Verse

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble - Proverbs 3:34

Prayer- Ask for Joys and Requests
Say a prayer thanking God for his love, and for sending his son, Jesus, so that we can live forever with Jesus.  Ask God to help us be humble.  

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