Winter Quarter: Unit II, Lesson 5 – Teachers

As a result of experiencing this lesson, you should be able to do these things:

• Show comprehension of the meaning and significance of Jesus’ inaugural sermon in Nazareth.
• Know the impact of Jesus’ pronouncement in Nazareth.
• Show an aligned faith response with Jesus’ call and mission.

Anointed (verse 18)—Greek: chrió (khree’-o): consecrated by anointing.

Glorified (verse 15)—Greek: doxazó (dox-ad’-zo): rendered or esteemed as glorious (in a wide application); “praised” (NIV).

Heal (verse 18 [KJV only])—Greek: iaomai (ee-ah’-om- ahee): to cure, make whole.

Power (verse 14)—Greek: dunamis (doo’-nam-is): (miraculous) might, strength, ability.

Report (verse 14, NRSV)—Greek: phémé (fay’-may): a saying or report; “fame” (KJV); “news” (NIV).

Was teaching (verse 15)—Greek: didaskó (did-as’-ko): was imparting instruction; “taught” (KJV).

• Refer to the Townsend Press SS Commentary Teacher’s Edition for an additional lesson plan—with word studies, insights on teaching adults, learner matrices, etc.
• Review last week’s student assignments (“Your Life” and Your World!”).
• Thoroughly review your student book for your adult or young adult class.
• Please note that you have the option of using your subscription bundle supplements, i.e., Lesson Scenario, Student Activity Sheet, SSL-AAG

People frequently hear conflicting messages in life. What messages provide answers to life’s deepest problems? The worshippers in Nazareth listened to Jesus’ proclamation of justice and compassion and were amazed at His gracious words.

The old saying “Familiarity breeds contempt” has often proved true. People eagerly applaud the successes of a hometown hero when they shine on the national platform as a celebrity, bringing credit to their place of origin. The same people, however, are often less excited about submitting to the authority or leadership of one whom they regard as equal or no better than themselves. The people of Nazareth took pride in the news of Jesus’ miracles throughout Galilee but held Him in mild contempt as merely “the carpenter’s son” when He was among them. Why are people often hesitant or resistant to regarding the dramatic work of God in the life of those who are common or familiar to them? When we confine people to what they once were—to who or what we have known them to be—we miss seeing the reality of who they have become, and the promise of what God may yet reveal through them. With God, there is always the possibility of a new beginning and a larger purpose, not just for us but also for those around us.

The town of Nazareth was a small and seemingly insignificant town that many in the surrounding regions looked down upon (see John 1:45-46). The Nazarenes were aware of the prevailing sentiments toward their community and its residents, and the reality of oppression by the Roman empire. One might imagine, then, that they would have welcomed anyone who came to them with a powerful message of hope, especially one of their own. An initial positive reception of Jesus turned negative when He refused to answer their demand for miracles similar to those He performed in nearby towns and villages, because of a widespread lack of faith. The gospel writers record that Jesus’ refusal resulted in a strong reversal in popular opinion concerning Him and ended with an attempt to throw Jesus off a cliff (see Luke 4:22b-30). Matthew 13:54-58 and Mark 6:1-6 also record Jesus’ being rejected at Nazareth.

The proclamation of a special year of the Lord’s favor is a reference to the Year of Jubilee (see Leviticus 25:8-55). Jubilee was a time at which debts were forgiven, slaves freed, and land returned to its original owner. Isaiah refers to Jubilee in the context of a restoration of Israel after the nation’s enemies had humbled her (see Isaiah 61:2). Jesus made the reference in regard to the new day that He would usher in. Jesus came into the world at a time when hope was desperately needed. He preached and taught love to a generation whose love had grown cold and whose hope had diminished. Jesus became humanity’s only hope for forgiveness, abundant living, true joy, and eternal salvation—a true time of Jubilee. Regardless of where they live or the challenges of their generation, Christians have always had the hope of restoration and Jubilee through Christ Jesus.

(Choose from the items below.)

1. Have you ever been celebrated by people who have known you from childhood? How did you feel?
2. Have you ever been welcomed home to address your local community or extended family? Describe the moment.
3. Were you well-received? Share your impressions of people’s reactions to your presentation or words.

