2023
Good News for the Poor
Passage: 2 Kings 4:1-7 and Luke 4:14-19
“The prophet’s word is a scream in the night. While the world is at ease and asleep, the prophet feels the blast from heaven. The prophet faces a coalition of callousness and established authority and undertakes to stop a mighty stream with mere words. The purpose of prophecy is to conquer callousness, to change the inner person as well as to revolutionize history.” — Abraham Heschel, Essential Writings
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
What are you aware of loosing in this season of life? What feels lost, missed, or broken? What are you working hard to preserve in this season?
Read 2 Kings 4:1-7. What do you observe about God from this passage? What does this story teach us about who God is, what he cares about, and how he cares for his people? Why did God care about the widow in this passage?
The widow in this story had resilient faith. What did her faith look like? What action did she take?
Read Luke 4:14-19. Our good works serve as signs that proclaim “the year of our Lord’s favor.” What is the good news that our good works proclaim? How does the bigger story of God’s redemptive purposes impact your actions and faith today?
The church father Augustine wrote, “All people should be loved equally. But you cannot do good to all people equally, so you should take particular thought for those who, as if by lot, happen to be particularly close to you in terms of place, time, or any other circumstances.” How do you see this idea (of doing the small, ordinary, local acts of love and justice) reflected in the passage? How does this idea challenge and encourage you in looking to the interests of others?
How did the widow experience God’s help? How have you experienced God’s abundance?
What do we need to remember, rejoice in, request, or repent of from this passage?
PRAYER
Spend time praying for resurrection hope and a neediness toward God in your present circumstances. Ask God for grateful hearts to see his goodness and receive his mercy. Enjoy the truth that God knows you fully and loves you deeply.
Share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week?
28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matthew 11:28-29)