The Teaching Series with Brad Gray

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Episode 088 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 5: The Common Humanity Oct 29, 2019

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Episode 088 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 5: The Common Humanityi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-124{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-124:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-124.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 10:25-37; 2 Chronicles 28:1-15; Leviticus 19:18Did you know that Jesus didn’t manufacture the Parable of the Good Samaritan out of thin air? He was actually drawing upon a story from the Old Testament (his Bible). And it’s one of the most incredible war stories on loving one’s enemies. It’s sitting behind the parable, and this story, coupled with Leviticus 19:18, gives us a window into how we can love all people well, and how we must find the common humanity in others long before we highlight the differences. This is the final episode in this series on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and so we must ask, “Have we become the neighbor Jesus has asked us to become?” Let’s find out. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? Before this teaching, were you aware of the 2 Chronicles 28 story? If not, how did that enhance your understanding of the Parable of the Good Samaritan? Were you once again reminded of the importance of understanding the Old Testament to understand the teachings of Jesus? Where have you focused too much on loving yourself well first that you have not loved others well? Where do you find yourself highlighting the differences in other people long before affirming the commonalities? How can you become more like a child and affirm the common humanity first? Based on the four aspects we’ve highlighted in this series on “Becoming a Neighbor” (1. Shift the Focus, 2. Empathy and Action, 3. Imagine the Good, 4. Find the Common Humanity), are you becoming the kind of neighbor Jesus has asked us to become? In thinking through the series, what is the most significant thing you’ve learned or been challenged with? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching or this series this week? For Further Study Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 338-362 Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine – Chapter 2 Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth E. Bailey – Chapter 3 (in Through Peasant Eyes) addresses this parable. The Parables by Brad Young – Chapter 5

Episode 087 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 4: Imagine The Good Oct 22, 2019

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Episode 087 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 4: Imagine The Goodi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-127{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-127:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-127.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 10:29-37Jesus didn’t tell the Parable of the Good Samaritan so that we would help people in need. That was a byproduct. He told the parable to smash our categories of who’s “in” and who’s “out” to smithereens. The Samaritans were the most hated people on the planet for Jesus’s audience. And yet, to their utter shock and anger, the Samaritan was the hero of the story. Tantamount to saying, “The Good Hamas Member,” Jesus’s audience was confronted with their inability to love their enemy and to imagine that they could be good. If our world is going to change, it requires a radical love that begins with a better imagination. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? What are you feeling right now as a result of this teaching? Hope? Anger? Frustration? Confusion? Gratitude? Why do you think you feel the way you do? It was stated in the teaching, “If we can’t love those we don’t agree with, then we don’t have a clue as to what it means to follow Jesus.” What are your thoughts on this? It was also stated, “Jesus loved and accepted people without ever watering down his values and convictions.” Where is this most challenging for you to do? Who do you identify as “enemies” in your own life? If Jesus clearly wants us to love all people, including our enemies, how well are you doing with this? If you’re struggling to do so, what in your own heart needs to change in order to love them well? What does loving your “enemies” look like for you? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 338-362 Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine – Chapter 2 Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth E. Bailey – Chapter 3 (in Through Peasant Eyes) addresses this parable. The Parables by Brad Young – Chapter 5 Jesus The Middle Eastern Storyteller by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 4

Episode 086 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 3: Empathy and Action Oct 15, 2019

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Episode 086 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 3: Empathy and Actioni.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-130{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-130:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-130.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 10:33-37There’s a marked distinction between sympathy and empathy. Sympathy stands at a distance and says, “I’m sorry you’re going through this.” Empathy stands in the other person’s shoes and says, “I want to understand your situation so that I can respond in a way that’s truly loving and helpful to you.” Too many of us choose the former. The Good Samaritan chose the latter. And that’s precisely what Jesus was after when challenging his followers to respond in love to those in need. Love must be manifested in action. And in this episode, we learn how to do just that. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? How well do you do in empathizing with someone versus sympathizing with them? Are you making efforts to understand people’s situations? Do you ask enough questions to understand? How could you improve upon this? Where have you empathized well with people? What was the result? Where are you being challenged to respond in love more fully to someone in need? What may God be asking you to do? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 338-362 Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine – Chapter 2 Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth E. Bailey – Chapter 3 (in Through Peasant Eyes) addresses this parable. The Parables by Brad Young – Chapter 5

