Who’s in Your Circle?

GETTING STARTED

I was a believer from a young age but didn’t grow up in a Christian family and only had snapshots of true, daily, Christian life until I graduated from college. It was then that an aunt and uncle introduced me to a young couple who had moved and were looking for some help. Living in their home, I saw life in Jesus through them in a way that I hadn’t seen before, and as a result, I came to a place of all-in commitment to a lifetime of worship and surrender to God and all his truth.

  • Consider personal influence. Who in your life has impacted you greatly, and in what ways? Who are you impacting?

READ THE WORD: MARK 2:13-17 (ESV)

13 He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. 14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. Jesus was again teaching the crowds, and whom did he pass by (vss. 13-14)? Do you think it was a chance passing?
  2. What did Jesus say to Levi (vs. 14)? Who initiated the contact? What was Levi’s response? Would that have been yours?
  3. Where did they go, and who was there (vs. 15)?
  4. What was Jesus’ response to the challenge of his morals (vss. 16-17)? Do you think he expected this conflict? Could it have been part of his purpose?
  5. Why do you think Jesus chose Levi? Whom in your circle of influence might Jesus want to spend some time with?

RESPOND TO GOD

Jesus turned Jewish religious culture on its head when he went to Levi’s house to dine with “tax collectors and sinners.” He singled out one such man and went to his home to share a meal with him and his circle of friends. These were the very ones Jesus came for. While crowds of the curious followed Jesus openly to hear him again and again, Jesus chose someone who gave him access to a group who, for various reasons, wouldn’t likely seek him out. Who in your world might not have ready access to Jesus except through you? Is Jesus calling you to bring him or her along somewhere with you?

  • Prayerfully consider whom Jesus might be calling you to “dine” with.
  • Ask God to show you ways that you can reveal Jesus to those around you.
  • Pray for courage to follow Jesus to those he seeks to engage in your circle of influence.