I hope you are hanging in there and not allowing yourself to fizzle and fade through these last few weeks! You have come too far to give up now, so let’s give it one more boost of effort and finish strong! Better yet, let’s draw strength from the Holy Spirit to glean as much as we can from this study to the very end and allow Him to transform our hearts and lives!

We have covered quite a bit of ground this week, and I am excited to dig right in with you. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

DAY ONE

Nothing grieves my heart more than to hear stories of abuse of small children, women, the elderly, the mentally or physically impaired, someone under the authority of their abuser, or anyone who is dependent on another in some capacity. This is particularly startling in the church! I can imagine how this must grieve the heart of God! As a matter of fact, Jesus makes his feelings plain and clear concerning this point.

On Day One, Jesus gave a stern warning about causing a “little one” to stumble or be trapped by sin. This could refer to children, but it may also include anyone who is less mature in the faith, weaker physically or mentally, lower in authority, etc. We are not to take advantage of our position to abuse those we should be mentoring or cause them to trip and fall.

While each person is responsible for their own choices, Jesus let it be known that it is a seriously grievous thing to be the one who causes someone else to fall or be entrapped by sin. The Greek word is Skandalon, which denotes “the trigger of a trap on which the bait is placed, and which, when touched by the animal, springs and causes it to close causing entrapment.” This usually refers to a sin that could ruin someone’s life. I would hate to be the one who sets out the bait! Jesus said, it would be better for the abuser to be “thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around his neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble!”

In the next set of verses, Jesus also talked about forgiving our brothers and sisters over and over again when they wrong us. He wanted us to understand that unforgiveness can also be a trap to enslave us, harden our hearts, and cause devastation in our lives. One connection here to the previous verses is that someone can cause a “little one” to stumble by doing something so unforgivable that they are caught in a trap of unforgiveness that can cause them to be enslaved to sin.

Can you imagine a child being abused by someone he was supposed to trust and then carrying that baggage his entire life? Sure, God can heal and deliver, but it will be a long process before the abused will understand and truly be able to forgive. In the mean time, this situation can thrust the child into a life of devastating sin.

But, this isn’t just about physical children. We also have the responsibility to help nurture and encourage those who are new in the faith, and in love, we must be careful in the way we live to not put a stumbling block in their path that will cause them to be vulnerable to the tricks of the enemy.

DAY TWO

Today we explored the requirements of those who become infected with the extremely contagious skin disease, leprosy. The physical pain of the disease is only the start. The law required people who were infected with leprosy to live outside the village to prevent the spread of the disease. They were to shout out “Unclean” to be sure no one would come close to them and be potentially infected as well.  Being separated from their families and being cast out away from society would be a fate worse than death for most people, and the loneliness and rejection would be compounded by the fact that there was no cure for this disease and no hope to ever be able to return to the ones they love.

As Jesus journeyed through the border of Samaria and Galilee, he passed by a leper colony, and some of the infected men shouted for Jesus to have mercy on them. They didn’t just want his pity, but they wanted the Healer to relieve their misery.  Jesus didn’t just heal them, he told them to take a walk of faith and present themselves to the priest. It was the priest’s responsibility to examine those who had been healed of leprosy and to perform a cleansing ritual to ensure the safe return to their homes. However, Jesus had sent them to the priest before any healing had taken place. But, as Scripture tells us, “AS THEY WENT, they were cleansed” (Luke 17:14). It took faith for them to head toward the priest before seeing any manifestation of their healing.

Interestingly, while Jesus had healed 10 men, only 1 returned to give Him praise and thanks. Where were the other men? Had their focus been on their condition for so long that they forgot about the Healer? How often have we neglected to give Him thanks for all that He has done for us?

DAY THREE

In Days 3 and 4, we read of two wealthy men who had opposite encounters with Jesus. The first is the rich young ruler. He had obeyed God’s commands all his life, but his righteousness was more about outward acts than it was about the heart. Jesus knew exactly what was preventing him from entering into the Kingdom, and He called the man out on it. He told him to sell all his possessions, give them to the poor, and then come follow Him. The man couldn’t do it because his wealth had such a tight grip on him. He was a prisoner to his possessions. Therefore, instead of releasing what had him in bondage and allowing himself to be free, he walked away in great sorrow.

