Real Life ~ Real Answers

A Complaining Family


On the way home from church one Sunday, the Stewart Family begins to complain. Dad complains about the deacon who he believes is trying to make all the decisions. Mom, ignoring Dad’s complaint, starts complaining about how long the pastor preaches. She thinks he needs to be done earlier so everyone can go home to eat and have time to rest before the evening service. The teenage daughter begins complaining about how another girl had talked to her about something she said this morning and the little brother began complaining about how hungry he was and wished Dad would drive faster so they could get home to eat.

Evaluate the Stewart Family’s comments. What do you think their attitudes were like when they left church?
How could the Mom have changed the direction of the conversation?
What could the family be thankful about instead of their complaining?

Women at the Burial

Moving on in our study of the women in Luke, we find that there are women at His burial. The same women who were at His death followed His body to his burial.  We talk a bit today about Joseph who buried Christ's body as well as what these women did for Christ even at this moment. Again, these verses remind us of the devotion that these women had to Christ.  Their example should cause us to consider our devotion to Christ.

The Women at the Cross

In Luke 23:44-49, we read about the death of Jesus. We rejoice to read that the centurion believed in Christ at His death. We also read that Christ's acquaintances and the women were watching from a distance. We take some time today to identify each of these women and talk about them and their role in Christ's life.

These women's names were compiled from Matthew 27:55-56, Mark 15:40-41, John 19:25 and Luke 24:10

• Mary - the mother of Jesus.
• Mary Magdalene - Luke 8:2 records Christ cast out demons from her. She is mentioned in all the Gospels in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.
• Salome - perhaps Mary's sister and mother of James and John.
• Mary the wife of Clopas - cannot be determined which Mary she is.
• Joanna - among the women who were healed of demons in Luke 8:2
• "Many other women"

These women were personally touched by Christ and showed their devotion to him through his death, burial and resurrection. Today, we are also personally loved by Christ and can also show our devotion to Him. How can we show our devotion to our Savior?

Thankfulness for Salvation

When was the last time you shared your salvation testimony with someone? Did you share it with thankfulness and excitement? Or did you grudgingly share it because you were asked to in front of a group?  Let us challenge you today to take some time to really thank God for the gift of your salvation. We read in Luke 23:32-49 the events leading to Christ's death on the cross. I am humbled as I am reminded of what Christ went through as He suffered for MY sake. Let this passage humble you and draw you to be ever more thankful to God each day. Then take your thankfulness to the next level --- share it excitedly with someone who needs to receive the same gift of salvation you have received.

Real Life ~ Real Answers

A Christian Hypocrite

Susan (who is saved, attends church faithfully and teaches SS) looks forward to her daughter’s basketball season starting. Her daughter has really improved in her ability to play the game since last year and Susan thinks her daughter will get a lot of playing time this year. The first game day arrives and as Susan anxiously waits for the game to start in the stands she cheers for her daughter during the warm-up time. Finally it’s time to start and as the starting line up is announced, her daughter is not one of the girls who is starting. Susan wonders why and by the time the first 5 minutes of the game has passed she becomes angry. She moves from her spot in the bleachers to sit closer to the coach and begins yelling for him to put her daughter in and goes on and on about how good of a player she is. The coach ignores Susan during game play, but during a time-out takes a minute to ask her kindly if she would not yell at him like that during the game. Susan becomes furious and begins to rant and rave over the fact that her daughter is not playing.

How well is Susan demonstrating what she believes?

What is she showing by her words and actions?

How should Susan respond? What would be a godly response in this situation?

"Do Not Weep For Me"

In Luke 23:26-31 we arrive at the scene where Simon is called upon to carry Christ's cross the rest of the way to the hill.  We read about the women who were mourning and lamenting for Christ as He faces this unjust condemnation. Christ takes time to address these women with compassion and care. As He does so, He tells them, "Do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children."  He goes on the explain how life will become much more difficult for them, even to the point where it will be more blessed to be barren than to have had delivered a child.  In the days ahead we will talk about some "meatier" things in this passage. So grab your Bible, concordance and commentary and study along with us!

Real Life ~ Real Answers

Reputation vs. Godliness

Tanya is extremely tough on her children. She expects them to behave perfectly when they are in public. She disciplines the children harshly when they embarrass her. She and her husband do not want other people, especially their church friends, to see them as inadequate parents. Tanya standing before others is pretty important to her. She wants to avoid giving people reasons to question her parenting abilities. Unfortunately when Tanya is home with the kids she does little to encourage them in spiritual things.

What is driving Tanya as she raises her children?

What does Tanya need to change to become a more godly mother to her children?

Giving Our All

In Luke 21:1-4 (cross reference Mark 12:41-44) we encounter Christ sitting with his disciples. He watches as the rich putting their gift in the offering and then sees a poor widow put in two small  copper coins. He uses this woman to be a wonderful example to not only the disciples who were with Christ, but to all who read the Scriptures.  Christ explains that she gave out of her poverty and it was all she had to live on. What faith! Christ alone would have known that this woman was so poor and that she gave ALL she had in faithfulness to God.  She had two coins and put both in...not withholding one for herself. Again, what faith! As you think of how you can give to God out of your own poverty, consider what God has given to you. If you have a moment, read this blog post http://www.ballastsandsails.blogspot.com/2011/08/g-o-o-d.html to be reminded of the goodness of God upon our lives. Then let it challenge you as you strive to be faithful to God.

