Study Guide for

Walk Across the Room:

“The Best Gift Ever”

February 1, 2009

Open Up

Tell your group about one of the most expensive gifts you’ve given or received. OPTIONAL: Tell your group about one of the most meaningful gifts you’ve given or received – which may not be the same as the item in your first answer! TRANSITION: The true worth of a gift is not directly linked to its dollar value. In this study, we’ll begin to learn how to help others unwrap the best gift ever.

Dig In

(1) BACKGROUND: Though we may joke about our government and the Internal Revenue Service, in Jesus’ time Jews hated tax collectors because these men worked for the Roman conquerors and used the power of Imperial troops to seize far more than standard taxes – the modern equivalent might be a foreign power invading the U.S. and using gang leaders and mercenaries to take money. Read Luke 19:1-10. What is Jesus’ mission statement? What obstacles to his mission did he face in this story?

(2) Read Luke 7:1-10. In most cases, Roman soldiers and Jewish civilians hated each other. What can we learn about the centurion based on his concern for his servant and the willingness of the Jewish leaders to take his request to Jesus? What gift was the centurion able to give his servant? What barriers did the centurion need to cross to “walk across the room” (figuratively speaking) to ask Jesus for help? What gifts did the centurion receive from Jesus?

(3) Read Mark 10:13-16. What gifts did these adults want to give their children? What barrier did they need to overcome to “walk across the room”? How does this story illustrate Jesus’ mission statement?

Work On

(1) Tell your group about at least one person who helped you “unwrap” the best gift ever – someone who “walked across the room” to help you along your journey to God.

(2) Before your next group meeting, if you are still able to contact the person who helped you, thank him or her in a letter, phone call, or email. If you are not able to contact the person who helped you, choose someone in your life with similar qualities, and encourage him or her.

Lift Up

Pray by name for one person to whom you can give the best gift ever – helping that person on his or her walk towards Jesus. Consider sharing that name with someone in your group so that your partner can pray for you and encourage you.

Another Step – Advanced Study

(1) Read John 3:1-10. How did Jesus’ interaction with Nicodemus differ from his interactions with Zacchaeus, the centurion, and the little children?

(2) Discuss with your group some evangelism “formulas” they may have heard about or used: step-by-step methods to tell people about Jesus. What are the advantages and disadvantages to having a prepared plan for sharing your faith?