The man had the potential for freedom standing right in front of him. But, he chose to remain in his bondage instead of giving up what was truly dear to him. He chose his “god.” Jesus then said something very interesting in Luke 18:24-25, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Jesus isn’t saying that rich people can never be saved, but the problem is when possessions become idols. God will not compete for first place in our hearts!

DAY FOUR

The next encounter with a wealthy man had a much different outcome!

Zacchaeus was also a rich man, but he was also a greedy, crooked tax collector. He didn’t live such a spotless life as the previous rich man did. But, one encounter with Jesus would completely change this man forever! When he heard Jesus was coming, he climbed up in a sycamore tree so he could see Jesus. As a short man, he knew he didn’t have much of a chance catching a glimpse through the thick crowd. When Jesus looked up at him, he invited himself to Zacchaeus’ house.

Immediately, Zacchaeus was transformed in the presence of Jesus. And, it wasn’t just an outward transformation, but it was a change of heart. He pledged half of his income to give to the poor, and with the rest, he would pay back every single person he had cheated four times over. Jesus didn’t even have to ask this man to sell all he had; he was willing to let it all go in order to gain an even greater treasure. The first man could only see what he stood to lose, but Zacchaeus saw how much he had to gain!

I am comforted by the Scripture in Jeremiah that tells us that when we seek God with all our hearts, we WILL find Him (Jeremiah 29:13). Zacchaeus wasn’t going to let this moment slip by, and we must not miss the opportunity to draw near to Christ and allow Him to transform our hearts and lives in His presence. When we go through things in this life that we don’t understand, and we question where God is, we can know that He is never far away. Seek Him with all your heart, and He will be found by you!

DAY FIVE

I remember as a preteen praying that Jesus wouldn’t come back at least until I was married and had children. As a young girl, that is a natural desire. However, I then would feel guilty for wanting those things more than wanting Jesus in person. Since then, however, I have witnessed the effects of this sin-ravished earth, and the abundance of unspeakable suffering, and my heart’s cry has become, “Lord, Jesus, come quickly!”

Of course, I long more to see the wonderful face of Jesus. I can hardly wait to thank Him and worship Him for all of eternity! However, the earth is groaning for relief, and only Jesus can bring it. He is the only One who can restore all that has been broken and damaged by the enemy’s schemes to steal, kill, and destroy.

The one thing that causes me hesitation is that I want everyone on earth to know Jesus and to go to heaven with me. I don’t want to see anyone miss out! Thankfully, God is patient and willing for no one to suffer. He will not send Christ to gather us up until the Gospel has been preached to every nation. He will make sure everyone has an opportunity to make the choice to accept His free gift of salvation. Until then, we have a mission to fulfill! We need to proclaim the Good News!

Meanwhile, Jesus explained signs to look for to know that His coming is close at hand. Some of it involves tribulation and an increase in persecution, natural disasters, and violence. However, the good news is that He will pour out His Spirit in the last days. He will empower us to fulfill the Great Commission of making disciples of all nations!

Sisters, these are the worst of times, but these are also the best of times!

WEEK EIGHT DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

QUESTION 1: Difficult-to-forgive circumstances can set a trap. How does Satan use unforgiveness as bait to entrap us in sin (2 Cor. 2:10-11) (Luke 17:1-4)?

QUESTION 2: What has Jesus done for you? Have you given Him thanks? Share a time Jesus remedied your misery, healed you, or restored brokenness in your life. (Luke 17:11-19)

QUESTION 3: Jesus then said something very interesting in Luke 18:24-25, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” What do you think Jesus meant by this? (Luke 18:18-29)

QUESTION 4: We saw two rich men. One who had obeyed the law and lived a moral life but didn’t make it because his god was his money. Then the other who was a greedy, crooked tax collector but was transformed in an instant before the presence of the Lord. What are some marked differences you see that Christ has done in your own life, whether in demeanor or life practice? (Luke 19:1-9)

QUESTION 5: When was the last time you said, “Lord, Jesus, come quickly!”? What are some reasons you are looking forward to the return of Christ? What are some ways we can be prepared for His coming? (Luke 21) (Matthew 24)

Homework for the Week

1. Please work on the five days of homework in Week 9: “The Lamb of God,” pp. 193 – 215.
2. (Optional) View Beth Moore’s video. (This is not required because of the cost. The study can be completed without the videos.) Here is a link to the viewer guides with the answers if you are unable to view the videos.
3. Attend a small group meeting in our Heart to Heart Facebook group. 
4. Scripture of the week:

When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Luke 21:28 NIV

Have a blessed week!