Sermon & Small Group Resources This is the fifth sermon in our series on the Encountering Jesus from Luke. This sermon is ‘The Faithful Centurion’. Preacher: The Rev’d Dr Daniel Rouhead. Bible Reading: Luke 7:1-10 DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF). Next Steps this Week BIBLE READING: Luke 7:1-10 When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well. SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS Download in PDF format. CONNECT: What is one way in which forgiveness from God is evident in your day-to-day life? WARM-UP Share with the group a “marvelous” experience you’ve had. What made it so special? Share with the group how others have helped you through a time of illness? Read Luke 7:1-6a Why is the centurion a surprising Why did the centurion not go to meet Jesus himself? How are the centurion’s reasons for not going directly to Jesus similar to people’s reasons today? How is the centurion’s position like our own or different from ours? What role do the elders play in the story? Why do we think these particular people have been sent to talk to Jesus on behalf of the centurion? What do we learn about worthiness? Who is worthy in this encounter? Read Luke 7:6b-8 How does the centurion compare his authority to Jesus’ authority? Does the centurion attribute more, or less, authority to Jesus than Jesus actually has? How does our own view of Jesus’ authority compare to the centurion’s? How does our view of Jesus’ authority influence how we approach Jesus in times of trouble? Read Luke 7:9-10 Why is Jesus amazed by the centurion’s faith? What is his message to those listening when he commends the centurion’s faith? What did Jesus teach about faith just before this encounter (see Luke 6:46-49)? What do we learn from the centurion’s example? How can we be bold in approaching God, but also submit to God’s will in our lives? APPLY: How can we be a humble example of faith on our frontlines this week? Think of one setting or scenario. PRAYER Loving God, we thank for the example of the faithful centurion. Help us to confidently approach Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, trusting in his power and authority, so that we can grow in our faith and demonstrate that faith on our frontlines. In Jesus’ name, Amen. GOING DEEPER On Your Frontline This Week: Who has God placed on your frontlines recently that you can intentionally invest in relationship? Listen, Watch, and Read: Audio: “The Authority for Change” (Luke 7:1-23) by William Taylor Audio: “An Outsider’s Amazing Faith” (Luke 7:1-10) by Chris Wright Audio: “Can I have Faith?” (Luke 7:1-10) by Rico Tice Audio: “Faith in Jesus” (Luke 7:1-10) by Tim Keller (PAID) SERIES Resources: Series overview booklet Scripture Journal: for the Gospel of Luke. For example, https://bit.ly/3A6N9CO Book: The Infographic Bible by Karen Sawrey (the visualisations of the way in which people interacted with Jesus are particularly helpful) Book: Luke for Everyone by Tom Wright St Bartʼs Library Resources for Current Series Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together. Families: Read, Chat, Do, and Pray High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions Kids’ Talk: Watch the Kids’ Talk eBook: Watch the eBook
