Faith

Scripture Reading: Luke 6:46-49

Opening Question:

What part of this passage stands out most to you?

Core Question 1:

According to Jesus, what two different foundations can we build our life on?

Core Question 2:

Do you think there is any kind of middle ground when it comes to our faith?

Core Question 3:

What did Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor and theologian who was executed by the Nazis during the last days of WWII, believe about a middle ground when it comes to our faith?

“If we would follow Jesus we must take certain definite steps.  The first step, which follows the call, cuts the disciple off from his previous existence.  The call to follow at once produces a new situation.  To stay in the old situation makes discipleship impossible.  Levi must leave the receipt of custom and Peter his nets in order to follow Jesus.  One would have thought that nothing so drastic was necessary at such an early stage…The first step places the disciple in the situation where faith is possible.  If he refuses to follow and stays behind, he does not learn how to believe.  He who is called must go out of his situation in which he cannot believe, into the situation in which, first and foremost, faith is possible.”

Concluding Question:

What would it look like to live as if Bonhoeffer’s words are true: that each decision we make and step we take either leads us toward Jesus as a firm foundation or away from him to a place of instability?