Minds Opened

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BIBLE PASSAGE – Luke 24.44-53

He said to them, ‘This is what I told you while I was still with you: everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.’
Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, ‘This is what is written: the Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’
When he had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshipped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And they stayed continually at the temple, praising God.
Once the disciples had realised it was Jesus and had calmed down a bit, Jesus explained some of the Scriptures to them. It would seem the disciples already knew a lot of this but needed Jesus to help them understand it.

The Bible says that Jesus ‘opened the minds’ of the disciples. What does that mean to you?

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One thing I learn from this is a reminder that all we have comes from God. Jesus opened their minds, this was a gift which God gave. There is nothing we have that is of ourselves. All our skills and gifts are from God, whether we choose to recognise it or not.

Can you find anything in the Bible talking about gifts and where they come from?

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(Hints: 1 Corinthians 12.4-11, Romans 12.3, Matthew 7.11, Ephesians 2.8-10)

Jesus gives the disciple a summary of the Christian message – almost like a mini sermon or commissioning to the disciples. How would you summarize the Gospel? Apart from anything, doing this will help you clarify what you believe and make you stronger in your grounding of the faith

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Jesus promised the disciples that they would receive a power from God but they had to wait in Jerusalem.

1. Have their been times that you have had to wait on God before he has helped you?

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2. What was this power Jesus promised and where do we read about it?

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(Hint: Acts 1 and 2)

Jesus led his followers as far as Bethany. Note that Jesus led the disciples, he was at the forefront and the disciples followed him. Read E and summarize it in your own words..

Colossians 1.15-19:

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Ephesians 1.20-23:

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While Jesus was blessing his disciples (blessing is like praying good and Godly things over people), Jesus went up into heaven. The disciples were filled with a deep and spiritual joy – we read in the last verse of the chapter (verse 53) that ‘they stayed in the temple all the time, praising God)

This has to be our attitude – living as a child of God 24/7 and praising God in all times. Being a disciple isn’t about going to church, it’s about living a constant, consistent life of obedience and holiness to Jesus. Sounds a bit tragic (though it’s really not!) but if you want true life, full life, an exciting life then it’s the only way!