Episode 085 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 2: Shift The Focus Oct 08, 2019

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Episode 085 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 2: Shift The Focusi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-133{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-133:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-133.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 10:28-33So often, we allow fear or inconvenience drive our response to someone who is in need. In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, we meet a priest and Levite who fail to help a man who is in great need. But a Samaritan does what they were unable or unwilling to do. The priest and Levite were more focused on the implications for themselves than they were for the implications of this man. In this episode, we unpack the stunning details of this remarkable story, and why we must shift the focus from ourselves to others in order to be the kind of neighbors Jesus is challenging us to become. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? How is the Holy Spirit encouraging or challenging you based on what you learned in this episode? Have you been reluctant to help someone in need because you did not feel a responsibility for them? What did that look like? Where have you allowed fear and self-preservation to get in the way of helping people who are in need? Where has inconvenience prevented you from responding in compassion? Where do you need to shift the focus from yourself to others in your life? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 338-362 Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine – Chapter 2 Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth E. Bailey – Chapter 3 (in Through Peasant Eyes) addresses this parable. The Parables by Brad Young – Chapter 5

Episode 084 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 1: It’s a Bad Question Oct 01, 2019

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Episode 084 – Parable of the Good Samaritan Pt 1: It’s a Bad Questioni.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-136{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-136:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-136.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Luke 10:25-28When someone wants to encourage others to ask questions, they will often say, “There are no stupid questions.” But those who’ve been asked too many stupid questions will invariably reply, “Sure, there are no stupid questions – just stupid people who ask them.” It’s their way of humorously (or not so humorously) stating that there are clearly good questions and there are bad questions. In Luke 10, Jesus is asked by an expert, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” It’s a bad question, but not for the reasons you may think. The underlying factors betray his question, and he’s seeking a bare minimum approach to obedience to God. The problem is, many of us do the same thing, but unlike the expert, we may have no clue we’re doing it. If we don’t address it, we’re going to miss the way of Jesus and fail to live the life Jesus is calling us to live right now. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? What new connections did you make based on the content of this teaching? How have you traditionally understood Jesus’s interaction with the expert here in Luke 10? In what areas of your life do you feel like you’ve been seeking the “minimum requirement?” What are some better questions you need to be asking going forward? Where have you been too “eternal life after death” focused, rather than being “eternal life begins now” focused? Why do you think that is? How would life look different for you if were more focused on the now? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 338-362 Short Stories By Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine – Chapter 2 Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth E. Bailey – Chapter 3 (in Through Peasant Eyes) addresses this parable. The Parables by Brad Young – Chapter 5

Episode 083 – The Parable of the Soils Pt 2: Listen and Obey Sep 24, 2019

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Episode 083 – The Parable of the Soils Pt 2: Listen and Obeyi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-139{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-139:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-139.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Mark 4:10-13; Isaiah 6:8-10; Matthew 13:34-35Did Jesus tell parables to confuse his audience? A literal reading of the Parable of the Soils seems to indicate that. But what most people don’t realize is that Jesus does something with this parable that he doesn’t do with any of his other parables – he bookends it with the words “to hear.” Whoa! Until this phrase is set within the unfolding narrative of the Bible, it’s impossible to understand what Jesus is doing to help and challenge his audience to understand his words, and why he shockingly quotes Isaiah to prove it. He wants his audience to be like a bumper crop. But in order to do so, they must be willing to not only listen to the word of God, but obediently and courageously walk it out. As disciples of Christ, we must do the same, and this parable instructs on how to do so! Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? It was stated in the teaching, “a disciple is someone who listens and obeys.” What are your thoughts on this? It was also stated that this parable is about “preparation and execution.” How do you, or how might you, prepare yourself to hear the word of God? How focused are you on setting aside time to engage the words of God? How well do you think you are listening? How can you grow in this area? Is there any place where you know what God is calling you to do and you’re struggling to do so? Why do you think that is? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 145-178 The Parables by Brad H. Young – Chapter 14

