Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional. This week, as we continue in our Luke series, we will be using Luke 8:1-3 as inspiration. If you find these devotionals helpful, do pass them on to others.
‘After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.’ (Luke 8:1-3)
Lesson: As we invite people to know the King and enter the Kingdom, it’s often helpful to share of how Jesus has healed or helped you.
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Many of the people who tell their story of coming to faith include how other people’s stories have helped them. Our testimony of how Jesus brought us to faith or how He has working in our lives can be greatly used by the Holy Spirit to bring others to faith or to renewed faith. In Luke's account, he includes stories of how Jesus was forgiving and brought healing and freedom to people. In today’s reading, he writes about these female disciples:
‘The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others.’
Luke includes the details of their healing and even, as with Joanna, that she was of higher social status. These details not only tell us that Jesus welcomes all to be His disciples, but these testimonies also help people who are sick, oppressed by dark powers, or are of higher rank to come to Jesus knowing that He welcomes them and wants to help them.
You have a story to tell of how Jesus brought you to faith and how He has helped you. Whether you grew up in a Christian home, came from drug addiction, grew up with great privilege… your story can help others to come to faith.
Response
As we invite people to know the King and enter the Kingdom, it’s often helpful to share of how Jesus has healed or helped you. A great example of this is what Jesus says to the man, like Mary Magdalene, who was delivered from many demons later in this gospel:
‘The man from whom the demons had gone out begged to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.’ (Luke 8:38-39)
Like this man, and like these women, may we share the good news of the Kingdom of God and include ‘how much God has done for [us].’
COMMUNITY GROUP NOTES AND STUDY
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
Please ensure that the members of your group are aware and familiar with using the daily devotionals.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
This week, as we continue in our Luke series, we will be using Luke 8:1-3 as inspiration.
Please read Luke :8:1-3
What were you particularly struck by from Sunday’s message from Luke 8:1-3?
What would you say is the central teaching of this narrative?
We are told that ‘Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God.’ How would you describe the Kingdom of God and what is the good news about it? (If you need help, you can find a in this devotional here: https://www.communitychurchputney.com/post/983-the-good-news-of-the-kingdom-of-god-5-2-24 )
Why do you think that Luke specifically mentions that women were included among in His disciples?
What does this teach about giving to the ongoing work of Jesus through His church? (Please ensure that you’ve shared the notice, from church news, about our aim to increase our giving.)
SIV - What does this text teach about our mission in life? (See also Luke 4:43-44, 5:10-11).
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
Let’s pray together that, this week, we will have opportunities to SIV; and pray for anything else that’s come out of our time in God’s Word.
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