You Can't Nag God

There is a difference between nagging and being persistent. When I nag I want my own way for my own benefit. When I am persistent in prayer I am seeking God's Will, God's way for God's glory. Steadfast, persistent, faithful prayer reveals my confidence in GOD! His justice, His faithfulness, His love! Today we all agreed regarding what gives confidence that God has heard prayer: First we have all seen His answers. He has done things in answer to prayer that ONLY HE can do like provide and protect. Second He tells us He hears!!! Psalm 77:1 I cry aloud to God, aloud to God, and he will hear me. Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Psalm 34:6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.

Real Life ~ Real Answers

Getting Perspective


Jake looked around his office, slid his phone from his pocket, and texted his wife: “I got it!” While others at Jake’s company were being laid off, he was getting a promotion. “Let’s meet at …” he texted again, naming a nice restaurant. Jake was thrilled about the promotion and wanted to celebrate. Later, on his way to meet his wife, he rehearsed in his mind the actions he’d taken to get the promotion. As the two enjoyed their meal, he repeated to her what he’d rehearsed to himself. Yes, Jake was quite pleased with himself. He felt life was good, and he was finally on his way!

What is unbiblical about Jake’s thinking?

If you were Jake’s wife, what Scripture and biblical principles would you use to help him to think biblically?

How could you pray for your husband in this situation?

Always Pray and Do Not Lose Heart

We begin studying Luke 18:1-8 today, often referred to as the parable of the Persistent Widow but in reality the focus of this story is prayer and the nature of God. This parable often gets misinterpreted, by emphasizing the widow’s persistence (hence the title). However, the point of the parable is that God is not like an unjust judge and you do not have to plead and beg to get him to listen to you. The parable shows a widow, the least powerful, least influential person in society pitted against one of the most powerful people of society. In the eyes of God, her prayers are as valid as any others. There is no distinction – no value judgment. She has every right to plead her case before God and God will hear that prayer. Why did Jesus tell this parable? So that we might ALWAYS PRAY and not lose heart/hope. That God is just! He hears and answers prayer.

What about me?

Today we sought to apply the principles we studied in Luke 15:1-8. Jesus’ respect for women as persons of dignity and worth and his inclusion of them as disciples and proclaimers in his life and ministry was very significant in its own first-century context for women and their place and activity in ministry in the earliest churches and is important. So what about me? Do I know how it feels to lose something and be desperate to find it, to put everything aside to find it, do nothing else until it is found? Have I experienced the utter joy and relief when someone I love and have prayed for comes to Christ and their life changes? Do I currently seek sinners like God seeks sinners? Nothing else really matters. What gives me joy??? Salvation of souls? If so what do I DO to participate with God?

Real Life ~ Real Answers

Never Lose Hope


Harriet has been friends with Paula since they were in high school. They married and moved into homes on the same street now 20 years ago. Harriet and her husband are saved and have faithfully attended the same church for 20 years. Her friend Paula has come off and on, but hasn’t yet made her decision to follow Christ. Harriet finds out that Paula and her husband have started showing interest in the Mormon church in town. Harriet is appalled that her friend would even consider joining a cult. As a result, she has started distancing herself Paula. She doesn’t get together with her anymore, and has stopped responding to her phone calls and e-mails. She has written Paula off as a lost cause and doesn’t see any hope for her to be saved anymore.

What could you say to Harriet to help her to think and respond rightly to her friend?

What can Harriet do to rescue her friend who has turned her back on God?

Jesus Seeks Sinners

We begin a study on the woman who lost a coin in her home in Luke 15:8-10. The stronger the opposition of scribes and Pharisees to Jesus became, the more the poor and oppressed felt drawn to Him. He did not repel them, as the Pharisees did, but ate and drank with them. Publicans and sinners gathered to His teaching, and He associated with them. The complaining by the religious was great: “This man receives sinners, and eats with them.” The defense of Jesus was in parables, and the Pharisees’ reproach may be thanked for three of the most beautiful parables Jesus ever spoke — the Lost Sheep (compare Mt 18:12-14), the Lost Piece of Silver, and the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). Why does the shepherd rejoice more over the one lost sheep brought back than over the ninety-nine that have not gone astray? Why does the woman rejoice more over the recovery of her lost drachma than over all the coins safe in her keeping? Why does the father rejoice more over the prodigal son come back in rags and penitence from the far country than over the obedient but austere brother that had never left the home? The stories were gateways into the inmost heart of God. There is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth more than over ninetynine just persons that need no repentance (Lk 15:7) Jesus told parable stories to teach. What was Jesus' point with this story? The main point is this: God, who has his dwelling in the presence of the angels, seeks sinners, and rejoices over even one of them who repents or is converted.