Christians know that Jesus has the power to keep each of His promises. His words never fail. Politicians and rising leaders often make lofty, exciting promises based on limited knowledge and understanding of the inner workings of the organizations or communities they have been called to serve. Unlike Jesus, many do not have the ability, resources, or knowledge to accomplish even a fraction of the grand things they promise to deliver. Regardless of what His hometown community had known Jesus to be throughout His youthful, formative years, God had anointed Jesus to a larger sphere of influence and impact. Today, we must resist the temptation to confine our faith and mental concept of Jesus only to what we have known Him to be in our lives. God transcends our personal experience and limited understanding of who He is. We stand with Jesus and for Him, even when others reject His Word or our witness of His work in our lives.

The message of Jesus Christ is for more than Sunday mornings. Jesus came not only to offer forgiveness, reconciliation, and eternal salvation to sinners, but also to improve the circumstances of this present life for everyday people. He came to serve, lift, and comfort those who hurt, struggle, and labor under the weight of oppression, injustice, poverty, and ignorance. Christians should not be content with limiting their relationship to God to a Sunday morning worship experience. The world needs a Savior. The world is hurting. The world is lost. God calls us beyond the four walls of the sanctuary to impact the world with His glorious message of hope and healing. This is the season of the Lord’s favor rather than the Lord’s wrath. We must carry this message to a world in desperate need of the hope that only Jesus can bring.

ADDITIONAL EXPOSITORY INSIGHTS FOR THE TEACHER

Luke 4:14-16

KJV

14  And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

15 And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

16  And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

NIV

14  Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.

15  He was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.

16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom. He stood up to read,

Matthew, Mark, and Luke indicate that Jesus’ ministry began in Galilee. John records an earlier ministry in Judea (see John 2:13–4:3). Luke stressed the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ life and ministry (see also Luke 1:35; 3:21-22; 4:1). The source of Jesus’ power should not be overlooked or underemphasized. Jesus began His ministry in His hometown. Luke recorded that after His baptism and being tempted by the devil, Jesus went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. He went to the synagogue, as His custom was, on the Sabbath day. And He stood up to read (see Luke 4:16-30). Following the traditional rabbinical pattern, Jesus took up a scroll of the prophet Isaiah, read it, and then commented on it.

During the Babylonian captivity after the destruction of the Temple, the Jews established synagogues as local centers of worship. Even after the Temple was rebuilt, local synagogue worship continued to be central worship sites within Jewish settlements and towns. Luke noted that Jesus regularly attended Sabbath service as a customary habit. As was also customary, members would be asked to read the Scripture and make appropriate remarks and comments.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student lesson for related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

Jesus retreated to the wilderness to fast and pray for spiritual power for ministry. What do you do to spiritually recharge yourself?

• Young Adult Questions:

No one in history has matched Jesus’ life-changing impact on people’s lives. Share ways you have spread the news about Jesus.

Luke 4:17-19

KJV

17  And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

18  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19  To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

NIV

17  And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found the place where it is written:

18  “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free,

19  “to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

The synagogue was a well-organized center of Jewish religious life, the place where believers received the teaching and ministry of God’s Word. Synagogue worship traditionally held to a regular order of readings. Jesus read from the scroll that included Isaiah 61:1-2, a prophecy of the messianic age. The passage was traditionally considered to be a commentary on Jubilee law. Given the background of the topic and the order of worship in the synagogue, we wonder if it is possible that the Torah reading for the day included selected texts from Leviticus 25, which teaches about the Year of Jubilee. A traditional synagogue service would have a reading from the Shema (see Deuteronomy 6:4- 9), a reading from the Torah (see Genesis through Deuteronomy), a reading from the Prophets, commentary or insight on the Scripture reading, and a closing benediction. Some services allowed comments after each reading. Scholars have suggested the possibility that the first year of Jesus’ ministry would have been a sabbatical year under Jubilee law. This would explain the crowds of people freely going out to see John the Baptist and the many huge crowds Jesus encountered throughout His ministry on earth. The proclamation by Jesus in the reading from the book of Isaiah reinforces the reality that Jesus and His ministry are for everybody. The Good News of the Gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes (see Romans 1:16). Jesus sets captives free, and those who have understanding acknowledge that sin is the ultimate captive. Jesus has come to set all of humanity free from the weight and wages of sin, until the coming of the great day when everyone is completely free from the presence of sin.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student book’s related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

Make a list of persons you know who need to receive the Good News of Jesus Christ. Where and with whom will you begin sharing? How will you make the decision?

