Bible Study “The Pharisee and the Tax Collector”
Share: Your highs (something that made you happy) and lows (something that made you sad) this week with others around you or write them down.
It’s not about stuff, Jesus is telling us. It is about a new thing God is doing. It is not about buildings, even our churches. Buildings will not last. It is our commitment to God that is the source of our endurance.
If today's passage were a movie, it would probably be rated at least PG! The trick will be to find amid all the violence the promise Jesus is making to his disciples.
Opening Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for guiding us through our days. Be with us as we explore your lesson for today. Amen.
Please open your Bibles to Luke 21:5-19 and read or read the scriptures below.
Luke 21:5-19
The Destruction of the Temple and Signs of the End Times
5 Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, 6 “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”
7 “Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”
8 He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. 9 When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”
10 Then he said to them: “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12 “But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you. They will hand you over to synagogues and put you in prison, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. 13 And so you will bear testimony to me. 14 But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. 15 For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers and sisters, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 Everyone will hate you because of me. 18 But not a hair of your head will perish. 19 Stand firm, and you will win life.
Reflection Questions:
- What do we know about "The Temple?" (It was huge, beautiful, and the pride of the people. It had taken years to build and cost a ton of money to build.)
- What does Jesus say will happen to this huge, well-built temple? (It will be a pile of stones.)
- What do the disciples ask Jesus in verse 7? (They are still looking for signs.)
- What does Jesus answer? (Beware! Many will say they have the truth. Stick with Jesus.)
- What are some of the awful things Jesus says will happen? (Wars, earthquakes, famine and plagues, even signs from heaven.)
- What else does Jesus say will happen to the disciples? (They will be dragged into court and betrayed.)
- What comfort does Jesus offer? (Verse 15: don't worry about figuring out in advance what you will say, Jesus will give them the words they need.)
- What do you think Jesus meant in verse18? (They may be killed, but Jesus has overcome death.)
- How might we put into words what Jesus says in verse 19? (Some hints to help the children come up with their own wording: Endurance means hanging in there; gaining your souls means choosing God's way.)
Click here for the young learner’s lesson
Videos (Click on url)
Lumo Project Gospel of Luke 21:5-19 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09j-IgF2VGw
Dollar Store Children Sermons - Luke 21:5-19 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIk8sQBtD9g
Song
I Will Not Be Afraid Roar VBS Group Publishing - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gdBRllf_sw
Activities:
Journal: (Try and keep a journal for each Sunday for a year) write or draw in your journals: Pretend you are Jesus teaching his disciples. Draw all the disasters that will happen to these disciples. Think about how to portray that Jesus will be there with the disciples in all they have to endure and that they will be with Jesus forever during and after their ordeals.
Family Prayer Box: In Luke’s gospel, Jesus warned his followers against overreacting. Faced with fears, rumors, and external pressures, followers might be tempted to act rashly. Instead, Jesus insists his followers should trust His Spirit to guide them.
In these uncertain times, we need to take His words to heart and pray. One way to address family fears and place them before the Lord can be found in making a “Family Prayer Box.” Then have family members write down fears and anxieties on sheets of paper and place them in the prayer box. Offer the box and its contents to God each night this week. Open the box at the end of the week and discuss how God answered prayers.
Give Thanks Poster: Find pictures or stickers to glue onto an orange piece of construction paper with the title “GIVE THANKS FOR NO FEAR BECAUSE JESUS IS HERE”.
Signs of the End of the Age Crossword: https://sermons4kids.com/signs_of_the_end_crossword.htm?fromSermonId=235
Signs of the End of the Age Decoder: https://sermons4kids.com/signs_of_the_end_decoder.htm?fromSermonId=235
Word Search: https://thewordsearch.com/puzzle/4280221/jesus-tells-the-future/
Prayer: Thank you, God, that you are with us especially when things are awful. Help us to remember this and help us be there for each other. Amen.
