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We have been looking at some of the basic truths of the Christian faith. Now we have to start considering the practical implications of all this. In response to these truths, what must I do? Christianity is far more than believing certain truths in our minds. It must include a practical response. We shall see what is expected of us in response to what God has done.
1. What answer did Peter give to the question “What must I do?” (Acts 2:38,39)
2. What are the consequences of such a response? (Acts 2:38-41)
3. Read the passage in Luke 3 carefully. What is Luke’s summary of the message John was preaching? (Luke 3:3)
4. To repent means to change one’s mind in such a way that it leads to a change of behavior. It includes being sorry for past sins, but also includes the dimension of determining to do something about it. What does John require them to do? (Luke 3:8)
5. When they asked John for more specific details of what he meant by this, what examples did he give? (Luke 3:11-14)
6. As John said, his role was only to prepare the way for the coming of the Christ (Luke 3:15-18). In light of the message Jesus brought as he began his ministry (see Mark 1:14), how do you think John was able to prepare the way?
7. Now we shall see how Jesus dealt with this issue with a particular man called Zacchaeus. What do we know about this man? (Luke 19:2,3)
8. Jesus struck up a relationship with Zacchaeus; how did he go about doing this? What did the rest of the crowd think about that? (Luke 19:5-7) What do you think that implies for the way that Jesus wants to treat you?
9. What was Zacchaeus’ immediate response to being drawn into relationship with Jesus? (Luke 19:8)
10. What effect did the change in Zacchaeus have? (Luke 19:9)
When Jesus walks into a home, as he did into Zacchaeus’, it is like a light shining into the darkness. Suddenly all that Zacchaeus had been doing was brought to the light. We don’t know whether Jesus directly spoke with Zacchaeus about his cheating and stealing, or whether it was simply that the presence of Jesus’ holiness awakened Zacchaeus’ conscience. If Jesus were to come to your home, what would be brought to light? What should you do about these things?
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