• Young Adult Questions:

Jesus’ message was timeless and relevant for believers in every generation. In what ways does Jesus’ message connect to present concerns in our society? How can you take up Jesus’ mantle in support of these issues?

Luke 4:20-22a

KJV

20  And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21  And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

22  And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth.

NIV

20  Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21  He began by saying to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”

22  All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips.

The writings of the Old Testament were scrolls mounted on handles, read by rolling up one side while unrolling the other. After Jesus read the scroll, He rolled it up and handed it back to whomever was in charge of securing the sacred texts. Scrolls were costly to make and special care was taken to secure their preservation. Remaining seated while offering a public Scripture reading was likely a common tradition of the day (see Nehemiah 8:1- 5). Those who read the Scriptures during synagogue gatherings were usually master teachers or visiting rabbis. Jesus would not have been considered a “visiting rabbi” at this stage of His ministry. As Jesus read the words of Isaiah’s prophecy, many who heard Him were likely floored or stunned to hear Jesus align Himself so closely with the words of the Prophet Isaiah. Many likely wondered how the carpenter’s son could stand and make such a bold claim concerning Himself. Jesus had made a public claim to be the Messiah. The people were astounded. Luke does not record any other words Jesus may have spoken. The phrase “He began to speak” does suggest, however, that additional words were spoken.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student book’s related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

Jesus has given every believer power to proclaim the Good News. What are some proven strategies for sharing the Gospel?

• Young Adult Questions:

Jesus was a young man whose ministry was celebrated throughout the region. Large crowds flocked to hear Him. How does one remain humble when others glorify them for their gifts, talents, influence, or position?

• Refer to Adult Book

(See student lesson’s “Your Life” section.)

— Make a list of someone in your family or circle of influence who needs to hear the Good News from the Word, whether for direction, comfort, or correction. Pray for an opportunity to share with them.

(See student lesson’s “Your World!” section.)

— This week, journal your witnessing experiences, noting your progress in confidence and skill. Remember to write down your own personal experiences with Christ.

• Refer to Young Adult Book

(See student lesson’s “Your Life” section.)

— Every Christian is called to be a witness of the Good News in this broken world filled with hurting people. The message of Isaiah 61 remains your mission today. How do you show your commitment to Jesus’ mission to carry the Gospel to hurting, oppressed, marginalized people?

(See student lesson’s “Your World!” section.)

— Jesus’ ministry was to the poor, homeless, oppressed, the marginalized—those who may be homeless, down on their luck, or victims of injustice. God calls each of us to find ways to serve as Jesus served, touching the lives of those who are often overlooked by others.

The lesson topic for Sunday, January 10, 2021, is “The Ultimate Fish Story.” The Devotional Reading is Luke 9:57-62, and both the Background Scripture and Printed Text are Luke 5:1-11.

Lord, anoint us to serve You fully. Give us words to speak and the privilege of sharing Your truth and love with those who need You most. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

(January 4-10, 2021)

CALLED TO SIGNIFICANCE

MONDAY, January 4: “Called to Lead Israelites from Egypt” (Exodus 3:1-12)
TUESDAY, January 5: “Called to Deliver Israelites from Midianites” (Judges 6:11-16)
WEDNESDAY, January 6: “Called and Cleansed for Ministry” (Isaiah 6:1-8)
THURSDAY, January 7: “Single Mindedness Required to Follow Jesus” (Luke 9:57-62)
FRIDAY, January 8: “Repentance, Goal of God’s Kindness” (Romans 2:1-11)
SATURDAY, January 9: “Jesus Calls Peter to Ministry” (John 21:15-19)
SUNDAY, January 10: “Don’t Be Afraid to Catch People” (Luke 5:1-11)