Episode 082 – Parable of the Soils Pt 1: How’s Your Dirt? Sep 17, 2019

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Episode 082 – Parable of the Soils Pt 1: How’s Your Dirt?i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-142{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-142:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-142.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Mark 4:1-9; Jeremiah 4:3-4; Proverbs 4:23The Parable of the Soils (traditionally: Sower) is only one of three parables that shows up in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Of the three parables, it shows up the earliest, and in each one, it kicks off a series of parables. Why do we need to know that? Because it’s a parable about parables. To understand what Jesus is doing in his other parables, it’s imperative to understand what he’s doing in this one, which is why we’re starting here. Jesus portrays his listeners as one of four soils, but only one soil is desired. The question is, “Are we that soil?” And if not, what do we need to do? This episode will help you figure that out. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? How have you traditionally understood this parable? What was most surprising to you? Knowing the Parable of the Sower is actually about the soil, how does this change your perspective, if any, when reading it? Have you ever experienced the resurfacing of rocks in your life? If yes, how so? So how is your dirt? What rocks are currently in your field? Like the farmer outside of Nazareth, how hard are you truly willing to work to address the rocks in your field? Who in your life can help you deal with any rocks you may have? What does this process look like for you? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 145-178 The Parables by Brad H. Young – Chapter 14

Episode 081 – Jesus and His Explosive Parables Sep 10, 2019

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Episode 081 – Jesus and His Explosive Parablesi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-145{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-145:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-145.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Deuteronomy 19:15; Acts 1:1Being intentional with God’s Word is essential to living a deep and meaningful life. In the biblical period, God’s people were called to not only dig into the Scriptures but also to have an ongoing discussion with their friends and family about them. Formany of us, our time with God’s Word often stops with reading it and we miss out on the critical responsibility of discussion. In this episode, we explore why it’s so crucial to be intentional about our relationship with the Bible so that it permeates every facet of our lives. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? How have you traditionally understood that nature and purpose of parables? Did you learn anything new that will help you better approach and study the parables? Of all the parables Jesus told, which one is your favorite? And why? Klyne Snodgrass wrote in Stories With Intent, “Parables enlighten and instruct, but often with a message that people do not want to hear (p. 159).” What are your thoughts on this? It was said in the teaching, “We do not grow without tension and challenge. Anything significant in life requires us to be pushed.” Where have you experienced this in your life? What are you most excited about or hoping to get out of this series on the parables? How can you begin preparing yourself this week to engage these explosive stories in the weeks to come? For Further Study Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass

Episode 080 – The Power of Story Sep 03, 2019

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Episode 080 – The Power of Storyi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-148{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-148:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-148.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Mark 4:1-2We’re kicking off a brand-new series on Jesus and His Parables. Nearly one-third of Jesus’s teachings are in the form of parables. Jesus knew how to tell a good story. And he leveraged the power of story because he knew it was the most effective strategy for spreading a message. When we understand the power of story, and how Jesus utilized it, we’ll not only better understand his parables, but we’ll also be convinced that we must tell more stories if we want our most significant messages to spread. Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? Knowing more about the power of story, what did this teach you about Jesus’s intentionality when it came to teaching? How have you experienced the power of story in your life? How have stories shaped you? How do you leverage the power of story with your family, at work, with your friends, etc.? Where can you utilize stories more in communicating with others? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further Study Talk Like Ted by Carmine Gallo

Episode 079 – Do and Teach Aug 27, 2019

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Episode 079 – Do and Teachi.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-151{ color: #515151;}i.fb-icon-element.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-151:hover { color: #e00400;}i.fontawesome-icon.fb-icon-element-151.icon-hover-animation-pulsate:after {-webkit-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);-moz-box-shadow:0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);box-shadow: 0 0 0 2px rgba(255,255,255,0.1), 0 0 10px 10px #333333, 0 0 0 10px rgba(255,255,255,0.5);}Key Passage(s): Acts 1:1How do you get people to change? It’s a simple, yet profound question. What if I told you that the way we typically think people change isn’t the way they change at all – that we’ve got it all backwards? The good news is that Jesus didn’t. He knew exactly how people change, and employed an approach that maximized this. And when you understand what he did and why he did it, the way you approach change in your life and in the lives of others will definitely change. Enjoy! Discussion Questions What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching? Had you ever noticed the word order in Acts 1:1 about the “do and teach?” When seeking change in your life or in others, where have you focused so much on the rider that you’ve neglected the elephant? What’s once experience you could create in order to seek the desired change (again, whether in you or in those you lead or influence)? How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week? For Further StudySwitch by Chip and Dan Heath

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