
Thought for the Week – based on the 0915 service
Sunday 26th November
Sunday 3rd December was a joint Christingle service at 10:30
Brief Encounters
Zacchaeus
Bible reading:
Luke 19:1-10
Ben’s talk is available here
Questions
- Why do you think Zacchaeus chose to climb a tree to see Jesus, despite his status. What does this reveal?
- Reflect on a time in your life when you experienced a profound encounter with Jesus. How did it affect your perspective and actions?
- Discuss the concept of repentance as portrayed in Zacchaeus’ story. How does genuine repentance lead to both a change of heart and practical actions in our lives?
- Consider the role of acceptance and grace in Jesus’s interaction with Zacchaeus. How can we apply this model of acceptance in our relationships with others?
- Explore the idea of immediate transformation in the context of your faith journey. In what areas have you experienced rapid change, and in what areas are you growing?
Luke 19:1-10
He entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor, and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”