TLC Questions for Week of February 11th

Week of February 18

- TLC Questions From Luke 19:1-10 -

“How Big is God’s Kingdom?”

On His way to Jerusalem Jesus had an encounter with a tax collector named Zaccheus. The name Zaccheus means ‘righteous one,’ but for the most part tax collectors were known to be anything but righteous. Tax collectors worked for the Roman government and the Jews considered them unclean Gentiles and traitors to Israel. Tax collectors also enjoyed great wealth because they collected more taxes than required from their fellow countrymen, the Jews. In the eyes of the Jew Zaccheus was hopelessly lost, but Jesus looked at Zaccheus as a precious lost sinner. In this story the Lord shows us that His Kingdom is much Bigger and much Greater than anyone can ever imagine.

1. Zaccheus was given the name ‘righteous one’ by his mother and father who
had great hopes for their son to grow up and be a man devoted to God, but
instead, he turned away from God to wealth and riches.

• Do you believe his parents ever lost hope that their son’s salvation?
• What do you believe their daily prayer must have been?
• Do you believe God heard their prayers?
• What does this tell us about our lost family and friends?

2. Jesus was in the area of Samaria heading for Jerusalem, but went out of His
way to go through Jericho where He had an encounter with at least two lost
sinners.

• Do you believe the Lord knew that the blind beggar (18:35) and Zaccheus, would be there?
• Do you believe these men woke up that morning knowing this would be a day of salvation?
• How does that line up with that day you were saved?

3. (vs 3-4) Being a short man, Zaccheus put in a lot of sweat and effort to
climb that sycamore tree because the first limb is long way up from the ground.

• Why do you believe this rich and wealthy man put away his dignity to climb a tree as a child just to look at someone passing through town?
• Do you believe Zaccheus was seeking Jesus or was Jesus seeking him?
• Who do you believe instigated this whole encounter? (see John 15:16;16:5-9)
• (Read Genesis 3:6-9) Who sought out our first parents when they sinned?
• How does this line up with verse 10?

4. (vs 7) Those who criticized Jesus also needed to be saved.

• Why didn’t Jesus invite Himself to their house?
• Will Jesus force Himself into someone’s life? Why or why not?

5. (vs 8) Something happened to Zaccheus in his encounter with Jesus.

• What do you believe changed this man’s life?
• Do you believe that Jesus told Zaccheus what to do and what to say?
• What is Zaccheus doing?
  
• What one action gives proof of a true salvation expeience?