Bible Studies
Ses'khona # 1We Are Here ... to Look to Jesus
Bongiwe Dumezweni
Luke 4:16-30; 5:17-26
AIDS Bible Studies
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Personal Reflection
Think of someone you have been hesitant to care for, for some reason. Spend a little time in silence writing down what it is that is preventing you from reaching out to this person.
Today's Study
As a medical doctor, Luke has a special interest in Jesus' care for people who are sick or diseased. Luke also focuses on Jesus' concern for the poor, needy, and outcast, and Jesus' sensitivity to gender issues. By looking to Jesus in each of these areas of living we learn to respond biblically to HIV/AIDS. Our goal is to see the pandemic through the eyes of Christ.
Read the story of Jesus in Nazareth, Luke 4:16-30, in two voices: Choose one person to read as narrator and the other as Jesus. Try to communicate the different moods or feelings in the story to the group as you read.
1. Identify the different moods or feelings in this story and work out where the changes in mood occur and why.
2. How would you describe the atmosphere in the synagogue when Jesus refers to God favoring foreigners rather than Israelites? (v.23-28)
3. Do the Jews react so violently to Jesus' choice of Scripture, or to his sermon in the synagogue, or to both? Explain your observation.
4. a. From everything that Jesus has said what would you say is his life mission
and which groups of people did he most care about?
b. Do you identify with any of the groups Jesus has come to serve? Explain your choice to the group.
5. Where do people infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS fit into the mission
of Jesus?
6. Do churches and Christian groups respond similarly or differently to the Nazareth synagogue when it comes to reaching out to outcasts in society?
Ask your two readers to read a second story in two voices: Luke 5:17-26
7. What kinds of care and compassion are expressed in this story? (v. 18-20)
8. a. Why is it significant that Jesus' first response to the paralytic is to forgive his sins? (v. 20)
b. How are forgiveness and spiritual healing connected in the total healing of a person, including those with HIV/AIDS?
9. In what ways could your group be less like the Pharisees in these two stories and more like Jesus when it comes to people with HIV/AIDS?
Pray in Pairs
Look back at the reflection you wrote before today's study. Briefly tell a
partner how today's Scripture passages have challenged you in the area of care
and compassion. Pray together for openness to Christ's lead during the coming
Ses'khona studies. Ask for hearts to love and care for people in a new way.
Come back as we publish more studies in the following weeks!
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